By Jason Nebel
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Going out

Nickel Creek: The progressive bluegrass trio plays Bogart's, 8 p.m. today, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $20-$22.50. 562-4949.

Music03: The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music begins its contemporary music festival Music03, 8 p.m. today with performances of new work by the renowned modern composers Louis Andriessen, Martin Bresnick and more in the Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, UC. Free and open to public. 556-4183.

After-hours art: Unlike most museums, which close on Mondays, the Rosenthal Center is open late on Mondays so you can experience six floors of provocative video art, unique sound installations, modern sculpture and more, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today, Sixth and Walnut streets, downtown. $3.50-$6.50. 345-8400.

On TV

Top pick: Don't know why, but Hanson's "MMMBop" is No. 97, one ahead of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why," as VH1 starts counting down the 100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years (10 p.m. Monday-Friday). No. 1 on the chart: Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says Hillary Clinton makes her first visit to the Late Show with David Letterman (11:35 p.m., Channels 12, 7). She didn't see Dave in 1994, when she was interviewed by his mom for the Late Show at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Acoustic Lunch series in shady Piatt Park continues with the fun and funky folk-rock of Venus Mission, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Vine Street and Garfield Place, downtown. 352-4080.

48 hours out: The national touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster musical The Phantom of the Opera begins a four-week stay at the sparkling new Schuster Center in Dayton, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Second and Main streets, downtown Dayton. $22.50-$70. (888) 228-3630.

72 hours till Thursday: Best-selling author Randy Wayne White (Twelve Mile Limit, Shark River) is at Joseph-Beth Booksellers to introduce his newest novel Everglades, 7 p.m., Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

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E-mail: jnebel@enquirer.com; fax: 768-8330.