Going out

Nutcracker Luncheon: Cincinnati Ballet dishes up a tasty luncheon for kids with a performance by mime Curtis Zimmerman and a musical note from singer-songwriter Zak Morgan followed by a matinee performance of the Nutcracker. Noon today-Sunday (performance at 2 p.m.), Music Hall ballroom, $20 for luncheon plus Nutcracker ticket ($11-$55). 621-5282.

Loveland Christmas: The well-preserved historic district in Loveland uncorks holiday activities such as free carriage rides, choral music, live Nativity, Santa and heaven only knows what else. 4-9 p.m. today, West Loveland Avenue at the Loveland Bike Trail. 683-0468.

Art opening: The upstairs gallery at the historic Greenwich nightclub throws an opening reception for an exhibit of paintings and drawings by University of Dayton professors Jeff Jones and Patrick Mauk. 7-10 p.m. today, 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills. 221-1151.

At Bogart's: Metal act Bottom Line rattles a few roof beams with an evening of power rock with Dandelion Death, East Arcadia, Skin Curtain and more. 8 p.m. today, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $7-$9. 562-4949.

Staying in

TV pick: Spend a nostalgic holiday weekend in TV Land, which will air Christmas episodes for two dozen old shows starting with Gunsmoke (6 a.m.), Bob Newhart (7-8 a.m.), and Mary Tyler Moore (8:30 a.m.). You'll also find I Love Lucy (10 a.m.), All in the Family (4, 4:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.). Happy Days (6, 6:30 and 8 p.m.), Andy Griffith (7:30 and 10 p.m.), The Flying Nun (midnight and 12:30 a.m.) and Square Pegs (1:30 a.m.).

TV critic John Kiesewetter says NBC brings back Bill Cosby's Fat Albert Christmas (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

The goods

Homegrown singers: The Vocal Arts Ensemble is selling music for Christmas.

Specifically, An American Christmas is holiday music by American composers - Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque," Stephen Paulus' "Jesu Carols," William Dawson's "Hail Mary!," Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies" and more.

It's $16 and available at the College-Conservatory of Music box office or the group's Web site (www.vae.uc.edu) , where you can also hear a sample of the music. 556-4183.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Steve Schmidt Organ Trio provides a jazzed-out holiday at its annual Christmas Spectacular event, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside. 541-8900.

Also 24 hours out: The ornate Christ Church Glendale checks in with its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, highlighting the story of the Incarnation with ancient and modern hymns. 5 p.m. Sunday, 965 Forest Ave. 771-1544.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com