Going out

        Sleeping Beauty: She sleeps, he kisses and everyone sings in Ensemble Theatre's new musical adaptation of the Joseph McDonough and David Kisor classic. Opens at 7 p.m. today with performances Wednesday-Sunday through Dec. 30, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. $12.50-$25. 421-3555.

        Tribute in song: Two of Cincinnati's favorite musicians — keyboardist Steve Schmidt and crooner Mary Ellen Tanner — salute Haven Gillespie, the late Covington songwriter who penned “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Breezing Along with the Breeze” and “You Go to My Head.” Noon today, Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown. 369-6970.

        St. Nicholas: The jolly old holiday celeb thunders in on horseback to Covington's MainStrasse Village for pictures, candy and a round of ho-ho-hos. 5:30 p.m. today at the Goose Girl Fountain, Sixth and Main Streets. 491-0458.

Staying In

        TV picks: Ed (Tom Cavanagh) the “bowling alley lawyer” helps a friend's grandfather prepare his will as the show moves to Wednesdays (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22), before a West Wing rerun.

        • Critic John Kiesewetter says Martha Stewart's Christmas Dream (8 p.m., Channel 7) with Tony Bennett, Melissa Joan Hart and Lorraine Bracco also airs at 7 p.m. Saturday (Channel 12).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Disk picks: The week's big rock release is the new — and final (at least for now) — CD from Rage Against the Machine, Renegades (Epic; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette). The first pressing includes two bonus tracks.

        It's Riverbend redux on two new live CDs from the summer's tours.

        Neil Young's Road Rock Vol. 1 (Warner Bros.; $18.98 CD only) features his all-star band and, on “All Along the Watchtower,” guest vocalist Chrissie Hynde.

        Roger Waters' Live In the Flesh (Columbia; $24.98 CDs only) revives his crowd-pleasing summer tour on two CDs with such Pink Floyd favorites as “Money” and “Another Brick in the Wall.”

        R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo are back with X (MCA; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette), a 14-song set of hip-hop soul.

        Rapper Memphis Bleek delivers The Understanding (Def Jam; $17.98 CD, $11.98 cassette) featuring guests Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel and Missy Elliott.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The man of your dreams, noted explorer Robert Moss brings a bookful of insight to Joseph-Beth Booksellers. He'll discuss and sign Dreaming True: How to Dream Your Future and Change Your Life for the Better, 7 p.m. Thursday, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        48 hours out: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra goes rockin' around the Christmas tree with the world-renown King's SingersThree nights of holiday festivities open 8 p.m. Friday at Music Hall. $16-$44.50. 381-3300.

        72 hours 'til Saturday: Hometown favorites Blessid Union of Souls work their magic following Cincinnati Stuff's season opener at Firstar Center. Game starts at 7 p.m., $8-$22. 562-4949.

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