Going out

        Ed Viesturs: The world-renowned mountain climber is at the Aronoff Center for his multimedia program “Pushing the Limits,” part of the Live from National Geographic Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m. today, Procter & Gamble Hall. $11.25-$23.75. 241-7469.

        "Venus': The Miami University Theater Deparment presents the intriguing Suzan-Lori Parksdrama Venus, about an African woman taken to London to be exhibited in a circus circa 1810, 8 p.m. today, Gates-Abegglen Theatre, Oxford. Through Sunday. $5-$8. (513) 529-3200.

        Story time: The Forest Park Branch Library hosts a parent-child story hour celebrating African-American Heritage Month, 7 p.m. today, Forest Park Branch Library, 655 Waycross. Ages 5 and up. 369-4478.

        At BarrelHouse: The progressive female folk artist Alison Pipitone performs at the BarrelHouse Brewing Company with Chris and Carol Walker from Heavy Weather, 9 p.m. today, 22 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. $5. 421-2337.

Staying in

        TV picks: Sarah Paulson stars in NBC's promising new Leap of Faith (8:30 p.m., Channels 5, 22) adult relationship comedy about four single Manhattan residents (three women and a guy) from Sex and the City writer Jenny Bicks.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Survivor: Marquesas premieres from a remote South Pacific island (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Celebrated magician David Copperfield brings his new show Portal to the Aronoff Center for two shows Friday(6 p.m. and 9 p.m.) and three shows Saturday (1 p.m. 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in the Procter & Gamble Hall. $22.50-$49.50. 241-7469.

        48 hours out: The Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series at Playhouse in the Park welcomes the Cincinnati Opera Outreach Ensemble for its story-song presentation A Bride from Pluto, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday in the Rosenthal Plaza. $4-$5. 421-3888.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: The Cincinnati Pops Orchestrahosts the legendary Western music act Riders in the Sky, 7 p.m., Music Hall. $16.50-$46. 381-3300.

— Jim Knippenberg

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

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