< Going out

        Ice show: Target Stars on Ice cuts a few zillion figure 8s with a crop of the world's top skaters, including Kurt Browning, Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi and, just added, three-time Olympian Todd Eldredge. 7:30 p.m. today, Firstar Center, $33-$56. 562-4949.

        Arts lecture: Ben Cameron, national arts advocate and director of New York's Theatre Communications Group, is ready to share his thoughts on “New Times, New Challenges — The Arts in a New Century.” 5:30 p.m. today, Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, University of Cincinnati, free. 556-9484.

        Theater: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati opens the hot, new, dance-heavy romance Syncopation, all about a Lower East Side meat packer looking for love on the ballroom dance floor. 8 p.m. today,1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, $25-$28. 421-3555.

        Power rock: Texas alterna-metal act Drowning Pool rocks the walls after a warm up from the outrageous punk acts Coal Chamberand Onesidezero., 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $20. 562-4949.

Staying in

        TV picks: Sally Field plays Ohio Gov. Kate Nolan, the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court, on ABC's The Court (10 p.m., Channels 9, 2). But don't laugh when the TV reporter in Ohio mispronounces Xenia (as ZEN-ya).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter says Nova airs Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance, about the 1915 Antarctic exploration (8-10 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16) from the producers of the Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure IMAX film.

Video picks

        Critic's Picks: Kevin Kline, Hayden Christensen and Kristen Scott Thomas turn in terrific performances in the bittersweet drama Life As a House, out on video and DVD today, Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk says. Also new on DVD is the Criterion Collection edition of Akira Kurosawa's classic multiple-viewpoint drama Rashomon.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The La Salle High School Drama Department celebrates the season with its annual Passion Play, a lavish production centering on the meaning of Holy Week. 8 p.m. Wednesday, school gym, 3091 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights, donations only. 741-2384.

        48 hours out: Suspense author George Pelecanos signs and discusses his new cop 'n' crime novel Hell to Pay. 7 p.m. Thursday,Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        72 hours 'til Friday: The pan-American horn and drum band Salsa Caliente tangos up to the stage for a Miami Beach-style Latin dance party, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $10. 351-7222.

        Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com.

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