Jackson Hole Underground

Slainte! Whether you’re tipping back coffee or a pint of Guinness, the strains of traditional Irish music will be ringing for St. Patrick’s Day. Don some color and bust out your Jonathan Papelbon dance.

Jackson’s own Celtic music troupe, Slip & the Jigs, will be performing three gigs today in a marathon test of stamina and sobriety. The smaller version of the group, The Blackthorn Trio, kicks off the festivities from 9 to 11 a.m. at Shades Cafe, where green-frosted rum raisin scones are on the menu.

Later, the full band convenes for a session at the new Fitzgerald’s Bicycles shop. The party will run from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. before shifting next door to the Brew Pub.

This evening, the celebration o’ the green continues at the Wort Hotel, where Slip & the Jigs will perform from 7 p.m. until the wee hours, assuming the musicians are still standing.

“We’re going to loosen things up later in the day as we get a sense of how the pace is holding up,” says Jamie Reilly, the talented thespian and singer.

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Some Irish humor to brighten your St. Patrick’s Day:

The Matterhorn

For a holiday, Mulvaney decided to go to Switzerland to fulfill a lifelong dream and climb the Matterhorn. He hired a guide and just as they neared the top, the men were caught in a snow slide.

Three hours later, a Saint Bernard plowed through to them, a keg of brandy tied under his chin.

“Hooray!” shouted the guide. “Here comes man’s best friend!”

“Yeah,” said Mulvaney. “An’ look at the size of the dog that’s bringin’ it!”

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Banjo and slide guitar player Tony Furtado returns to one of his favorite stomping grounds to play the Knotty Pine for St. Patrick’s Day.

Furtado’s Celtic-infused bluegrass is a perfect fit for the annual celebration o’ the green.

The two-time national banjo champion, well known from his many performances in the Tetons over the years, has a new album, Thirteen, several songs from which are posted on his MySpace page.

Showtime is 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Also, Teton County Library hosts more Irish music and tales with singer Judith Weikle, accompanied by music ensemble Strings Attached. Show will run from 6 to 7 p.m., with a children’s concert starting at 5.

If you see a spate of shiny bald pates around Jackson this afternoon, don’t be alarmed. It’s not a Telly Savalas convention.

Rather, a group of men are shaving their heads to raise money for children’s cancer research. What started as a lark has snowballed into Wyoming’s inaugural St. Baldrick’s Day event.

People will pay good money to see you lose your hair. That’s why there are St. Baldrick’s buzz cuts being given all around the country today and tomorrow.

So far the seven participants in Jackson have raised more than $2,000 in just the last few days. A similar event in 2002 raised $75,000 for then 4-month-old Emmaline Hultman’s fight against cancer.

Not afraid to shear your mane for a good cause? Head over to Teton Barbers at 155 W. Gill from noon to 2 p.m.

As Telly used to say, “We’re all born bald, baby!”