Going out

Canadian Brass: The five virtuosi of the renowned brass ensemble bring their holiday show to the Aronoff Center, 8 p.m. today, Procter & Gamble Hall. $17-$30. 241-7469.

Hansel & Gretel: The Sunset Players begins two weekends of the popular children's classic, 7 p.m. today, Dunham Recreation Complex, 1945 Dunham Way, West Price Hill. $3. 588-4988.

Small Works: Get first picks on merchandise by attending the opening of the Small Works show at Linda Schwartz Gallery, featuring contemporary art with gift-giving in mind by local and regional artists such as Stewart Goldman, Joel Otterson, Arturo Alonzo Sandoval and others, 6-9 p.m. today, 315 W. Fourth St., downtown. 241-4202.

Neo-bluegrass: The California trio Nickel Creek brings a fresh perspective to contemporary bluegrass, 8:30 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $16.50-$18. 562-4949.

Staying in

TV pick: Georgia natives Ray Charles and Travis Tritt get together for CMT Crossroads to sing "Georgia On My Mind," "I'm Moving On" and other songs (8 p.m., Country Music Television).

Critic John Kiesewetter also says don't miss The Simpsons, a terrific repeat in which Homer goes Hollywood when Mel Gibson asks him to help produce an action movie (11 p.m., Channel 19).

The goods

Homegrown singers: The Vocal Arts Ensemble is selling music for Christmas. Specifically, its new An American Christmas is holiday music by American composers: Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque," Stephen Paulus' "Jesu Carols," William Dawson's "Hair Mary!" and more. It's $16 at the College-Conservatory of Music box office or the group's Web site, where you can hear a sample. 556-4183.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Cincinnati Railway Co. is offering "Train Rides with Santa," running between the old Amtrak station on the riverfront downtown (1901 River Road) and the Lebanon depot (198 S. Broadway), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Dec. 22. $12-$20. 933-8022.

48 hours out: Acclaimed teacher and author Sharon Draper is at the Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore to introduce her new young adult novel Double Dutch, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley. 731-2665.

A week away: The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra kicks off three days of "Happy Holidays from the Pops" with tenor Kevin Anderson, narrator Nick Clooney and more, 8 p.m. next Friday, Music Hall. $17-$47. 381-3300.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com