Going out

Music fest: This one belongs to the womenfolk. That would be 30 groups, all female, headed here for Chicks RockFest. The double-venue party is a repeat of the popular fest born three years ago. This year you get local rockers Spiff, Abiyah, Whitney Barricklow and the Walker Project, along with regional acts such as Waterproof Blonde (Louisville), Planet-12 (Columbus) and Rockit Girl (Chicago). 8 p.m. today and Saturday, the Cavern, 1120 Walnut St., and BarrelHouse Brewery, 22 E. 12th St., $15 for both venues, both nights, $8 for both venues for one night. 253-3552; www.chicksrockfest.com.

Edgy party: The Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, well known for good parties, has a whopper in the works. Contemporary Friday is a monthly party, always themed and always kind of "out there." This month it's a crowd of local poets, actors, writers and performance artists mixing it up with guests in a sort of pop culture retro show titled Attack of the Pacha Negra (Black Earth). 6 p.m. today, Sixth and Walnut streets, downtown, free for members, $6 for nonmembers. 345-8400.

Operatic highs: Otello, you remember, he's the guy who loved not wisely but too well, gets the concert treatment when conductor J.R. Cassidy fires up the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and a whole batch of guests, including Jeffrey Springer, Kelly Anderson, Nicolle Foland, UK Opera Theatre and the KSO Chorale. 8 p.m. today, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, $20-$23. (859) 431-6216.

Opening today

• Along Came Polly (PG-13) Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston

• The Cooler (R) William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin

• Monster (R) Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci

• Teacher's Pet (PG) Voices of Nathan Lane, Megan Mullaly

• Torque (PG-13) Ice Cube, Martin Henderson.

Clowning around

Give it up: Here's a chance to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus free. Well, almost free. It'll cost you some blood. Ringling and Hoxworth Blood Centers are teaming up for a blood drive and offering all donors one free circus ticket to any performance between Feb. 25 and 29. You also get a big red clown nose and a chance to mingle with Ringling clowns who will be there for a few laughs. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today, second floor, 432 Walnut St., downtown. 451-0910.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Museum Center celebrates the diversity of African culture with its 19th annual African Culture Fest. It including an African marketplace for shoppers, gospel performances, drums, dance, drama from the Cincinnati Black Theater Company and a complete African village to tour. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., free. 287-7000.

Also 24 hours out: Queen City Wrestling hits the mat with New Year's Resolution, a triple-threat match featuring QCW champ Jay Donaldson, Deją Vu and Chad Allegra, plus four other matches. 8 p.m. Saturday, Spears Gym, 7505 Hamilton Ave., Mount Healthy, $7, $5 kids 12 and younger. 729-1700.

Jim Knippenberg

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