Going out

Rosenthal Center: The museum steps up with freebie admission to the celebrated Somewhere Better Than This Place: Alternative Social Experiences in Spaces of Contemporary Art with six floors of provocative video art, moving sound installations, interactive sculpture and more. 5-9 p.m. today, Sixth and Walnut streets, downtown. 345-8400, www.contemporaryartscenter.org.

Book signing: Up-and-coming novelist Terry Gamble is here to introduce her debut novel, The Water Dancers (William Morrow; $24.95), about an American Indian orphan who goes to work for a wealthy family on the shores of Lake Michigan. 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

Eugene Goss: The popular jazz artist performs 6-10 p.m. today at the Pub at Rookwood Mews, Rookwood Commons, Edmonson and Edwards roads, Norwood, no cover. 841-2748.

On TV

Top pick: For just a doggone good time, catch the network TV premiere of Best in Show, the hilarious spoof of dog show competition starring Parker Posey, Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Michael McKean and Don Lake (8 p.m., Comedy Central).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says ABC's Charles Gibson reports on the investigation into the February shuttle explosion on Columbia: Final Mission (10 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

The goods

Help with dinner: Here's a thought - chopsticks with training wheels. Really. They're in a Cincinnati-based catalog called Culture for Kids, 64 pages of toys, tapes, games and fun stuff designed to teach kids about other world cultures. Like Japan's chopsticks. They're joined at the top, see, so they're one piece. Instead of pinching two sticks between fingers, the diner squeezes the sticks with thumb and forefinger, creating a pincher motion. Rookie Chopsticks are $2.40 each, four for $8.95 or $25 for 12 and a guidebook. Go to www.cultureforkids.com or call 563-3100.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Summer Music Games features drum corps from around the country competing for national honors. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Fairfield Stadium, Ohio 4 and Stadium Drive, Fairfield, $10-$18. 858-3788.

48 hours out: Showboat Majestic opens Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple (female version). 8 p.m. Wednesday, Public Landing, downtown, $13-$15. 241-6550.

72 hours till Thursday: The Spirit Song Contemporary Christian Music Festival is three days of music by headliners the Newsboys, Michael W. Smith, Third Day and plenty more, Thursday-Saturday, TimberWolf Amphitheater, Paramount's Kings Island (www.pki.com). Tickets start at $38.99 (discounts for multiple-day pass and season pass holders). 562-4949.

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E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com; fax: 768-8513