Last Minute

        "Ya-Ya' charity: Fans of the best-selling novel (and upcoming movie) The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood are invited to get in touch with their inner Vivis 7-9 p.m. today at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Norwood. Includes catered food, makeovers and a card tournament, as well as a silent auction for a pair of elaborate gift baskets. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati. 731-7770.

Countdown

        Screenwriters' seminar: The Cincinnati Screenwriting Seminar, which is affiliated with the American Screenwriters Association, meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Borders Books Northgate, 9459 Colerain Ave., Bevis, 245-9898.

— Margaret A. McGurk

FYI

        CSO hire: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has named Sarah Ioannides as assistant conductor, succeeding Jose-Luis Novo. Ms. Ioannides, who was born in Canberra, Australia, and lives in London, is first woman to hold a permanent position on the conducting staff in the CSO's 107 years. Her duties will include leading the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. She will hold auditions for new members Aug. 12-19. Information: 621-1919.

        Music director: Carlos Kalmar, a popular guest conductor of the CSO, has been named music director of the Oregon Symphony, the orchestra announced last week. He will succeed James DePreist in the 2003-04 season as Oregon's 10th music director. — Janelle Gelfand

        Sold out: Tickets to the Mayberry in the Midwest festival in New Castle, Ind., were as popular as Aunt Bee's apple pies.

        The festival, July 19-20, is sold out. It will feature actors from the 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, that starred Mr. Griffith, Ron Howard and Don Knotts, which chronicled life in the small town of Mayberry, N.C.

        Cast members expected to attend include George Lindsey, who played Goober, and Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou.

        The festival includes a Saturday-morning autograph session.

— The Associated Press

        Tripping the light: Sixteen light boxes from the early 1970s to the 1990s fixed with photographs of microscopic crystals make up the project room show at the Linda Schwartz Gallery, through June 22. Exotic Landscapes by Alice Weston also includes the video Inner Journey, in which the crystalline forms are put to music and photographs from Et Cetera, a ballet inspired by the crystals and performed in 1973 by Cincinnati Ballet. Silent Testimony, an exhibition of Ms. Weston's photographs of Ohio's mound builders, is touring the state while a small display remains on view at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

— Marilyn Bauer

        Fan Fair: The four-day country music festival takes place in downtown Nashville June 13-16. More than 200 artists and celebrities are expected to participate. The festival features more than 40 hours of musical performances, as well as autograph booths, Fan Fair After Hours, the NBC Daytime Stars, the Wheel of Fortune Wheelmobile, fan club parties and more. For the complete Fan Fair schedule and artist lineup, as well as information about tickets, visit www.FanFair.com. Fan Fair is organized and produced by the Country Music Association.

— PR Newswire

Movies opening Friday

        • The Importance of Being Earnest
        • The Sum of All Fears
        • Trembling Before G—D
        • Undercover Brother

Coming Friday in Weekend

        Summerfair: Enquirer visual arts reporter Marilyn Bauer has selected a handful of artists you won't want to miss. More than 300 artists from 30 states will exhibit their work.

        Summer festivals: Our annual list of festivals from now until Labor Day.

What's the Buzz?
'Sum' adds up for Freeman
Labels aside, Sandoval adds spice to Hot Latin Nights
Next Wave / Who's up and coming: From China, with talent
KNIPPENBERG: Knip's Eye View
The Early Word
Get to it