Here’s What’s Happening (in order of appearance):

St. Patrick’s Events / Chelsea Green Park’s Annual Online Auction / Take MCB4’s Online Transportation Poll / West Side Community Fund’s  Spring 2025 Grant Cycle / Music, Art, & More at Verdi Cannabis / The 14th Annual Spring Meeting of the Chelsea Garden Club / Demo and Dine / Art Exhibits at Hudson Guild /  

A Preview of St. Patrick’s Day Events

St. Patrick’s Event at 11am on Sunday, March 16, in Clement Clarke Moore Park (W. 22nd St. & 10th Ave.) | The West 400 Block Association hosts this free “day-before” observance of Monday, March 17’s St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish-centric content includes a special appearance by that kilt-wearing bagpiper those in the know will know from years past. Arriving at the park with masterful musical skills and contagious conviction, he’s sure to set a tone that will ensure all assembled eyes–Irish and otherwise–are smiling. Three other aspects of this festive event (A coloring activity for the kids! Leprechaun hats on hand! Chocolate gold coins for all!) will keep the smiles coming–and that’s no blarney!

St. Patrick’s Day at Chelsea Market: Monday, March 17 | Yes, everybody is Irish—at least on St. Patrick’s Day. But it’s up to you to do the holiday proud—and no, spending the whole day subjecting the world to your Lucky Charms Leprechaun impression by declaring everything you see to be “magically delicious” just won’t cut it. For truly tasty Irish cuisine, head to Chelsea Market, where the food hall’s vendors will be serving up delicious specials throughout the day. Featured items include traditional Irish soda bread, Guiness cakes with Bailey’s frosting, and green-frosted cupcakes from Amy’s Bread. Dickson’s Farmstand Meats is offering $5 green beers, traditional corned beef & cabbage, and other menu specials running all day. Last but not least by a long shot, Creamline, in collaboration with A Taste of Economy Candy, is releasing a limited-time St. Patrick’s Day Milkshake with Junior Mints, Green Whipped Cream, and chocolate coins.

Chelsea Green Park’s Annual Online Auction: Through Tuesday, March 11 | Friends of a Chelsea Green, the group behind the great programming at Chelsea Green Park (140 W. 20th St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.), is having its annual action. Proceeds will help fund the migthy microspace’s free entertainment and activities, including street fairs, Halloween festivities, and live performances. Why support this effort? The Friends make the case in the auction’s promo materials, observing, “This small but vibrant spot provides a peaceful green space where neighbors can gather, relax, and connect. It’s a quiet retreat in the heart of Chelsea, with shaded seating, a welcoming play area for children, and plenty of room to enjoy a moment outdoors. Beyond being a beautiful space, Chelsea Green Park brings our community together.” If you have any questions, contact the Friends by sending an email to ChelseaGreenPark@gmail.com. To join their new Facebook page, click here. And to participate in the auction, click here.

Events at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.) | Having recently celebrated its first full year since setting up shop on West 23rd Street, legal cannabis distributor Verdi Cannabis offers free arts programming via gallery-style displays of artwork on their walls, and a Thursday night music series. This month, the featured musical acts are: March 6, Nice Time (Sponsors: Smokiez, Umamii); March 13, Leather and Lace (Sponsors: Edie Parker – Seediez, Rhythm, Miss Grass; March 20, Love Deep (Sponsors: Bettering Co); and March 27, Joe Salgo Solo Project (Sponsors Gron). As for special events happening in-store: On Thursday, March 20, the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck is parked nearby, 12pm-8pm; On March 21, 1pm-8pm, it’s a Bloom Women’s History Month Flash Tattoo Event. (Expect announcements soon regarding  tie-ins to basketball’s March Madness and March 17’s St. Patrick’s Day.) Also: Always on view on the walls–and available for purchase–is the work of painters and photographers. Through March 22, the featured artist is Spazecraft. Then, through April 12, the featured artist is Dina Freeman. Throughout the month of March, Verdi is running a fundraiser in collaboration with Rove to benefit LA Wildfire relief. “We have 3 Rove gift baskets, with live product and merch, each at a $350 retail value. You can purchase a raffle ticket for $5 at Verdi,” says a Verdi staffer. To keep up with what else is up with Verdi, click here to visit their website. To visit the EVENTS page of their website, click here.

