7 incredible Bay Area things to do this weekend, March 17-19

We have all kinds of ideas for how to have fun — rain or shine — this weekend, from great concerts and dance recitals to an awww-inducing Marin day trip and a new take on a St. Patrick’s Day staple. So let’s get to it, shall we?

As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

1 SEE & HEAR: Great concerts and shows are all over

There’s always a lot going on in the Bay Area, but this weekend seems especially promising. From the famous S.F. Girls Chorus to all-world pianist Jon Nakamatsu to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, here’s a partial rundown of your options.

2 PLAY: A creamy Marin day trip

This weekend seems like the perfect occasion to head to Marin County and have a blast at … a dairy farm? Yes, if it’s this dairy farm. And, warning, cuddling with baby lambs is on the itinerary.

3 EAT: Masterful Mexican fare

If you find yourself with a hankering for world-class burritos or carnitas, we feel your pangs. So we dug into our 50 best Bay Area restaurants to come up with five terrific Mexican eateries, Maybe we’ll see you at one of them.

4 WATCH: A classic creep-out thriller

Sometimes, you just want a show that’s going to glue you to the edge of your sofa. “Swarm” is like that; it tops our list of new movies and series you should know about.

5 COOK & EAT: A St. Pat’s Day staple

Friday is St. Patrick’s Day. We figure you know where you can find beer, but do you have a kick-butt recipe for a supremely satisfying shepherd’s pie?

6 SEE: New works from a New Ballet

San Jose’s talented New Ballet is back with its annual Fast Forward performance full of bold new works. Read all about it here.

7 EAT: A salad with oomph

This isn’t a breezy summer salad (not that there’s anything wrong with those). With its foundation of arugula and roasted carrots, this easy and delicious salad is in perfect sync with our pre-spring weather.