Countdown

Oktoberfest: What sets the MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest apart from other area German celebrations is its ability to offer Bavarian food and culture in a restored 19th-century German neighborhood. There are varieties of sausages, sauerkraut specialties and strudels plus non-stop music, dancing, rides, vendors and more at historic MainStrasse. Hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Sixth and Main streets, Covington. (859) 491-0458.

Jason Nebel

Alaskan art: Alaskan artist Kat Tomka is exhibiting her work today through Sept. 26 at the Chidlaw Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati. Break Up II: A video/drawing exhibition in tape refers to the time of year in Alaska when winter is on the decline and milder weather, extended light and hibernating animals return. Tomka uses transparent drawing tape to reflect this time of year. The Chidlaw Gallery is at 953 Eden Park Drive. For more information, call 562-8777.

Marilyn Bauer

Pop-folk-rock: Two of the best and smartest writers of sad songs - local boy Chuck Cleaver and New York's Joe Pernice - will join forces Sunday in the Ballroom of Southgate House (24 E. Third St., Newport; 859-431-2201). They'll lead their respective bands, Ass Ponys and Pernice Brothers, in an evening of top-shelf, eclectic pop-folk-rock. British folk-rock singer/songwriter Peter Bruntnell (Normal for Bridgwater) opens the 8:30 p.m. show ($8 advance; $10 at the door; 18 and older).

Celtic preview: Monday, it's a Celtic Festival preview, as Cincinnati Folk Life presents the all-star Irish band Danu at Jack Quinn's Emerald Ballroom (112 E. Fourth St., Covington; 859-491-6699). Music starts at 8 p.m.; $18, $15 for CFL members (533-4822).

Larry Nager

FYI

Modern glass: Cincinnati Art Museum will display a collection of modern glass for approximately one year. Pieces such as "Topaz" by Christopher Ries, "Queen of Sheba Vase" by Vally Weiselthier and "Yellow Leaf Vase" by Dante Marioni join selections from the popular A Touch of Glass exhibition from May 2001. For more information, call 639-2954.

Marilyn Bauer

Terminal memories: To celebrate its 70th birthday, the Cincinnati Museum Center wants to interview people about their memories of the building, its construction, railroad service, and days as a shopping mall and museum. The interviews will be videotaped for a documentary to be played in the Newsreel Theater off the rotunda. To volunteer, call Todd Kolloff at Blind Squirrels Production Group at (513) 533-4340, or e-mail unionterminal@aol.com.

John Kiesewetter

Movies opening Friday

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star

The Order

Coming Friday in Weekend

Fall festivals: Labor Day signals more than the end of summer; it's the beginning of the fall festival season. We will celebrate the harvest with apple and pumpkin festivals. And there are Oktoberfests all over town.