Going out

        Sheryl Crow: The pioneering female rocker storms Riverbend after an opening set from young singer-songwriter Michelle Branch. 8 p.m. today, $37.75-$47.75, $22.75 lawn. 562-4949.

        Art opening: The Weston Art Gallery unveils the edgy exhibit Beauty and the Beholder, a group show exploring themes of voyeurism, along with two new video installations by Charles Woodman and Gagik Aroutiunian. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. today, Aronoff Center. 977-4165.

        Theater: The risk-taking young theater troupe Queen City Off Broadway goes to court with two weekends of Reginald Rose's volatile 12 Angry Men. 7 p.m. today in the clever cabaret theater space upstairs from Carol's on Main, 825 Main St., downtown, $12-$15. 681-2043.

        Zoo baby: The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden throws a first birthday party for young Andalas, the Sumatran rhino, with three days of special activities including scavenger hunts and interactive sessions with zookeepers. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, free with zoo admission. 281-4700.

Staying in

        TV picks: When a woman is killed during a marathon race, the murder suspect tells Monk (Tony Shalhoub) he couldn't have done it because he was running in the race (10 p.m., USA).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Billy Crystal's Soap comedy (8 p.m.-6:30 a.m., TV Land).

The goods

        Deal 'em: So then, just because he's dead doesn't mean you can't play poker with Elvis. Or spread him all over your card table in 1,000 or so tiny pieces. Referring here to United States Playing Card Co.'s line of Elvis products. The hot-selling 2-deck set of Elvis playing cards (in blue suede packaging no less) is $12.99. A 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle (warning: it's complicated as all get-out) is $5 in gift and specialty stores.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Anne Burchenal of Ohio River Grass heads for Smith and Hawken at Rookwood Pavilion with a gardening program on ornamental grasses. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Madison and Edwards Roads, Norwood, $5. 731-3133.

        48 hours out: For something a little different, try some of the area's best chamber music outdoors when Mischa Santora and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra play a freebie that includes Barber's "Adagio for Strings,” Handel's Water Music Suite No. 2 and Beethoven's King Stephan Overture. 3 p.m. Sunday, Eden Park's Seasongood Pavilion. 723-1182.

        A week away: Aerosmith is at Riverbend with old-school rappers Run-DMC and '70s anthem-rock specialists Cheap Trick. 7 p.m. next Friday, $32.75-$77.75. 562-4949.

— Jim Knippenberg

        E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com.

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