COVINGTON, Ky. – Did you know that the first recorded Mardi Gras street parade in New Orleans took place in 1837? Decades later, six men organized a rather clandestine Mistick Krewe of Comus and held a parade with the theme, “The Demon Actors in Milton’s Paradise Lost” and held a lavish ball. Demons on parade. Now that’s something to behold.
Some theories maintain that Mardi Gras’ origins lie in pagan celebrations of spring and fertility. Still others say the festivities were spurred as a result of the Catholic Church’s discouragement of sex and meat during Lent.
Whatever the case, just know that you don’t have to fly to the Big Easy to celebrate Mardi Gras in a big way. We do it up right here in The Cov. Libations, lots of beads, and costumes that are nothing short of “pageantry” – the MainStrasse Mardi Gras Parade does not disappoint.
And that’s not all there is to do this weekend. There’s a celebration of some “chic” Covington businesses … a “Friends” trivia-themed event … a tutorial on “naked” trees (i.e. leaf-less) … new beers being rolled out … lots of live music, and more.
It’s one thing to be chic, but to “Best in Chic,” well, that’s the chicest of chic.
We’re not surprised to see so many Covington venues called out as the “best” in The Chic Guide’s “Best in Chic 2022” Reader’s Choice Awards. And they’re going to be celebrated at The Madison Event Center tonight and you can get a ticket and join in on the fun, food, and libations.
Each year, “The Chic Guide” asks readers to tell them what they consider the “best” in a string of categories that include favorite hairstylist … rooftop bar … local-owned women’s boutique … florist … bookstore … place for Happy Hour/lunch/coffee/a mimosa/sushi/a girl’s night out … and more.
Their readers responded with a whole lot of love for The Cov.
So just what is “The Chic Guide?” It’s the only online and print publication for women in Greater Cincinnati. (So, with all those Cov businesses getting top honors, the takeaway from the “Best in Chic” Reader’s Choice Awards is that women “get it”). Details HERE.
Ross’s monkey, that is, and do you remember its name? Happen to recall Joey’s imaginary high school friend? Or what caused the fire in Rachel and Monica’s apartment? And what did Chandler Bing’s father do for a living?
Keystone Bar & Grill transforms into Central Perk on Friday night for “Friends”-themed trivia, so you’ve got some time to watch a “Friends” marathon and get the answers to those questions and more.
There will be themed cocktails and plenty of prizes for the winning teams. So, call your special lobster (Who said that? Monica? Rachel? Or Phoebe? Make sure you know!) And channel your Monica Geller-like competitive spirit for the win. Details HERE.
Here’s a hypothetical situation: You’re told that an envelope holding a million dollars is hidden in the canopy of an American Hornbeam tree that stands along a wooded trail, and it’s yours to find and keep.
You, however, know nothing beyond the fact that leaves turn pretty colors in the fall. You miss out on life-changing riches because – unable to discern a Hornbeam from a Hawthorn – you go climbing up a Green Hawthorn, flaying yourself on the tree’s inch-long thorns.
Bleeding, and not a millionaire, you berate yourself, and deservedly so. You are a forest dendrology dunce.
But hold on – there is hope for you yet.
On Saturday, Keep Covington Beautiful board member and “resident dude and environmental expert” David King invites you to join him on a walk through Devou Park to learn how trees are identified (without their leaves, no less!).
It’s the Keep Covington Beautiful Winter Tree ID event.
Plan to meet up at the corner of Sleepy Hollow and Montague, let King expand your knowledge along Devou’s Full Monty Trail, and be prepared to improve your station in life should there ever actually be a million dollars in a Hornbeam canopy. Details HERE.
After tearing down its Garage, Braxton Brewing Co. is re-opening its Taproom on Saturday morning with fanfare at its Taproom Reveal and IPA Release.
Later in the day, there’s more good stuff going on as Parlor on Seventh has created a new menu for the Taproom … new merch is in … and Brother Smith will bring the tunes that evening. Details HERE.
Local artist Tim Gold is going to create art right before your eyes at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop on Saturday.
Working with mixed media and implementing heavy charcoals with layers of a white house paint, he’ll demonstrate the lights and darks of composition. Always cool to watch an artist at work. Details HERE.
Laissez les bon temps rouler? Oui, cher!
The good times will be rollin’ down Main Street on Saturday with the 2022 MainStrasse Village Mardi Gras Parade. Yep, it’s that sparkly, feathery, colorful, Hurricane-swillin’ time of year when MainStrasse gets that fabulous French Quarter vibe.
So, get to work on your oversized papier-maché head, prepare to string no less than 30 strands of plastic beads around your neck (not the good pearls!), put together an outrageously lavish ensemble to wear, and celebrate like the Mardi Gras demon that you are. Details HERE.
And, as laissez le bon temps goes, does anyone really know how to let the good times “roll” (or is that “glide?”) better than the Covington Street Hockey League “Bubs?”
They’re inviting you to join them for the MainStrasse Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday at their annual Bubs Mardi Gras MainStrasse.
They’re teaming up with that beautiful blue pickup truck full of bodacious blossoms, aka Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck, and they’re meeting up at Larry’s Dive Bar before getting in on the parade. Bring your skates, your sticks, your kids, your friends – or just your joyful self – and get in on the fun. More HERE.
First, get your smartest friends together (make them show you their Mensa cards). Then, choose the smartest nine among them to be on your team for the “8th Annual Covington Latin School’s Trivia Night” on Saturday.
The Covington Latin School Boosters are raising money to support the school’s Trojan Athletic Teams, and a test of trivia acumen is how they’ll do it.
You can have up to 10 members on your team and can participate in person or online via Zoom or Google forms. Cost is $100 per team. More HERE.
There’s … Roebling Point Thursday Live Music Series at Keystone Bar & Grill, Molly Malone’s, and Smoke Justis tonight, HERE … DR. HUE at Molly Malone’s on Friday, HERE … The Varner & Netherton Trio at Smoke Justis on Friday, HERE … February Artists on the Rise Showcase with Wolf Mane, Suicide Rascal, Tokyo Daniels, Vegas X, Waddy, and JDingers at Madison Live on Friday, HERE …The Leo Clarke Band at Smoke Justis on Saturday, HERE … Rick Kinman II at Pandemonium on Saturday, HERE … Physco with Christian Nicholas Gough at Madison Live on Saturday, HERE … and Karaoke with DJ Mystic at Pandemonium on Sunday, HERE.
And then there’s ... ZMIND: “Adversary of the Quasi-Dimension” at Pique Gallery this evening, HERE … Braxton Brewing Co.’s Ignitor Tapping on Friday, HERE … Covington Farmers Market on Saturday, HERE … MainStrasse Food Tour on Saturday, HERE … “Heal Your Who Dey Heartbreak Exhibit at Behringer-Crawford Museum,” Tuesday through Sunday, HERE.
###