Going out

        Maureen France: The ever so well known documentary photographer talks about her Positively Alive retrospective exhibit, part of today's after-hours menu. 7:30 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, free with museum admission. 721-2787.

        Tenebrae: The Cathedral Choir of St. Peter in Chains celebrates Holy Week with the ancient service of Tenebrae, a mix of Gregorian chants and polyphonic choral works. 7:30 p.m. today, at the cathedral, Eighth and Plum Streets, downtown. 421-2222.

        Same Page: The community gets together to discuss Ernest J. Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying in another edition of the “On the Same Page” project. 7 p.m. today, Sitwell's Coffee House, 324 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. 281-7487.

        Storytelling: The Urban Appalachian Council rounds up Rema Keen and Omope Carter-Daboiku, for an African-American/Appalachian story session. 7 p.m. today, Northside Community School, 4139 Kirby Ave., Northside, Free. 251-0202.

Staying in

        TV picks: The West Wing (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22) resumes new episodes with the president insulting his likely opponent and trying to hush his new poet laureate (Laura Dern).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter says The George Lopez Show (8:30 p.m., Channels 9, 2) is the only new series tonight worth watching. Skip Fox's Greg the Bunny (9:30 p.m., Channels 19, 45) and ABC's Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (9:30 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

The Goods: CD picks

        Critic's pick: Canadian pop diva Celine Dion returns with A New Day Has Come (Epic; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        • For those who prefer soulful eclecticism in their female vocalists, the week's top release is Cassandra Wilson's Belly of the Sun (Blue Note; $18.98 CD only).

        • The late gangsta rap pioneer Eazy-E pulls a Tupac with a back-from-the-dead CD, Impact of a Legend (Sony; $24.98 CD, including a bonus DVD;).

        • It's the 30th anniversary reissue of the O Brother of another generation, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's roots classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (Capitol; $26.98). It was once three LPs; today it's two CDs with bonus tracks.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Northern Kentucky University Theatre Department dives into two weeks of the David Shire/Richard Maltby musical revue Closer Than Ever. 8 p.m. Thursday, Black Box Theatre, NKU, Highland Heights, $5-$10. (859) 572-5464.

        48 hours out: Knox Presbyterian Church musical groups band together for a Good Friday mounting J.S. Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion, 7 p.m. Friday, Michigan and Observatory Avenues, Hyde Park. 321-2573.

        72 hours 'til Saturday: Florence Mall goes all out celebrating the second anniversary of the Woolly Mammoth playland with carnival games, kids karaoke, workshops with cartoonist Pauline Comanor and more, noon-5 p.m. on the Center Court. (859) 371-1231.

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

Family hatches Grade A Easter eggs
Creamy candy something to sing about
Plague of plastic descends on kids
Comedian gets 'respect,' control in 'Lopez' sitcom
First meeting prompts discussion of issues in book, city
Fun-raisers: Can-crazy designs, Oscar outing
Ex-fireman's vineyard ablaze with good wine
Recipe Rehab: Cake can be buzz among dessert lovers
Saucy cook
Smart mouth
Try It: Servatii's 'Butterbits' rolls
Body & mind
Polyp Man is serious fun
Heavy metal rockers slam into Bogart's
'Medea' is smart production
Get to it