TUES 2/24: Pancakes, History, Art, Mardi Gras

Feeling down about the economy? War? Sudan?

Car trouble?

We're going to survive... Let's stay calm -- or lose our heads in revelry. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Or just have free pancakes!

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TUES 2/24

7am to 10pm
National Pancake Day
at Participating IHOP Locations
FREE

How interesting that National Pancake Day coincides with "Fat Tuesday" this year... You still have time to make a snack or meal out of a short stack (3) of pancakes. All IHOP asks for is a voluntary donation to Children's Miracle Network. We'll see how they do this year, but they almost collected $900k last year.

Even with a cup of coffee, a generous gratuity, and a small donation; it's not a bad deal for a meal.

There's a limit of one (3 cake) stack per person, and you have to eat them there. If you're going to the Brighton and Harvard Sq locations; remember the best #64/#66 bus transfer is near the nexus of Cambridge St, Brighton Ave, and N. Beacon St.

TUES 2/24

5:30pm to 7:30pm
John Hanson Mitchell, "Digging Boston": Discussion
at Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St, Boston (Fenway)
FREE

In a series called "Puzzles in Time", the Historical Society invites people to discuss the "process of history: the detective work, the enigmas, the clues, the mysterious missing pieces, and the drama of discovery."

Nature writer John Hanson Mitchell will talk about the prehistoric happenings on the land and aspects of the city's modern nature. People are encouraged to ask questions.

Reservations are requested. Please call 617-646-0557 or email to let them know you're coming.

The lecture starts at 6pm, but there's a reception period in the half hour prior.

TUES 2/24

7pm to 9:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

It's usually on Sunday afternoons, but they're getting arty at night every now and then. This has to be one of the best creative drinking experiences next to pouring paint on yourself after having too many gin & tonics! Wilder and looser than any other art class you've been to. You won't feel so bad about your drawing skills. Wild models, contests, and prizes.

Tonight's model is underground MC, Cathy Cathodic. She seems like an interesting multi-layered woman with a flair for colorful attire. Probably plenty of things to sketch...

TUES 2/24

9:30pm
Mardis Gras Party w/ Henri Smith’s "New Orleans Friends & Flavours" w/ Amadee Castenell
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 18+

Another case of New Orleans' loss is our gain. After Katrina, singer and former radio DJ Henri Smith moved to the North Shore and decided to stay. The good news is that places across the country get some real New Orleans flavor. Even through bad times, it's time to let the good times roll.

TUES 2/24

5pm
Mardi Gras Madness
at Dick’s Last Resort at Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall)
No Cover

This ain't my favorite place in town. Far from it, but you don't have to love the spot to have $2.75 SoCo hurricanes and $3 Harpoon IPA's for Mardi Gras. Also enjoy soul covers band Soul City, a costume contest with a cash prize, free beads, doubloons, feathery masks, other crap and plenty of insults from the waitstaff.