Pencil This In

Happy Black History Month, everybody! If you have any special Black History Month events you'd like to share with us, be sure to send them our way at tips (at) chicagoist (dot) com.

Books
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Desi Lit Book Group discusses Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. 7:30 p.m. The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave.

Also on Tuesday, the Parlor hosts a reading by Chicago-based attorney and novelist Edward Chupack, who will read an excerpt from Silver -- his acclaimed novel about the swashbuckling life of Long John Silver. A Parlor not to be missed, Diana Gabaldon, Bestselling Author of the Outlander series called Silver "Altogether gripping," and The New York Times deemed it "Glitteringly original." Following his 30-minute reading is a Q&A with Chupack. 7 p.m. Green Lantern. 1511 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Floor.

Film
The Midwest Independent Film Festival launches its First Tuesdays season on Tuesday, Feb. 3 with The Poker House, the directorial debut of Iowa native and silver screen veteran Lori Petty. This gritty drama stars Selma Blair, David Alan Grier and newcomer Jennifer Lawrence, who earned the Outstanding Performance honor at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival. 6 p.m. Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark.