News

Cows, ballerinas & imperial stout

COVINGTON, Ky. – If a holiday event featuring cows isn’t enough to herald the start of the festive season that is upon us, then maybe striking a pose with an alpaca will do the trick.

There’s also plenty of opportunities to make progress on your holiday shopping. (Supply chain woes? What supply chain woes? #shoplocal).

And once you’ve checked a few gifts off your list, treat yourself to some seasonal traditions, like the dark beer extravaganza at Braxton Brewing and The Nutcracker at The Carnegie.

‘Tis the season.

And finally, it’s LITZ

Remember how so many of the plans you had back in 2020 suddenly came to a halt because of the pandemic? Among those was the March 20 concert at Madison Live featuring Maryland-based rock-funk band LITZ.

Good news, though. If you purchased a ticket for the 2020 show that was canceled, it will be honored at tonight’s performance. If you’re unable to attend tonight, refunds are available at point of purchase. More HERE.    

Pandemonium, w/ Mudpies

Sounds like a potentially wild and messy idea, but sure to be a lot of fun, right?

We’re actually referring to the grand opening of Pandemonium on Friday.

What is it? It’s Latonia’s new venue for cocktails, local art, live music, and authentic Hawaiian and Polynesian island-inspired food. The Mudpies are a band that will take the stage at the event, plus you can meet the artists whose work you’ll see on the gallery walls. More HERE.  

Winter wonderland

Buy and give locally this Christmas from the holiday shopping selections you’ll find at Behringer-Crawford Museum’s “Winter Wonderland Bazaar” on Saturday.

Local vendors will have handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by local artisans, including vintage items, ornaments, greeting cards, jewelry, crocheted accessories, fine soaps, and more.

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a special guest while you shop. Details HERE.   

Variants we can love

As holiday traditions go, the first Saturday in December belongs to Braxton Brewing Co.

For the past seven years, this day has been hailed as Dark Charge Day, when Braxton hosts a winter block party to celebrate the release of its Dark Charge Imperial Stout. This year, they say, “it’s bigger, bolder, and better with age,” and we don’t doubt it because most things do seem to get better with age, right?

Dark Charge Imperial Stout will be the main attraction on Saturday but there will be plenty of other Dark Charge variants to imbibe … plus food and music to enjoy. Details HERE.

Sugar plum fairies

Poor young Clara. One minute she’s holding an inanimate decorative wooden soldier that can crack nuts between its jaw, and the next he’s alive and twirling across a stage, then fighting a sword-wielding rat, his life in peril.

It’s a holiday classic that’s enchanted audiences for more than a century. But what exactly is “The Nutcracker’s” charm?

Maybe we’re moved by young Clara’s devotion to the least fanciful gift that Old Drosselmeyer brings for Christmas … or struck by her loyalty to that wooden man with his Pinocchio-like life’s story … or the celebration we feel when her valor is rewarded with an abundance of sweets and hot beverages.

Whatever the case, when it takes the stage it’s pretty special. Lots of fancy costumes, dramatic music, and ballerinas on point.

MJM Studio dancers will perform their rendition of the classic holiday ballet during two shows Saturday at “The Carnegie,” and they’re sure to be enchanting too. Be sure to wear a mask. Details HERE.   

A holiday Daffodil

As in Daffodil the Alpaca.

She’ll be at the Kenton County Public Library on Sunday to pose for holiday pictures that you should 100 percent put on your Christmas card and let friends and family think that you’ve made an addition to your home (and that there may be a sweater in it for them at some point).

Plus, there’s more to do … a Festival of Lights craft to make, Kwanzaa-inspired treats to eat, and reindeer games (yes, unlike Rudolph, you are invited to join in). Keep in mind that you’ll need to register for a photo with Daffodil. Details HERE.   

Merry cows

And now for the cows … painter and sculptor Ken Page will come to roost with his cows on Saturday. Well, that is, come to The Roost Latonia’s Merry Makers event to exhibit and talk about his very cool cow paintings.

Ken’s cows don’t just hang around the barn. They stroll along beaches, peruse art galleries, rest beneath palm trees, and recline in hammocks. They’re udderly darling (couldn’t help it, tried to resist, failed). More HERE.   

Live Music

There’s … Alex Poteet at Smoke Justis on Thursday, HERE … JonJon’s KISSMAS Party featuring bbno$ & E The Profit & DJ Etrayn at Madison Live on Friday, HERE … The Vicarious at Strasse Haus on Friday, HERE … Cat Country 94.1 Presents 2021 Homegrown Concert with Tyler Moore Band, Derek Alan Band, Hoopty, John Morgen Band, and DJ Tater at The Madison Theater on Saturday, HERE … Garrett’s Going Away Party with Bangs, Madqueen, Jimmy Clepper, and Kaitlyn Peace at Madison Live on Saturday, HERE.

 Miscellaneous

And then there’s … the Covington Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, HERE … make your own incense sticks at Local 325 on Saturday, HERE … or, instead, make your own candles, also at Local 325 and also on Saturday, HERE … Bengals game shuttle leaving Molly Malone’s on Sunday, HERE.

###