COVINGTON, Ky. - Yes, we know that cafes in Barcelona and the open-air markets in Cairo are out of reach these days.

 

We have the next-best thing: The Covington Farmers Market on Saturday, plus expanded outdoor dining options all around town. See HERE for places in two neighborhoods, but just realize this was Phase II and Phase I included many other restaurants.

 

Just make sure you mask up and follow the rules.

 

Meanwhile, here are some this-weekend-specific events:

 

Local legend Jake Speed & The Freddies bring their toe-tapping tunes and clever lyrics (filled with local references) to the Behringer-Crawford Museum’s Facebook page this evening, starting at 7 p.m.

 

It’s the weekly (COVID-19 version) of the Music@BCM summer concert circuit.

 

Speed - the five-time winner of Cincinnati’s Best Folk/Americana Musician - plays banjo, guitar, harmonica, washboard and kazoo while singing and telling stories.

 

It’s free, but on-line donations are welcome. Info, HERE.

 

Personally, we hope Speed plays “Coffee Bourgeois Blues” to honor Left Bank, the Bean House, Roebling Points Books & Coffee and all of Covington’s unique places to get coffee, cuz - as Speed croons: “I’d rather lick dirt that’s sticking to the floor/Than drink black coffee in a (INSERT CHAIN’s NAME HERE) store.”

 

To say Opening Day 2020 will arrive a little late and be celebrated a little differently is an understatement.

 

Nevertheless, here is a way to celebrate the Cincinnati Reds’ first game Friday in a scaled-down but sto;; fun way: A watch party at Smoke Justis.

 

On tap (pun intended) Tom Browning, bourbon, live music, and of course the game. And remember, Smoke Justis has outdoor seating that will help you social distance.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Ever watched Bob Ross, he with the puffy hair and running commentary full of banal phrases while he draws puffy clouds?

 

This is way cooler: Come watch the artist Chris McCall live and in action Saturday afternoon as he draws at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. His work, assures the proprietors at Purple Paisley, is “colorful, imaginative, and stunning!”

 

If you draw or paint, this will no doubt be instructive.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Here’s a visit that should be a Saturday morning tradition: get fresh vegetables and locally produced foods at the open-air Covington Farmers Market. It’s the ultimate in “buy local.”

 

Typical offerings include things like red Russian kale, romaine lettuce, baby bok choy, herbal tea, bone-in chops, hanging plants, elderberry syrup, eggs, honey, hanging planters, granola, apple cider vinegar coleslaw, lemon meringue mini pies and other baked goods, wine etc. etc.

 

This week’s “side event” is “Fix It Friends”: Bring kitchen and garden tools to be sharpened. And bring your bike to have it checked over for safety and repairs.

 

Again, wear a mask, follow the safety rules. Info, HERE.

 

And then there’s ... Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck pop-up Saturday morning on the Park Place block, HERE ... Hot Yoga on Saturday at Lean Bodies, HERE ... Yoga on the Promenade, on Sunday with Sage Yoga, HERE ... Yoga at Butler’s Pantry, on Saturday also with Sage Yoga, HERE ...

 

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