Get Out! 5 Things to Do This Weekend

St. Patrick’s Day is a month away, but this weekend you can break out your kilts and shillelaghs, dance a jig and hear the call of bagpipes if you are so inclined.

Our other suggestions offer a variety of musical styles, a special deal on eating out and the opening of one of the year’s blockbuster movies.

1. The 19th Annual Greater Philadelphia Mid-Winter Scottish and Irish Music Festival and Fair

Where/When: The Valley Forge Convention Center, 1610 First Ave., King of Prussia. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Why Go: A whole weekend of Celtic-themed music from acts such as the Young Dubliners, Albannach, Seven Nations, the Tannahill Weavers, Brother and Seamus Kennedy. There will also be whisky tastings, Irish and Scottish dancers, dance classes, language classes, activities for kids, seminars and bagpipes--lots and lots of bagpipes. In fact, one of the seminars is titled, “What the heck is a bagpipe?”

Pricing: $20 on Friday night; $30 on Saturday; $25 on Sunday. Kids under the age of 12 are free all weekend.

2. Dickey Betts and Great Southern

Where/When: Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe, 8 p.m., Friday.

Why Go: Dickey Betts was one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band and, with the late Duane Allman, formed one of the greatest lead guitar tandems in rock history. He also wrote some of the Allmans’ most well-known songs, including “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica,” “Blue Sky” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as the 58th greatest guitarist of all time. Some would say, myself included, that ranking is a little low.

Pricing: $32 at the door.

3. Music Across Borders – East Winds Quintet

Where/When: Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem, 3 p.m., Sunday.

Why Go: Hear a variety of musical styles in one concert, including Cuban Paquito D’Rivera’s “Aires Tropicales” and Czech Leos Janacek’s “Mladi.”

Pricing: $12

4. “I Am Number Four”

Where/When: Rave Motion Pictures Promenade 16, Carmike 16, ; opening Friday and playing all weekend. Check listings for times.

Why Go: The first science fiction blockbuster film of 2011 is the story of a typical teenager, who just happens to be an alien (the outer space kind) on the run from evil aliens (the outer space kind) who are trying to kill him and others like him. Michael Bay of “Transformers” fame produced, so you know it will have lots of explosions and stuff.

Pricing: Varies according to theater and showtime. Check listings.

5. Restaurant Week at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley

Where/When: All of the eateries at The Promenade Shops, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley. Sunday through Feb. 24.

Why Go: Prix Fixe two- and three-course meals at some of the fine dining establishments at The Promenade Shops. Specials also available at the casual dining spots as well. And watching all those aliens chasing aliens and explosions and stuff is going to make you hungry.

Pricing: Ranges from $5 for lunch at Red Robin to $39 for dinner at Shula’s Steak House.