Mardi Gras @ Division Street

Watch as Division St. becomes Bourbon Street for this Mardi Gras celebration. Expect drink specials, dance parties, and local bands, including Mike & Joe and the Big Shoulders Brass Band. A portion of the night's proceeds will go to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic. The event kicks off at 7pm at Bootleggers (13 West Division St.) and moves on down the street. Visit Rush & Division for more details.

Julie Jurgens and Val Leventhal @ Uncommon Ground on Clark

Julie Jurgens is one of the wittiest lyricists on the scene today, with catchy arrangements, a voice sometimes compared to Dolly Parton and Patty Griffin, and the ability to instantly transform herself into a stand-up comedian in the pauses between songs. Val Leventhal has been performing in Chicago since the mid 70s, and has an eclectic approach which mixes "edgy country ballads, folk, reggae, uptempo rock, and lively power blues." Both will be appearing tonight at Uncommon Ground (1214 W. Grace). Also appearing will be musician Rob Reid, whose songs draw from an eclectic range of world genres and describe colorful characters involved in endeavors such as riding public transit in West Africa, surviving lightning strikes, and holding up banks. Show starts at 8pm. For more info visit Uncommon Ground or call 773-929-3680.

This Much is True @ Hopleaf

This Much Is True returns to the Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark) for the March installment of the storytelling series that offers an intimate peek into each of their writer's lives, revealing the humorous, embarrassing and poignant moments that make up a life remembered. This month's featured readers are: Dorrie Ferguson, Marsha Harman, Shiow Jiau-Yung, Alyson Lyon, Larry Kerns, Michael Van Kerckhove, and Scott Whitehair. Show starts at 7:30pm and is free. For more info visit This Much is True or Hopleaf.

Audrey Niffenegger @ Cliff Dwellers Club

The Society of Midland Authors hosts a great monthly lecture series, all open to the public. Tonight, enjoy a talk by Audrey Niffenegger, author of novels Her Fearful Symmetry and The Time Traveler's Wife and the graphic novel The Night Bookmobile.

All programs are held at 7pm at the Cliff Dwellers Club, 200 S. Michigan Ave., 22nd floor, free. Complimentary snacks are served at 6pm, with a cash bar.

Erin Go Beer! Irish Pubs of Chicago

The Chicago History Museum hosts a walking tour of Irish bars and drinks (and probably drunks, too) and mini-lectures on St. Patty's Day tonight; tickets $20-25. 316 N Elizabeth St., 7pm-10pm.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show runs March 5-13 at Navy Pier. Check out landscaping displays and tabletop arrangements, learn about new products and techniques, and enjoy a bit of greenery in still-dreary March. Hours are 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm Sunday. Tickets are $15 weekdays, $17 weekends for adults, $5 for kids all the time. Monday through Thursday, there's a $13 after work special from 4 to 8pm.