Blame it on Rio

Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Carnivale or Carnaval -- it's all one gigantic party that spans the globe every February to mark the beginning of Lent. And that madness includes Chicago, where a Brazilian Carnival will be heating up the Morse Theatre in Rogers Park this Saturday night. 

The Brazilian Carnival, which coincidentally will be taking place simultaneously with the Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, will feature high-energy, South American-style entertainment. On the roster are performances by Swing Brasileiro (a Chicago-based Brazilian band playing samba, samba reggae, marchinhas, frevo and batacuda styles of music), a costumed Carnival dance and class by the stunning Passistas Samba Dancers and a special appearance by Gingarte Capoeira, a high-flying martial arts group.

The festivities kick off at 9PM and tickets are $25 at the door, or you can buy them online at the Morse Theatre Web site. Each ticket enters you into a drawing for dinner for two at some of Chicago's best Latin restaurants, including Las Tablas, Tango Sur, Ole Tapas Lounge and Cuatro, so you can keep the Carnival party going.