Going out

Bif Naked: The Indian-American punk-rock diva struts some musical stuff at 8 p.m. today, 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $7. 562-4949.

Theater: The Miami University theater department opens a production of Luigi Pirandello's classic and often complex play-within-a-play Six Characters in Search of an Author. 8 p.m. today, Gates-Abegglen Theatre, Center for Performing Arts, Oxford, $6-$9. (513) 529-3200.

Catherine Lanigan: The best-selling author of Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile hits town to sign and discuss her new Christmas Star. 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

Jazz: The ever-so-venerable Blue Wisp Big Band sets up and lets fly a night of music at the recently relocated Blue Wisp Jazz Club. 9 p.m.-midnight today, 318 E. Eighth St., downtown. 241-9477.

Staying in

TV pick: Many viewers will keep the remote handy tonight so they can keep an eye on the conclusion of ABC's The Bachelor (9 p.m., Channels 9, 2), in which Aaron Buerge will take almost the full two hours to choose between the finalists - and watch Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and others model at the sexy Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (9-10 p.m., Channels 12, 7). Note: The lingerie show is incorrectly listed at 8 p.m. in Sunday's TV Week magazine because CBS moved it to 9 p.m. after press time.

CD picks

Critic's pick: The late George Harrison delivers his last musical testament this week, Brainwashed (Capitol; $18.98; $29.98 limited edition with DVD and collectibles).

Rob Thomas takes time off from his superstar duet duties to lead his band Matchbox 20 on More Than You Think You Are (Atlantic; $18.98).

Audioslave (Epic; $18.98) is the debut of the new supergroup of the same name, featuring Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell fronting Rage Against the Machine.

Rapper Ja Rule faces his Last Temptation (Def Jam; $18.98).

Shania Twain wants it both ways and she gets it on her new CD, Up (Universal; $19.98), which includes two CDs of the same album, one with country backup, the other one pop.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Hard-rock superstars Creed play 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Nutter Center in Dayton. $48.50. 562-4949.

48 hours out: Mecklenberg Gardens hosts its Fall Beer Dinner spiked with special ales, a German buffet and Bavarian music. 7 p.m. Friday, Highland and University avenues, Corryville, $15 (reservation required). 221-5353.

72 hours 'til Saturday: The Workshops of David T. Smith holds its annual "Christmas in the Country" shopathon with a tent sale, folk art emporium, holiday gifts and more. Saturday-Sunday, 3600 Shawhan Road, Morrow. (888) 353-9387.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com