Going out

Sarah Ferguson: The Duchess of York, spokeswoman for the British housewares brand Wedgwood, makes her regal way to the Kenwood Lazarus for "Bending the Rules," a little of this and that about relaxed entertaining. 12:30 p.m. today, Wedgwood china signing 1:30-3:30 p.m., Kenwood Towne Centre. 745-5201.

Matinee Musicale: The venerable morning concert series brings in Greek-Russian pianist Katia Skanavi. 11 a.m. today, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 317 E. Fifth St., downtown, $2-$15.

821-2228.

Irish arts: Irish cultural expert Dr. Bill Williams and Celtic painter Cindy Matyi share some thoughts on "A Palette of Irish Arts," about the widespread popularity of so many Irish art forms.

7 p.m. today, Science Lecture Hall, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, $5. (859) 344-3333.

John Mayer: The singer-songwriter is at Miami University after a rousing warm-up from Robert Randolph and the Family Band. 7:30 p.m. today, Millett Hall, Oxford, $30. 562-4949.

Staying in

TV pick: The 23 women rejected by The Bachelor (9 p.m., Channels 9, 2) gather to gossip about the two finalists, Brooke and Helene, one of whom will win the heart of Adam Buerge next week.

CD picks

Critic's pick: Pearl Jam has the big rock release, Riot Act (Sony; $18.98).

Rapper Jay Z hopes to escape the curse of R. Kelly and the duo's flop earlier this year with his new solo effort, Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse (Def Jam; $19.98).

Rapper Missy Elliott's latest work is Under Construction (Elektra; $18.98) with a crew that includes Beyonce Knowles, Jay Z, Ludacris and TLC.

Veteran British rocker Phil Collins is back with Testify (Atlantic; $18.98), another set of grown-up blue-eyed pop/soul/light rock, including "The Least You Can Do," a collaboration with Genesis guitarist Daryl Stuermer.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Museum Center's "Seminar on the City" series has Spencer Crew, executive director of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, talking about "The Role of Cincinnati in the Underground Railroad." 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Reakirt Auditorium. Free. 287-7080.

48 hours out: The YWCA holds an opening reception for the new exhibit, Bearing Witness to the Human Spirit: Photographs from a Worldwide Odyssey, by internationally renowned photographer Nancy Randolph. 6-8 p.m. Friday, 898 Walnut St., downtown. 241-7090.

72 hours 'til Saturday: The Renaissance band Piffaro performs works from the golden age of Florence - stuff by Firmin Caron, Alexander Agricola and Heinrich Isaac - all on vintage instruments.

8 p.m., Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, University of Cincinnati, free. 556-4183.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com