GOING OUT
               Musica Scara: Love that choral music, 'eh? Try this here ecumenical chorus dedicated to performing sacred music. It sinks its musical teeth into Parts I-III of Bach's “Christmas Oratorio,” 4 p.m. today, Our Lord Christ the King Church, Linwood Avenue and Ellison Road, Mount Lookout. Free. 385-5583.

        Holiday sale: The cream of the local artistic crop peddles wares from gold jewelry to batik textiles, wood carvings and ceramics. Arnelle Dow, Michael Frasca and Stuart Golderare three of 10 strutting their stuff. Noon-4 p.m. today, Memorial Hall, 1229 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 784-9211.

        Power pop: Crushing guitars with the volume turned waaaay up take center stage with Baltimore's SR-71 and some extra thunder from Sound of Urchin and Zoe's Crush. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $12-$14. 562-4949.

Staying In
               TV picks: Music fills the air with Disney's Annie (7 p.m., Channels 9, 2); a two-hour Bee Gees Biography (8 p.m. and 10 p.m., A&E); PBS' Doo Wop 51 pledge special (5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Channel 48); and Just for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter will be watching the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of The Runaway, about two teens, one black and one white, in 1949 rural Georgia (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

What's in stores today
               Big tiny fun: Some of the hottest toys this holiday season prove that bigger isn't better. Basic Fun key chains recently added Powerpuff Girls, Spongebob Squarepants and ultra hot scooters to this year's list of must-have miniature toys. Family favorite games like Boggle, Connect Four and Yahtzee are condensed into a portable key chain-size working version for portable fun. $3-$6. www.basicfun.com.

Planning Ahead
               24 hours out: Catch an original, slightly askew spin on the holiday season, music theater-style, when Ensemble Theatre unwraps a one-nighter called Expectations of Christmas. The mix of fun facts and stories was written by ETC artistic director D. Lynn Myers with music by David Kisor. 7 p.m. Monday, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. $10. 421-3555.

        48 hours out: Peterman Rides Again and isn't it about time? The adventurous merchant-poet John Peterman, inspiration for the Seinfeld character, discusses the rise and fall of his company and his new memoir. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown. Reservation required. 369-4596.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: The rootsy, melodically rich sound of Slaid Cleves, top notch among a new generation of Texas singer/songwriters, twangs out at Southgate House. Paul Thorn opens the 8 p.m. show. 24 E. Third St., Newport. $10-$12. 779-9462.

        Get To It appears daily. Send items to Nancy Berlier, Deputy Tempo Editor, at nberlier@enquirer.com

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