By Liza Dunning

Spring events for the month of March, Scout-style:

LISTEN: Rodrigo y Gabriela

Damien Rice discovered this Mexican duo on the streets of Dublin and was so impressed, he had them as his opening act on tour. Since then, Rodrigo y Gabriela have become a fixture on the world music circuit, known for their nimble-fingered guitar work and genre-bending talents. Check ‘em out at www.rodgab.com and don’t miss the rare chance to see them live in Atlanta. Tickets: $35. Saturday, March 13, 8:30 p.m. at Center Stage, 1374 W Peachtree St. (404) 885-1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

WEAR GREEN: St Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

It promises to be the largest St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival since the first one in 1858, and it’s the only Irish festivity in Atlanta that can promise 200 floats, Bagpipe and Drum Corps, Irish dancers, drill teams, horses, dignitaries from Ireland… and Coach Vince Dooley as Grand Marshal. The parade ends at Underground Atlanta with enough food, music, and dancing to make anybody feel just a wee bit Irish. Saturday, March 13, at noon along Peachtree St. downtown. www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com.

RUN, DON’T WALK: ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon

Prove your legs’ worth by pounding the streets of every Atlanta neighborhood. Or, you know, just pick a good spot to sit and cheer along those crazy runners on Sunday, March 21. The marathon course starts in Centennial Park and heads toward Inman Park and Poncey-Highland. Full-distancers continue through Candler Park, all the way to Decatur Square, then rejoin the Half course on Highland through Piedmont Park, Midtown and back to the finish line. I’m tired just from typing the course. $80 for the half, $100 for the full. Register online by March 17. www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.

MMM…BACON: BaconFest ‘10

Who doesn’t love a good BaconFest? Even the vegetarians among us can dig Dad’s Garage annual fundraiser where there’ll be a bunch of bodacious bands, games, porky prizes, a silent auction, and a snort-inducing improv show. Come out, show your support and bring your tofu just in case. Saturday, March 27, 2 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $50.  (404) 523 3141 ext. 201 or www.dadsgarage.com.

Liza Dunning is a native Atlantan, music-lover, and full-time culture-junkie. And she’s scouting the city for local goodness with www.Scoutmob.com. Reach out at Liza@scoutmob.com or follow her on Twitter: @LizaDunning