Going out

        Cincinnati Pops: Erich Kunzel fills the stage and leads the orchestra through a multimedia blitz name of The Olympic Spirit, all full of music for and about the Olympic Games with aerialists, gymnasts, ice dancers and more. 7 p.m. today, Music Hall, $16.50-$46. 381-3300.

        A capella afternoon: “Great Music in a Great Space” cranks things up with the ever-so-well-regarded New England Spiritual Ensemble for an afternoon of traditional American Negro spirituals. 3 p.m. today, St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Eighth and Plum streets, downtown, $22 at door ($10 students with ID). 421-2222.

        New exhibits: The Cincinnati Art Museum opens two whoppers today: A solo show of the 20-year career of photographer Maureen France and American Watercolors: Whistler to Wyeth, showing off 20 works from the museum's permanent collection. Free with general admission. 721-2787.

        Winter walk: OK, how about you stop whining about winter and go looking for something good about it? Like maybe winter scenery in a nature hike led by a Cincinnati Parks naturalist. 1-2:30 p.m. today, Mount Echo Park, Price Hill. Meet at the pavilion by the overlook. 321-6070, Ext. 14.

Staying in

        TV picks: Not watching the Super Bowl (3 p.m. pregame; 6:18 p.m. kickoff, Channels 19, 45)? Then tune in Gettysburg (noon, TNT); Gone With The Wind (6 p.m., TNT), Pocahontas (7 p.m., Channels 9, 2), The Jewel of the Nile (8 p.m., USA) or Sabrina (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter saysSusan Sarandon, Heidi Klum, Bradley Whitford and Christina Ricci appear on Malcolm in the Middle after the game (about 10 p.m., Channels 19, 45).

Web site of the day

        Quit smoking: Trying to quit? Heaven knows, it's not easy. But here's a site that lets you share your agony with other nonsmoker wannabes. Go here to read their stories one excruciating day at a time. Or vital statistics, like this one: “Two months, five days, 9 hours, 38 minutes and 2 seconds; 1,660 cigarettes not smoked, saving $332.22.” Go to www.quitsmokingdiaries.com and take a deep breath.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The hot alternative rock act Cake shakes things up a tad at the Taft Theatre. 8 p.m. Monday, Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown, $23. 562-4949.

        48 hours out: Multicultural fare is all over the place at Wilmington College with a blast of South American music and dance from Inca Son. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Boyd Auditorium, College Avenue, Wilmington, free. (937) 382-6661, Ext. 267.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: Cincinnati Opera's Opera Rap series features UC professor Simon Anderson discussing this summer's production of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. 7 p.m., St. John's Unitarian Church, 320 Resor Ave., Clifton. 744-3511.

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

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