Going out

        Bockfest: The renaissance celebration of bock beer and bockwurst sausage this weekend in the Main Street Entertainment District gets started with a parade beginning 6 p.m. today at Arnold's, 210 E. Eighth St., downtown. 421-2337.

        CSO: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest conductor Libor Pesek for an intriguing program including composer Bedrich Smetana's tribute to his native Bohemia “Ma Vlast,” 8 p.m. today-Saturday at Music Hall. $12-$51. 381-3300.

        Matthew Reilly: The bestselling Australian suspense novelist is at Joseph-Beth Booksellers introducing his latest military thriller Area 7, 7 p.m. today, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        Art opening: The Cincinnati Art Galleries holds an opening reception for a new show of work by painter Bruce I. Petrie, Jr.exploring meanings in light, 5-8 p.m. today, 225 E. Sixth St., downtown. 381-2128.

Staying in

        TV picks: The Winter Olympics figure skating medal-winners perform the popular “Champions Gala” free skate (8-11:30 p.m., Channels 5, 22) as the Games wind down, before Sunday's closing ceremony.

        • Critic John Kiesewetter says E! repeats Jerry Springer Revealed (7 p.m., E!).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Olympic gear: If you're hot to don one of the USA berets worn by Olympic team members and made by Roots, get in line. The Candadian company's Web site is so busy, moving from screen to screen is sometimes impossible. We found it easier to call the Auburn Hills, Mich., store to order the hat ($21.15 with tax), plus a flat $6 shipping charge and a two-week delivery time. Orders also are being taken at (800) 208-0521 or at www.rootsdirect@roots.com, where they cite a two-to-five-week delivery — if you can get through.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Cincinnati Art Museum hosts a Family Fun Day surrounding its Asian art collection with music, dance, artist demonstrations and origami, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. 721-2787.

        48 hours out: The Arc Chamber Ensemble presents a “Music from Around the World” concert featuring works by contemporary classical composers Christopher Rouse, Colin Mathews, Toru Takemitsu and more, 2 p.m. Sunday, Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, University of Cincinnati. $10 (students free). 289-4972.

        A week away: Sign up now for the Grand Tastings of the Cincinnati Wine Festival, next Friday-March 2 at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center. $50-$60. 723-9463.

— Jim Knippenberg

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

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