Going out

        Bea Arthur: Known for her role as the sharp-tongued Dorothy on The Golden Girls and the wildly liberal title character on Maude, the larger than life actress/comedian brings her one-woman show . . . And Then There's Bea here for five days. Pianist Billy Goldenbergprovides musical accompaniment. 8 p.m. today, Aronoff Center's Jarson-Kaplan Theater, $37.50-$45. 241-7469.

        Stevie Nicks: Look for all the classics from the evergreen singer woman, plus a batch of tunes from her new Trouble in Shangri-La. 7:30 p.m. today, Riverbend, $21.50-$65. 562-4949.

        Book signing: Todd Balf, former senior editor of Outside magazine, discusses and signs The Last River: The Tragic Race for Shangri-La, a true and exceptionally harrowing account of an elite kayak team's quest to run Tibet's raging Tsangpo River. 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        Big Band: The Nostalgia Big Band hauls out its well-worn charts for a night full of classics. 7:30-10 p.m. today, Rapid Run Park, Price Hill, free. 352-4080.

Staying In

        TV picks: Take a tour of Air Force One and meet Mount Washington resident Tim Kerwin, who served U.S. presidents as a flight attendant for 19 years on the jet, in a one-hour National Geographic Special (8 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter also says you may think twice before ordering McNuggets after watching PBS' Natural History of the Chicken (9 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16).

The Goods

        Disc picks: • P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family, The Saga Continues ($18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette; Bad Boy/Arista) — Sean Combs, a k a Puff Daddy, has a new moniker, and a new CD with guests Faith Evans and Carl Thomas.

        • Built to Spill interprets Ancient Melodies of the Future ($17.98 CD only; Warner Bros.).

        • Melissa Etheridge gets confessional on her revealing Skin ($18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette; Island).

        • Rock Hall of Famer Jack Bruce is back with Shadows in the Air (Sanctuary; $17.98 CD only), featuring new songs as well as updates of two Cream classics, “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room,” with Cream bandmate Eric Clapton on guitar, part of a guest list that includes Dr. John, Vernon Reid and Gary Moore.

        • Bluegrass great Del McCoury is back with his top-shelf band (including sons Robbie on banjo and Ronnie on mandolin, vocals and production) on Del & the Boys (Hollywood; $16.98 CD only), which includes covers of Richard Thompson and Frank Sinatra.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Miami University Summer Theater plays to the balcony with the perfect summertime musical — Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic State Fair. 8 p.m. Thursday,Gates-Abegglen Theatre, Oxford, $7-$11. (513) 529-3200.

        48 hours out: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden opens its new Wetland Trails exhibit showing off the huge variety of plants and animals found in marsh-like settings. You'll find it on the shore of Swan Lake. 281-4700.

        72 hours 'til Saturday: The Music Festival in Sycamore features lots of free listening with the likes of the Rusty Griswolds, Rare Earth and Leon Russell. 4-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Bechtold Park, Sycamore Township. 791-8447.

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