Welcome back to The To-Do List, where Daily Memphian staffers suggest their favorite events and activities for the coming week.

This week, Memphis Current says farewell, Mollie Fontaine pops up for a night and we’ve got your guide to New Year’s Eve parties.

Kwanzaa Cxffee Screening and Tasting at Anti-Gentrification Cxffee Club, Thursday-Friday: 

Anti-Gentrification Coffee Club owner Bartholomew Jones will host a Kwanzaa film screening and coffee tasting Thursday-Friday, Dec. 28-29. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Cxffeeblack will host a coffee tasting, screening and roundtable discussion during Kwanzaa at their cafe/headquarters. The Peabody-Award winning docu-series “High on the Hog” focuses on Black cuisine’s contribution to the U.S., and Cxffeeblack will show season two’s four episodes over two nights. 4-6:30 p.m. both nights. Free. 761 National St. Click here to register. — Holly Whitfield

‘The Illusionists: Magic Of The Holidays’ at the Orpheum Theatre, Thursday-Friday:

“The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays” will run at the Orpheum Theatre Thursday-Friday, Dec. 28-29. (Courtesy Orpheum Theatre)

Back in the day, we would have just called this a magic show. But the traveling “The Illusionists: Magic Of The Holidays” performance features a lot more than penny-behind-your-ear magic. The five to eight illusionists featured in this show will perform close-up magic, daring escapes and mentalism (that’s magic for the mind and imagination). 7:30 p.m. both nights. $35-$90. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips

Ladies Night featuring DJ Alpha Whiskey and Nya Sanders at Eight & Sand, Thursday; DJ Nico at Eight & Sand, Friday:

DJ Nico

For two nights in a row, Central Station is giving you the chance to dance to songs played by Memphis’ finest female DJs. On Thursday, the hotel’s bar, Eight & Sand, hosts DJ Alpha Whiskey’s weekly Ladies Night. Her name comes from her history as an air traffic controller. DJ Alpha Whiskey will be featured alongside DJ Nya Sanders. (DJ Alpha Whiskey will also spin at another hotel bar — Curfew at Canopy — on Friday from 6-10 p.m.) Also, on Friday, Eight & Sand will be filled with the DJ sounds of Nicolette Hatchett. Hatchett is known as Nico the Goddess or DJ Nico. Fun fact: Hatchett is classically trained in voila and voice and creates R&B music. 8-11 p.m. on Thursday; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday. Free admission both nights. 545 S. Main St. — Elle Perry

AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Friday:

High school marching bands made their way down Beale Street during the 2022 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade on Dec. 27, 2022. This year’s parade will be on Thursday, Dec. 28. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

The 65th annual Liberty Bowl will be extra special because this one offers the Memphis Tigers a chance at revenge. This year, the Tigers will take on the Iowa State Cyclones on their home turf at Liberty Stadium. The last time the Tigers played in the Bowl was in 2017 against, you guessed it, the Cyclones. The Cyclones won that match, and the Tigers will get another go at them on Friday at 2:30 p.m But there’s plenty more happening in the lead-up, including the Liberty Bowl parade on Beale Street on Thursday at 2 p.m. (followed by the Bash on Beale Pep Rally at Handy Park at 3:30 p.m.), the President’s Gala with The Bar-Kays at The Peabody Memphis on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and the pre-game buffet on Friday at the Pipkin and Creative Arts Buildings on Friday at 11 a.m. Click here for more info and tickets. — Phillips

DJ AD pop-up at Mollie Fontaine Lounge, Friday:

If you miss hanging out at the Victorian mansion-turned-bar/lounge, here’s another pop-up to relive your memories and create some new ones. DJ AD is back to keep you dancing all night. Food and drink will be available for purchase. 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. Free admission. 679 Adams Ave. — Perry

Memphis Punk Rock Flea Market at Hi-Tone, Friday:

The Hi-Tone hosts a punk rock flea market on Friday, Dec. 29. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

This event combines vendors, food and performers (the bands are to be announced.) Vendors on hand will have goods including clothing, vinyl records, art and jewelry. There will be food and drink specials for the evening. The fun takes place in the venue’s larger room, upstairs. 5 p.m.-midnight. Free admission. Click here for more information. 282-284 N. Cleveland St. — Perry

Economy New Year’s Eve — The Thrift Shop Rave Experience at Hi-Tone, Saturday:

