Six Picks: St. Patrick’s Day, Shaq, ‘Japan Nite,”Being Flynn’

Young Dubliners

No need to wait a few more hours for St. Patrick's Day when you can sling Guinness with the Young Dubliners, a Celtic rock band that can be majestic or giddy, sometimes all in the same song. Party early and beat the rush with the 9 p.m. show inside Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road. Tickets are $20; call 693-5583.

-- Mike Weatherford

'Japan Nite'

Know someone who's allergic to fun? Take 'em to "Japan Nite," featuring such Far East fire starters as Nokies!, Vampillia, the Akabane Vulgars, the ZZZ's and more, and laugh as they totally break out in hives. The festivities start at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $15; call 733-7625.

-- Jason Bracelin

'Being Flynn'

Just when you think you've forged your own path, along comes your long-lost father to complicate your life -- which is exactly what happens to a wannabe writer (Paul Dano), who encounters his con-man dad (Robert De Niro), a self-proclaimed poet, at a Boston homeless shelter in "Being Flynn." The comedy-drama, from "About a Boy" director Paul Weitz, opens today at Village Square.

-- Carol Cling

St. Patrick's Day fun

Even if your eyes aren't Irish, they'll be smiling this weekend at the 46th annual Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. In addition to 10 a.m. Saturday parade, the celebration includes a carnival, festival and entertainment today through Sunday, plus Saturday's St. Baldrick's Head-Shaving Fundraiser and classic car show. For more information, call 267-2171 or click on www.HendersonLive.com.

-- Carol Cling

Hangover Brunch

We may not dye Lake Mead green, but we sure know how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas, with festivities today and Saturday in every local Irish pub and many other bars and restaurants across the valley. But here's something for the day after: a St. Patrick's Day Hangover Brunch, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Simon Restaurant & Lounge at Palms Place, 4381 W. Flamingo Road. With Simon's regular brunch menu plus special dishes, it's $39.50 for adults, $13 for kids 12 and younger.

-- Heidi Knapp Rinella

Celebrate with Shaq

It's a big Shaq attack Saturday night at Lavo. The giant former NBA star gets a 40th birthday party at the Palazzo nightclub, although officially he blew out his candles on March 6.

-- Doug Elfman