Going out

Children's Theatre: The renowned troupe opens two weekends of the original holiday musical The Fantastic Toy Shoppe, all about a toy shop that comes to life. 7:30 p.m. today, College Theater, College of Mount St. Joseph, Delhi and Neeb Roads, Delhi Township, $12-$15. 569-8080.

Book signing: Photographer Alice Weston and historian Walter E. Langsam take time to sign and discuss the reprinted Great Houses of the Queen City, the book where they go poking around some of Cincinnati's finest homes. 7 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble Kenwood, Sycamore Plaza, Kenwood and Montgomery Roads. 794-9440.

Appalachian Christmas: The Pendleton Heritage Center in the East End presents "Christmas on the River," an evening of stories, music and crafts surrounding the neighborhood's rich Appalachian and African-American cultures. 6:30 p.m. today, 2760 Eastern Ave., free. 321-4928.

Sawyer Brown: The country-pop rockers skitter, scoot and make music one door down from the slot machines. 8 p.m. today, showroom, Belterra Casino Resort, Switzerland County, Ind., $25-$30. (888) 235-8377.

Staying in

TV pick: Syd's (Melina Kanakaredes) big day finally arrives in a two-hour wedding episode in what is supposed to be the series finale for Providence (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22). But shed no tears yet: NBC executives are reconsidering their decision to cancel the show after five seasons.

Critic John Kiesewetter also says your holiday film choices include It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (9 p.m., Hallmark) and Barbara Stanwyck's Christmas in Connecticut (10 p.m., Channel 48).

The goods

Gift of music: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is here to rescue people tearing their hair out over what to give whom. CSO gift packages range from concert tickets - sold in quantities of four to 10 - starting at $58, CSO pens and mint tins (under $5) and recordings (under $20). Find them at the CSO sales office, 1229 Elm St., and the Bravo Shop at Music Hall during CSO and Pops concerts.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Upstairs Gallery Space at the Greenwich throws an opening reception for a new exhibit of paintings and drawings by regional artists Jeff Jones and Patrick Mauk, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills. 221-1151.

48 hours out: Winton Woods celebrates the season with a Fun with Folklore program for kids with discussion of signs of the season and holiday crafts, 2 p.m. Sunday, Winton Centre at the park entrance off Winton Road, Springfield Township. 521-7275.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com