The 14th Annual Spring Meeting of the Chelsea Garden Club: Saturday, March 22, 10am to 11:30am at Hudson Guild (441 W. 26th St. btw. 9th/10th Aves.) | “Bring a snack, a drink, spare seeds, garden tools, or a friend,” writes a rep from the Chelsea Garden Club, in advance of their “come one, come all” annual spring meeting of March 22. Last year was a rough one for the Club’s micr-gardens, which can be found in the tree pits of pedestrian islands on Eighth and Ninth Aves. Many of those pits became the target of vandals, thieves, and not-well wanderers. Nevertheless, the Club’s all-volunteer membership endured. (To sample their good work, click here for our coverage of the 2024 Tree Pit Tour). As for what’s on the agenda of their upcoming meeting, the Club told us expected topics include: “New Gardens on 10th Ave. Tree Pits; Garden Club Signs; Vandalism; Fall Bulb Plantings; and the Good Gardener Awards.” Good gravy! That’s enough for anyone with green thumb to wanna go! Note: To follow Chelsea Garden Club on Facebook, click here. Their mail is cgc.nyc@gmail.com.

Demo and Dine: March 28 at Market 57’s PLATFORM (at Pier 57, 25 11th Ave.) | PLATFORM, the ultra-modern showcase kitchen and educational facility at Pier 57’s Market 57, is home to this series that sees participants immersed in the favorite flavorful cuisine of a renowned guest chef. The series made its debut on Sunday, March 9, with Milk and Cardamom: Afternoon Chai with Hetal Vasavda. Author and blogger Vasavda shares family favortes during this demonstration and tasting. Learn the secret to making delectable Masala Chai and Kesar Pista Cream Puffs while sipping chai. General admission tickets are $95 here and tickets with a copy of Desi Bakes (Vasavda’s book) are available for $125 here. Then, at 6pm on Friday, March 28, it’s Pasta and Pastry with Chef Renato Poliafito. Brooklyn-based chef/author Poliafiro leads this interactive dining experience and Q&A, while sharing “his expert techniques for making fresh, authentic pasta from scratch, and the step-by-step secrets behind his incredible pastries.” Tickets are available for $95 here.

Water’s Voice and Our Fragile Moment: Climate Crisis-Themed Exhibits at Hudson Guild | Free to the public, these exhibits are the latest in Hudson Guild’s Art in Response series in which “artists  examine issues of social and political importance to our community.” Water’s Voice considers the powerful presence of water in nature—and ourselves. (“We are mostly water,” the exhibit’s promo material notes.) The work of artists Patricia Espinosa, Eleanor Goldstein, Ellie  Irons, Susan Knight, Michelle Lougee, and Camille Seaman celebrate and champion water, working in a variety of formats and mediums. Free to view at Guild Gallery II (119 Ninth Ave.) through April 22; Tues. through Fri., 10am to 5pm, and by appointment (call 212-760-9837 to schedule a visit).

Having opened on February 13 at Hudson Guild Gallery (441 W. 26th St.) with a free reception from 5:30pm to 7pm, the exhibit Our Fragile Moment highlights environmental issues, including sea level rise. “The  combined voices of these artists allow beauty to blend with sadness, fear to be overlaid with hope and optimism, and  apathy to be turned to action,” notes artist/educator Fran Beallor, who curated this exhibit as well as Water’s Voice. As for the talent featured in Our Fragile Moment, Beallor’s hand-picked roster includes Rachel Aisenson, M. Annenberg, Nicole Betancourt,  Lois Bender, Pam Brown, Pamela Casper, Jesica Clark, Simona Clausnitzer, Nora Chavooshian, January Yoon Cho, Nicole Cooper, Cailyn  Dawson, Noreen Dean Dresser, Anke Frohlich, Nancy Gesimondo, Pearl Rosen Golden, Deborah Kruger, Sally Linder,  Christina Massey, Mars Miller, Eleni Mylonas, Beryl Perron-Feller, Grace Graupe Pillard, Jeffrey Allen Price, Kristin  Reed, Yvonne Lamar Rogers, Ann R. Shapiro, Amrita Singh, Molly Tenzer, Tammy West, Jane Whitten, and Lucy Wilner.

“Our Fragile Moment” is free to view through April 22; Tues. through Fri., 10am to 6pm, Sat., 12pm to 3pm, and by appointment (call 212-760-9837to schedule a visit). Monday, March 24, 76pm to 8:30pm, artists from both exhibits come together for a virtual event: “Artists on the Climate Crisis An Artists Talk on Art.”  This online discussion is held via Zoom. Click here for the link and when prompted, use 737066 as the password.

—Listings compiled by Scott Stiffler

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