The Best Free Events in Miami This Week

It's Monday again, and with it comes yet another long workweek. But there's plenty of green beer at the end of the tunnel: St. Patrick's Day is Saturday. There is no shortage of parties and drink specials on the horizon for the holiday this year, but there are also many alternative events for those who've outgrown the debauchery or want to avoid the crowds.

Women's History Month continues with Poderosas ¡Live!, a daylong empowerment event hosted by People en Español; and the Black Lounge Outdoor Film Series will host a screening of Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed at Gibson Park. The animal friends of Jungle Island will pay a visit to Surfside, and the Frost Museum of Science will shine a light on local conservation efforts at Greynolds Park. Here's a look at the best free events in Miami this week.
The age-old debate over guns has been reignited in the United States in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, whose teenage survivors have led the national conversation this time around. Their relentless efforts have already brought about modest results, including a bipartisan bill to address gun and school safety and mental health-care reform that was signed by Rick Scott last week. This important conversation, however, is far from over. Wednesday evening, after a scheduled school walkout protest, Miami Dream Defenders, 5000 Role Models for Excellence, and other local advocacy organizations will unite for a youth-led discussion about the causes of and viable solutions for gun violence. The discussion will also explore the ways those solutions can have disparate effects on different communities. 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the Liberty Square Community Center, 6304 NW 14th Ave., Miami; 305-694-2758; facebook.com. Admission is free.
Surfside wants you to bring your furry, feathered, or scaled friends along when Jungle Island takes over the city's monthly Third Thursdays event. The Jungle Island team will bring macaws, cockatoos, and other party animals to the street fair, where there will be live music by Brothers of Others, face painting and crafts for the kiddos, and complimentary cocktail tastings for the grownups. 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at 95th Street between Harding and Collins Avenues, Surfside; visitsurfsidefl.com. Admission is free.

The Frost Museum of Science supports conservation initiatives in South Florida. Thursday night, the museum will host a discussion about its participation in the captive breeding and releasing of eastern indigo snakes, which could help biologically control invasive species such as the Burmese python. Frost Science herpetologist Marcus Andrade will lead the discussion at the gorgeous Greynolds Park, and the Arch Creek Trust will provide hors d'oeuvres and wine. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Greynolds Park Boathouse, 18501 NE 22nd Ave., North Miami Beach; 305-944-6111; miamidade.gov. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Did you know St. Patrick's Day lands on a Saturday this year? Uh-oh. If you're looking to stay out of trouble on one of the most reckless nights of the year, CityPlace Doral’s Feel the Green St. Patrick's Day Block Party is a great option. Entertainment will range from live mural painting to arts and crafts for kids to authentic Celtic dancing against the backdrop of their green-lit Vegas-style water fountain. A popup beer garden and specialty cocktails will ensure your St. Paddy's Day is boozy. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at CityPlace Doral, 8300 NW 36th St., Doral; 786-693-1849; cityplacedoral.com. Admission is free.

If you're looking to get into a little trouble on St. Pat's Day, a dose of rock 'n' roll at your favorite dive bar might do the trick. Join Jacuzzi Boys, the Woolly Bushmen, Heavy Drag, Dama Vicke, and more of Florida's best bands for the inaugural St. Patrick's Day Festival at Las Rosas. The lineup is good enough to pay for, but there's no cover, so you'll have more money for drinks. Don't forget to tip your bartender. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Las Rosas, 2898 NW Seventh Ave., Miami; 786-780-2700; lasrosasbar.com. Admission is free.
People en Español will host Poderosas ¡Live!, an empowerment event focused on business and career development for women of all backgrounds and life stages in honor of Women's History Month. Experts will conduct panels and workshops in the areas of finance, human resources, leadership, health, and entrepreneurship, and guests can attend one-on-one consultations on how to update their resumés. But the summit isn't all business: Attendees will also be eligible for makeovers. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at FIU Graham Center, 11200 SW Eighth St., Miami; poderosas.peopleenespanol.com. Admission is free.

In 2016, the United States got closer than ever to electing its first woman president. We all know how that turned out, but before there was Hillary Clinton, there was Shirley Chisholm. In 1972, Chisholm became the first black woman to run for president after becoming the first black woman elected to Congress four years earlier. In tribute to this trailblazer, the Black Lounge Outdoor Film Series will host a screening of Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed at Gibson Park. The number of women in Congress still lingers below an anemic 20 percent, and women of color represent an even smaller share. Revisiting stories like Chisholm's might inspire the next generation of girls to increase those numbers. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at Gibson Park, 401 NW 12th St., Miami; eventbrite.com. Admission is free.