COVINGTON, Ky. – It's about to get cold. Really cold.
So at first blush we’re inclined to suggest you spend the weekend cutting firewood, stuffing more insulation in the walls, and darning those old wool socks before pouring some bourbon or Covington-brewed beer and curling up with a book.
But that would be a disservice to you AND to our businesses in The Cov, because there’s some fun, creative stuff going on this weekend.
First, however, a public service announcement: Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday marking the birthday of the civil rights leader who preached non-violent but active resistance to racial discrimination and bigotry. See below for details about a low-key but poignant breakfast discussion on Saturday that has become a thoughtful annual event, but even if you don’t attend, Monday would be a great day to take 30 minutes, call up one of Dr. King’s speeches or essays on the internet, read it, and reflect.
Now for the fun, creative stuff …
Many people think that seeing a cardinal in the midst of winter is magic at play. For sure, that bold red perched in a tree’s gray canopy catches your eye and stills you. In that moment, it seems to exist solely for your viewing.
Whether cardinals are actually signs from loved ones who’ve passed or harbingers of good fortune or just nature’s accident, we can’t say, but we’re sure grateful for that magnificent hue in the dead of winter, and to see one is a treat.
Tonight, artist Susanna Bard leads a class of watercolor magic during the Cardinal Watercolor Class at The Roost Latonia, where she’ll walk you through painting a cardinal of your own, so you can keep one around all winter long. As always, there will be nibbles and craft drinks.
Now that you’ve painted a cardinal, why not make it a full-scale weekend of creating art? To do so, just head back over to The Roost Latonia on Friday for its Barn Square Workshop.
A bit of history on barn art: While barn square quilts have been displayed for centuries, the contemporary barn quilt began with Donna Sue Groves, an Ohio native, who painted the first such quilt in 2001 as a tribute to her mother’s passion for quilting. Donna decided that the family’s tobacco barn was the perfect canvas, so to speak. Before she knew it, folks all over Adams County, Ohio, were painting and mounting quilt patterns on their barns and other buildings.
Here's your chance to honor loved ones with a beautiful piece of folk art by crafting a 20x20 barn square to take home with you. Fee includes all necessary supplies, snacks, and a drink from The Roost’s craft bar.
Nathan Klare is a local artist whose skill with a crayons, colored pencils, and markers will make you want to forgo the computer keyboard and buy yourself a brand-new Crayola 64-count box with a sharpener.
Live Art with Nathan Klare at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop happens Saturday, where you can watch his magic in action when he brings to life his latest creation, a ruby-throated hummingbird. He’ll also have plenty of his amazing artwork available for purchase.
The amount of violence, hatred, anger, and disunity eroding this nation is unsettling and discouraging. Amid that backdrop comes the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Discussion Breakfast on Saturday at Church of Our Savior at 246 E. 10th St.
Free and open to the public, the event will serve up both breakfast and a panel discussion titled "The White Washing of Black History."
It starts at 9:30 a.m.
Cocoa, pajamas, and kittens? Sign us up.
The Cat’s Pajamas & Hot Cocoa Pawty for All Ages at Purrfect Day Cat Café on Sunday is just the thing to counter this cold, wet, gray week we’ve endured. Besides, there’s not a creature on the planet that conveys “enough of this dreariness” (or “enough” of whatever annoys them) like a cat, and sometimes we all need to adopt that attitude and just get on with some fun.
So pull on your toastiest flannel pajamas, whip up a perfect winter sip from the hot cocoa bar, and cuddle up with cats, for crying out loud. (There’s a similar party just for adults on Saturday. Scroll down for details.)
Tonight: The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … Sonny Moorman at Smoke Justis … Jeanne Phillips at Juniper’s.
Friday: September Mourning at Madison Live … Acoustic by Briz at Smoke Justis … Evan Gidley Trio at Juniper’s … Kyle Knapp at The Standard.
Saturday: Louisville Loves Emo at Madison Live … The Victims of Love Eagles Tribute Band at Kenton County Public Library … Acoustic Blue Trio at Smoke Justis … Queen City Krewe at Juniper’s.
Friday: Coffee and Conversations at Kenton County Public Library … Holly Jolly Days at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Zodiac Button Making: Capricorn at Kenton County Public Library … Exhibition X at The Carnegie … Yoga Nidra at Thrive Empowerment Center … Feud Fridays at Frosthaus.
Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at Braxton Brewing Co. … MainStrasse Village Food Tour. … 70s and Covington’s 50th Anniversary Bookmarks at Kenton County Public Library … Vintage Poster Printing at Kenton County Public Library … Holly Jolly Days at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Exhibition X at The Carnegie … Drink Wine and Cozy Paint at KungFood Amerasia … ADULT Cat’s Pajamas & Hot Cocoa Pawty at Purrfect Day Cat Café.
Sunday: Mat Chat at Thrive Empowerment Center … Holly Jolly Days at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Cool Critters! At Kenton County Public Library … Kitty Yoga with Damon at Purrfect Day Cat Café.
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