Going out

        Bob Schneider: One of the hottest singer-songwriters to emerge from the rootsy-bluesy Austin music scene hits town with alternative-pop dude Steve Poltz. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $10-$12. 562-4949.

        Balloon Glow: Coney Island gets into the holiday spirit with a day full of family activities, including a fleet of hot air balloons, parades, music from the United State Air Force Band of Flight and a batch of fireworks lighting the evening skies. 3-10 p.m. today,I-275 and Kellogg Ave. 232-6701.

        Green Township blast: The popular and ever so patriotic Green Township Concert and Fireworks in the Park blasts off with music by Saffire Express and the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra,climaxing with a Rozzi fireworks display (10 p.m.) set to a fiery musical score. 6 p.m.-midnight today, Kuliga Park, Bridgetown Road. Free. 598-3089.

        Klub Kiss: This outrageous, sometimes raucous, tribute to the '70s metal band headlines a special pre-Independence day Larosa's Party in the Park. 5:30-10:30 p.m. today, Yeatman's Cove, Serpentine Wall, downtown. 579-3191.

Staying In

        TV picks: We're off to see the wizard, as Turner Classic Movies goes behind the curtain to reveal secrets of The Wizard of Oz. Like how the ducks turned blue and Tinman Buddy Ebsen was hospitalized, on Memories of Oz (7:30 p.m., Turner Classic Movies).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says another film classic, The Godfather, is saluted in a new special, Godfather Family: A Look Inside the Godfather movies (9:30 p.m., American Movie Classics).

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Easy-going country star Larry Gatlin belts out a few with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at its annual Fourth of July concert loaded with an all-American program and massive fireworks display. 8:30 p.m., Riverbend, $17. 381-3300.

        48 hours out: A sizzling jolt of music when University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music opens its Hot Summer Nights Series with the classic Once Upon a Mattress, starring Patricia Linhart as Queen Aggravain. 8 p.m. Thursday, Patricia Corbett Theater, $22. 556-4183.

        72 hours 'til Friday: The folksy Edensong summer concert series in Eden Park kicks off with short sets by Never Too Late, Ryan Adcock, Uncle Daddy and the Family Secret and more. 8 p.m., Seasongood Pavilion, presented by the Queen City Balladeers, free.829-8360.

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: knipenquirer@yahoo.com.

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