Going out

Mix Tape Tour: The And 1 Mix Tape Tour is a high-energy basketball/hip-hop affair with some of the nation's best street ballers and MCs plus opportunities for locals to participate in open sessions. 7:30 p.m. today, U.S. Bank Arena, $17-$52. 562-4949.

CSO tour: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's "Classical Roots: Spiritual Heights" tour is in Lincoln Heights with an evening of works by African-American composers - William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony, Adolph Hailstork's Intrada - plus classical works by Dvorak, Saint-Saens, Bach and others. 7:30 p.m. today, Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 9991 Wayne Ave., free. 381-3300.

Bluegrass-country: The Texas-based acoustic country act Karl Shiflett and Big Country twangs up the Madison Theater. 8 p.m. today, 730 Madison Ave., Covington, $10. (859) 655-4807.

At Bogart's: The British black metal band Cradle of Filth headlines an evening of power rock along with Kill Switch Engage, Shadows Fall and Sworn Enemy. 7:30 p.m. today, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $18-$20. 562-4949.

On TV

Top pick: Dennis Haysbert (24) narrates a rare behind-the-scenes look at The FBI, its agents and profilers, through a day in the life of FBI director Robert Mueller in a PBS special from National Geographic Television (8 p.m., Channel 48).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says for a good laugh call Reno 911 (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central), a spoof of Fox's Cops.

The goods

Pet care: Here's a freebie from the Animal Rights Community of Greater Cincinnati - a book full of pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about dog and cat care. The Dog & Cat Handbook is a compilation of 75 articles on topics such as pet adoption, vet care and sterilization, assembled entirely by volunteers bent on educating the public about pets. It will be available at 100 locations in the Tristate, including public libraries, veterinary offices and animal shelters. It also will be given away 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today on Fountain Square. 542-3808.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Joseph-Beth Booksellers has author Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and editor of McSweeney's) for a discussion and signing of his debut novel You Shall Know Our Velocity! He'll also stay late and talk to anyone interested in setting up a local chapter of the literacy-promoting group "826 Valencia." 7 p.m. Thursday, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

48 hours out: Legendary ballet artist Mikhail Baryshnikov is at the Capitol Theater in Columbus for a rare evening of solo dance. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, $85. (614) 688-4380.

72 hours till Saturday: Gold Star ChiliFest includes myriad varieties of Cincinnati chili, contests, live music and tons more. Noon-midnight Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, Court and Plum streets, downtown. 579-3100.

Jim Knippenberg

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