Tonight: St. Patrick's Day for Grown-Ups

dead redhead/Flickr

Where: California Historical Society, 678 Mission (at Annie), 357-1848

When: Tonight, Mar. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: $4 suggested donation

The rundown: You're over St. Patrick's Day, we get it. It's a phony, white-bread tradition, probably invented by Jameson or Guinness, that leaves the streets littered with plastic hats and green puke. Cheer up, ya cynics: Tonight the California Historical Society hosts a St. Patty's event for the NPR set, with a minifeast and a chance to learn about the Irish immigrant experience in California. They'll be serving small portions of shepherd's pie, mini roast potatoes, soda bread, bangers, corned beef, Irish cheeses, and cookies. Just don't get your grubby mitts all over the historical stuff ― the CHS will be breaking out its collection of Irish "ephemera," with rare artifacts like advertisements, catalogs, menus, theater programs, travel guides, and more. There will also be beer and wine, but probably no keg stands.

Arrive early for the snacks; Kathy Jacobson of the CHS fears there may not be enough for all.