Going out

Lunchtime concert: The popular Music Live with Lunch series at Christ Church Cathedral has pianist Donna Buel performing 30 minutes of classical works. 12:10 p.m. today, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown, free (optional lunch is $3.50). 621-1817.

Spoken words: The Riverbank Poetry Project's annual poetry slam brings out some of the region's best-spoken word artists. 7 p.m. today (sign-up for participants begins 6:30 p.m.), 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 863-8873.

On TV

Top pick: Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce) search all over Seattle for quality caviar in one of the few prime-time scripted shows that's not a rerun, Frasier (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

• Critic John Kiesewetter says here's a classic case of counter-programming: Against American Idol, WCET-TV airs a Lawrence Welk Show special (8-10:30 p.m., Channel 48).

New on CD

Critic's pick: Out today are new CDs by guitar-ace singer-songwriters Ani DiFranco (Evolve; Righteous Babe; $16.98); and Ben Harper (Diamonds on the Inside; Virgin; $17.98).

• Blackstreet, Level II (DreamWorks; $18.98) arrives today.

• And so does Ms. Dynamite, A Little Deeper (Interscope; $18.98).

New on DVD/Video

Critic's Picks: Jake Gyllenhaal just about steals the drama Moonlight Mile from Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman, says film critic Margaret A. McGurk.

• Indie fans are cheering the arrival on DVD of the quirky comedy Venice/Venice from iconoclast director Henry Jaglom.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band brings its inimitable mix of bebop, funk, R&B and New Orleans jazz to the Mad Frog at 10 p.m. Wednesday (doors open 8 p.m.), McMillan and Vine streets, Mount Auburn, $15. 784-9119.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com