Going out

Date with Carmen: Everyone else is going to Newport on the Levee, why not Carmen? Right. She shows up with WGUC's Naomi Lewin in tow for Opera Rap, one of the periodic parties the Opera throws to tout the upcoming season. In keeping with Carmen's saucy side, the party will dish up food from Bamboo Club, Cafe Istanbul, Mitchell's Fish Market, Brio Tuscan Grille and Jeff Ruby's Tropicana. That's followed by Lewin chatting and then some music. 6:30 p.m. today, Newport on the Levee mezzanine level, free but reservations required. 744-3511; www.cincinnatiopera.com.

Singin' sailors: When it comes to big and behemoth, you can't beat On the Town. The cheery warhorse follows three WWII era sailors hell bent on having fun and finding the perfect woman, all set to the tune of music by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green.Opens 8 p.m. today and continues through Sunday, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Corbett Auditorium, $15-$25. 556-4183.

On the edge: The Arc Ensemble belts out an evening of contemporary music when it takes over the Rosenthal Center's Black Box Theater. They're teamed up with Tanja Becker-Bender for Kurt Weill's "Concerto for Violin," Frank Zappa's "Dog Breath Variations," Dorothy Hindman's "Chemistry" and Arnold Schoenberg's "Kammersymphonie." Whew. 7:30 p.m. today, Rosenthal Center, Sixth and Walnut streets, downtown, $20. 345-8400.

Flirtin' party

Volunteers, too: Say hello to Club Red, a new division of the Red Cross. It's a group of young professionals with a double mission: Party hearty and help the community in times of need. The group introduces itself today with a Flirting for Disaster social complete with appetizers, special drink prices and a chance to meet - and flirt with - a herd of new people. 6 p.m. today, Rock Bottom Brewery, Fountain Square, $10. 579-3000; www.cincinnatiredcross.org/clubred.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: It's a double whammy - tons of art and tons of lights - when Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park opens its annual drive-through light exhibit. Already a destination of sculpture lovers thanks to its outdoor pieces, Pyramid Hill celebrates by wiring everything in sight. Opens 6-10 p.m. Friday and continues daily through Jan. 4, Pyramid Hill, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road(Ohio 128), Hamilton, $12 per car or van Monday-Thursday, $14 weekends, $24 and $28 for vans with nine or more. 868-8336.

Also 24 hours out: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati gears up for Alice in Wonderland with an Alice in Wonderful party to introduce the music and cast members. The adaptation of the classically crazed tale features all the traditional characters and a whole raft of new music from David Kisor. The party, for better or worse, also features a sing-along. 6 p.m. Friday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood, free. 421-3555.

Also 24 hours out: Folk-music legend Tom Paxton brings more than 40 years of songs and stories to the 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. The singer, who was an integral part of the Greenwich Village scene that spawned Bob Dylan among others, has a new album, Looking for the Moon, that features Nanci Griffiths and Anne Hills. $16 advance, $20 day of show. 779-9462.

48 hours out: 2.5 million Christmas lights. Need we say more? The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden celebration opens to the public Saturday and continues shining brightly through Jan. 3. 5 p.m. Saturday, Zoo, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, $11.50, $9 seniors, $6 children 2-12. 281-4700.

Jim Knippenberg

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