The Great Lakes Science Center (601 Erieside Ave., 216.694.2000, greatscience.com) is mad about Mars, the subject of an almost year-long focus. Why? Because Mars is full of action, drama and anticipation! You can experience it all at the museum's journey to the mysterious Red Planet. Its Omnimax theater has unveiled its newest film, Roving Mars, in which you'll see Mars through the eyes of those rovers with NASA scientists at your side (and without stringent and time-consuming astronaut training). Meanwhile, Mars Rover, Up Close & Personal shows you a full-scale model of a Mars Exploration Rover. Get a hands-on look at this incredible super performer that has outlived NASA's best predictions. The LEGO Mindstorm Center features a robot-building mission to save stranded astronauts and collect Martian data before a serious storm hits the planet. And STARLAB Planetarium, the museum's portable planetarium, is on hand to send your imagination on a journey through the universe ... don't miss it! Today at 2 p.m., Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis, a NASA Glenn Research Center aerospace engineer, will talk about his experiences as a scientist for one of the studies aboard the Mars Exploration Rovers. (Glenn tested the rovers' landing-system air bags at NASA.) The GLSC will be loving Mars well into October, so keep your stargazing eyes peeled for more features. You don't have to be less than 4-feet tall to enjoy these exhibits, either. Omnimax theater thrills all humans the same, and, well, LEGOs are just kick-ass no matter how old you are. GLSC is open daily from 9 :30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission fees vary. - Jara Anton

Thursday, March 27

Smucker's Stars on Ice

But What Would Brian Boitano do? The 22nd Smucker's Stars on Ice tour, produced by Scott Hamilton, comes to the Quicken Loans Arena at 7 p.m., featuring Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen, who is probably sick and tired of being asked to do Borat and Ali G; be nice to her. Cohen's blades of glory will be joined by the talents of three-time US champion Michael Weiss, plus Ilia Kulik, Todd Eldredge, Yuka Sato, Kyoko Ina, John Zimmerman, Jennifer Robinson and others - athletes from the US, Eastern Europe and Asia, with more bronze, silver and gold to their names than a numismatist expo. Tickets: $25 and up. Call 216.241.2121. More info by Web-surfing (or skating) to starsonice.com. - Charles Cassady Jr.

Friday, March 28

Organgrinder's Ball and Fetish Fashion Show

The Organgrinder's Ball and Fetish Show - if you have to ask, you probably shouldn't go. Upon researching the event, taking place at Metropolis (2325 Elm St., West Bank of the Flats, 216.241.1444), I stumbled upon Web sites that made my co-workers stop, wide-eyed and giggling. Take every goth stereotype, throw in a little '80s Prince and miles of electrical tape and you're scratching the surface. It's a Marilyn Manson video come to life, with acts of contortion by Sara Sol and stilt-dancing by Aaron Bonk. Los Angeles' Dragon Gates Studios present Eragon and Dravyn's fetish exhibition. (Does that have anything to do with ping pong balls or meat hooks?) Rubber City Bombshell Burlesque, who take pride in their Vegas-style showmanship and Akron roots, will perform their fan and fire dances, and fire-breathing. In addition to a lot of Catholic schoolgirl skirts, there will be fetish vendor booths and four, count 'em, four, Fetish Fashion Show scenes. DJ Gozinya will spin electro, industrial and alternative music to get your stacked-heel, vinyl, thigh-high boots tapping. Doors at 9 p.m., the fun stuff begins at 11 p.m. Women 18 and over, men 21 and over. Admission: $25. - JA

Saturday, March 29

Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner

Cleveland-area members of the Human Rights Campaign, the large, mainstream gay-rights group, host their 15th annual Gala Dance and Dinner, the group's biggest annual fundraising event, from 6 p.m.-midnight at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown. Celebrity guest speakers at the event, which this year is themed "Applaud Excellence," are national HRC President Joe Solmonese, Gov. Ted Strickland and Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American service member wounded in Iraq. Actor/comedian Jason Stuart emcees. Tickets: $75-$235. Go to cleveland.hrc.org for info and a gander at the wondrous silent and live auction booty. - Anastasia Pantsios

Sunday, March 30

Lipizzaner Stallions

When a horse can dance better than you can, best just take your seat like a good soldier and watch, as the Lipizzaner Stallions come to the Wolstein Center (2000 Prospect Ave.). These showcase equines, descended from a Spanish Andalusian bloodline, were a fixture in Austrian military pageants, campaigns and parades of royalty through the streets of Vienna. They are renowned for their shining white coats, majestic bearing and practiced routines, and they even got some reflected Greatest Generation glory when Gen. Patton ordered that the Lipizzans be spared from the danger of Allied bombing - or devouring by hungry refugees - during WWII. This year's show promises new dance routines (I'd like to see a Lipizzan do the Robot, personally) and a partnership with Canter Ohio, an animal-welfare group that looks after retired racehorses. The Lipizzaners perform at 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets begin at $22.50. Call 216.241.5555. For info go to lipizzaner.com. - CC

Fritz Haeg lecture

If this were the '60s, Fritz Haeg would be a pop-culture celebrity and his photo would be hanging in every dorm room. Not that he isn't trying for media celebritydom. A designer, architect and environmental conceptualist, he lives in a geodesic dome in LA where he holds "salons" at which creative people exchange ideas. Among his own ideas: the creation of "animal estates" for animals threatened by habitat loss and "edible estates" that turn average high-maintenance lawns into vegetable gardens, an idea that's gaining traction along with the sustainable, locally grown and organic farming movements. He'll speak at Cleveland Institute of Art's Aitken Auditorium (11141 East Blvd.) at 7 p.m. It's free and open to the public. - AP

Monday, March 31

Indians Home Opener

Last year, the Tribe came one win from making it back to the World Series. And with virtually every starting player returning, you've got to think the team has a good chance to make it to the Series this year. With one of the best pitching rotations in the major leagues and a solid bullpen that should only be stronger with the addition of Japanese ace Masahide Kobayashi, the Tribe should have plenty of arms to get through the season. Assuming they have the hitting to compete with the beefed-up Detroit Tigers, they could take the division once again. Find out as the season starts at 3:05 p.m. at the newly christened Progressive Field as the Indians square off against division foes the Chicago White Sox. Sold out. - Jeff Niesel

Tuesday, April 1

Affirmative Action debate

Oberlin College is noted for many things, among them being the first college in the country to admit black students as a matter of course and the oldest co-ed college. It's also known for being one of the top liberal-arts colleges in the country. So a spirited discussion should ensue when Oberlin president Marvin Krislov takes on right-wing activist Ward Connerly, whose American Civil Rights Institute is devoted to opposing gender and racial-based preferences, in a debate on affirmative action at the City Club of Cleveland (850 Euclid Ave., 216.621.0082) at noon today. Tickets: $15 members, $25 non-members. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance. - AP