IHOP National Pancake Day

Whether you're celebrating Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras or National Pancake Day, IHOP's giving away three buttermilk pancakes from 7am to 10pm at participating locations, in exchange for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network or local charities. More details here.

William Julius Wilson @ UCHICAGO

Famed sociologist William Julius Wilson [wikipedia] will be speaking at the University of Chicago's International House (1414 East 59th Street) at 7pm on the topic of "Framing the Issue: Political Discourse and Race Relations During the Era of Barack Obama."

The event is FREE.

For more information please contact: Nicholas Johnson at njohnson113@uchicago.edu

Local H @ Mother's

Didn't know Mother's was a music venue? Neither did I. But alas, it's Fat Tuesday, so anything goes. Tonight catch local favorite Local H at the Rush & Division hotspot. The duo released their latest album, 12 Angry Months in May of last year. Bring some beads or your, um, assets because apparently tonight "Division Street turns into Bourbon Street." Tickets are $20 and are available at www.tickets.com or at Mother's. 26 W. Division St. 312-642-7251. Doors open at 7pm. 21+

Mardi Gras Celebration and Abita Beer Pairing @ Jake Melnick's Corner Tap

Get your Mardi Gras on at Jake Melnick's Corner Tap (41 E. Superior), where they're hosting their second installment of an all-you-can-eat-and-drink beer tasting series. Fittingly, tonight's beer comes from Louisiana's Abita Brewery, and four of its beers will be paired with Cajun-inspired dishes. The beer pairing takes place from 6:30-9pm, with live music from 7-11pm. Tickets cost $30, and 10% of total sales will be donated to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Buy your tickets at the bar or by calling 312-266-0400.

Re-Thinking Soup @ Hull House

Soup and discussion about the topics of the day are on the menu at Hull-House Kitchen's Re-thinking Soup series. Today (and every Tuesday) from 12-1:30pm at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum Residents' Dining Hall (800 South Halsted) come in for a hearty meal and a chat. Event is free, but donations are accepted.

Alice in Wonderland @ Merle Reskin Theatre

Sean Graney's quirky new take on this highly
imaginative classic. Tickets $8. Performances are at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo, every Tuesday and Thursday @ 10am, and Saturday @ 2pm until 3/3/2009. Questions? Contact aables@depaul.edu, or (773)-325-7938.