A bit of this and that from the weekend party circuit ...

        In tune: Merciful heavens, he's been singing in Cincinnati for more than 30 years and still people can't find him.

        Larry Kinley we mean. “It's funny, I belong to Good Shepherd Catholic Church with 13,000 members. I go every week, sing there too, and people still ask, "Where are you singing now?' ”

        Well, since September, he's been doing the bar at the Celestial. “It's so frustrating to constantly hear that question. But business is good there. We've gotten good word of mouth, and there's always a crowd.”

        How good a crowd? This good: “Last weekend, Mr. (Joe) Rippe came in. He owns the place and he couldn't find a seat.”

        Oh, Kinley sings once a week, every week, at a nursing home or retirement village, too.

        For the record, Kinley, along with venerable keyboardist Frank Vincent, bass Lou Lausche and drummer Mike Meloy are there 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

        Onstage: Well this is odd: The new interactive comedy opening soon in Newport doesn't even have a cast yet and already buzz is building.

        Referring here to a little venture joining Rich Neumann's Neumann Productions and BB Riverboats' Alan and Jimmy Bernstein for a show the partners expect to play One Riverboat Row (nee Sloppy Joe's) for at least a year.

        The show is Joey and Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding, similar to Tony & Tina's Wedding in that it's a fake wedding and reception where the audience usually becomes members of the cast. It's that interactive.

        The show, complete with drunken bridesmaids, jilted girlfriends and bickering in-laws, is owned by the West Coast production house Dillstar and playing in more than 25 cities.

        “The show's scripted to a point,” Neumann says, “but there's a lot of ad libbing. It depends on the audience.”

        Right. But first they need a cast. Neumann and partners will audition prospective cast members 7-10 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30. But don't just show up. First you need to call (800) 944-5639.

        They're looking at a Nov. 24 opening, $50 or so a ticket.

        At the stove: Lots of buzz also about An Evening in Lyon, the March of Dimes fund-raiser that is flying in four French chefs to whip up a to-die-for meal with a little help from host chef Jean-Robert de Cavel.

        And goodness, aren't these kitchen wizards getting pampered? Cocktail party at the home of John and Ruth Sawyer the night before the event. Chow at Daveed's after the cocktail party with chef David Cook whipping up something astounding.

        Hmmm. Four world-class chefs imported for a meal in your restaurant? That should be enough to set Cook's heart aflutter.

        The fund-raiser (6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Omni) honors Jim Scott and serves up such tasties as walleye terrine, sauteed turbot with black truffles, chicken breast with foie gras and pears poached in red wine with pastry fritters.

        It's $150 a pop. Call 769-3588.

        E-mail knipenquirer@yahoo.com. Past columns at Enquirer.com/columns/knip

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