MONDAY MAR 8

The Harvard Advocate presents "Sampler." 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (See Friday listing for details.)

You're never too old for splashing dolphins and shiny killer whales. So find your way down to the waterfront and bask in the glow of the neon-lit fish tanks. Currently on exhibit: "The Otter Limits." New England Aquarium, Central Wharf. 973-5200. 9 to 5 p.m. $12.

Girls in pink! Guys in leotards! Boston Ballet presents the Festival of Firsts, featuring the premiere of Roland Petit's Le Jeune Homme et la Mort and other world premieres by Daniel Pelzig and the New York City Ballet's Christopher Wheeldon. The Wang Center, 270 Tremont St. (800) 447-7400. 8 p.m. $12.50-$69.

The location of JFK's library has nothing to do with the president's heritage: It's in Southie. The multi-media memorial designed by I.M. Pei displays an exhibit on the "Life and Legacy" of Jack and Jackie. A Black History Month commemoration features paraphernalia of the American Civil Rights movement. JFK Library, Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, 929-4523. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students, $6.

The best way to break your neck? Tipping your head back to stare at the screen on the ceiling. The Mugar Omni Theater is showing Alaska: Spirit of the Wild. Charlton Heston narrates the journey into one of the world's last great frontiers. Museum of Science, Science Park. 723-2500. Call for daily show times. 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. $7.50.

Find another sort of new frontier in Stone Soup Poets' avant garde poetry and wild gesticulating. Weekly open readings boast the area's best poets in one of the chillest locations in town (Allen Ginsberg used to hang out there all the time). T.T. the Bear's, 10 Brookline St. 492-0082. 10 p.m. $3.

The Cambridge Center for Adult Education carries pretension to the Pudding with a reading by poet laureate Robert Pinsky. The Hasty Pudding Theatre, 12 Holyoke St. 547-6789. 8:15 p.m. $10.

To go or not to go. Trek down to the theatre district and check out Boston Theatre Work's production of Hamlet. Reportedly a decent modern rendition of Shakespeare's classic. Tremont Theater, 276 Tremont St., Boston. 824-8000. 7:30 p.m. Students $14.

In the mood for cheesy musical action? The Globe raves about Broadway's Ragtime, based on E.L. Doctorow's novel. With its eclectic assortment of dances, Ragtime brings some archaic musical expression into the 90s. Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St. 931-2787. 8 p.m. $20-75.

Quick! Before it gets too balmy, wrap up and take a bunch of friends down to the Boston Common Frog Pond for a day of skating. Surrounded by gorgeous strands of lights, the frog pond is a great evening spot. Live music, skate rentals and the proverbial cup of hot chocolate all available. Boston Common (bordered by Charles, Beacon and Tremont Street). 635-2121. Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. $3. Skate rentals $5.

The Boston Conservatory Orchestra travels down the Red Line today to perform Brahms' Symphony No. 1 (among other pieces) at Sanders Theater. They'll be joined by the winners of the 1998-1999 Concerto Competition. These kids are good; the only class they take is music. Sanders Theater. 496-222. Call for times. FREE.

Ellsworth Kelly at the Sackler Museum. (See Saturday listing for details.)