Going out

        Metal Jam: Metal heads can close their eyes and think they hit nirvana when three mega-acts — Poison,, Warrant and Quiet Riot— unleash a long and loud evening of power rock. And mayhaps a bit of head-banging. 6 p.m. today, Riverbend, $15-$25. 562-4949.

        Outdoor jazz: The ever so popular Jazz on Michigan Avenue concert series uncorks a local favorite of plenty long standing — the Frank Vincent Quartet. 8 p.m. today, on the lawn, Knox Presbyterian Church, Michigan and Observatory avenues, Hyde Park. 321-2573.

        Book signing: Health writer Anne M. Fletcher has some advice for folks battling the bottle. She discusses it, and her new Sober for Good: New Solutions for Drinking Problems — Advice from Those Who Have Succeeded, up the road a piece. 7 p.m. today, Books & Co., 350 E. Stroop Road, Dayton. (800) 777-4881.

        For kids: Children ages 6-12 who are willing to risk paper cuts can join paper-folding master Jonathan Heart for his program “Origami meets Jeopardy.” 2 p.m. today, Norwood Branch Library, 4325 Montgomery Road, free. 369-6037.

Staying In

        TV picks: Sketch comedy returns to NBC's prime-time lineup on The Downer Channel, (8:30 p.m., Channels 5, 22), a summer series from comedian Steve Martin, writer Michael Halpren and producers Robert Morton and Steve O'Donnell (Late Night with David Letterman).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says “Opie Week” continues on The Andy Griffith Show. 11 p.m.-midnight, Channel 64.

Video picks

        Critic's Picks: Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk says this week's brand new releases feature two recent so-so titles that fall into the wait-for-the-video category — Sweet November with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, and Valentine with David Boreanaz. DVD fans will want to check out the 1962 African-safari classic Hatari! with John Wayne.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra closes its Riverbend season with an all-American blowout: Works by Copland, Ellington and Bernstein, plus guest artist Michael Chertok joining in for Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F — the one you need about 14 fingers to play. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. 381-3300.

        48 hours out: Pump Boys and Dinettes, that country music revue about goings on at a gas station and a diner gets the once-over from Kincaid Regional Theater. Opens 8 p.m. Thursday, Falmouth School Center, 500 Chapel St., Falmouth, Ky., $7-$12. (859) 654-2636.

        72 hours 'til Friday: Former Vroy Scott Miller re-surfaces with his latest band The Commonwealth, touring in support of the new CD Thus Always to Tyrants. 9 p.m., Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport. $8-$10. 779-9462.

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

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