COVINGTON, Ky. – After months of decline in the Bluegrass State, the number of COVID-19 cases and the statewide positivity rate are again inching upward, driven by the new Delta variant and the fact that only about half of Kentuckians are vaccinated (they account for over 90 percent of new cases and deaths). 

 

That means be smart and take precautions if you’re vulnerable, like wearing a mask, washing your hands, and not crowding others.

 

With that in mind, there’s plenty of fun things to do this weekend in The Cov, including three big music events, a couple of markets, and a big birthday for an energetic gym.

 

Any event featuring electrofishing is worth touting in our book -- and no, we don’t mean “telephoning” (for those with a, er, shady past).

 

In this case, Keep Covington Beautiful is teaming with SD1 for an in-the-field – or rather, by-the-creek – educational event that will explore both storm water and electrofishing, a method to analyze the health of a stream by taking a sample of the fish in it. It’s Saturday morning, and you need to register.

 

Details, HERE.

It’s touted as “Hornucopia (A ’70s Trumpet-palooza.)”

 

All we know is that on Saturday evening, the bandshell in Devou Park will be BLASTING with nostalgic sounds from the likes of Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson, Don Ellis, Bill Chase and Chuck Mangione – played by some pretty talented trumpeters (Matthew Anklan, Joshua Kauffman, Rob Parton, Hank Mautner and John Zappa).

 

With symphony backup, of course. It’s the long-awaited opening night of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s 27^th Summer Series. It’s free, but the KSO is accepting donations ($5 sounds nice).

 

From “Tiger of San Pedro” to “Come Sweet Death” to “Hill Where the Lord Hides,” your ears will appreciate.

 

For $1, you can take a TANK shuttle, rather than trying to find parking (but wear a mask on the bus), and concessions will also be available. Bring blankets or chairs. Details, and the playlist, HERE.

 

A lot of weeks, we weigh whether to include the Thursday night Music@BCM summer concert series event to this feature because 1) Thursday isn’t the weekend, and 2) people gotta rush home and to Devou.

 

But hey, this is the “Goddess of the Blues” we’re talking about.

 

Tonight at Behringer-Crawford Museum, it’s the return of Cincinnati-born vocalist, keyboardist, and bandleader Cheryl Renée, along with friends who make up the “Cheryl Renée Project.”

Or as CityBeat called her: “… a seasoned performer known as much for her manic stage antics and humorously raunchy lyrics as she is for her rollicking piano chops.”

Admission is $5, “doors” open at 6 for the 7 p.m. show. (If it rains, the show moves inside.)

 

Details, HERE.

To continue the music theme, the third performance in the Luv the Cov Concert Series – a la music on the riverfront -- takes place Friday evening.

 

It features The Everyday People Band, along with food and drinks, in the gorgeous setting we call Covington Plaza.

 

Details, HERE and HERE.

 

We’re all about the food and drink in this space. Fortunately we have places like Lean Bodies LLC to help us overcome our habits. Lean Bodies, by the way, is celebrating its one-year birthday with a special party Saturday.

 

It’s free, it’s open to the public (of all ages), and it’ll feature epic workouts by owner Amanda and other trainers, live DJ, face painting, beer, etc.

 

The gym specializes in co-ed group strength training workouts but really offers a whole lot of everything.

 

Details, HERE.

 

‘And this piece …’

Here’s a way to appear more culturally aware (snooty, even?) than you maybe are: Buy a conversation piece from a local artist/artisan, find out the story behind it, then perfect the art of telling that story with a smooth drink in your hand.

 

We mean, if you’re going to have art on the wall, mantle or end table, it might as well be interesting.

 

Fortunately, Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop is having an Outdoor Artisan Market this Saturday morning, where you can browse and buy original pieces. Tell them the City sent you.

 

Details, HERE.

 

And then there’s … the Pecan Pie Bake Sale! (buy now) at Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center with pickup on Monday, HERE … the Scarlet Begonia Flower Truck pop-up on Saturday morning  outside Braxton Brewing, HERE … Peak Season Covington Farmers Market on Saturday morning, HERE … free Kona Ice on Saturday afternoon at the Kenton County Public Library, HERE … at Local Studio 325, the Create Your Own Macrame Wall Hanger workshop Friday evening, HERE, and Acai Berry Jewelry & Drinks workshop on Saturday afternoon, HERE … and the Mainstrasse Village Food Tour on Saturday morning organized by Riverside Food Tours, HERE.

 

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