COVINGTON, Ky. – Here’s a weekend of new musicals, conversations about art, Shakespeare in the Park, hiking on backcountry trails, a yard sale and swap, loads of live music, and even a circus. Go have some fun in The Cov.
Maybe it all started on cave walls. Images meant to convey messages for all to see … communicating stories, memories, a sense of place … all on “canvases” that ranged from inside pyramids to bas reliefs on buildings to bronze war monuments in a town square.
Whatever the case, public art reflects the place where it’s placed. It attracts, it becomes iconic, and it marks the aesthetic or essence of a city. Here in The Cov we have great artists who create outstanding public art, like Clive the Alien, Book Benches, Shogun Sanders, the Love The Cov sculpture, Everybody’s Bench, and sweeping murals alongside buildings. Each one speaks to an aspect of the city’s aesthetic – quirky, inclusive, embracing its history and its story.
So why not get together and talk about just how cool and important public art is to a place?
Tonight’s Cov Creates’ Summer 2024: Public Art event at Scribble Park is an outdoor summer bash that features a panel of talented local artists coming together for just such a conversation (you’re invited to weigh in, too). They’ll have a food truck, in case you’re hungry, and water to keep you hydrated. Scribble Park is at 14 Pete Rose Pier, and you can get there by turning north on Pete Rose Pier from Third Street and driving one block to the floodwall entrance. (Pete Rose Pier is the continuation of Bakewell Street to the river.)
If you love the Broadway musical RENT, then you’ll love Tick, Tick … Boom!, which opens Friday at The Carnegie.
Tick, Tick … Boom! is the autobiographical musical about Jonahtan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of “Rent.” The show details the sacrifices that Larson made when he entered the world of New York musical theater. (You might have seen the 2021 film version by Lin-Manuel Miranda.)
Just know that you’ll be in for an evening of great entertainment with this piece of musical theater history. The show runs Saturday and Sunday as well.
You know all those really cool photographs of The Cov that we share on the City’s social media pages? Most of those are taken by the uber talented Latonia-based photographer Samuel Greenhill, owner of Broken Lightbulb Photography. We could take up a string of paragraphs singing his praises, but right now we’re going to tell you about an event he’s co-organizing.
Sam and another Cov favorite – The Roost Latonia – are teaming up Saturday for a Free Yard Sale Swap, featuring pre-loved items like clothing and home décor.
Simply drop off beloved (but perhaps sick of looking at) items at Latonia Baptist Church, at 3800 Church St. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., so they can get sorted out. Come back later to see what cool stuff you want from your neighbors.
Get off the couch and into the woods on Saturday at Covington Parks & Rec’s Covington Nature Trekkers (details found on pg. 3 of the Parks & Rec Program Guide at the link) will hike the backcountry trails at Devou Park. Meet up at the parking lot at 452 Deverill St., Ludlow.
The hike will cover 2 to 3 miles, and the duration will vary based on, well, you and your pace.
Bring your insights and community stories to the My Block, My City: Building Community event at Behringer-Crawford Museum on Saturday. It’s a groundbreaking community initiative that brings together residents from neighborhoods across Northern Kentucky and Ohio to uncover and celebrate the essence and unsung stories of their community.
BCM teams up with the American Legacy Theatre and other community partners like Wyoming Fine Arts Center, The Well, Community Matters, Beech Acres Parenting Center, and Community Happens Here for spurring conversations that will ultimately inspire an original American Legacy Theatre production.
Guests who attend the session get a free museum pass and lunch at the museum.
How about a little psychedelic rock to get you moving?
Covington Parks & Rec’s Concert in the Park: Hoodoo Jive happens Saturday at the Devou Park Bandshell, marking the second summer for the Cincinnati-based band.
Hoodoo Jive began with four high school boys with a dream of becoming musicians. Once they got a fifth member, the band was born.
Circus in the Parks at Behringer-Crawford Museum on Sunday is a free performance featuring My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus, in partnership with Cincinnati Parks.
Expect diverse circus performers to dazzle with juggling, diabolo (Chinese Yo-Yo), hooping, wire walking, German gym wheels, and unicycling.
No, we’re not talking about your workplace, your family, or the imaginary drama that you torment yourself with inside your noggin’. We’re talking about grief, ghosts, betrayal, murder, deceit, passion, and an impending war playing out in Elsinore Castle in Denmark. We’re talking about Hamlet and his family, a hot mess trainwreck of a royal clan that you cannot look away from.
Covington Parks & Rec’s Shakespeare in the Park: Hamlet happens Sunday at the Devou Park Bandshell. The show is free and therapeutic: By comparison, the drama should make you feel better about your own family.
Tonight: Music@BCM Presents Jake Speed & The Freddies at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Live at The Village with Noah Wotherspoon Band (TV Show with Audience) at The Village Theater … Organica’s Earthday Celebrations at The Rooftop at Madison Theater.
Friday: The Pinkertones & Green Dayton Tribute to 90s Era Weezer and Green Day at Madison Live … Ricky Nye Inc. at Juniper’s … Cincy Silent Disco: Beach Party at Madison Theater.
Saturday: Lydia Can’t Breathe at Madison Live … The Gimlets at Juniper’s … Island Dreams: Ekstasis 002 at Madison Theater.
Tonight: Thirsty Thursday Bingo at Frosthaus.
Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at 425 Madison Ave. Parking Lot. … MainStrasse Village Food and Culture Tour … Sav Ships & Maxell’s Coffee Brunch Pop-Up at Juniper’s … Floral Fantasia: Acrylic Swipe & Chain Pull at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop.
Sunday: Music Bingo at Frosthaus: TV Soundtracks … Translations/Transitions New Work Exhibit by Benjamin Cook at Pique Gallery.
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