BEN STEIN LECTURE -- The Miami University lecture series continues with "Better Than Ben Stein's Money: An Evening with Ben Stein." Over the course of Stein's noteworthy career he was a lawyer who worked for voting rights for African Americans, was a speech writer for Richard Nixon is an acclaimed novelist and is currently the host of Comedy Central quiz show, Win Ben Stein's Money. 8 p.m. Monday. Free. Hall Auditorium, Miami University, Oxford. rosenblk@muohio.edu.
CANDLELIGHT SINGLES -- Local singles are invited twice each week for an evening of dinner and music by candlelight with other single business professionals ages 23-39, 40-50 and 51 and up. Groups meet at various Cincinnati locations. Reservations are required. 7:30-11 p.m. Saturdays; 6:30-10 p.m. Mondays. $50. 513-761-6201.
CONTEMPORARY FRIDAY -- It's another Contemporary Friday, with Liberated Souls' "An Evening of Artistic Expression," a Mardi Gras-style street performance. Bring some Fat Tuesday memorabilia to share. 6 p.m. Friday. $5; CAC members free. Show starts at 7 p.m. Contemporary Arts Center, 115 E. Fifth St., Downtown. 513-345-8415.
ETERNAL LIGHT NEW AGE FESTIVAL -- It's all the New Age action you can handle. This festival, sponsored by La Rose Foundation, includes psychics, healers and merchants vending crystals, oils, books, Tarot cards, candles, clothing and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $7; $5 teens/seniors. Ramada Inn South, I-75 and State Route 725, Miamisburg. 614-933-0946.
FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS: RACISM AND RECONCILIATION AFTER THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA -- Xavier University and Tylersville Road Christian Church are showing a series of films and discussions to brainstorm as to how to bring progress to Cincinnati. The final film in the series is Deborah Hoffmann and Frances Reid's Long Night's Journey into Day. 7 p.m. Thursday. Free. Kelley Auditorium, Alter Hall, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Pkwy., Evanston. 513-745-3000.
HOLDING HANDS FOR PEACE -- Be a link in the peace chain. Unify with your fellow peace supporters along Erie Avenue for a couple minutes, or stay for the hour. It's flexible. 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Free. The Coffee Emporium, 3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. 513-321-5943.
KEHRAUS TANZ -- The German-American Citizen's League and the Germania Society present this "Sweep Out Dance" -- the last dance of the season -- in spirit of the German Karneval season, somewhat akin to Rio's Carnevale or Mardi Gras. Prizes will be awarded to the most original costumes, and the Pros't Band provides the music. 7:11 p.m. Saturday. $8 suggested donation. Germania Klub Haus, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Bevis. For reservations, call 513-829-2281 or 513-831-8817.
KEYBANK CELEBRATING SELF SERIES -- The Fitton's February session of their Celebrating Self series features Kit Andrews discussing her point of view on the media and self-improvement. 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. $12 includes lunch and Jazz piano music by Paul Ritzi. Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument St., Hamilton. 513-863-8873.
LE CHEF DE CUISINE OF GREATER CINCINNATI PRESIDENTIAL BALL -- Culinarily speaking, it's la crème de la crème. This yummy fund raiser features the best chefs around town and benefits the organization's Scholarship Fund. After cocktails is the awards dinner, and the unveiling of the "Chef of the Year." 6 p.m. Sunday. $60 per person; $500 for a table of 10. Radisson Cincinnati Riverview Hotel, I-75 and Fifth Street Exit, Covington. 513-984-9400.
MUSIC OF OUR HOMELANDS -- The European Heritage groups hold their second joint meeting, including dinner and European music. 6 p.m. Saturday. $17.50. Raffel's Banquet Hall, 10160 Reading Road, Evendale. For reservations, call 513-923-3798.
RELAY FOR LIFE KICKOFF PARTY -- Do your part in the fight against cancer by helping plan the local American Cancer Society's biggest fund-raising event. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free. South Hills Civic Club, 101 Bluegrass Ave., Fort Wright.
ROARING '20S BALL -- Dance the night away, to the foxtrots, tangos and charlestons of the orchestra for a roaring good time. Dig up your best '20s attire for the Flying Cloud's yearly dance party. 8-11 p.m. Saturday. $20. Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. 513-733-3077 or 859-4341-2616.
SENSORY SUNDAYS -- ArtWorks' summer project Freedom Doors, an exhibit of recycled door panels -- along with food from Daveed's at 934 and music by Rick VanMatre -- will be on display at this City of Montgomery's Sensory Sunday event. 4-6 p.m. Sunday. $20; $38 per couple. Terwilliger's Lodge, Dulle Park, Montgomery. 513-891-2424.
SEVENTH ANNUAL OVERTURE AWARDS -- See which six out of the 24 local high school finalists will win a $5,000 scholarship at the Cincinnati Arts Association's Seventh Annual Overture Awards. There are four finalists in six categories: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theater, visual arts and vocal music. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Free, but reservations are required. Jarson Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. 513-241-4463.
SOUTHWEST OHIO GEORGIA TECH CLUB -- The Southwest Ohio Georgia Tech Club holds their first fund raiser for a scholarship to a local student attending Georgia Tech. 5 p.m. Thursday. La Normandie, 118 E. Sixth St., Downtown. 513-721-2761.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH DE'ASA NICHOLS BROWN -- President of the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce De'Asa Nichols Brown discusses economic development within the black community, as part of Melody Maker Ministries' "Up Close and Personal" series. 8-10 p.m. Thursday. Free. God's Provisions Christian Resource Center, 7426 Montgomery Road, Silverton. 513-794-0079.
WINTER FILM SERIES AT DAAP -- University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning's Winter Film Series features the work of famed director Luis Buñuel. This week's film is El Ángel Exterminador (Exterminating Angel). 7 p.m. Thursday. Through Mar. 13. Free. University of Cincinnati, Room 5401, Clifton Heights. crawfopl@email.uc.edu.
WOMEN HELPING WOMEN'S SUNDAY SALONS -- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Sarah Ioannides is "Making Music -- and History" at this Sunday Salon. 6-8 p.m. Sunday. $60 (limited to 28 guests). Indian Hill. ... Each Sunday Women Helping Women offers a different fundraising event that includes a discussion led by local experts and food held in a different residence. This week, soprano Vivian Holfield and tenor Larry Reiring are "Bringing Broadway Home." 3-5 p.m. Sunday. $50 (limited to 25 guests). East Walnut Hills. 513-910-8231.
WORLD'S LARGEST MOTORIZED PUB CRAWL -- The Social Maniacs Club hosts this kick-off party for "The World's Largest Pub Crawl," a roaming excursion for the 21+ crowd involving more than 30 area bars and restaurants -- with continuing shuttle service. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. $28; Socialmaniacs.com members free. Millennium Hotel, 141 W. Sixth St., Downtown. 513-774-9974.
XAVIER UNIVERSITY 2002-2003 FILM SERIES -- Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson star in Changing Lanes, a film about a rumble between a Wall Street lawyer and an insurance company representative. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Free. Kelley Auditorium, Alter Hall, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Pkwy., Evanston. 513-745-3811.
