Going Out

Dollar days: The Fourth Street Boutique, a hot spot for high-end thrift shoppers that is run by Dress for Success, presents its annual Dollar Days sale today through Saturday with dresses, trousers, blouses, shoes and skirts, including designer brands ... priced at a buck. The sale benefits Dress for Success, which outfits and counsels low-income women for job interviews. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 135 W. Fourth St., downtown. 651-3372.

Celebrity trees: More than 40 Christmas trees, decorated by local celebrities and businesses, will go on view 5:30-8 p.m. today at a preview party at the former Closson's store, 401 Race St., downtown. Party cost: $75. Proceeds benefit Tender Mercies in Over-the-Rhine. The trees will remain up for free viewing - and silent auction bidding - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Dec. 12.

Piano whiz: Andre Watts appears with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in Dayton's Schuster Performing Arts Center. He'll play Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1. Maestro Neal Gittleman conducts Berlioz's take on those star-crossed lovers, Romeo et Juliette. 8 p.m. today through Saturday. (Friday's show is an instructive "Classical Connections" about the Brahms concerto.) $12-$35 Friday; $13.50-$55 Thursday, Saturday. (937) 228-3630.

At the zoo: Festival of Lights, one of the region's most anticipated holiday events, continues today and runs through Jan. 3. It includes an all-new holiday show and the return of the outdoor ice-skating rink. 5-9 p.m. today and Sunday, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $11.50, $9 seniors, $6 ages 2-12. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. 281-4700.

For animal lovers: Through Feb. 15 at the Columbus Museum of Art you can see 40 stunning color ink-jet photographs of prairie mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects and plants in From Prairie to Field: Photographs by Terry Evan. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, except 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 480 E. Broad St., $6, $4 seniors and students 6 and over, free for members and children under 5. (614) 221-4848; www.columbusmuseum.org.

The Goods

Eye on the sky: If you have a Wright brother wannabe on your holiday list, $99 will book a Flying 101 intro at Lunken Airport that includes the basics of flying. There's a pre-flight "walk around," a turn at the controls including taxi, takeoff, flight maneuvering and landing, as well as an "Aviator Bear" to present the gift and a post-flight photo with pilot and plane. Available from Franklin Aviation Academy at Sycamore Plaza, outside Dick's Sporting Goods. 871-7602.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The final exhibition at the Artery opens with a reception 7-10 p.m. Friday for Drawings by Jill Griffin, a show of graphite and charcoal on paper. 913 Monmouth St., Newport. (859) 630-9529.

48 hours out: Sam Bush, one of the guiding lights of modern bluegrass, brings his band to the Madison Theater. The Comet Bluegrass Allstars open the 9 p.m. Saturday show. $20 in advance, $24 day of show. 730 Madison Ave., Covington. (513) 779-9462.

Also 48 hours out: Join the incomparable May Festival Chorus for Carolfest, a holiday tradition for 29 years. A heaping helping of local talent will join the sing-along, including the May Festival Youth Chorus and the internationally famous Cincinnati Boychoir. There's much more - such as special guests named Santa, Rudolph and Frosty. 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Music Hall. Tickets: $10; $5 children 12 and under. 381-3300; www.mayfestival.com.

E-mail jbennett @enquirer.com; fax 768-8330