Going out

        Amernet series: The ever so acclaimed Amernet String Quartetstrums into the second installment of its “Three Concerts, Three Premieres” series with works by Haydn, Milhaud and the premiere of Stephen Danker's Sixth String Quartet. 7:30 p.m. today, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, free. (859) 572-6399.

        Noel Ignatiev: The prominent African-American writer and thinker kicks off the Ropes Lecture Series at the University of Cincinnati with “Abolish the White Race,” a free lecture on the institutional nature of racism. 8 p.m. today, Room 127, McMicken Hall. 556-3906.

        New exhibit: The Miami University Art Museum opens Aftermath: Solace in Art, a multimedia collection of works that have provided solace in the aftermath of Sept. 11. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, continuing through April 7, U.S. 27, Oxford, free. (513) 529-2232.

        Scrapbooking: Beginning at the beginning, it's “Introduction to Scrapbooking,” a workshop on use of archival materials, design layout and embellishment techniques. 7 p.m. today, Cold Spring Branch Library, 3920 Alexandria Pike, free. (859) 781-6166.

Staying in

        TV picks: Oooh! Aaah! “Fireworks!” explode on PBS' Nova, which shows how pyrotechnic experts mix high-tech methods with ancient Chinese alchemy (8 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Buffy the Vampire Slayer takes a fast-food job (8 p.m., Channel 25).

Video picks

        Critic's Pick: New on both DVD and VHS this week is Disney's animated adventure Atlantis: The Lost Empire, as well as The Princess and the Warrior from German stylist Tom Tykwer, starring Franka Potente (Run Lola Run), says Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk. The week's new-to-DVD standouts include a special edition of Bill Murray's Groundhog Day and the ever-charming bicycle racing romance Breaking Away.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: BarrelHouse Brewing Company turns up the heat with The All Thumbs Trio — Chuck Garvey of moe., Johnny Hickman of Cracker and Gibb Droll. 9 p.m. Wednesday, 22 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, $10. 421-2337.

        48 hours out: The Rising Phoenix Theatre Company opens William Inge's classic Bus Stop. 8 p.m. Thursday, 2 N. Main St., Middletown, $12-$15. (513) 704-4131.

        72 hours 'til Friday: Cincinnati Ballet kicks off its Winter Festival and shows off new principal dancers Lorna Feijoo and Nelson Madrigal from Cuba. 8 p.m., Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, $9-$51. 241-7469.

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

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