Going out

        Theater: Janus Project, promising family fun at friendly prices, takes a walk on the dark side with Edgar Allan Poe: Master of the Macabre. Weaving scenes from Poe's troubled life and some of his creepiest tales, it's a Sunday lunch full of shivers, chills and just a pinch of gore. Which is why it's intended for kids 10 and older. 2 p.m. today, 20th Century Theater, Madison Road, Oakley Square. $5. 235-6597.

        Lipizzaner stallions: They kick higher than a Rockette (without the ugly headdress) and move more regally than Queen Elizabeth (without the ugly handbag), these athletic horses are known for their acrobatics. 2 p.m. today Firstar Center. $17.50-$23.50. 421-4111, Ext. 136.

        Halloween happening: They don't dress the gorillas like Luke Skywalker, or the Rhinos like Teletubbies, but the Cincinnati Zoo does celebrate Halloween — pumpkin patch, hayrides, trick-or-treating, spooky stories and a pumpkin-carving contest (10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). The party runs 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. today 281-4700.

        Blues: Main Street gets a dose of the blues when Jefferson Hall welcomes harmonica player and bluesman Rod Piazza with his all-star Mighty Fliers band. 9 p.m. today. 1150 Main St. $15. 723-9008.

Staying In

        TV picks: Women rock! First ladies of rock 'n' roll Sheryl Crow, Amy Grant, Wynonna, Heart, Destiny's Child and Melissa Etheridge perform a breast-cancer awareness concert called Women Rock!: Girls & Guitars (8-10 p.m., Lifetime).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter says Ellenor Frutt (Camryn Manheim) jeopardizes her career by filing a complaint against a federal judge on The Practice (10 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        The Renaissance Art Game teaches children about some of the world's greatest art — including works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci — by using two favorite card games, Go Fish and Concentration. It includes a full-color 80-page art book. $25 at Brentano's.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Latin-American composers — but not Ricky Martin — provide music for the Visiting Composer Series at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Mexico City Woodwind Quintet does the honors. 8 p.m. Monday Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Free. 556-4183.

        48 hours out: Watching them dance makes you wonder: Do these people ever stop to breathe? The Irish dancers of Riverdance open a six-day tap-infested run 8 p.m. Tuesday Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center. $20-$57. 241-7469.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: The Newport Aquarium goes Halloween when Monster Splash shows off decked-out divers, costumed characters and trick-or-treating. Might be a good time for a shark in sheep's clothing, 'eh? 4-8 nightly through Oct. 31. $7-$11. (859) 261-7444.

        Get To It appears daily. Send items to Get To It, Tempo, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; fax: 768-8330.

Filmmakers go digital
KIESEWETTER: New fall TV
New & Noted
KNIPPENBERG: Writer's break is no mystery
KENDRICK: Alive and well
Art review
DAUGHERTY: Don't count out Jerry when voting for president
Locals cited at bluegrass awards show
More 'Potter' magic ahead
Pig Parade / Freedom Pig - Pig In A Blanket
Rockettes kick up holiday ticket sales
Theater review
Get to it