News

Bootleggers & vintage styles

COVINGTON, Ky. – The foray into August and the specter of homework might be bringing dread to your children and nieces and nephews as one more weekend approaches and soon disappears into oblivion, but here in The Cov, we’re nothing but excited about the art and music on tap.

There’s also a new musical about a smart, scheming local bootlegger who knew how to throw a really good party.  There’s new bourbon to be poured … the return of pickleball … and a class where you can learn how to handbuild a luminary for that cozy little room in your home (in case you want to spend most of the weekend at home with a good book).

Bluegrass & honky tonk

Steve Bonafel has been making music for decades and even scored a “Bluegrass Song of the Year” in 2016. He’s also been selected for the International Bluegrass Music Association Songwriter Showcase a time or two. Point is he’s a big ol’ deal.

As if his presence alone on the stage at Behringer-Crawford Museum tonight wouldn’t be enough quality entertainment, Ohio’s “Honky Tonk Angel,” Jessie Lyn Fisher, is joining him, and she’s bringing her band.

Don’t miss Steve Bonafel, Jessie Lyn & The TNT Express Return to Music@BCM as they fill the night air in Devou Park with classic country and Bluegrass sounds.

Artists & lawyers

The two are not mutually exclusive. In this case, they pair quite nicely with art featured in a community exhibition in a law office. Friday is the last day to catch Baker Hunt & DBL Law Community Art, which was installed back in May.

The exhibit showcases more than 47 pieces of artwork from Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center artists, instructors, and friends, all on the 1st and 4th floors of DBL’s office on Fourth Street.

A docent will greet you upon arrival and commence with a 30-minute tour that includes a brief history of both organizations, the mission statement about the show, and a guided tour of all the artworks.

Mountain inspiration

Lydia Morrison grew up amid the natural beauty of Eastern Kentucky and has carried it with her into her art.

Inspired by the landscape around her, Morrison creates striking glass on metal jewelry designs by painting powdered glass onto silver and/or copper. On Saturday, at the Lydia Morrison Meet & Greet at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop, you can meet Morrison, see her art, and hear first-hand about how she creates her pieces.

Secondhand styles & live tunes

Sure, you could raid your mom’s, dad’s, aunt’s, and uncle’s closets (or that of anyone you know who never throws anything away) for cool vintage clothing, jewelry, vinyl, and more. But you can increase your chances of striking gold with great secondhand styles if you head to The Standard on Saturday night (plus there’s food and libations).

Vintage shops like Tuff Vintage, 2nd Life Studio, Peach Soul Galleria, Rivertown Vintage, and Mogo Casher Threads are bringing their vintage styles for The Standard’s Vintage Market + Live Music.

The music portion of this event will come courtesy of The Rocket Flys and Tape Eater.

Before there was Gatsby …

It has been somewhat widely suggested (as if it were the gospel, even) that F. Scott FitzGerald’s Jay Gatsby was inspired by this region’s “King of the Bootleggers,” George Remus.

(One might also suggest, maybe even more vehemently, that Remus was NOT the inspiration for casting Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio to portray Gatsby in the respective versions of “The Great Gatsby.” Just sayin’).

History tells us that Remus, not unlike the fictional Gatsby, hosted grand banquets and gave lavish gifts. At one event, he’s said to have given each dinner guest a set of keys to a new car.

Initially, Remus’s line of industry was pharmacy and then law until smuggling caught his eye and padded his wallet. He had politicians in his pocket, the Chicago mob at his every whim, and he himself excelled as a master schemer.

On Saturday, George Remus, A New Musical opens at The Carnegie. What better way to tell the story of this lavish life of crime and indulgence than to sing and dance the narrative across a stage?

Second Sunday in Latonia

The second Sunday of the month means it’s time to stroll, shop, and dine at the Latonia Second Sunday Market.

There’s so much good local food and shopping in this little business district, including – around Ritte’s Corner alone – Local Studio 325 … Angie’s Closet … Curated Design & Décor … Blondie Locks Latonia … Half & Half Antique Store … and Around the Corner Fabrics. The market itself will feature plenty of cool booths and food and drink options in the parking lot between Asylum Tattoo and Half & Half Antique Store.

Live music

Tonight: Magg Dylan with Marsellus Wallace at Madison Live … Music + MadTree at Keystone Bar & Grill … Missy Werner Band at Molly Malones Irish Pub & Restaurant … Open Mic Night with Mara Moon at Pandemonium … Sonny Moorman at Smoke Justis … Chris Lee Acoustic at Mac’s Pizza.

Friday: Ego & Mara Moon live at Pandemonium … The Chuck Brisbin Trio at Smoke Justis.

Saturday: The First Bourne at The Roost Latonia … Tracey Walker Band at Braxton Brewing Company … Life After This with Spearpoint and Form of Aggression at Madison Live … Linus Tate at Smoke Justis … Navy Woods at The Cellar.

Sunday: Rooftop Sessions at Braxton Brewing Company.

Miscellaneous

Tonight: Twelfth Night (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company) Parks & Rec at Devou Park Bandshell. … Pickleball at Gus Sheehan Park in Devou Park.

Friday: Bikes NOT Bans fundraising bike ride at Lil’s Bagels … OKBB Woodford Release Party at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar … Wicked City Cabaret at Pandemonium.

Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at Roebling Point … MainStrasse Village Food TourLocal Artisan Market at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Live Art with Jenna Webster at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Light-Up Ceramic Luminary Class at Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center … American Legion Pig Roast at American Legion Post 203 … A Thought is a River and The Reds exhibits at The Carnegie.

Sunday: Mat Chat at Thrive Empowerment Center.

 

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