COVINGTON, Ky. – Friday the 13th and a spectacular solar eclipse on Saturday would seem enough for one weekend, but we don’t do “adequate” in The Cov.

This week offers up art workshops, trail tidying, early Halloween fun, a musical, an awards ceremony, and a wine festival (and that’s not all), so no sitting home bemoaning that you’re bored. Get out there and have a good time.

Dabbling in Disney-inspired art

Sure, you might have an affinity for Elsa, Ariel, Raya, Mulan, Moana, Merida, Belle, Jasmine, and other Disney characters, but can you paint them? Mr. Chad says you can, and his Disney-Inspired All-Ages Paint Night at Creative House of Art & Design tonight promises a creative endeavor that artists of any age can keep up with.

There’s a fee that covers all materials, pizza, snacks, soft drinks for the kids, and your first grownup drink.

A little Friday the 13th fun

We’re not talking about a hockey-masked killer running around with a bloody machete slicing his way through a bunch of campers. What we’re talking about is good old-fashioned Halloween-themed fun that happens to take place on Friday.

The Kenton County Public Library’s Halloween Bash! will have plenty of old-fashioned Halloween family fun by way of games, prizes, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, music, and more.

For the teens in the family who are completely fine with a seasonal scare (just not too scary), there’s a Halloween Movie Night featuring Beetlejuice, Halloween-themed snacks, and classic scary tunes to encourage equally scary dance moves the same evening. Costumes not required for movie night, but ‘tis the season, so why not?

Don’t stare at the sun!

But by all means get yourself to Austinburg Park on Saturday afternoon for Covington Parks & Recreation’s Solar Eclipse Viewing Event.

Viewing glasses will be provided to make sure you don’t scorch your pupils.

This one’s the “Ring of Fire” eclipse because the moon creates a halo effect as it slips in front of the sun but doesn’t fully obscure it. This celestial phenomenon won’t happen for another two decades – so if you’re real old don’t miss it.

And, if you dig the “woo-woo” way of thinking, you likely know that eclipses signify beginnings and endings. This one kicks off a new lunar cycle, so take a step back from any and all associations that drain the living daylights out of you and think about how you might be better off with something more fulfilling.

Rain or shine, there will be wine

Crafts & Vines presents the 3rd Annual Village Winefest at George Steinford Park (the 6th Street Promenade) on Saturday, serving up a mix of more than 60 domestic and international wines to the village for your tasting pleasure. Lots of local business vendors will be on hand too.

Presale tickets are available through Friday morning, or you can purchase your ticket the day of the event. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass, a program listing participating wineries and samples being poured, and a bottled water. Because safety matters, you can also purchase a “designated driver” ticket for $10. Wine will be poured rain or shine.

Simply marvelous

Or, as the case may be, Perfectly Marvelous with Two Sketchy Dames.

On Saturday, the Queen City Cabaret and The Carnegie team up to celebrate women in comedy with a night of music from the soundtrack of the hit show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Performers will swing and sing their way through the ’50s and ’60s with hits by Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, and more. If you’re looking for raucous laughter, don’t miss this show.

Healing stones

Stressed and anxious lately? Plagued by blistering headaches? Sluggish digestion? Maybe feeling stuck? Odds are there’s a crystal for that.

If you’d like to know more about the health and healing properties of sparkly stones, you’re in luck. Kate Mantello, master energy healer, author, and founder of Evolve Healing Institute is coming to The Cov on Sunday to enlighten and inform.

The “Rock On” Book Signing and Q&A with Kate Mantello happens at Alchemy Aesthetics, where the author will talk about the crystal-healing handbook she’s written for spiritual rebels. Having delivered online crystal-healing courses to more than 20,000 students and trained over 1,000 certified crystal healing practitioners around the world, odds are good that Mantello can answer any question you may have about which stones you need to help ease your suffering.

Tidy trails

Throughout the year, days are designated to maintain and improve the trails at Devou Park. This Sunday is one of those days.

Participating in Devou Trail Improvement Days requires no experience, as lead trail stewards will be on hand to guide and train. Just show up with good hiking shoes, water, gloves, and a willingness to spend a few hours to help keep those beautiful trails in top shape so we can all continue to enjoy them. Tools will be provided.

Pride awards

The NKY Pride Community Awards event at The Carnegie on Sunday recognizes Northern Kentuckians who have demonstrated a commitment to positive change and who have made an impact on LGBTQA+ lives in Northern Kentucky.

There’s a whole range of categories. And doesn’t it make you feel good to know that there are so many people and community sectors that are doing good that they warrant recognition? For instance, there will be awards for best youth activist, faith-based organization, artist, ally, education leader, inclusive business or workplace, community activist, and a Champion of LGBTQA+ Fairness Award.

Live music

Tonight: Acoustic Happy Hour with Ricky Nye at Juniper’s … Sonny Moorman at Smoke Justis … The Molly Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Friday: Acoustic by Briz at Smoke Justis … The Church – Hypnogogue World Tour at Madison Theater … Estrada Do Sol at Juniper’s.

Saturday: Sami Riggs with Dan Van Vechten at Wunderbar … Linus Tate at Smoke Justis … Moon Hooch & Doom Flamingo at Madison Theater … Ax and The Hatchetmen with Pretty Jane & The Magazines at Madison Live.

Miscellaneous

Tonight: Purr, Paint, Sip with Kitties at Purrfect Day Cat Café. … The ION Center Toast for Hope at North by Hotel Covington. 

Friday: Devou Night Rides at Devou Park … Spooky Halloween Cake-Pops Baking Class at Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center … Feud Fridays at Frosthaus.

Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at 3rd & Court Streets. … MainStrasse Village Food Tour. … Fall and Halloween Table Top Confetti at Kenton County Public Library … Boot Bracelet Creations at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck Pop-Up at MainStrasse Promenade … Essence of Autumn Card Making Class at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop …  Give Back Cincinnati’s Halloween Ghost Tour starting at 129 E. 2nd St. … OKBBQ Release Party and Pig Roast at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar.

Sunday: Kitten Yoga with Damon at Purrfect Day Cat Café.

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