COVINGTON, Ky. – Seems like a good weekend to get going on your Halloween decorations, right? Lucky for you there’s a great pumpkin sale happening on Saturday, and anyone who knows anything about Halloween knows it all starts with pumpkins.
There’s also a banned book festival where you can celebrate with an act of rebellion by purchasing an armful of books that someone somewhere – someone who knows not a dang thing about you – insists that you shouldn’t read. By all means, read those books. In fact, curl up and read them this weekend – but after you carve your pumpkins.
He who must not be named, Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Draco, and the whole gang will be on the big screen by the river tonight with NightLight 513 Movie Night: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at Covington Plaza.
It’s the next-to-final show of the summer (scroll down for that one), but it’s near the end, so don’t miss out. As always there will be a pre-movie DJ to set the vibe of the show, food trucks, and a local brew to sip. Bring blankets, pillows, low chairs, whatever allows you to settle in comfortable and enjoy the show.
All good things come to an end, and outdoor movie season is no different.
On Friday, you’re in for a scare with NighLight 513 Movie Night: “Get Out.” Jordan Peele is a dang master of horror – especially the good, sticks-with-you kind of creepiness that you find yourself thinking about long after the credits roll.
And, speaking of Peele and scary stuff, he’s got a new book to add to the Halloween horror you’re seeking. “Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror” is a curation of some of the best horror stories from 19 Black writers, featuring stories by Chesya Burke, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Nalo Hopkinson, N.K. Jemisin, and more.
We know, we digress from the task at hand, which is to inform you about what’s happening this weekend, but. … speaking of books and scary stuff, people wanting to ban books is mightily scary too. Keep scrolling for more on that.
As any true fall aficionado knows, pumpkin selection is critical and can define the entire season for you.
Do you want a rotund, long-stemmed pumpkin? Or do you favor the tall, oval version? Will you demand perfection? Or will you simply turn any flat, dented spot away from view? Will you carve a maniacal or whimsical face into its flesh? Or will you paint, decoupage, or soak in a mix of bleach and water to expand its freshness? Are you a lone pumpkin person, or will you spill a trail of them down your front steps, weaving in colorful fall corn and gourds throughout?
Luckily, there’s an event this weekend where you’ll have a wonderful inventory of pumpkins – and gourds – to choose from.
The Mutter Gottes Annual Pumpkin Sale happens Saturday, at the corner of Craig and West 6th Street, next to the train trestle that marks the border between Mutter Gottes and MainStrasse Village. It’s the perfect opportunity to scour through a sea of orange as well as fancy gourds, squash, and some very cool mini gourds of all shapes and colors.
fREADom Festival at Roebling Point Books & Coffee on Saturday is a festival of banned books and free expression. Attend. Buy books. Especially banned books. And be vigilant about free expression. Vigilance is warranted, otherwise we’ll become the bleak, dystopian future of Ray Bradbury’s imagination.
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom reports that book bans and attempted book bans are likely headed to a record high in 2023. (WT…???). While schools have long been the predominant target, challenges to books have extended to public libraries.
The ALA documented 695 attempts to censor library materials and services, and challenges to 1,915 unique books. That’s a 20% increase over 2022. PEN America, a nonprofit that raises awareness about threats to freedom of expression, found that during the 2022-23 school year, there were 3,362 instances of individual books banned in schools, affecting 1,557 unique titles, and reflecting an increase of 33% compared to the previous school year. Between 2021-22, parent-led groups coordinated book censorship and, in some instances, state legislation is ramping up pressure.
What constitutes a book ban? It’s any action taken against a book based on its content as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened lawmakers or other government officials, that leads to an otherwise accessible book being completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished.
Now that we’ve entirely creeped you out with those numbers, we’re confident that you’ll make your way to Roebling Point Books & Coffee on Saturday, which is really something we should all be doing every Saturday anyway, because it’s simply a wonderful place. Plus, there’s going to be lots of local art, music, readings, book fair merchandise, and more.
The music begins at noon at the Devou Park Band Shell on Saturday and continues through the evening at the Northern Kentucky Music Festival.
It’s the 12th year for this festival, which kicks off with music by Noel Baker, followed throughout the day by Kirtland, Quigley and Powell, Evan Ray, the Jonny Estep Band, Dangerous Jim and the Slims, and ending with Luther Ray and the Flood. Admission is free, food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Tonight: The Chuck Brisbin Trio at Smoke Justis … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.
Friday: Bazhooley’s “The Joy Comeback Show” with Crimson Blue and Happy Tuesday at Madison Live … Leroy Ellington at Smoke Justis.
Saturday: Chelcie Lynn 2 Fingers & a 12 Pack Tour at Madison Theater … Marc & Doug at Smoke Justis.
Sunday: Kyla’s Debut at Paddy’s on Main.
Tonight: Cuentame un cuento!/Spanish Storytime at Kenton County Public Library.
Friday: Fall and Halloween Table Top Confetti at Kenton County Public Library … Devou Night Rides at Devou Park … Feud Fridays at Frosthaus.
Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at 3rd & Court Streets … MainStrasse Village Food Tour … Saturday Storytime at Kenton County Public Library … Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck Pop-Up at Pike St. Diner … Live Art with Steve Nassano at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Covington Parks & Recreation’s Urban Hike meet at City Hall.
Sunday: Adopt a Pet Monster at Kenton County Public Library.
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