Going out

Patriotic Broadway: The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra concert is a major event complete with lights, camera, action for taping by PBS for a future broadcast of the program, which includes American classics sung by Denyce Graves, Tom Wopat, and John Schneider. 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, $17-$47. 381-3300.

Charlie Hunter: The versatile jazz guitarist strums at post-Phish show. 11 p.m. today, Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington, $18. (859) 655-4807. (More on Phish in Weekend.)

On TV

Top pick: America's favorite politically incorrect comedian, Bill Maher, returns to cable with a weekly forum for his take on headlines and contemporary issues, Real Time with Bill Maher (11:30 p.m., HBO).

• Critic John Kiesewetter says Jimmy Kimmel Live finally gets some star power when Jennifer Garner guests with ESPN anchor Rich Eisen (12:05 a.m., Channel 12).

Opening today

Critic's pick: Dark Blue (R), Kurt Russell, Ving Rhames.

• Gods and Generals (PG-13), Stephen Lang, Jeff Daniels.

• The Life of David Gale (R), Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney.

• Old School (R), Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn.

• The Bread, My Sweet (not rated), Scott Baio.

New e-games

Dark Cloud 2: In this sequel to the 2001 release, players lead the resourceful inventor Max and girlfriend Monica, a princess from the future, on a quest to restore their present and future world from the forces of evil. Monsters challenge the heroes as they search for mystical stones that will help them rebuild their cities. Most rewarding is designing and creating the towns and villages with an elegant system of selecting structures and layouts. Dark Cloud 2 strikes a Zelda-like balance between role-playing, combat and problem-solving, says "Get's" gamesmeister Chris Ainsworth. The exceptional gameplay, tight visuals and beautiful background music make it one of Playstation 2's best (Sony; PS2; $39.99; T for Teens).

Also new: Everquest Online Adventures (Sony; PS2; $49.99; T for Teens): The massively multiplayer experience comes to the PS2. NASCAR Racing 2003 (Sierra; PC; $49.99; E for Everyone): Race 23 real tracks online or versus the computer.

Planning ahead

48 hours out: The Taft Museum of Art Chamber Music Series presents the flute duo of Kyril and Susan Magg with soprano Ann Simerlink. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown, free. 241-0343, Ext. 15.

A week away: Mardi Gras at MainStrasse Village in Covington gets hot with Cajun food, parades and music. Next Friday-Saturday $10. (859) 491-0458.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com