Last Minute

        Classical on Fountain Square: WGUC 90.9 FM kicks off its free classical music concert series on Fountain Square at noon today, continuing Thursdays through June 28 and featuring a diverse group of local ensembles.

        Today's performer is Eight Track, an eight-piece woodwind group with oboes, bassoons, French horns and clarinets. Program includes Mozart's “Serenade,” Dvorak's “Slavonic Dance” and opera arrangements from Don Giovani, among other works.

        Concerts last about an hour. Upcoming performers include La Piccola Orchestra Italiana (The Little Italian Orchestra), Trombone City and Celebration Brass Quintet. 241-8282.

Countdown

        Heaven and Hell: In their ceaseless quest to complete their movie, the local makers of the independent film Tattered Angel are ramping up for a fund-raising “Heaven & Hell” party Tuesday at Mr. Pitiful's, 1325 Main St., in Over-the-Rhine.

        For a $25 advance donation ($30 at the door), partygoers get free drinks and appetizers from 7-9 p.m., followed by dancing with DJs Jay Downs and Brian Kraft, and a chance to win a role as a featured extra in the movie. Thematic costumes are optional.

        To reserve tickets, call 859-431-6477.

FYI

        New ballet program: Cincinnati Ballet will receive $600,000 from the Procter & Gamble Fund to support a new program, the “Come Together Series.” The focus will be on African-American and Hispanic themes, music, costumes, dancers and choreography.

        It's hoped the new series will help to improve community relations as it offers programs that reflect diversity in the Tristate.

        The money will support at least one concert in each Cincinnati Ballet season for the next 10 years devoted to diverse works. Every other year — five out of the next 10 — will see a world premiere as part of the series. The new series begins next season; ballets are to be announced later.

        Tony ratings poor: Even The Producers couldn't produce a ratings winner for the Tonys. Sunday's two-hour Tonycast on CBS continued its tradition of anemic Nielsens, despite enormous interest in the smash Broadway musical. (The Producers won a record 12 Tonys during the evening.) Who Wants to be a Millionaire and The Practice (ABC), the basketball playoffs and Weakest Link (NBC) beat out CBS.

Movie Buzz

        Traffic skips school: The video and DVD version of director Steven Soderbergh's prize-winning film Traffic is ever so slightly shorter than the theatrical release, apparently thanks to attorney Stan Chesley.

        On the big screen, the daughter of the nation's drug czar gets into trouble for drug use. When a social worker asks where she goes to school, the girl played by Erika Christensen replies, “Cincinnati Country Day.” On tape and DVD, the question is changed to “You in school?” and the answer to the question is “Yes.”

        Mr. Chesley, whose grandchildren attend the exclusive private school in Indian Hill, was hired to take action against the film's distributor by school officials who were outraged at the identification of a fictional Cincinnati Country Day student as a drug addict.

        The lawyer and USA Films reached an accord in April, which neither side would describe. The studio would not confirm that clipped dialogue was the result of the agreement, instead reissuing an earlier statement expressing “utmost respect” for the school.

Movies Opening Friday

        • Chopper
        • Evolution
        • Swordfish
        • With A Friend Like Harry

Coming Friday in Weekend

        Concert guide: Who's performing at Tristate outdoor venues this summer? Our annual concert guide.

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