COVINGTON, Ky. - COVID-19 still has much havoc to wreak and lives to damage. But this weekend in The Cov gives us hope that - despite the need for caution and care - fun can still be had.

 

From theater to pop-up art, a gallery opening to a Mexican cuisine-book event, some neighborhood cleanups to a holiday celebrated 6 months late, here are an array of events that will make going back to work next week easier to bear.

 

Tickets are limited to the first 50, so if you want to see Shakespeare in the confines of Covington’s Devou Park, proceed with due haste to get tickets HERE.

 

Specifically, it’s the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” this evening in the outdoor amphitheater of Behringer-Crawford Museum.

 

If your fascination with cooking (and eating) Mexican food goes far beyond Taco Tuesdays, then head to Frida 602 tonight.

 

There you can meet the wife-and-husband author team of the book being called a “deep dive into the complex and vibrant native culture that is the bedrock of Mexican cuisine.”

 

Rachel Glueck and Noel Morales will discuss on a personal level their book, “The Native Mexican Kitchen.” Conversation and books are available all evening.

 

Info, HERE.

 

The massive Great American Cleanup held every April was turned into a series of smaller events in different neighborhoods, stretched out over the summer and fall.

 

Two happen this Saturday.

 

A cleanup of Kenney Shields Park near Interstate 75 is being organized by the Covington Street Hockey League and Keep Covington Beautiful. Follow safety protocols, and register HERE.

 

In addition, the Monte Casino Neighborhood will hold a cleanup. Again, follow safety protocols, and register HERE.

 

The works of resident artists Katie Woodring, Charlotte Reed, Jennifer Baldwin, and R.A. Gray will be on display at Gallery 321 during an opening night celebration tonight at the Hellmann Creative Center.

 

Mr. Rhythm Man will spin some tunes too, but note that the number of guests in the gallery itself at any particular time will be limited.

 

Info, HERE.

 

If you need art for the home or office (or a one-of-a-kind early Christmas present for a loved one), skip the big-box stores and head to Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop this Saturday for the Pop-up Art Fair.

 

Canvases, prints, coasters, and cards from an eclectic mix of local artists will be on sale in the parking lot. Go bold, and impress.

 

Info, HERE.

 

The weekly, open-air Covington Farmers Market has absolutely smashed its sales goals for the year, with months to go in the year.

 

Come on down and see why seemingly everybody else has made it their Saturday morning tradition. (And don’t worry, there are health department-approved safety protocols in place.)

 

Featured is a vast array of peak-season vegetables, fruit, and herbs, including cherry tomatoes, zucchini, hatch chiles, peaches, apples, sweet corn, hummus, honey, cucumbers, beans, sprouts, eggplant, sweet peppers, and tomatillos. There are also meat and freshly made food products like honey, jam, zucchini relish, and kimchi. Oh, and wine.

 

As always, the location is Third & Court streets. Info, HERE.

 

COVID’s scary appearance brought St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to a screeching halt this spring, so the patron bar of the Apostle of Ireland and many things Irish in Covington (Is that a title? Are we bestowing it on the right establishment?) is making amends, so to speak.

 

Molly Malone’s Irish Restaurant & Pub is holding its “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day!” celebration Saturday either in requiem for the 2020 event or preparation for the 2021 one.

 

Wear green (and a mask), drink green beer, and listen to live music.

 

Reservations are recommended, HERE.

 

It’s the name of a Johnny Cash song, the title of an intriguing documentary, and what’s widely considered an unlucky number, but 13 - or 13^th - is a sign of sustainability and success for Keystone Bar & Grill, which is celebrating its 13^th birthday all day today.

 

The nightspot-restaurant is releasing a limited-time Grippo’s BBQ mac & cheese dish, in addition to offering Graeter’s 150^th birthday cake ice cream in its cookie skillets.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Should there be a skate park in Latonia?

 

As part of the Covington Leads Program for emerging leaders at The Center for Great Neighborhoods, several teens from South Covington are asking that question. On Saturday, they’re holding an “Info on Latonia Skate Park and Raffle” event. It’s part discussion, part fun, with goodie bags, snacks, and prizes.

 

Info, HERE.

 

And then there’s ... the Scarlett Begonia “Saturday Brunch” Double-Header at Cedar Restaurant on Saturday morning, HERE ... Oktoberfest at Smoke Justis! all weekend, HERE ... Pedal Wagon Covington and The B-Line are sponsoring the Covington Bourbon Experience! all weekend, HERE ... The Chuck Brisbin Trio tonight at Smoke Justis, HERE ... the free “Yoga Barre & Braxton” monthly community Karma yoga class tonight at Lean Bodies, HERE ... Bob Cushing tonight at Mac’s Pizza Pub Mainstrasse, HERE ... the Devou Third-Sunday Trailday at Devou Park Trails, HERE ... and the monthly Hike Dat Ish hike Sunday on the paved trails in Devou Park, HERE.

 

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