Held the day before actual New Year’s Eve, this event is all about spending less to bring in the new year. Attendees are invited to dress in their “wildest” thrift store (or borrowed) outfits and to come ready to dance. The Hi-Tone’s downstairs space will be outfitted in lights, lasers, club sound and projected visuals. DJs Trblkid, Delyrius and FERB will spin house, garage, techno, bass and DNB music. 10 p.m.- 2 a.m. $10; tickets here or at the door. 282-284 N. Cleveland St. —Perry

Memphis Current Farewell Finale, Sunday:

Memphis Current is closing its doors, but not without saying goodbye. And not without music, comedy, burlesque and magic — everything that encapsulated Memphis Current. Doors open at 3 p.m., and starting at 4 p.m., there will be performances from Joybomb, Louise Page, Shorty and the Grooves, Ross Turner, Nate Jaxon, Larry the Magician and more, capping off with a goodbye monologue from founder Sam Prager. It will be a bittersweet celebration — heavy on the sweet — ending with a singalong and toast at midnight. Plus, it’ll be a great way to spend your New Year’s Eve. 3 p.m.-midnight. $10. 491 N. Hollywood St. — Kelsey Bowen 

New Year’s Eve, various locations: 

The New Year’s Eve party on Beale Street will feature fireworks and live music. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

If you’re still looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve, your options are vast. We’ve got a full rundown in our New Year’s guide, so be sure to check that out. A few highlights include the annual New Year’s party on Beale Street (with live music by Al Kapone, Fuzzy Jeffries and the Kings of Memphis and Corey Lou), and an open-bar party at Grind City Brewing Co. Black Lodge will host a New Year’s Evil Bash with live music by Joybomb and DJ sets throughout the night. And there’s a New Year’s Eve drag show hosted by Moth Moth Moth at the Hi-Tone. If disco is your jam, you can choose between two 1970s-themed parties: one at Longshot and another at Growlers. And hotels across the city, including The Peabody Memphis, will host celebrations with music, champagne toasts and more. - Phillips

Ski Freeze 2024 at the Mud Island Boat Ramp, Monday:

Connor Murrell participated in the 46th annual Ski Freeze at Mud Island River Park on Jan. 1, 2023. This year’s Ski Freeze is Monday, Jan. 1. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

The forecast for New Year’s Day is looking pretty cold: lows in the low 30s, highs in the low 40s. So, what better time to saddle up behind a boat and ski in the harbor? It sounds nuts, but people have been skiing and wakeboarding in the cold at this annual event for 46 years (this event will make 47). At least it’s for a good cause: The Ski Freeze benefits Dream Factory of Memphis, which grants dreams to critically and chronically ill kids in the Mid-south. This year’s event also features NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican. 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. $30 to ski. Meets at the Lower Mud Island Boat Ramp. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Polar Wolf Plunge at the Bateman Road Bridge, Monday: 

Do you want to jump into this water on New Year’s Day? If so, meet at the Bateman Road Bridge at the Wolf River on Monday, Jan. 1. (The Daily Memphian file)

If skiing on an ice-cold day (see event above) isn’t crazy enough for you, here’s another chance to freeze your butt off on New Year’s Day. At this annual event, brave souls gather on the banks of the Wolf River outside Memphis and enjoy a bonfire and warm drinks before running into the chilly waters at 1 p.m. Of course, you’re welcome to just show up and enjoy that fire as you watch others make questionable life choices; no pressure to actually take the plunge. Free but registration is required. If you’re plunging, bring a change of clothes and a towel. Event begins at noon. Meet at the Bateman Road Bridge at the Wolf River. Click here to register. — Phillips

‘Company’ at the Orpheum Theatre, opening Tuesday:

I saw an Instagram meme the other day that said “32 in the suburbs is the new 45, and 32 in the city is 22.” That is, of course, based on the generalization that you’re likely married with children if you live in the ’burbs or living it up with parties and friends if you live in the city. (By this math, I am only 33, so I’ll take it!) I’m certain Bobby the bachelor, the 35-year-old lead character in Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy “Company,” can relate. Set in the 1970s, when it was less common to be unmarried at age 35, this comedy musical explores the single life and married life as Bobby interacts with his married friends in a series of vignettes. Various times. Runs through Jan. 7. $29-$125. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more information. — Phillips

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