The Mix: Really cool things to do

GREEN RIVER

You have to see the Kelly green the Chicago River attains on St. Patrick’s Day to believe it. Bagpipers will provide the background music as the dye is dumped into the river at Columbus Drive at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, a ritual that is viewable from both the north and the south banks. Call (312) 421-1010.

MONSTER MADNESS

Fans of the triple feature should head to the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee, on Saturday for a triple treat at 6:30 p.m.: “Attack of the Giant Leeches” (1959), “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (1958) and “The Mummy” (1959). All three films will set you back $10. Also available for purchase will be vintage toys and collectibles. Doors open at 5 p.m. Visit www.portagetheater.org for more information.

STORM BREWING

Gaelic Storm was a fledgling Los Angeles pub band when the group was cast as the steerage dance band in the blockbuster 1997 film “Titanic.” But Gaelic Storm rode the publicity boost from the film to become one of the premier Celtic music groups in the world. It will appear at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday night. Tickets are $35. Oakhurst will open. Call (312) 923-2000; www.hob.com.

TO THE MAX

The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago, is treating itself to a party in honor of its new spring exhibition, “Buckminster Fuller: Starting with the Universe,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The Dynamic Maximum Celebration will take over three floors of the museum with art and entertainment, including the Josh Berman Trio and DJ Madrid. Wolfgang Puck’s will provide hors d’oeuvres and beverages (two drinks included in the cost). Tickets are $40, free for kids age 12 and younger. Admission to the Fuller show is included. Call (312) 280-2660; www.mcachicago.org.

GOTTA DANCE

Local celebrities will kick up their heels to help the fight against breast cancer when Arthur Murray Chicago presents its fourth annual Dancing with Chicago Celebrities, at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $195 and include the dance-off, dessert, hors d’oeuvres and more. Call (312) 644-7554; www.dancingwithchicagocelebrities.org.

FROM THE HEART

Madeleine Peyroux has made a name for herself as a jazz singer, songwriter and guitarist. American-born, she spent much of her youth in Paris, and for a long time was a street musician there. Peyroux, whose new album is titled “Bare Bones,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Tickets are $36. Call (773) 559-1212; www.ticketmaster.com.

MENDELSSOHN MILESTONE

The Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate the 200th birthday of German composer Felix Mendelssohn with a special concert of his works at 7 p.m. Sunday at Pick-Staiger Hall. After the performances, patrons can partake in a lobby reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and wine. Tickets are $10-$70. The concert hall is located on the campus of Northwestern University, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. For tickets, call (847) 866.6888; www.chicagophilharmonic.org.