By Jackie Demaline
Enquirer staff writer

For 20 autumn days and (mostly) nights, Enjoy the Arts/START will again lure the young and the young at heart out for its annual 20/20 Festival, a calendar of arty events laden with music, performances, art, theater, refreshments and meet opportunities.

"If you're trying to attract new audiences, you have to present the opportunity to meet new people," says Enjoys the Arts assistant director Joelle Tunning. "It has to be social."

This year's 20/20 Festival, running Sept. 17 through Oct. 6, will offer more than 70 events in 18 neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati.

The 20/20 Festival builds on existing programming:

• At Union Terminal, Omnimax film Forces of Nature will pump up the volume with "Twister in the Rotunda" on Sept. 29. After the film there will be a party with weather-related music.

• The national tour of Chicago gets 20/20ed on Sept. 23 when cast members teach folks those Bob Fosse grinds. Those with bad backs might want to watch from the sidelines.

The price of a touring show ticket can be prohibitive for students and recent grads, says Broadway in Cincinnati's Nancy Parrott. So she hopes teaming with 20/20 will make live performance habit forming and give face-time to remind potential showgoers about specials, including student rush tickets.

Among returning festival favorites are "regular Joe" open mike auteurs Liberated Souls leading an Artistic Expression Night at Mecklenberg Gardens (Sept. 18) and urban arts showcase Tha Blast II (Oct. 2).

New this year is a scavenger hunt through downtown's architectural history on Sept. 30, organized by the Taft Museum of Art's young professional Club 316. Of course there will be a post-hunt party.

There is an emphasis, says Tunning, on creating interactive events. "People want to participate," she says. "Those are always the biggest draws, when they know they'll come away with something tangible, whether it's knowledge or a new friend."

The Festival began in 2002 to celebrate Enjoy the Arts/START's 20th anniversary. The service organization is devoted to connecting full-time students and young adults to the arts.

Of the 70-plus programs, more than half will be free. At ticketed events, discounts are offered to members of Enjoy the Arts (full-time students of any age); START (adults 30 and under); and 20/20 Passport holders ($40; good for 12 months.)

Brochures will be distributed by Sept. 1.

E-mail jdemaline@enquirer.com