Going out

BockFest: It's perfect for a Saturday night: Beer - bock and imported ales - tons of German sausages, bars full of music, even brewery tours. It happens all day today, from noon until they roll up the sidewalks in the small hours. Main Street Entertainment District, Main Street between Central Parkway and Liberty Street, Over-the-Rhine. 421-2337.

Cowboy sounds: Legendary performers Riders in the Sky bring their folksy old Western songs and slapstick comedy to the Taft Theatre. 7:30 p.m. today, Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown, $22.50-$27.50 at door. 562-4949.

Madcap: The acclaimed puppet theater company checks in with two weekends of While You Were Sleeping, a Czech Black-style production about goings on after hours. 1 and 3 p.m. today, Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park. 721-2787.

Antiques: The popular Moeller High School Antique Show shows off more than 100 high-quality dealers with an emphasis on furniture but with other goodies to sell, too. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 9001 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. 481-2977.

On TV

Top pick: Music fills the airwaves with the premieres of Nashville Star, a country music American Idol clone with 12 finalists dug up on a nationwide search (9 p.m., USA cable), and New Extreme Sounds, a locally produced music and entertainment series hosted by Karley Wright and Heidi Schreiber (10 p.m., Channel 25 or Time Warner Cable Channel 20).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says Queen Latifah hosts Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m.) with musical guest Ms. Dynamite.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The annual Imagemaker Awards, celebrating high achievers in the African-American community, also includes an international showcase before the awards ceremony. 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Gallagher Student Center, Xavier University, Evanston, $10. 745-3939.

Also 24 hours out: Joseph-Beth Booksellers has the Summerfair 2003 poster debut with designer Jessica Schultz signing her winning design. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

A week away: Cincinnati Museum Center honors St. Patrick's Day with a two-day Celtic Lands Culture Fest complete with storytellers, dancers, music and more. Noon-5 p.m. next Saturday-March 16. 287-7000.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com