“BEAUTY and the Beast” opens this weekend in area cinemas.

It’s the weekend for green beer, red cherries and scary talking animals. Here’s our roundup of what’s interesting this weekend in the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area.

MOVIES

The big movie opening this weekend is the live-action version of the Disney telling of the story of “Beauty and the Beast.” It stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Beast. It’s rated PG-13. Get your tickets early; many performances are expected to be sold-out.

ON STAGE

“Orphans” concludes this weekend at the Mainstage Theater on the campus of Golden West College in Huntington Beach with performances Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

• “Geezers” continues at the Huntington Beach Playhouse, 8251 Heil Ave., Westminster with performances Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Closes March 26.
• “Always, Patsy Cline” concludes this weekend at the Gem Theatre on Main Street in downtown Garden Grove with shows Thursday through Sunday.

EVENTS

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Central Park in Huntington Beach (Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue).

HOLIDAYS

Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day, and many restaurants, bars and pubs will be offering special holiday joy. Just remember that local police departments will also be making special drunk driving enforcement efforts. The most dangerous time appears to be between midnight and 6 a.m. when intoxicated motorists leave the party or pub and try to drive home. In addition to all those police officers out there to bust you for DUI, regular citizens are encouraged to call 911 to report drunk drivers.