For a sneak peek at local theater, consider CURTAIN UP! It's the League of Cincinnati Theatres' annual season kickoff party, 5:30 p.m. Monday at Playhouse in the Park.

It's a chance for much free noshing (the theaters are whipping up hors d'oeuvres) and a chance to watch two-minute bits by lots of the companies about town, including Cincinnati Shakespeare, Clear Stage, Ovation, Falcon and Know Theatre Tribe.

Make sure you pick up the league's cool poster/brochure (suitable for hanging) and look for the first issue of LCT Monthly, the beginning of a local playbill that will be inserted in programs all over town starting in October.

I don't know about you, but at least a small part of every Sunday for me is taking a red pen and The New York Times theater directory and circling everything I'd love to see. The Monthly should be great for filling intermissions.

No reservations needed for CURTAIN UP! Just stop by after work; league members will be thrilled to party with you.

New Gate news

Things are going so well for New Gate Celtic Theatre Company, says founder/artistic director Karen Vanover, that "I think we're on the verge of having our first full season next fall!"

New Gate did the rounds of summer Celtic fesivals including Cleveland, Milwaukee and Newport's Irish Heritage Festival. Catch them today at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. at the local fest at Coney Island. Rep includes scenes from Bogie Men and Meadow Gate by Lady Gregory and Pot of Broth by W.B. Yeats.

Hail the arts

October is National Arts and Humanities Month, hailing them as vital to our families, communities and the nation as a whole.

Celebrate by attending at least one live performance. Make it a party with a group of friends. Make sure you talk about it afterward. It may just be the best time you have this month. And for many months to come.