Going out

Give it up for Paavo: The maestro lifts his baton for a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Guest pianist Radu Lupu lends a hand on a program full of Schumann and Mahler. 7:30 p.m. today, Music Hall, $13-$55. 381-3300.

Huntin' & fishin': The hunting and fishing portion of the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show kicks off 5-9:30 p.m. today with how-tos in the Hawg Trough Fishing Simulator, displays of trophy game and new gadgets - gadgets for you, not the fish. Albert B. Sabin Convention Center, downtown, $3-$8.50. 281-0022.

Calling Flying Pig wannabes: Trot out to a free prep session with physical assessment, nutrition info and training advice. 6:30-7:30 p.m. today, Mercy HealthPlex Western Hills, 3131 Queen City Ave., Westwood. 389-5600.

Courtis Fuller: The community leader, former Channel 5 anchor, one-time mayoral candidate and WCIN-AM (1480) talk show host shares thoughts at a meet `n' greet. 8-10 p.m. today, God's Provisions, 7426 Montgomery Road, Silverton, free. 794-0079.

Staying in

TV pick: What are Friends for? They're for raising infant rats - ugh! - born in Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) kitchen cabinet, or for trying to keep Joey (Matt LeBlanc) off baby Emma's attractive new nanny (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

Critic John Kiesewetter also recommends tuning into Biography (8 p.m., A&E) for its profile of gong-ho game show creator Chuck Barris, subject of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, George Clooney's big screen directorial debut.

New stuff

Jazzy nights: Aioli restaurant lunges into the lounge lizard scene with music on Thursday nights. On the menu this week are vocalist Pamela Mallory and keyboard man Wayne Yeager performing torchy, light jazz. Check it out 6:30-9:45 p.m. at Aioli, Seventh and Elm streets. 929-0525.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Opera Studio Series hits the high Cs with Henry Purcell's weepy Dido and Aeneas, adapted from Virgil's Aeneid. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Patricia Corbett Theater, UC, $5-$10. 556-4183.

48 hours out: Cincinnati Museum Center goes global with African Culture Fest, complete with marketplace, drum and dance shows, and exhibits. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Union Terminal. 287-7000.

72 hours 'til Sunday: Waddle out to meet weight loss expert Dr. Howard Shapiro at Books & Co., where he'll introduce his new Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss Cookbook: More Than 150 Delicious Recipes for Permanent Weight Loss. 1-2 p.m., 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering. (800) 777-4881.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com