Going out

Decorative arts: The Cincinnati Art Museum hosts decorative arts expert Philip Zimmerman for a presentation on the rich dimensions of early American furniture and decoration followed by a tea in the Great Hall. 2:30 p.m. today, museum auditorium, free. 721-2787.

Wine tasting: Ludlow Wines in Clifton's Gaslight District pours out a yummy tasting of South American wines featuring the indigenous Malbec and Torrontes grapes of Argentina, and the Carmenere and Sauvignon Blancgrapes of Chile. 7 p.m. today, 339 Ludlow Ave., $15 (reservation requested). 751-3727.

Bluegrass: The area bluegrass favorite Retread performs a ton of traditional, old time and gospel. 8-11 p.m. today at the cozy Silverton Cafe, 7201 Montgomery Road, Silverton, no cover. 791-2922.

Screen classic: Showcase Cinemas Western Hills offers a screening of the 1956 suspense classic Anastasia, 1 p.m. today, 5870 Harrison Ave., Green Township. $1 includes popcorn and drink. 574-7777.

On TV

Top pick: WB's Angel vanishes after tonight's season finale, with no word until next week whether the David Boreanaz vampire drama will be back for a fifth season. Tonight he considers joining the forces of evil, and wonders if that would endanger his young son (9 p.m., Channels 64, 26).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says BET devotes an hour to Lincoln Heights' Ronald and Ernie Isley on Blueprint - Isley Brothers (9 p.m.).

Hot tickets

'The Matrix Reloaded': Yeah, yeah, we know it doesn't open until May 15, but if you're quick with the keyboard, you can get in a day early and be among the first to see the widely touted sequel. There are two 10 p.m. screenings next Wednesday at AMC 20 Newport on the Levee. Advance tickets, sold at www.moviewatcher.com., are $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for children. If you let them stay up that late on a school night.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Union Township Branch Library in Clermont County hosts a free program on the trendy Pilates exercise program concentrating on the trunk of the body, including abdominals and spine. 7 p.m. Thursday, 4462 Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road. Register at 528-1744.

48 hours out: The Appalachian Festival brings three days of mountain crafts, wonderfully twangy music, living history and tons of food to Coney Island. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, I-275 and Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township, $1-$7. 251-3378.

72 hours till Saturday: Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt are at Joseph-Beth Booksellers to sign their much talked about book The Pact, about three inner-city men who in their youth vowed to become doctors and succeeded. Noon-2 p.m., Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com