Bookings

        Taste's country lineup: B105 program director Tim Closson sticks to the culinary theme, promising “a taste of the future of country” at his station's stage at Taste of Cincinnati.

        The food fest, running May 26-28 will feature seven up-and-coming country acts: May 26, Clay Davidson (7 p.m.) and Chris Cagle (9 p.m.); May 27, Mark McGuinn (5 p.m.), Clark Family Experience (7 p.m.) and Trick Pony (9 p.m.); May 28, Tammy Cochran (5 p.m) and Darryl Worley (7 p.m.)

        In addition, the 10th Annual B105 Battle of the Bands will take place during Taste. Four finalists will be chosen by a B105 committee to compete at noon on May 26. The winner and runner-up will return the two following days to open for the national acts.

Last Minute

        Slobberbone benefit: Texas alt-country/rock band Slobberbone is here tonight for a benefit concert at Southgate House (24 E. Third St., Newport; 859-431-2201). Show time is 8 p.m., and admission is $10 at the door, with proceeds going to the Nancy Sickinger Memorial Fund, which provides community activities for the developmentally disabled. The band has just released its third CD, Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today.

FYI

       Carnegie Hall news: Louisville native Robert Harth, 44, is the new head of Carnegie Hall in New York. Mr. Harth, chief executive of the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado, will take over the historic Manhattan concert hall in September. He succeeds the current director, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg, whose brief tenure was riddled with controversy, resulting in the exodus of four senior staff members. Mr. Ohnesorg, who stepped down Monday, is going to the Berlin Philharmonic.

Movie Buzz

        J. Lo says no: J. Lo won't play Frida Kahlo after all.

        Jennifer Lopez has scrapped plans to star in a film as the Mexican artist, the trade Variety reports. Instead, she's in talks to play an FBI profiler looking for a murderer in the drama Taking Lives, an adaptation of the Michael Pye novel.

        Ms. Lopez reportedly would receive more than $10 million for the picture, which Tony Scott (Top Gun) will direct.

        The singer-actress next stars as a police officer in Angel Eyes, with James Caviezel, which is due in theaters May 18.

Movies Opening Friday

        • Along Came a Spider
        • Blow
        • Just Visiting
        • One Day in September
        • Pokemon 3

Coming Friday in Weekend

        Sleep late, roll out of bed with no pressing plans — and go out for an a la carte brunch. Polly Campbell has suggestions.

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