Going out

Quinn rock: The Boston-based modern funk fusion group Addison Groove Project, known for its vintage keyboards, horns, guitar and heavy drums, rips into town for a night full of music. 10 p.m. today, Jack Quinn's Emerald Ballroom, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington, $7. (859) 491-6699.

Wright Brothers: The Brothers' frenzy continues today as Dayton's Books & Co. celebrates the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur's first flight with a pair of high-flying events. First off, Louise Borden signs and discusses her Touching the Sky: Flying Adventures of Wilbur and Orville Wright, a book that looks at their lives, careers and achievements at 12:30 p.m. Second off, there's "The Wright Brothers Home Days Celebration 1909: Dayton Salutes Wilbur, Orville and Itself" at 7 p.m. This party includes a visit from Wright Brothers expert Mark Bernstein discussing his research into the brothers and their lives. Books & Co., 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, (937) 298-6540.

On stage: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati goes for laughs, whimsy and fantasy with its annual Christmas celebration. This year it's Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll's kid book (yeah right, try to find an adult who isn't in love with it) set to new music and some high-stepping antics. 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 28, 1127 Vine St., downtown, $28, $25 seniors and students; $12 ages 12 and under. 421-3555.

Holiday Treats

Food shopping: Findlay Market has swung into its holiday hours mode for the remainder of the season. It's now open 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday,

7 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 6 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday. Findlay Market, stuffed full of fresh meats and seafood and hard-to-find items, can be found spanning the 100 block of West Elder Street between Race and Elm streets in Over-the-Rhine.

Mini-road trip: It's a must for Department 56 and other wee village fans - it's Dave Hizer's Christmas display showing off more than 150 lighted Dickens Village houses. All he and the Aurora, Ind., Lions Club ask is that you bring canned goods, eyeglasses or donations for Lions' projects. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 228 Second St., Aurora. Free. (812) 926-2499.

Hanukkah: Alicia Smith, Messianic Jewish psalmist and recording artist, belts out a series of original works as part of the Advent sermon series titled "Will the Real Messiah Please Stand?" St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 8 p.m. today, 6120 Ridge Road, Pleasant Ridge. Free. 631-8569.

Planning Ahead

24 hours out: Get ready to laugh 'til you cry on this one: New Edgecliff Theatre sends up the season with Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris' hilariously sarcastic look at the excesses of the season, all based on some ideas he got when working as an elf. 8 p.m. Thursday, through Dec. 28, Performance Gallery, 3900 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum, $15, $12 seniors and students. (888) 588-0137.

48 hours out: Save Our Strays Animal Rescue has some of the best musicians in town lined up for a Free Lap Dance CD release party. Pop in and hear Dangerous Jim & the Slims, Gravy8, Buckra and others. Party proceeds go to Save Our Strays. 9:30 p.m. Friday, Stanley's, 323 Stanley Ave., Columbia Tusculum, $7, $3 without CD. 871-6249.

Also 48 hours out: Meet venerable Cincinnati author Dallas Wiebe when he signs and discusses his new Vox Populi Street Stories. 7-9 p.m. Friday, New World Bookshop, 336 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. 861-6100.

Jim Knippenberg

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