Going out

        May Festival: The long and venerable tradition continues when the 128th season of the choral festival kicks off with Haydn's Creation, a piece almost as long as the six days the Bible says it took in the first place. Music by the May Festival Chorus, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, guest artists Pamela Coburn, soprano, and Kristinn Sigmundsson, bass. 8 p.m. today, Music Hall, $11-$56. 381-3300.

        MainStrasse Maifest: Cincinnati's lively outdoor festival season is officially open when Covington's funky and historic MainStrasse pulls out the bratwurst, music, crafts, rides and people in tube tops who shouldn't be. 5-11 p.m. today, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Sixth and Main Streets. 357-6246.

        "Art in Bloom': Talk about your floral fantasies! Turns out Jones the Florist and HGTV have a blooming event: 60 floral arrangements designed to complement pieces in the museum's permanent collection, sitting on pedestals next to the art works. Now through Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum 721-2787.

        Jam band: A loud and raucous treat for the ultra high-energy set with the groove-jam ensemble Modereko, featuring members of Phil Lesh and Friends and the Bruce Hornsby Band. 10 p.m. today, BarrelHouse Brewing Company, 22 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. $10. 421-2337.

Staying In

        TV picks: There's a mob hit on Larry King Live (9 p.m., CNN), when Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Joe Pantoliano and Robert Iler talk about their roles on The Sopranos, which airs its season finale at 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Robin Williams joins the fun on Whose Line Is It Anyway? (8 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

For pet people

        Stupid is, stupid does: Next time your dog does something, uh, odd, make him repeat it on video. Or register him for the fifth annual Purina Beggin' Strips Stupid Dog Tricks Contest. It could be worth $5,000, a year's supply of snacks, a trip to New York and maybe an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. To register for the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 30 Tri-County Mall audition, send dog and owner names, address, day phone, breed and explanation of trick to Beggin' Strips Stupid Dog Tricks, P.O. Box 820503, Dallas, TX 75382, or fax to (877) 788-7431. If you miss the audition, send half-inch tapes — 2 minute maximum — by Aug. 31 to P.O. Box 2995, Westport, CT 06880. Label tape with names, address, phone, dog age and breed. Rules and training tips at www.begginstrips.com; (877) 423-4446.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Tap a toe or 10 to Caribbean, Soca, Calypso, even pop when the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Steelband serves up guest artist Christopher Tanner. 8 p.m. Saturday, UC's Corbett Auditorium. 556-4183.

        48 hours out: Take a wee trip back in time and bite into a slice of Victoriana at the Dayton Lane Historic area May Promenade, complete with house tours, carriage rides and music. 1-5 p.m. Sunday in the historic Hamilton neighborhood, $10. (513) 844-1500.

        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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