Last Minute

Grant-writing workshop: Cincinnati's Small Arts Organization Grant Program is offering a free grant-writing workshop for prospective applicants, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today in the first-floor conference room of Two Centennial Plaza, 805 Central Ave., downtown. This is designed for the city's grant program that offers operating and project support for nonprofit arts programs, Sept. 1-Aug. 31, 2004. Deadline for applications is March 15. Information: Carolyn Gutjahr 352-4985.

Jason Nebel

FYI

Mardi Gras: MainStrasse Village in Covington will host a Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 28-March 1. Highlights include an entertainment tent with live music and parades each night. A wristband ($10) will admit revelers to participating establishments. Ticket booths will open at 5 p.m.; parades will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Ninth Street and Willow Run. The entertainment tent, in the Fifth Street parking lot, will open at 6 p.m. Performing: Robin Lacy & DeZydeco and Leroy Ellington & E Funk. Shiska Haus and Big Easy Skillet will provide food. Information: (859) 491-0458.

Jason Nebel

Starling Orchestra send-off: Catch some of the brightest talent in the Tristate at the Starling Showcase, 4 p.m. Saturday in Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Sarah Ioannides leads the CCM Starling Orchestra in great violin concertos, from Beethoven to Paganini. Several Starling soloists - including 8-year-old phenom Stephanie Zyzak - will stop here before the Starling Chamber Orchestra leaves Tuesday for a five-city tour of Europe and Russia. Other soloists are Gayeon Lee, Su Yeon Lee, Rena Ishii and Tchaikovsky Competition prize winner Yang Liu. Free. 556-4183.

Janelle Gelfand

On sale Saturday

Tim McGraw: 8 p.m. March 24, U.S. Bank Arena. Tickets, $67.50, $52.50, $35, go on sale at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster outlets, phone (513) 562-4949 and online at www.ticketmaster.com

The Ataris: 7:30 p.m. March 27, Bogart's. $15 at Ticketmaster.

Countdown

Documentary unveiling: University of Dayton graduate Mary Fischer will debut her new documentary about women's rights in Morocco, Walking With One Leg, at 11 a.m. Saturday at Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton, (937) 222-8452. $5; proceeds benefit a shelter for homeless children in Morocco.

Margaret A. McGurk

Movies opening Friday

Daredevil

The Jungle Book 2

The Quiet American

Coming Friday in Weekend

Last-minute romance: It's Valentine's Day and your love expects to go on a date. We have some last-minute suggestions that don't cost much.