Going out

        Collin Raye: He's a country music hit factory on the hoof. And he's boot-scooting his way in to town. But first an opening act: Todd Henry, B-105 Battle of the Bands winner. 7:30 p.m. today, Taft Theatre, Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown. $27.50-$36.50. 562-4949.

        "Myths and Hymns': Ancient gods (myths) and man's relationship to God (hymns) propel this esoteric musical by hot-and-now composer Adam Guettel. It's rarely done, but CCM is tackling it for a three-day run in its free workshop series. Opens 8 p.m. today, UC's Studio Theater. Reservations advised. 556-4183.

        MARZ: It's a new and waaaay hip industrial hip-hop act including former Ministry band mates Zlatko Hukic, Louis Svitek and Rey Washam. Catch them at Top Cat's, one of the first stops on a tour promoting the Lung Fu Mo She CD. 9 p.m. today, 2820 Vine St., Corryville, $5. 281-2005.

Staying In

        TV picks: How's this for an odd couple: MTV and CBS? Both channels, owned by Viacom, air documentaries about the popular drug ecstasy, basing them on the same research — on CBS' 48 Hours (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7) and True Life: I'm on Ecstasy (10 p.m., MTV).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter says Fox rocks with Britney Spears: There's No Place Like Home taped at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans (8 p.m., Channels 19, 45) and 'N Sync Gets 'N'Timate for the Holidays, taped in Orlando (9 p.m.).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Be somebody: Somebody always needs something else to to spend money on. So Klutz, a Palo Alto, Calif. company, is pushing a new packet of 18 Really Fake IDs. Among them: UFO and “Barkansas” driver's licenses (the latter with a picture of a Weimaraner), a universal Backstage Pass, membership cards for the Broccoli Haters' Society and Free Lunch Forever Club, Le Piggy Banque credit card, Florida tricycle learner's permit, and a free-parking card. About $5 at book, gift and toy stores. Go to klutz.com or call (650) 857-0888.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Showboat Majestic flips the switch on Christmas when it opens Frostbite Follies for a two-weekend run. 8 p.m. Friday, Public Landing, downtown. $12-$14. 241-6550.

        48 hours out: Cult pop musician Marshall Crenshaw a rare sight in these parts anymore, surfaces at Newport's Southgate House Saturday. Local guitar wiz Rob Fetters opens the 9 p.m. show, 24 E. Third St. $12-$15. 779-9462.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: Suspense master James Patterson signs and discusses his latest Alex Cross thriller Roses are Red (you don't want to know how he kills off the victims in this one). 1 p.m., Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

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

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