Countdown

Two of the best: Two bluegrass/newgrass masters join forces Friday at the Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport (859) 431-2201. Tony Rice, who single-handedly defined modern bluegrass lead guitar in the '70s, will perform with Peter Rowan, one of the best singer/guitarists to play with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and the man who later wrote "Panama Red." The pair last played here at Riverbend's 2002 "Jam Grass" festival, but the better acoustics and intimate setting of the Southgate should make for a very special night. Doors at 8 p.m., music at 9; $24. 779-9462.

Larry Nager

A classic: Pianist Peter Serkin tackles one of the classical greats when he performs Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in Music Hall. (Note: There is no Friday concert this week.) Estonian maestro Eri Klas (a former lightweight junior boxing champion) is on the podium for that and Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life). All tickets for the Sunday concert are $5 for kids ages 6-18. Tickets: $13-$55; discounts available. 381-3300 or Web site.

Janelle Gelfand

Reel things: Nonfiction film is the topic Saturday at a workshop with award-winning documentary makers Andrea Torrice and Louis Guida, 1-5 p.m. at York Street International Cafe, second floor, 738 York St.,Newport.

"An Insider's Guide to the Successful Documentary Treatment" is co-sponsored by Media Working Group (Web site) and the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission (Web site). $15, or $10 for film commission members. To reserve a space, call 784-1744 or e-mail jh@filmcincinnati.org.

Margaret A. McGurk

FYI

Swan song: After 17 years, the singers of Anonymous 4 will go back to being, well, anonymous. The fab female vocal ensemble specializing in medieval music by anonymous composers has announced on its Web site that the 2003-04 season will be its last. Since the group formed in New York in 1986, it has sold more than 1 million recordings. Watch for four more albums before the singers quit, though, including one of the music of Hildegard von Bingen.

Janelle Gelfand

Strapped for money: The Louisville Orchestra has asked its musicians to accept a pay cut, the Courier-Journal reports. The orchestra's drop in endowment during the economic downturn is the reason for its money troubles, president Phil McHugh told the paper. Musicians, though, are unhappy at the proposed 17 percent pay cut, which would save the orchestra $600,000. Full-time players earn about $33,548 for their 42-week season, critic Andrew Adler reports. The board projects an operating deficit this year of $800,000.

Janelle Gelfand

Movies opening Friday

Bringing Down The House

Tears of The Sun

Coming Friday in Weekend

Cammy Awards: The complete program for the seventh annual Enquirer Pop Music Awards.