Things to do in Seattle this weekend: Carnival of Cocktails, Babe Night and an art battle

The Seattle sun has ditched its winter curfew and stopped setting in the afternoon — so here are a few ways to get out there and celebrate.

🪩 Celebrate International Women's Day by dancing to Euro House music from the '90s and early aughts at Babe Night at Capitol Hill's Cafe Racer.

• The all-ages dance party will also feature a Babe Market, where you can buy art and other items.
• 6pm Friday. Pre-sale tickets are $15, or pay $20 at the door.

🍺 Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub starts its annual St. Patrick's Irish Festival Friday with live music, dancing and draughts from Kells Brewery as well as traditional foods like corned beef, fresh-baked soda bread and sausage rolls in Seattle's Post Alley.

• Runs through March 17.

🎻 Two string ensembles , Calidore Quartet and Abeo Quartet , unite to play Mozart, Shostakovich and the Octet in E-flat major , written by Mendelssohn for four violins, two violas and two cellos, at Emerald City Music , 415 Westlake.

• Friday at 8pm. Tickets are $10 for students, $40 for adults without an open bar and $55 with an open bar.
• Another performance will be at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center in Olympia on Saturday.

🌲 Get outside and visit a state park on Saturday without having to pay for parking or a vehicle pass. Entry on state lands is free in honor of Billy Frank Jr.'s birthday .

• Frank, who died in 2014, was a Nisqually environmental leader and treaty rights activist.

🍸 Sip cocktails and spirits at the Carnival of Cocktails , which will feature booze, food trucks and mixology demonstrations.

• $65 gets you 12 tasting tokens, which are good for a dozen mini cocktails or spirit tastings.
• Noon to 7pm Saturday at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and Fisher Pavilion.

🎨 Watch artists compete head to head at the Art Battle Northwest Regional Championship, where contestants will try to paint their best work in 20 minutes.

• Doors open at 8:15pm Saturday at the Seattle Center Armory; painting starts at 9pm. $27 online or $35 at the door. Event is 21+.

🌱 Bring the kids and and learn the best way to plant trees and shrubs at a Family Foresters event on Saturday from 10am to 1pm at E.J. Nist Park in Normandy Park. It's free but please reserve your space here .

🔥 Snack on free s'mores , check out a waterfront camping lounge and snag REI coupons at S'mores on the Shore . 3:30-7:30pm Sunday at Pier 62 .

🎥 Catch the Academy Awards while sipping beer at Urban Family Brewing Company's Oscar watch party .

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