Backstage Backstory, 2-3:30 p.m. today, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. $5. 421-3555.

The Conductors Multicultural Dance Fest, 2 and 8 p.m. today, Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., downtown. $20, $10 for ETA/START and Passport cardholders. 621-2787.

Love's Labour's Lost, 7:30 p.m. today, $20, $18 seniors, $16 students and ETA/START and Passport cardholders. Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, 719 Race St., downtown. 381-2273.

Art of Pizza-Making, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. today, Dewey's Pizza, 265 Hosea Ave., Clifton. $20, $10 ETA/START and Passport cardholders. 221-0400.

Artistic Expression Night, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. today. Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville. $8, $6 for ETA/START and Passport cardholders. 221-5353.

FreaksUnite After Party, 10 p.m. today. Hamburger Mary's, 909 Vine St., downtown. Free. 381-6279.

Van Halen 7:30 p.m. today, U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, downtown. $75, $55. 562-4949.

Ohio Classic, 1 p.m. today, Grambling State Tigers vs. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Bengals Drive, downtown. $15.50-$52.50. 562-4949.

Bootsy Collins' All-Star Old School Classic Jam, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Bella restaurant, 600 Walnut St., downtown. $18. (800) 611-0368.

Fifth Third Bank Jamboree Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today, Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Bengals Drive, downtown. Also BET Soundstage 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. 742-9378.

Greek Step Show, 6:30 p.m. today, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., downtown. Fraternities and sororities compete in synchronized dance. $20. 681-9568.

Jazz and Eggs Pregame Party, 9 a.m.-noon today, Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Bengals Drive, downtown. Hosted by Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman alumni. $50, includes ticket to game. (800) 611-0368.

Ohio Classic Official Postgame After-Party, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. today, The Waterfront, 14 Pete Rose Pier, Covington. $25. 381-7247.

Looking Ahead

24 hours out

Itzhak Perlman performs 2:30 p.m. Sunday with pianist Rohan de Silva. Part of Miami Peforming Arts Series. Miami University Millett Hall, Oxford. $30, $29 seniors, $15 MU students and youth. 529-3200.

48 hours out

Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati's Theatre of the Mind Series presents professional play reading of River of Freedom by Janet Vogt and Mark Friedman. Musical about the writing of Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. 8 p.m. 1127 Vine St., downtown. $6. 421-3555.

---Rob Bucher