Going out

        English choral masters: Some heavy duty war horses can be heard here when the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir and Chorale belt out Handel's Messiah, part II, Britten's Te Deum and motets by Byrd and Stanford in “Choral Music of the Great English Masters.” 8 p.m. today, Corbett Auditorium. Free. 556-4183.

        Theater: Showboat Majestic raids the vaults and comes up with an oldie but goodie — the 1920s musical comedy Good News, about a football player who falls for a brainy coed at fictional Tait College. Three week run opens 8 p.m. today, Public Landing, downtown. $12-$14. 241-6550.

        Book signing: Mixing and matching body parts, theologian and human rights activist the Rev. Donald Pederson signs and discusses his how-to-live book, Mental Laxatives for a Constipated Mind. 6 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble Florence, 7663 Mall Road. (859) 647-6400.

Staying In

        TV picks: No need for a recount: Today's best show is the season finale of the The West Wing, in which President Bartlett (Martin Sheen) prepares for the funeral of Mrs. Landingham, responds to a Haitian military crisis, battles Congress over funding a tobacco lawsuit — while preparing for a live TV address to reveal he has multiple sclerosis (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says the Dawson's Creek gang graduates from Capeside High School today (8 p.m., Channel 64).

The Goods

        Music picks

        Some new albums from bands who've been MIA for a while.

        R.E.M. returns with Reveal (Warner Bros.; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        Depeche Mode is back with its first disc in four years, Exciter (Warner Bros.; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        Heavy rockers Tool give up their side projects to come back together for Lateralus (Volcano/BMG; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        Rapper Missy Elliott enlists Eve, Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Method Man and other well-known rappers for her Miss E ... So Addictive (Elektra; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        The latest wrinkle in contemporary Christian music? True Vibe, a Christian boy band featuring former 98` singer Jonathan Lippmann, releases its debut, True Vibe (Essential; $17.98 CD only).

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: A little Josephine Baker, a lot of blues and richly drawn characters recreate a jazzy Harlem in the '30s in Pearl Cleage's acclaimed Blues for an Alabama Sky on the CCM Drama Department's Studio Series. Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, UC's Studio Theater. Free. 556-4183.

        48 hours out: Award-winning poet and author Kenneth Koch, recently canceled but now rescheduled, reads his works. 7 p.m. Friday, Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown. Free. 369-6970.

        72 hours 'til Saturday: The popular '50s rock 'n roll revue Hot Wax cranks it up under the stars when it kicks off Green Township's Concert in the Park series. 7 p.m. at Blue Rock Park, Blue Rock Road and Colerain Avenue. 574-4848.

        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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