Going out

        "Blast': The national tour of the flag-waving, brass-blowing marching band extravaganza thunders into town for two weeks full of oom-pahs. 8 p.m. today, Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, $35-$58. 241-7469.

        Rock-blues: The North Mississippi All Stars puts a modern-rock spin on good old Southern hill country blues. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $12.50. 562-4949.

        Poetry: The Riverbank Poetry Project trots out the ever so well known author, visual artist and poet Annie Ruth as featured reader. 7 p.m. today, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, free. 863-8873.

        La-Vaune Henry: The Taft Museum of Art Duncanson artist-in-residence caps off her series of public appearances with a freebie full of solo operatic works. 7:30 p.m. today, Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater. 241-0343.

Staying in

        TV picks: Forget Frasier, NYPD Blue and 24. The show not to miss is the World Trade Center (9 p.m., History Channel), a repeat of a film about building the landmark twin towers which drew a record 2.8 million viewers for the channel Oct. 17.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Michael Jackson is joined by his brothers and 'NSync on Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special (9-11 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

Video picks

        Critic's Picks: Video-game guys are going nuts over today's release of the Angelina Jolie version of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, while fans of John Cusack and Julia Roberts lust for America's Sweethearts, both on VHS and DVD. For fans of imports, Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk says the week's best bet is the French drama Under the Sand with Charlotte Rampling.

Planning Ahead
        24 hours out: It's opening night for Stagecrafters of the Jewish Community Center's production of Mary Chase's silly wabbit fantasy Harvey. 8 p.m. Wednesday, JCC, 1580 Summit Road, Roselawn, $9. 351-1234.

        48 hours out: Miami University hits some bass notes with world-renowned bassoonist and composer John Steinmetz lecturing on “Music and Peacemaking.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Hall Auditorium, Oxford. Free. (513) 529-8309.

        72 hours 'til Friday: Country Music Association 2001 Vocal Group of the Year Lonestar puts some twang in it all when it plays Cincinnati Gardens, 7:30 p.m., 2250 Seymour Ave., Roselawn, $28.50. 562-4949.

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

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