The Pendragons cut up.

THURSDAY 19
In hindsight it's a little silly, but when Tom Petty first arrived on the music scene, his music was often tossed into the "New Wave" bin despite his clear debt to classic American and British Blues-inspired Rock & Roll. New York City's THE IZZYS -- playing York Street Café Thursday -- have a similar anti-pigeonhole sound, with just enough twang and Country/Blues inflections to allure "AltCountry" fanatics but with plenty of unadulterated Rock swagger to belie the term altogether. On their stunningly good self-titled debut, the trio spits out song after song of Roots Rock boogie, sealing the deal with unforgettable Pop hooks that resonate with the same passionate intensity that fuels their grounded, organic and fairly sexy musical approach. The Izzys is a must-have for fans of early Uncle Tupelo and Old 97's (not to mention local bands like The Stapletons and Pike 27) or just those music lovers that appreciate strident Rock & Roll littered with stinging, stirring melodies, a timeless backbeat and a firm grasp on the blueprint. 859-261-9675. (See Music.) -- MIKE BREEN

FRIDAY 20
OPEN WATER, the taut lost-at-sea thriller by writer/ director Chris Kentis, terrifies for its shark-infested waters and the cold horror of never being saved, two classic human fears. The blue ocean chills are utterly disquieting due to the believability of its victims, a workaholic American couple (Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis) whose scuba holiday becomes a life-threatening ordeal after a careless boat crew leaves them behind on a dive of an underwater reef. The couple blames each other, argue and then, at death's door, profess their love -- just like you imagine anyone would act when cold, alone and surrounded by sharks. A low-budget production Kentis filmed with his cinematographer wife Laura Lau, it might have the pulpy appearance of a campfire monster story but it packs the emotional fireworks of family melodrama. (See Film.) -- STEVE RAMOS

The Izzys

SUNDAY 21
It's only pre-season, but how's this for a 2004 home opener: The CINCINNATI BENGALS host defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and former running back Corey Dillon at Paul Brown Stadium Saturday. Now that the Bengals actually resemble a professional football franchise -- they appear on Monday Night Football for the first time in 12 years! -- expectations are high. But as anointed savior/head coach Marvin Lewis (pictured) knows, questions persist. Can heralded quarterback Carson Palmer actually play? Will Rudi Johnson be as effective over a 16-game schedule? Can the defense improve its mediocre 2003 performance? Will Mike Brown continue to keep his nose out of on-field operations? How will they do against a tougher schedule? Answers are on the way. And if you want to witness them first hand, this might be your last chance -- the regular season is just about sold out. 513-621-TDTD. (See Sports.) -- JASON GARGANO

SUNDAY 22
There's no shopaholic prerequisite, but if you leave the annual FRIENDS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY END OF SUMMER WAREHOUSE SALE empty-handed, you have problems. With more than 100,000 books to browse Thursday through Sunday at the Hartwell warehouse, not to mention CDs and vintage vinyl ($1 per record), it's a wonder they ever got people to leave last year. And membership does have its benefits: Friends' members get a jump-start at Wednesday's preview sale, 6-9 p.m. Not a "Friend?" Those marketing savvy Public Library people will be selling memberships at the door throughout the weekend, starting at $20. Perfect for the impulse buyer. 513-369-6035. (See Events.) -- JESSICA TURNER

MONDAY 24

Cincinnati Bengals

You might think that theater offerings this time of year are pretty slim pickings. And you'd be right. But if you want to have a good time at something that sounds like it's educational, too, then Clear Stage Cincinnati has an evening for you at Arnold's Bar & Grill (210 E. Eighth St., Downtown). It's THE COMPLEAT WORKS OF WLLM SHKSPR. If that looks like a typo, well, you're beginning to get it. The full title also adds "(Abridged)," and that's the foundation of the humor. In less than two hours, three actors manage to treat -- or perhaps mistreat -- all 37 of Shakespeare's plays. The show is irreverent and dim-witted, but in a very funny way. And it must have some educational value, since Clear Stage toured it to schools last year. Only two performances: Tuesday and Aug. 31. 513-421-6234. (See Onstage.) -- RICK PENDER