Going out

Denyce Graves: The touted mezzo-soprano hits the high Cs and more in a concert of arias and tunes from her recent Lost Days CD of Latin-inspired works. 7:30 p.m. today, Hall Auditorium, Miami University, Oxford, $9-$18. (513) 529-3200.

Jane Smiley: The Pulitzer Prize-winner (the novel A Thousand Acres and bunches of essays) shares thoughts at the University of Cincinnati Ropes Lecture Series. 8 p.m. today, Room 127, McMicken Hall, UC, free. 556-3906.

Friends' night: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati dishes up pizza, beer and drama on "Friends Night Out" - a happy hour buffet at BarrelHouse Brewing Company (5:30 p.m.) and performance of the razor sharp Copenhagen (7:30 p.m.) at ETC, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, $20. 421-3555.

Lunchtime classical: The popular Music Live with Lunch series gets you out of the office for a session with vocalist Allison Acord and pianist Christina Hahn. 12:10 p.m. today, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown, free with optional $3.50-lunch. 621-1817.

On TV

TV pick: Critic John Kiesewetter says the most entertaining alternative to President Bush's State of the Union speech at 9 p.m. is WB's Smallville (9 p.m., Channels 64, 26), in which Superman's adopted father (John Schneider) is suspected of shooting Lex Luthor's father (John Glover).

In stores today

CDs: Zwan, the new band led by former Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan, releases its debut CD, Mary Star of the Sea (Warner Bros.; $18.98), also available in a deluxe version with bonus DVD ($21.98).

Lou Reed's all-star, Edgar Allan Poe concept album, The Raven (Warner Bros.) comes in two flavors: single ($18.98), and double disc ($29.98).

Guitar alchemist Ry Cooder returns to Cuba for a set of duets with guitarist Manuel Galb·ns on Mambo Sinuendo (Nonesuch; $18.98) Video/DVDs: Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk suggests you set free your inner orca with the 10th anniversary edition of 1993's Free Willy, complete with Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" music video, games, trailers and, gasp, a "whale ballet montage."

Or, you can stage your own homegrown bad-movie festival with Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley in Serving Sara.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The rootsy-bluesy Goshorn Brothers play 7:30-11:30 p.m. Tuesdays at LaNormandie lounge and restaurant. 118 E. Sixth St., downtown. No cover. 721-2761.

48 hours out: The Rising Phoenix Theatre Company in Middletown goes for laughs with Ken Ludwig's zany Moon Over Buffalo. 8 p.m. Thursday, Temple Arts Center, 4 N. Main St., $15-$18. (513) 705-4131.

72 hours 'til Friday: Main Street's Final Friday offers a frosty night of shopping, open house at Pendleton Art Center, new exhibit by Michael DeMaria at DesignSmith Gallery and a jolt of hooch at one of the bars. 6-10 p.m., Main Street between Liberty and Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine. 621-4700.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com