Going out

Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati continues 11 a.m.-10 p.m. today with German food specialties, imported ales, folk dancing, souvenirs and more along Fifth Street, between Race and Broadway, downtown. The Lowenbrau World's Largest Chicken Dance led by rocker Eddie Money starts 4 p.m. on Fountain Square. 621-6994.

Classical: The Amernet String Quartet opens its new season with a fun and imaginative "Italian Feast" concert featuring an all-Italian program of works by Hugo Wolf, Vittorio Giannini and Guiseppe Verdi, 3 p.m. today, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights. $10 suggested donation. (859) 572-6984.

Maritime artist: Michael Blaser, known for his dramatic river city paintings, including several of Cincinnati, is at the Main Public Library to discuss "Incorporating Great River Stories and Photo Archives into Original River Artwork," 2 p.m. today, 800 Vine St., downtown. Guests can also view a display of the artist's prints in the Rare Books & Special Collections Department. Free. 369-6900.

Antiques: Expect more than 300 dealers in period furniture, vintage collectibles and more at the Burlington Antique Show, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Boone County Fairgrounds, Ky. 338, five miles west of Florence. $3. 922-5265

Toby Keith: The country star is at Riverbend with red-hot opening acts Blake Shelton and Junior Brown, 7 p.m. today, I-275 and Kellogg Avenue, Anderson Township. $27-$57. 562-4949.

New on radio

Tune in with the Pops: A new radio program, WMKV 89.3 FM Goes to the Pops, devoted to music of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, debuts noon-1 p.m. today on WMKV-FM (89.3). Veteran broadcaster Bill Nimmo will host, with music from Pops performances throughout the years and interviews with guest artists and members of the orchestra. George Hambrecht, former CSO principal flutist, and musician Ken Hacker are writing the show, with technical assistance by Tom Emmert. For more information, call WMKV at 782-2427.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Women's Theater Initiative begins its acclaimed series of readings this year with a minimal production of Ironmistress, a new mother-daughter drama set in a 19th century English ironworks exploring issues of work, industry and social class, 8 p.m. Monday, Performance Gallery, 3900 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum. $5 donation requested. 604-8545.

48 hours out: The sparkling new Schuster Center in Dayton opens a two-week national touring production of the Broadway masterpiece Les Miserables, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Second and Main streets, downtown Dayton. $20.50-$63. (888) 228-3630.

72 hours till Wednesday: Singer-songwriter Tracy Grammer brings her intellectual-emotional folk sounds to Jack Quinn's intimate Emerald Ballroom, 8 p.m., 112 E. Fourth St., Covington. $12-$15. 779-9462.

Starting Thursday: The three-day Midpoint Music Festival fills the Main Street Entertainment District with emerging bands from all over the Midwest. Lineup and venues at www.mpmf.com

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