Going out

Park party: The always-popular Hyundai/WB64 Party in the Park dishes up food, cold beer and hot music by Catch 22. 5:30-10:30 p.m. today, Sawyer Point, downtown. 579-3191.

Nikki Giovanni: The renowned poet from Lincoln Heights makes a rare area appearance to speak at a First Step Home fundraiser. 7-9:30 p.m. today, auditorium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Corryville, $35 includes dessert and coffee reception. 961-4663.

Folk fusion: John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee of the progressive UK folk act Pentangle play 8 p.m. today at Jack Quinn's Irish Ale House & Pub, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington, $15. (859) 491-6699.

Comedy: The Wits End comedy troupe brings improvisational and rowdy fun to the York Street Cafe, 8:30 p.m. today, Eighth and York streets, Newport, $5. (859) 261-9675.

On TV

Top pick: The first day in The West Wing for a new attorney (Matthew Perry) begins with a seemingly innocent press leak that snowballs into the vice president's resignation (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says Martin Short returns for a third season as hilarious Jiminy Glick on Primetime Glick by mistaking Ice Cube for Vanilla Ice, and promoting a show called Sex & the Saudis (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central).

The goods

Nimble fingers: Now more than ever, you need to keep hands healthy and fingers nimble, what with this keyboard-crazed computer age we live in. Which is why finger fitness expert Greg Irwin says you need to check out his Complete Hand Workout video ($29.95), an athletic approach to hand fitness that isolates, trains and strengthens all the zillion parts of the hand. It works on the principles of maximizing ability, preventing injury and therapeutic rehabilitation. Order the video at www.handhealth.com. Also, get a close look when Irwin conducts "Finger Fitness at the Fitton at 5:55 (p.m.)" - lotta Fs there - Thursday: $10 for members, $15 for others, 101 South Monument Ave., Hamilton.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Musical Theater Department opens a studio production of the off-Broadway hit Songs for a New World, an intriguing work full of songs about our complex world and how people survive. 8 p.m. Thursday, Cohen Family Studio Theater, UC, free (standby seating available 30 minutes prior to curtain). 556-4183.

48 hours out: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has Music Director Emeritus

Jesus Lopez-Cobos and guest violinist Gil Shaham in an intense program of Franck, Stravinsky, Ravel and Dvorak. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Music Hall. $13-$55. 381-3300.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com