Save the Date: March is for dancing, drinking and parading about

What would St. Patrick’s Day celebrations be without a parade? They’d be St. Patrick’s Day celebrations without a parade. … And a lot less fun.

Don’t spend time worrying about that doomsday scenario, since the annual Paddy Hough Parade returns from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. March 16, starting at Hough Elementary, 1900 Daniels St., Vancouver; free. The Parade features students, staff and the local community in a celebration of Hough Elementary School, its neighborhoods and the city. The parade will head from Hough Elementary, continuing north on Daniels to 24th Street, east on 24th Street to Main Street, south on Main Street to McLoughlin Boulevard, then west on McLoughlin back to Daniels to finish at Hough Elementary. 360-313-2100 or hough.vansd.org.

A Portland Opera performance will take place in … Vancouver. Yes, you read that right. The 2018 Portland Opera Season Preview in Vancouver features Portland Opera’s resident artists and Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor Nicholas Fox, crossing the bridge to bring a show to Clark County starting at 2 p.m. March 18 at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver; free, first come, first served. Resident artists perform a 50-minute program including highlights of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Gounod’s Faust, Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. 360-635-4358 or magentatheater.com.

This band of performers won’t have to cross borders for their show. The Vancouver Symphony’s Chamber Music Series will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a Celtic concert showcasing classic and contemporary Irish music at 3 p.m. March 18 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver; $25, $10 for students. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will play dance tunes and audience-inclusive songs, followed by young artists playing the Celtic drums and flute. Music that will be played includes “My Wild Irish Rose,” Lannigan’s Ball” and “Danny Boy.” 360-816-0352 or vancouversymphony.org.

Whether alone and secluded in your room or in the middle of a wedding party, everyone’s gotten down with dance moves at some point. Now you can walk it out for a good cause at Dance For A Cure from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver; $30 general, $42.39 includes shirt. The biggest team-taught Jazzercise class in Clark County benefits the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win dozens of baskets and prizes. Comfortable workout shoes and clothing suggested. 360-903-1071 or facebook.com/events/1934282736898825.

“Dancing with the Stars” is one television’s biggest shows, so why not adapt it for Clark County? That’s exactly what’s happening from 6 to 9 p.m. March 24 at Windy Hills Winery, 1346 S. 38th Court, Ridgefield; $75. Dancing with the Local Stars 2.0 features six local stars — Mike Bomar (Columbia River Economic Development Council), Scot Brantley (Clark County Public Works), Dr. Dene Grigar (Washington State University Vancouver), Kelly Love (Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center), Julie Olson (Clark County Council), and Jeff Swanson (Battle Ground City Manager) — who will square off in a dance event featuring international, Latin and American dance, and emceed by local ballroom dance aficionado, Ralph Stevens. rotaryofthreecreeks.com/calendar.html.

Magenta Theater’s Black Chair Project staged readings return with “Enchanted April” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 24 at the theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver; $10 to $12. Two staid London housewives rent a villa in Italy as a break from bleak marriages. To pay for the vacation, they invite two other, very different English women. During their stay, the ladies become enchanted with their idyllic surroundings while they rediscover laughter, learn new truths and find romance. 360-635-4358 or magentatheater.com.

Have a few drinks for a good cause at Brew Fest For MS from 2 to 10 p.m. March 31 at Brickhouse Bar & Grill, 109 W. 15th St., Vancouver; $15, admission includes tasting glass and tasting script, 21 and older. The Bike Team Road Kill hosts this fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The event features local breweries, live music and more. 360-601-0348.