When the city shimmers in July heat, head for the oasis at Fountain Square, downtown, and watch corporate tribes battle in the Hamilton County Special Olympics' “Hoots with the Suits,” or slip into a mirage of coolness at the Contemporary Arts Center's “Lines” event series.

        • Representatives of 26 corporations are training for the fifth annual “Hoots with the Suits,” a benefit for Hamilton County Special Olympics. Games will begin 11:30 a.m. July 12.

        Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken will open the ceremonies. WKRC-TV (Channel 12) news anchor John Lomax, comedian Steve Caminiti and Enquirer columnist Jim Knippenberg will provide color commentary.

        Each mixed-gender team will include a Special Olympics athlete. A sampling of games:

        Profit Squeezer: Holding wet sponges, contenders will jog to team members and fill buckets on their heads.

        Late for Work Again Relay: Carrying clothes baskets, participants will race while donning bathrobes, shower caps and earrings and eating donuts.

        Major sponsors: Federated Department Stores, KeyBank/Gradison McDonald Investments and Chiquita Brands International.

        Contributions from participating teams and sponsors will benefit the Hamilton County Special Olympics, which provides 25 year-round sports and recreational activities for nearly 2,000 athletes with mental and developmental disabilities.

        • The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and the Alliance of African-American Artists Foundation will play host at “Lines,” an event series designed to complement a CAC retrospective and video installation of American artist Adrian Piper, Thursday through next Sunday at the CAC, 115 E. Fifth St., downtown.

        The schedule:

        6 p.m. Thursday, (classical jazz concert featuring Ora Reed, Derrick Alton, John Atkins and Pharez.

        7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, poetry, prose, literary discussions, open mike and poetry slam.

        3 p.m. next Sunday, (YouthSpeak from the Teen Arts Council will present discussions and light supper; 7 p.m., teen party with open mike and recorded music for dancing.

        Ms. Piper has been creating interactive art that confronts issues of race and gender for 35 years. The alliance provides programs about artists of African descent and fine art in general.

        All Lines events will be free. Reservations are limited and required: 345-8401.

        Sponsors: Dr. Stanley and Mickey Kaplan and the Jarson-Kaplan Foundation.

Piano competition

        “Grand Finale” performances by the gold, silver and bronze medalists of the 45th World Piano Competition will be 6 p.m. July 10 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, downtown. Cost: $25-$50, $12 senior citizens and teachers. Reservations: 241-7469.

        The competition is presented by the American Music Scholarship Association.

        Prizes for the international competition amount to more than $60,000, including performance opportunities at New York's Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall.

        At 7 p.m., the winners' ranking will be announced at a black-tie patrons' banquet at the Westin Hotel, downtown. Cost: $100 (includes concert ticket). Reservations: 421-2672. Deadline: July 5.

"A Night on the River'

        Want to discover a romantic setting on a hot summer night? Ask a date worthy of a cruise on the beautiful Ohio and join One Way Farm supporters July 16 for “A Night on the River.” Boarding time: 6:30 p.m. at the Queen City Landing, 303 O'Fallen St., Dayton, Ky. .

        Guests will enjoy a grilled chicken picnic, dance to the recorded music of “A Better Sound'' by Denny Richter and groove with Bruce Wilbur singing “A Tribute to Elvis.”

        Cost: $27. Reservations: 829-4768. Deadline: July 6.

        Proceeds will benefit One Way Farm, a shelter for abused and abandoned children.

Celebration of Nigeria

        You can hop a magic carpet to Nigeria and be home in time for the morning edition when you follow the Nigerian Women Eagles Club (NWEC) members to the third annual celebration of history and culture, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday at the Este Conference Center, 6270 Este Ave., Carthage.

        Highlights will include traditional dances; a buffet of African-style food such as egunsi soup, fried goat meat and dodo (fried plantain); a fashion presentation of Nigerian garments and the performance of a folk drama.

        Cost: $15, $20 at the door, $5 children. Information: 576-7636.

        NWEC members are women who are Nigerian or affiliated with the Nigerian-Greater Cincinnati community. The association transmits Nigerian culture to succeeding generations and to the community.

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