Going out

Gary Hoffman: The Cincinnati Chamber Music Society welcomes the famous cellist and pianist Philippe Bianconi for an evening with Mendelssohn, Chopin, Bloch and Brahms. 8 p.m. today, Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati, $7-$20. 556-4183.

Film festival: The Cincinnati Film Society has selections from the Ann Arbor Film Festival, one of the premiere forums for experimental film. 7 p.m. today, auditorium, Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park, $4-$6. 721-2787.

Friends' Night: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati's popular "Friends Night Out" is a happy hour and buffet at Barrelhouse Brewing Company (22 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine) 5:30 p.m. today followed at 7:30 p.m. by Triple Espresso at ETC, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, $20. 421-3555.

On TV

Top pick: When Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) visits his old pal Dr. Phil, he runs into his former agent (Harriet Sansom Harris), the alleged architect behind Dr. Phil's media empire (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says Nick and Lulu (Simon Baker, Wendy Moniz) are caught in a compromising position on The Guardian (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

New on CD

Critic's pick: American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs (RCA; $18.98) is the current batch of combatants in the latest spin-off from the series. They even do a love song to America, "God Bless the U.S.A."

• R&B diva in development Kelly Price is back with Priceless (Universal/Def Jam; $18.98).

New on DVD/Video

Critic's Picks: Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant romp playfully in this week's top romantic comedy, Two Week's Notice, says Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk.

• Also new today is Disney's animated space-pirate yarn, Treasure Planet; for fun, compare and contrast with the new-to-DVD Treasure Island, Disney's 1950 live-action version of the famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel.

New TV on DVD

Critic's pick: Whoa, here's one they've been waiting for: The entire first season - 24 episodes - of Xena: Warrior Princess. The collector's edition of the popular hit is $89.98.

• Comedian George Carlin lets fly George's Best Stuff, an 87-minute standup routine that first aired on HBO. It includes his notorious "Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV." $19.98.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee of the folk fusion act Pentangle are at Jack Quinn's Irish Ale House and Pub. 8 p.m. Wednesday, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington, $15. (859) 491-6699.

48 hours out: There's a Cinco de Mayo "Super Sampling" with more than 50 booths celebrating the food and drink of Hispanic/Latino culture. 2-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Jungle Jim's International Market, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, free.

647-6000.

- Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com