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Minions, chlorine & hoodoo

COVINGTON, Ky. – Covington’s pools open Saturday, so many of you will be spending much of your weekend poolside, reading a book (we have recommendations, just email us) and telling your kids (and probably others too) to “stop that dang splashing!”

But weekends in The Cov are so much more: Like music, a movie, and yoga outdoors, and plenty of music and such indoors.

Scroll down, see what suits you.

Funky firestorm of soul

Ah, how we’ve missed you, Music@BCM.

Tonight, master showman and Cincinnati-based sax man Leroy Ellington kicks off the 2023 Music@BCM summer concert series at Behringer-Crawford Museum with a “funky firestorm of soul.”

Music@BCM: Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts will deliver a blend of blues, rock, and soulful R&B from the BCM amphitheater that’s sure to lure you from your seat and to your feet, but bring your folding lawn chairs and blankets anyway.

If weather takes a turn, they’ll take these soulful sounds inside.

Gru on the outdoor screen

Just as we’re elated to see the return of Music@BCM, kiddos in The Cov are likely that unique-kid-brand of screamin’-n-dancin’ happy that Covington Parks & Recreation’s Movie Night series is back.

Movie Night returns Friday, and the summer season kicks off with a big-screen showing of “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” at the David Housley Pavilion.

Watch as a young Gru attempts to put himself at the helm of a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader, Wild Knuckles. Suffice it to say, things don’t go as young Gru planned, and now the Vicious 6 are hot on the heels of him and all the minions. In the end, universal truths and lessons will be learned, your kids will be entertained, and you get some quality family time beneath the stars.

(Siskel & Ebert were always jealous of our reviews.)

Be sure to get there early so you can enjoy yard games. At dusk, the popcorn is passed and the movie commences.

Happy 100, Devou

Celebrating centennial birthdays this year are: Henry Kissinger, the Hollywood sign, the Walt Disney Co., the Three-Position Traffic Signal (Huh? Only “stop” and “go” lights before 1923? No yellow caution lights to speed up and race through?), the self-winding wristwatch, the bulldozer, the instant camera, and cotton swabs. Oh, and movies like “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Safety Last!” and “The Ten Commandments.”

1923 was apparently a heckuva year, because also celebrating 100 years this very month is Covington’s own Devou Golf & Event Center. On Saturday, they’re celebrating the golf course’s birthday in a big way, with the Devou Centennial Party.

There’s going to be a Centennial Scramble, a tasty lunch, cornhole, live music, a “split-the-pit” raffle, and a good time for the whole dang family.

The fairy portal opens

The Wee Folk Festival 2023 happens Saturday in MainStrasse Village for an afternoon of fun, magic, and plenty of activities.

The fairies will show up at the 6th St. Promenade at 1 p.m., and everyone is welcome to join. It would make the fairies particularly happy if you would dress up in costume.

A little Hoodoo goes a long way

If you’re a Deadhead, then you’re going to want to put on your tie-dyed shirt and bright, flashy-patterned pants on Saturday, because there’s a FREE concert you’re going to want to catch.

With a “fresh and interesting sound” that explores “uncharted sonic landscapes” with no idea of what they might discover Hoodoo Jive brings their psychedelic sound to the Devou Park Bandshell on Saturday, thanks to the good folks at Covington Parks & Rec.

Hoodoo Jive is a five-piece, Cincinnati-based psychedelic rock band that’s made up of two sets of brothers and a lead guitarist who is not a brother but plays really cool sound. They’re committed to keep the Grateful Dead tunes going, plus you’ll get to hear some of their own stuff, because they like to play their own original jams too.

Latte & a lotta authors

On Sunday, The Roost Latonia Hosts Summer Book Fair presents the magical pairing of books and coffee. And authors. A whole lot of local authors.

Nine, count ‘em, nine authors will gather at this fine coffee establishment to talk about and sign their books, with genres ranging from romance, sports, true crime, cooking, local interest/travel, history, to mystery. (You might nab an 11th-hour Father’s Day gift.)

You’ll get to meet true crime writer Jane Simon Ammeson, children’s book author Mary Barry, career newsman and Chilidog Press owner/publisher Peter Bronson, wine writer P. Faye Collins, bestselling romance novelists Jessica Lemmon and Shannon Richard, travel writer Kathy Witt, sportswriter Bill Koch, and novelist Annette Lackner.

Put in your latte order in, browse the books, ask the authors what inspires them and what they’re writing next, and buy some books.

Live Music

Tonight: Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts at Behringer-Crawford Museum … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Friday: Greg Chako at Juniper’s … Coleman Lane at Madison Live … 57 Fury with Dead Man String Band and Marsellus Wallace at The Rooftop at Madison Theater … Highway Avenue at Cock & Bull Public House … Briz at Smoke Justis.

Saturday: Jim Hart Trio at Juniper’s … Special Rooftop Guest DJ: Nat Jones at Braxton Brewing Company … Chest Fever: The Official Revival of The Band Touring ‘Music from Big Pink’ at Madison Live … Rob49 Presented by The Movement at Madison Theater … Velvet Soul at Smoke Justis … Melodk Eye with Serene Suite and Kyle Knapp at Wunderbar.

Sunday: Billy Brown at Zazou Grill & Pub … Tiffany with Jessica Dimon and Friends at Dee Felice Café. 

Miscellaneous

Tonight: Covington Adventure’s Guild at Kenton County Public Library … Cuentame un cuento!/Spanish Storytime at Kenton County Public Library … Sonny Moorman at Smoke Justis. … Thirsty Thursday Bingo Night at Frosthaus.

Friday: Baker-Hunt Morning and Afternoon Art Show at DBL Law … Yoga Nidra at Thrive Empowerment Center … Devou Night Rides at Devou Park.

Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at 3rd & Court Streets … Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop, Local Artisan Market at Scott & 8th Streets … MainStrasse Village Food Tour  … Self-Defense Class at Kenton County Public Library … Bark and Beauty Meet & Greet at John R. Green Lofts …  Intro to Hand Spinning Wool at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop.

Sunday:  Urban Hiking at Licking River Greenway Trail, beginning at Randolph Park Trailhead at 10 a.m. … Yoga at Linden Grove at Historic Linden Grove Cemetery & Arboretum … Yoga with Damon & Cats at Purrfect Day Cat Café.

 

 

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