COVINGTON, Ky. - The theme is music, and lots of it.

 

From the two-day Paradise Music & Beer Festival at several venues downtown to Jake Speed’s rocking banjo music (tonight) and KSO’s tribute to female artists at Devou Park, get your attentive ear ready.

 

And that doesn’t even count the dozens of live acts all around bars and nightclubs downtown (cue up your Facebook events calendar for those details).

 

It’s free, fun and festive - and all ages are allowed.

 

The Covington Paradise Music & Beer Festival takes place Friday and all day Saturday across several venues in the City, starting at Braxton Brewing Co., with concerts at Madison Live! and after-parties also at Sapphire Room.

 

There’s no way we can pay the bands and the event proper tribute with the little space we have, so go HERE for the full info.

 

Some people call him the Woody Guthrie of Cincinnati. We just know he and his band put on a heck of a concert - and he’s about the hardest-working musician in Northern Kentucky.

 

Tonight, Jake Speed & the Freddies return to Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington’s Devou Park for their annual Music@BCM appearance. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert at 7 p.m. Refreshments are available for purchase.

 

So hurry. Info, HERE.

 

To continue the music theme, check out the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” concert at the Devou Park Band Shell on Saturday.

 

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra opens its 25^th Anniversary Summer Series with tributes to five decades of popular female artists and “girl” bands, from Patsy Cline to Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston to Taylor Swift.

 

Admission is free, but a $5 donation would be appreciated. Info, HERE.

 

Who knew?

 

Sunday is National Mac & Cheese Day and - assuming your grandma isn’t making up a batch of her famous stuff - head to Keystone Bar & Grill to get some of that cheesy goodness. You can get associated and related dishes as well.

 

As Patrick Star told his buddy, SpongeBob, “Mmmmmm, cheeeeeeezy.”

 

Info, HERE.

 

Ever made your own earrings?

 

Covington’s newest artisan shop, Purple Paisley, is holding a class on Saturday - but don’t dawdle, there are just a few seats left.

 

Everything is supplied, including tools and instructions.

 

Info, HERE.

 

What happens after the world ends, and with it, one of America’s best-loved animated series?

 

In “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” apocalypse survivors piece together one of the only cultural relics left of humanity: an episode of “The Simpsons.”

 

This offbeat and kind of dark comedy plays at The Carnegie on Friday through Sunday, performed by the Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre.

 

D’ohn’t miss out - get tickets, HERE.

 

You like Mr. Red? (We mean the mascot, not the leader of Russia.)

 

Well, he’ll visiting Big Lots in Latonia on Saturday, if you want a picture, autograph or to give him advice on the next lineup or how the team could better use its bullpen.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Come get your fresh produce on Saturday (plus baked goods, meats, eggs etc. etc.) at the Covington Farmers Market. The second Saturday of the month features free yoga and a pet adoption event.

 

Check it all out - plus your Covington Farmers Market swag - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Third Street.

 

Info, HERE.

 

And then there’s ... Date Night at the Pottery Wheel on Friday at Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center, HERE ... the weekly Yoga Fit at Devou Park on Saturday morning, HERE ... Vintage Popup and Brunch FunRaiser on Sunday at Lil’s Bagels, HERE ... Yoga on the Promenade in MainStrasse Village on Sunday, HERE ... Breaking Bad Trivia Night on Friday at Keystone Bar & Grill, HERE ... the Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show on Saturday, HERE ... the Peach Truck tour at Lexus RiverCenter on Sunday, HERE ... A MadTree beer sampling Friday at Liquor City Uncorked, HERE ... and the Madison Avenue Food & Culture Tour on Sunday morning, HERE.