Going Out

Local films: Underneath Cincinnati, showcasing film and video works by local artists, spotlights the best 12 works of 2003. The wide range includes drama, comedy, animation, claymation, documentaries and a few that don't fit into any category. 7:30 p.m. today, Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park, $10. 721-2787. www.underneathcincinnati.com.

Happy hour: Cincinnati Internationals, a group of about 1,000 internationally minded students and young professionals who love to party, stages one of its monthly happy hours. They're giant mix 'n' mingles that give the mostly single crowd a chance to get out and make new friends over a cocktail or two. The bonus feature is that cocktails come at happy hour prices. 6:30 p.m. today, Bella, 600 Walnut St., downtown, 721-7100. www.cinternationals.com.

Mardi Gras: Covington's MainStrasse Village Association hauls out the beads and big heads for a two-day Mardi Gras celebration in a tent and all the bars and restaurants of the village. Rusty Griswolds (today) and LeRoy Ellington & E-Funk (Saturday) play the tent after today's Big Head Parade and Saturday's Grande Parade. Most of the bars have live music, and there's Cajun food in the tent area. 7 p.m. today and Saturday, parades at 7:30 p.m., MainStrasse area, Fifth Street, Covington, $10 for tent admission, 21 and over. (859) 491-0458.

Last Call

On the big screen: Today is your last chance to catch Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West, National Geographic's giant-screen re-enactment of the exploration of the western United States. The 45-minute film has been called a lush, visual banquet. Robert D. Lindner Family Omnimax Theater, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. $4.75-$6.75. 287-7000.

Planning Ahead

24 hours out: The Greenwich Jazz Club has one of its wonderfully off-center Open Mike Marathons this weekend. It's 24 hours of local performers doing skits, dramatic readings, musical numbers and poems. Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival actress Taylore Mahogany Scott is host. 3 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday and noon-midnight Sunday, 2440 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, $3. 751-2823.

Also 24 hours out: The Cincinnati Museum Center's Passport to the World series salutes all aspects of mountain culture at its annual Appalachian Culture Fest, complete with a sale of mountain crafts, demonstrations of same, tons of bluegrass, a stage full of cloggers, storytellers and more. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, free. 287-7000.

48 hours out: The Rhythm, Blues and Jazz Masters Summit belts out a few when performers Keith Little, Greg Schaber, Leroy Ellington & E-Funk Band, Mike Wade and Rico & Two Piece get together for a night full of music and to present lifetime achievement awards to musicians Ed Cunningham, Eugene Goss and Thomas Lomax. 5 p.m. Sunday, 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $15. 731-8000.

Jim Knippenberg

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