COVINGTON, Ky. – On tap in The Cov this weekend is detailed woodworking, shantyboats, a bookmobile without wheels, and getting fired up by outdated laws intended to keep women out of the wine-making industry.
So gear up to learn a new trade, check out the timeless influence of one of Kentucky’s finest artists, celebrate victories for women, and show up to do something impactful for a local family.
And, of course, you can also continue to eat fried fish, meet a new beer, put your jammies on and curl up with cats, and hear good live music.
If you’re in MainStrasse Village tonight, stop in for Otto’s 20th Anniversary Party, where owners Emily Wolff and Paul Weckman are celebrating with an open-house cocktail party featuring complimentary bites and bubbles to thank friends, family, and the community for years of support. (There’s a cash bar too).
We’ve watched as their family and business(es) both have grown right here in The Cov, but it all started with Otto’s. So, stop in and lift a glass to 20 more years.
From stained glass windows to copper penny ceilings and wagon wheel millwork moldings to imprinted plaster walls, Covington’s historic buildings are exquisite. But maintaining those features – and restoring them – isn’t for the unskilled.
Here’s your chance to be the person who walks into one of these buildings and announces, “I can recreate that.”
The first step to your next career as a homebuilder/rehabber who specializes in restoring historic buildings begins Saturday with the free Covington Academy of Heritage Trades Information Meeting at the Kenton County Public Library.
The City is looking to train a whole new generation of homebuilders and the Building Industry Association of Norther Kentucky is going to provide the know-how. On Saturday, you’ll hear about two introductory weekends coming up in April, hands-on work in the program, scholarships, and opportunities to meet employers.
Sign up and get answers to the information you seek. This is an in-demand field and that means jobs and dollars for the folks with the skills.
Check. It. Out. (Literally).
Saturday is the Community Collection Kickoff at The Roost Latonia, celebrating the long-known compatibility of bibliophiles and cafephiles. Coffee and books under one roof. (Whether you order a latte and check out Barbara Kingsolver’s newest fiction is entirely up to you).
The Community Collection is the library’s newest – and first – bookshelf to be located at the beloved Latonia coffee house, meaning it’s extending its reach to new audiences and making it easier for residents to stroll in, get a sip, and check out an armload of books.
Expect to enjoy a day of interactive games, events, a celebration of Latonia, good coffee, and plenty of books.
There was a time in history when women were excluded from owning a wine business. That’s because until the 20th century, women in the United States didn’t have the same rights as men to own property and, because of inheritance laws, couldn’t even inherit property unless all the men in the family had died. (Please note the absence of commentary and expletives in this paragraph as it speaks to exemplary self-restraint).
There were small victories in the grape fields. In 1880, Ellen Mary Stewart petitioned the courts in Sonoma County, Calif., to let her own the winery business when her husband passed. Then, in 1940, Isabelle Simi became the first female winemaker in the country, running the family business at 18 after all the males in her family (finally) died of a flu outbreak.
By 1900, every state had passed legislation granting married women the right to keep their own wages and property in their name. Still, women couldn’t get a credit card without their husband’s signature until the 1970s.
Now that you’re good and mad and need a drink, make plans to head to Crafts & Vines on Saturday for Wine Tasting in Celebration of National Women In Wine Day. Just make sure to lift your stemware in praise of the hard-fought battles that women everywhere and in every century have fought. And while you’re at it, vow to be a fighter yourself, because … sister … there are still battles to be won.
On Saturday, there’s an open reception at Behringer-Crawford Museum for Brad Davis: Harlan Hubbard Artist in Residence, who, much like the internationally recognized Hubbard, found inspiration from the Ohio River and its surroundings for his art.
Hubbard was a naturalist, a writer, and an artist who, along with his wife, Anna, loved music, making art, books, and life on a shantyboat in Payne Hollow on the Ohio River. The two would ultimately live off the land for 35 years in a house that Hubbard built of wood and stone.
More than 75 years later, Davis, using two mushroom anchors and 50 feet of rope, set out on the river in a kayak instead of a shantyboat to soak in inspiration of his own. The result is a diverse body of work that will be displayed alongside several Hubbard paintings at the museum, so if you’re not familiar with Hubbard, here’s a chance to immerse yourself in his art and influence.
Here’s a shining example of why so many folks in The Cov are darn fine humans.
Bret Schulte is a talented artist (no doubt you’ve seen some of his murals) known throughout MainStrasse Village for his paintings and his time slinging drinks. Those who know him will tell you he’s one of the kindest and funniest people they know – a friend to everyone – and that he really excels at being a father and husband. He’s also been battling a fast-spreading infection. (Add ‘resilient’ to all those adjectives that describe him because now he’s on the road to recovery).
On Sunday, his many friends and family have organized the Schulte Family Fundraiser Silent Art Auction at the Leapin Lizard Lounge to raise funds to help Bret’s family with the big expenses that come with being in the midst of a family health crisis.
If you go to this event, you can buy outstanding local art, really cool gift baskets donated by local businesses, hear good music, and eat food. (And you’ll be doing something really good for a family that’s been through a lot).
Tonight: Sweet Pill at Madison Live.
Friday: Piss Richards Bash at Madison Live … Black Mountain Throwdown & Harold Mike Sizemore at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.
Saturday: Rebel Sound Club at Strasse Haus.
Sunday: The Biggin Show at Zazou’s.
Thursday: Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie.
Friday: Covington Firefighters Fish Fry at IAFF Local 38 Union Hall … Fish Fry Fridays at Keystone Bar & Grill … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie … Last Call Trivia at Frosthaus … Last Call Trivia at Green Lantern Café.
Saturday: Adult Cat’s Pajamas Party Time at Purrfect Day Cat Café … MainStrasse Village Food Tour … Bracelet Design at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie … The Spur State Fair at Braxton Brewing Company … Glitter Gala with Melissa Gamal at Leapin Lizard Lounge … Holy Cross Boosters Pat Taney Night at the Races at Monsignor Finn Center.
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