COVINGTON, Ky. – A couple of events this week remind us of how things ought to be in the world.
The annual recognition of Earth Day on Friday and its accompanying events on Saturday exhort us to take better care of this one precious orb upon which we live and breathe.
Similarly, a “Take Back the Night” event tonight is a depressing acknowledgement that -- all these years after the first such event was held – women still don’t feel safe walking by themselves on any given street on any given night.
These are good and important events, and you’ll feel good about participating.
Elsewhere this weekend, there’s plenty of fun to be had: Get yourself Derby-ready … check out a cool art exhibit … lace up for an urban hike … Join an anniversary celebration … sip a CBD cocktail at a business’s new location … and listen to live music – lots and lots of live music.
Yep, the fun starts tonight.
Shop for your Derby ensemble while sipping a mint julep at Rich’s Proper Food & Drink tonight beginning at 5 p.m.
Leeta Ruth Boutique in Ludlow will be at Rich’s for a Derby Pop-Up event that will help you put together a lovely outfit ready for the fastest two minutes in sports. Also there will be tsuzanne designs with fab fascinators to top it all off and unique curated jewelry to finish the look.
And you will not be sipping just any old mint julep. No, this is Rich’s award-winning “Storm Cloud over the Downs,” made with Four Roses Single Barrel. It’s all top shelf from the sips to the styles. So, giddy-up and get your Derby plan in place at the GEAR UP FOR DERBY! event.
Did you know that the first Take Back the Night event began in England in 1877 as a women-only protest against the violence and fear that women encountered on the streets at night?
The first such event in the United States happened nearly 100 years later in San Francisco to protest violence (particularly sexual assault) against women.
Alas, the mission continues. Still we gather to make the case that a woman should be able to walk safely through the night. Northern Kentucky is holding an event tonight in Goebel Park, sponsored by Covington’s Thrive Empowerment and The Ion Center for Violence Prevention. Details at TAKE BACK THE NIGHT.
“sonder,” a new exhibition highlighting the recent work of Columbia-based artist Alissa Ohashi, opens Friday at the Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center – and that curious word alone should be enough to pique your interest.
“Sonder” is the realization that each individual – including every stranger you pass on the street – is living their own unique life that is as complex as your own, and that they, just like you, are the main character in their own story.
Ohashi, a lens-based, mixed media artist who works with photography, collage, experimental sculpture, and installation, explored the idea of “sonder” through her grandmother’s family archive. The result is more than a dozen new pieces of art on exhibit in Baker Hunt’s historic ballroom. Registration for attendance is required. Details at SONDER ART SHOW.
No muddy trails on this course.
On Saturday, join Covington Parks & Rec to explore the city’s urban core as part of its Urban Hike Series.
You’ve heard of the fabled “3-hour tour?” Well, this is a “3- (to 4-) mile tour,” and we promise it’ll be a lot more interesting than a TV-featured deserted island.
Meet at 3rd and Greenup, then walk along Riverside Drive, back up to Garrard and Seventh, past Braxton Brewing, through MainStrasse Village, down to Kenny Shields Park, through Goebel Park, and back to 3rd and Greenup. More at URBAN HIKE.
Braxton Brewing Company is celebrating its 7-year anniversary Saturday with a big ol’ celebration.
There’ll be music on the Rooftop and in the Taproom, plus an anniversary beer, of course (it’s a Raspberry Lemon Milkshake IPA, in case you’re wondering). Details at BRAXTON'S BIRTHDAY.
The folks at Kentucky Botanical Co. say it’s been a while since they got to throw a party, so they decided that moving into their new digs at 31 Pike St. was reason enough for a soiree of sorts.
On Saturday, they’ll have live music, CBD cocktails, lots of samples, and plenty of giveaways, and they’re hoping folks will help them celebrate at their Pike Street Grand Opening. Details at KENTUCKY BOTANICAL.
Local artist Shawn Farrell has a way with tiles and mirrors.
A lover of vintage styles, Farrell creates mixed media tile works, hand collages, cut tiles, mirrors, and found images. She puts them together to form beautiful works with a vintage appeal and you can check them out – and meet the artist -- on Saturday at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. More at SHAWN FARRELL ART.
So, you know those “cloud illusions” that Joni Mitchell sang about, the ones you can look at every which way and still not figure out?
The Carnegie would like you to get your head IN the clouds, be inspired, and create a cloud of your own.
On Saturday, as part of a collaborative art project designed by artist team Batres Gilvin, there’s a workshop at The Carnegie where you will be given a prepared canvas that will surely spark your imagination.
Here’s the cool part: your finished product will be included in a collective art installation at The Carnegie. Details at IN THE CLOUDS.
Celebrate Earth Day the day after on Saturday by heading to Devou Park’s Breaden Shelter and joining the staff of the Kenton County Public Library in practicing caring for the Earth with the principles of Care for Plants, Care for Animals, Care for You! at a variety of hands-on stations.
As you might expect, there will be a critter encounter, some fitness stuff to get you moving, upcycled crafts to make, snacks to eat, and more. Weather might move the event to the library’s Covington branch, so watch for updates on social media. Details at EARTH DAY EVENT.
Meanwhile, in a tangentially related event, there’s a tree seedling giveaway Saturday at the UK Cooperative Extension office on Marshall Road in Kenton County.
Two seedlings per Kenton County household, but you must register. Details at TREE GIVEAWAY.
Tonight: The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub … Matt Cowherd at Keystone Bar & Grill … John Ford at Smoke Justis.
Friday: That Pressure Fest at Madison Live (with Seezyn, Midwest Milly, Lamb$, Lantana, Siri Imani, Devin Burgess, Patterns of Chaos, Papa Gora, Fame Yno, Lone SVN, Cheezy Charles, J-Gutz, Phonz Yno, Jus Clay, Reno Chapo, Kush Bros, Blasian & Nue Blanco, DJ Major Leegue, DJ J.Dough, Joe Eid, Khari BTB Deuces II, Dayo Gold, Jaybee Lamahj, The Phonk, 333 Yno, Jacene, DJ Hope, and The Machine) … The Varner & Netherton Trio at Smoke Justis … LA Tones at Pandemonium.
Saturday: Ryan Alfred CD Release Show with Arbor and Matt Wheatley at Madison Live … Chalk Eye at Pandemonium … Chantelle & The Digs at Smoke Justis.
Sunday: Rooftop Sessions at Braxton Brewing Company.
And then there’s … Friday Night Trivia at Keystone Bar & Grill … a Sweet Tea Terrarium Workshop at The Roost Latonia on Friday … Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck Pop-Up at Eishaus/Frosthaus on Saturday … Covington Farmers Market on Saturday … Ukrainian Egg Decorating Workshop at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop on Saturday.
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