St. Patrick’s Day, one of the best holiday’s of the year, is slowly encroaching.  Not from Buffalo and don’t know what to do?  The Griffin is here to help.  You are from Buffalo but have never participated in the St. Patty’s festivities?  Shame on you.  Here’s our simple guide to some events to attend, some traditional and not-so-traditional, during the holiday weekend.

If you haven’t experienced the annual Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade, you haven’t experienced a true Irish celebration.  Each year Buffalo holds two parades. The most popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Sunday March 18 at 2 p.m.  Supported only by local donations, The United Irish American Association elected Patrick Plunkett as this year’s Grand Marshall.  The parade begins at Buffalo City Hall in Niagara Square and goes down Delaware Avenue, and ends at North Street.  The 2012 Parade mass will take place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. before the parade. 

The Old First Ward St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on the holiday itself, Saturday, March 17 at 12 p.m.  Located in South Buffalo, a segment of the city that has a prominent Irish history and is scattered with Irish bars, this parade shows the heart of the true Irish. 

In addition to the two parades, there are plenty of other events going on in the name of St. Patrick.  Whether it be a corned beef buffet or dancing your own version of an Irish jig to your favorite DJ, Buffalo offers plenty of options.

Saturday March 17

Shamrock Shakedown w/ John Acquaviva & Anthony Attalla

Dnipro Ukranian Cultural Center 8 p.m.-5 a.m.

562 Genesee Street

18+ $20 at the door

a not-for-profit event

Multiple room and genre event presented by B.A.D. Ass & Jamieson Productions.  Headlining performers include John Acquaviva and Anthony Attalla.  Acquaviva, producer and DJ, began his international career in 1989 and has since performed at shows and festivals worldwide. 

Not only known for his talents as a performer, he also helped launch Beatport.com, the prominent site for music downloads and a key go-to site for DJs.  Attalla himself has charted 30 of his own tracks in the Top 100 chart on Beatport.  He tours consistently through the United States and also international locations, Ibiza and Asia among them. 

In addition to these huge names, are other widely recognized and extremely talented DJs. 24 other DJs will perform throughout the night; including Buffalo’s own HXLY, Stuntman, Brother Bear, SwaggleRock, Arehouse, Medison, Paul Kuenzi, 3PO, Sunglasses Mike and many others.  In addition to this already mind-blowing line up, there will be live bands, Pittsburgh style hula hoop contest, and prize giveaways.  At the end of the night a free taxi service is available.

By Alicia Greco