A fashionista, River Sweep & alchemy > City of Covington, KY

COVINGTON, Ky. – Some weekends just have a whole bunch of good stuff going on and this is one of those weekends.

Art, community projects, music, cocktails, poetry, a roller derby, and a whole lot more.

We won't hold you up here with a bunch of verbiage about how great it all is, so scroll down, let the good and worthy events speak for themselves, and start making plans.

An exhibit (and fist pump) for Fay

Working from her home into the late hours of the night, Covington native Fay Applegarth Maddux was a fashionista who pursued her art, despite the demands of motherhood, home management, and a cultural environment of women not earning their own wages.

People took notice of Maddux's talent and you can too at The Art of Fashion: Fay Applegarth Maddux at Behringer-Crawford Museum tonight (and every day but Monday now through August 20).

Maddux's elaborate fashion drawings of dresses, coats, hats, and other haute couture were used for Reeds of Hyde Park, McAlpin's, Mabley & Carew, Pogue's, Shillito's, Tall Fashions, Macperth Sportswear, and more. With a keen eye and a talent for storytelling, her work had a special quality that engaged the viewer and made her a favorite of advertisers.

River Sweep

You never know what you’ll find along the banks of the Ohio River, but on Saturday you can see what you come up with when you volunteer to clean trash from its banks as part of the Covington "leg" of the national River Sweep 2023 activities.

What range of debris are we talking about? Certainly if it floats it, it can wind up on the riverbank. But expect surprises. Past years have seen a wheelchair tire, baby dolls, a shopping cart, a basketball rim, and a Big Wheel. (That last one might likely hurled into the water by an exhausted parent.)

The thing is, whatever isn't picked up will soon wash into the river, and keeping it clean is the ultimate goal. So, set out in some shoes and clothes that you don't care to get muddy, (you’ll be provided with gloves, litter grabbers, and trash bags), expect sore muscles, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe a few surprises along the banks of that might river.

Real hits and finesse on wheels

Fast-paced full contact and a whole lot of action is happening around the track on Saturday when the Black-n-Bluegrass rollers take on Louisville Roller Derby for the Black-n-Bluegrass Derby BOUT at Hits Indoor Baseball and Sportsplex.

New to the sport? Here's a bit of vocab: The name for roller derby games is "bout," and they’re played out with body-to-body contact between players. Jammers score points by passing blockers, who are there to try to stop them. Blockers are also tasked with helping their team's jammer get through (so it's offense one minute, defense the next – a blocker's job is never done.)

Is it rough? Let's just say the hits and falls are 100 percent real. Nothing staged here.

Know about the Band of Helping Hands?

Over on Decoursey Avenue, The Bank of Helping Hands does a lot of good work to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Northern Kentucky. So, if you’re not familiar with them and the work they do, here's your chance.

The Band of Helping Hands Open House is on Saturday. There will be free food, live music, drinks available for cash, and an opportunity for you to learn about their work, and maybe donate to support some fine programs.

It's no small task to provide support, encouragement, and experiences for children and young adults around the arts, education, athletics, and persona growth. In instances of special needs, challenging home situations, medical complications, and financial constraints, The Band of Helping Hands is there to help too. They partner with organizations like Cincinnati Children's Hospital and local schools, and their Our Change in Motion program provides vehicles for young adults who are thriving and braking the cycle of poverty, addiction, and other life challenges.

We could go on and on, but you should really stop in and hear for yourself.

Tidy up the trails

Well-maintained and constructed trails don't just happen by themselves, they rely on thoughtful volunteers like you who doesn't mind taking some time on a Sunday morning help get the work done.

Devou Trail Day is this Sunday, meeting up at the gravel lot trailhead off Sleepy Hollow Road in Ludlow.

Bring gloves, water, and safety glasses, and a pair of boots wouldn't be a bad idea.

The alchemy of cocktails, art & music

Cocktail lovers, art enthusiasts, and music fans from the region unite on Sunday at Smoke Justis for the Cincinnati Alchemy Fest.

Watch, and sip, as 15 local bartenders compete for the top three cash prizes and bragging rights. You’ll have a hand in voting who makes it to the final round because your event ticket gets you samplings of batch cocktails

There will also be a room full of creatives and artists for you to peruse and support, a DJ, and live music. You’ll need a ticket, so don't dally.

Live Music

Tonight: Live Music with Allison Bishop at Keystone Bar & Grill. … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone's Irish Pub & Restaurant. … The Chuck Brisbin Trio at Smoke Justis.

Friday: Friday Night Jam Session Draft Release with St. Cloud at Braxton Brewing Company. … Otep with September Mourning and Critical Kahos at Madison Theater. … The Quasi Kings with Rockstead and Soul Criminal at Madison Live. … Leroy Ellington at Smoke Justis. … Greg Chako at Juniper's.

Saturday: Music of Hector Murietta at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. … Dopapod with The Talisman at Madison Theater. … Kore Rozzik with Russell Jinkins Band, Automatic Evolution, and Euklid at Madison Live. … Kenny Cowden at Smoke Justis. … The Laurelys at Pandemonium. … It's Yada Yada Yadas Time at Strasse Haus. … Grey Dogs at Molly Malone's Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Miscellaneous

Tonight: Your First Hire: Panel Discussion/Networking Happy Hour at The Roost Latonia. … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie. … Josh Sneed's Benefit Show for NKY Youth Baseball at Madison Theater. … DIY Beeswax Food Wrap at Kenton County Public Library.

Friday: Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie. … Accomplices Not Allies: Best Practices for Supporting NKY's LGBTQA+ Community at NKY Pride Center. … Purr, Paint, Sip with Kitties at Purrfect Day Cat Café.

Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at 3rd & Court Streets. … MainStrasse Village Food Tour. … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie. … The Big Covington Playdate at Kenton County Public Library. … Scarlet Begonia's Flower Truck Saturday Pop-Up at Trinity Community Market. … Poetry Reading & Book Signing with Local Author Amba Elieff at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. … Satur-Day Drinking DJ Brunches at Keystone Bar & Grill. … The Globe Covington Bourbon Tasting at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. … FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus at Keystone Bar & Grill. … Cin City Burlesque Presents Giggle Water at Juniper's. … Cat Karaoke at Purrfect Day Cat Café. … Night Sky Watercolor Class with Tara Pugh at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop. … Cowboy Western Dance Party at Bar 32.

Sunday: Kumite VI at Madison Theater. … Grab & Go: Memorial Day Headbands at Kenton County Public Library. … Yoga at Linden Grove at Historic Linden Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. … soHza sister circle's: Women Helping Women at soHza Sister Fairtrade Boutique. Yoga with Damon & Cats at Purrfect Day Cat Café.

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