St. Patrick’s Parade True, the actual feast of St. Patrick 2 isn’t until Saturday, but when isn’t it a good time to start celebrating? Dig out your greenest outfit, practice saying “Erin go Bragh” properly (and know that it means “Ireland forever,” ’cause you just might be asked), look for that elusive four-leaf clover, prepare a hearty breakfast of bangers and mash and get yourself over to today’s parade, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Washington Monument, Charles and Monument streets, then proceeding south and east on Charles and Pratt streets to Market Place. Bands, bagpipes, dancers, most likely a pol or two — it’ll all be there. To really get in the spirit, claim yourself a prime viewing spot for the Shamrock 5K Race, which sets off at 1:15 p.m. at Charles and Franklin streets. irishparade.net.

‘Chérubin’ Think of Jules Massenet's 1905 3 opera as Act 2 of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” as it imagines the beginnings of the page Chérubin’s military career. It appears the teenager is destined to be a better lover than fighter.

Performed by the Peabody Opera Theatre and Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Thursdayat the Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall, 1 E.

Mount Vernon Place. Free. peabody.jhu.edu.

BATS!

Working though conversation, stories, sound and original illustra- 4 tions by Baltimore artist Chelsea Demitrasat, Michele Minnick and Submersive Productions offers a rumination on fear and madness. Opens Thursdayand runs Thursdays-Sundays through March 31 in the Marquee Lounge at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. in Highlandtown.

8:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. Sundays. $35-$75. submersiveproductions.com.

‘Tomb Raider’ Alicia Vikander takes over the role 5 of fearsome adventurer Lara Croft from Angelina Jolie (one Oscar winner handing off to another...). In theaters Thursday. Blake Shelton Nice of Blake to take some time off from his duties on “The Voice” to remind us all of why he’s there in the first place. Expect all sorts of hits, including country chart-toppers like “Austin,” “The Baby,” “Some Beach,” “Home,” “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” and “Hillbilly Bone” (wouldn’tit be cool if Trace Adkinsshowedup for that lastone? We can always hope). 7 p.m. Friday at Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. $46-$95. royalfarmsarena.com. Black Girls Rock: Evening with Beverly Bond The author, activist and businesswoman, who was raised in Mary- 6 land, will discuss and sign copies of her book, “Black Girls Rock! Owning Our Magic, Rocking Our Truth." 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday at the Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt St. $30, includes a copy of the book. lewismuseum.org.

Shamrock Crawl 2018 For $20-$30, the leprechauns and 7 others Irish-for-the-day among us can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a souvenir mug, party favors and access to drink specials at about a dozen Fells Point bars. 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, with registration at Sir Duke, 701 S. Bond St. theshamrockcrawl.com/baltimore.

Celtic Woman You don’t get much more Irish than 8 this show, featuring performances from classically and traditionally trained Irish female musicians. 7:30 p.m. Saturdayat the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome, 12 N.

Eutaw St. $94.50, france-merrickpac.com.

Stoop Storytelling 101: Workshop Do this, and maybe you can be part 9 of the next Stoop Storytelling show.

1p.m. Saturdayat the BIG Theater, 1727 N.

Charles St. $55-$60. stoopstorytelling- .com.

Blending Gothic and Modern: The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen Completed in 1959, this third 10 largest cathedral in the U.S. was largely financed through a bequest from a local merchant so grateful that his store was spared from the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 that he bequeathed two-thirds of his wealth to its construction. Join Baltimore Heritage for a tour of this gothic/art deco masterpiece. 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Thursday at the cathedral, 5200 N.

Charles St. baltimoreheritage.org. ckaltenbach@baltsun.com twitter.com/chriskaltsun MORE EVENTS: For more things to do, go to baltimoresun.com/events