COVINGTON, Ky. – This weekend there’s belly dancing, bourbon judging, plogging, poignant art, and plenty of fine music in The Cov.
Also, now we’re (finally) into March, which is Women’s History Month. So, if you happen to partake in the bourbon- or gin-drinking opportunities this weekend, maybe you’ll be inclined to take a moment to lift your glass in remembrance of the suffragettes who marched in Washington D.C. on this date in 1913. Many of the 5,000 were spat upon or struck in the face, and riots ensued.
Or dig deeper into history to give a nod of remembrance to the women of the Salem Witch Trials that began with the March 1,1692, interrogation of innocent women. We all know how that played out.
Spat on, smacked, and scorched. Don’t forget that.
Here in The Cov, Lulu Northcutt made headlines on March 6, 1929, by doing what lawyers generally do – she filed an action in court. (There’s a conference room in the City’s Legal Department at City Hall that bears her name). Lift a toast to her too.
Scroll down, make a plan, and get out there and enjoy the weekend.
In celebration of esteemed Covingtonian John G. Carlisle and his role in shaping the Bottled in Bond Act in 1897, Smoke Justis – in partnership with meetNKY and the B-Line® -- is hosting its annual (last year was the inaugural), John G. Carlisle Bottled in Bond Competition & Celebration on Friday.
A history refresher (cuz we’re all about educating while we’re entertaining): the Bottled in Bond Act was one of the very first consumer protection acts in American history, and Carlisle played a big role in making sure it passed. In fact, it was ahead of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 by darn near a decade. (Priorities.) So, yep, here in The Cov we’ve historically led the way in setting high standards for libations.
Act fast and get your ticket to this event, so you can sip and savor three blind pours that showcase the finest bottled-in-brand variations from across the nation … and then weigh in on which one earns the esteemed 2023 John G. Carlisle Award.
And, as any bourbon aficionado (i.e. “Kentuckian”) knows, tasting and passing judgment on a bourbon is a process: First, observe the bourbon’s color. … Then, with the nose over the glass and lips barely parted, breathe in. … Next, sip, then chew, to get the most flavors. (Yes, we wrote “chew.” To chew bourbon implies that you permit the sip to cover your palate, embracing the complex flavors and where and how they land throughout your mouth. It’s a thing.)
International belly dance instructor and performer Safiya Nawaar returns to The Cov for Twinkle Workshops with Live Music from Fadi El Saadi at Leapin Lizard Lounge on Saturday to show you how to emote and move like a pro.
If you’re clueless about stagecraft and emoting and want to learn how to internalize your belly dancing movements and create beautiful lines through posture and arms, you’ll be in the know after Nawaar’s class.
Stick around, or come later, for Sensual Veils with Safiya. (That’s gotta be a great prop for emoting and internalizing, right?) Nawaar will show you how to treat that veil like your dance partner, rather than a prop, so plan to bring a silk veil. (Sure, chiffon will work, but isn’t that a bit like settling for the best pal of the person you really wanted to take to the dance?)
Nawaar, who’s a classically trained dancer and owner of Arabesque World Dance in Lexington, will work on your “slinky and elegant traveling steps, wrapping and unwrapping of the veil … to create a sensual and dynamic experience …” (How can you possibly pass this up?).
Sometimes you have to come up with a cool, quirky word to set a trend in motion. Hence, the Swedes were on to something when they married the words “plokka upp” and “jogga,” because now people all over the globe are “plogging,” or picking up trash as they go about their daily jog or walk … and it’s proving to be a big beautification boon for communities.
This weekend, in eight cities across the Bluegrass, ploggers are on the run and cleaning up their communities, including here in The Cov on Saturday. Plogging Across the Bluegrass is organized locally by the non-profit Keep Covington Beautiful and the City’s Solid Waste & Recycling Division.
It starts at Braxton Brewing Co. and you’ll get a t-shirt and supplies. … Plus, if you’re a really skilled runner and trash picker-upper, you just might be in the running (pun intended) for a cash prize.
On Saturday, The Black Balloon Project Art Exhibit at the Life Learning Center will highlight the devastating truth about the opioid epidemic that continues to impact the region, as seen through the lens of an artist who understands the subject all too well.
The event will feature the photography of Gabi Deaton, who has been in recovery for 12 years. Today she has a degree in social work and works to help others. Deaton uses her lens to capture a glimpse of the lives of those affected by the opioid epidemic – the families and the friends left behind – and to recognize those who lost their lives to substance overdoses.
If you’re looking to be informed, moved, and afforded an opportunity to contribute to an important effort, this is the event to attend this weekend.
Remember when “giggle water” was slang (or code) for intoxicating libations? Well, of course you don’t because that was back in the 1920s.
Back then, of course, what with Prohibition and all, folks had to be creative when talking about alcohol, so “giggle water” was in reference to the giddiness and merriment that alcohol was known to cause in those who chose to imbibe.
You know what else spurs merriment? Burlesque, which to date is not outlawed in Kentucky. Well, not yet anyway.
Expect merriment and giddiness galore on Saturday when Ginger LeSnapps, Sweett Biscuit, Mynx West, Jawn Doe, and Alexander Cameron bring their magnificence to Juniper’s, a new gin (thank you juniper berry) and tapas bar, for Cin City Burlesque presents Giggle Water, a burlesque revue.
Not familiar with Cin City Burlesque? This award-winning classical and neo-burlesque dance troupe is made up of dancers trained in everything from jazz to tap, ballet, and Latin, who know how to present it all with equal portions of class and sass.
Tonight: Awake at Last at Madison Live … Live Music with Kyle Hackett at Keystone Bar & Grill … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.
Friday: The Native Brand Presents: Community Collective Arts and Fashion Show with Deuces and Yomn at Madison Live.
Saturday: Claire Lefton at The Globe … Plazmatic and Charlie Brown Superstar at Madison Live … The Pickin’ Pear at Bard’s Burgers & Chili.
Tonight: Beechwood High School production of “Into the Woods” at The Carnegie.
Friday: Braxton’s Ignitor Tapping at Braxton Brewing Company … Fish Fry Fridays at Keystone Bar & Grill … Fish Fry at Covington Professional Firefighters Local 38.
Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at Braxton Brewing Company … MainStrasse Village Food Tour … Pysanka Egg Painting Class at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop.
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