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

This week, watch the planets “align” from Harbor Town, catch up on the Mad Max series and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

‘The Sporkful’ podcast live recording at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, Thursday:

“The Sporkful” podcast host Dan Pashman will be on the stage at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center for a special taping of “The Sporkful” on Thursday, Jan. 16. (Courtesy Christopher Appoldt)

James Beard and Webby Award-winning host Dan Pashman will be on the stage for a special live recording of his “The Sporkful” food podcast, which is touted as a show that’s “not for foodies, it’s for eaters.” He’ll interview Memphis chef and restaurateur Karen Carrier, whom Pashman hand-picked as his Memphis show guest. “He really loved the story of Karen’s journey,” said Cindy Younker, Buckman’s director. “We can’t wait to hear the conversation that these two creatives will bring to the table.” Read more about the event in this story by Jennifer Chandler. 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. 60 Perkins Extd. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips

Science of Beer at Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, Friday:

The annual “Science of Beer” event is on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Pink Palace Museum. (The Daily Memphian file)

What’s cooler than drinking beer? Learning about beer while drinking it, that’s what. This annual fundraiser at the Pink Palace offers a chance to sample craft beer from every brewery in the city, plus a few out-of-town beers, and learn about it at the same time. You can also play trivia and board games, courtesy of Cerrito Trivia and Board to Beers. As for eats, Bayou Bar and Grill, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos and RP Tracks will be on-hand, along with other local restaurants. There’s even more to eat and drink in the VIP room, which features food from TrapFusion, ice cream from Margie’s 901 and more. Proceeds from the event benefit programming, summer camps, STEM workshops and more for local students. 6:30-9 p.m. Ticket options range from $40 to $80. 3050 Central Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

DJ Rashida at Eight & Sand at Central Station, Friday:

DJ Rashida will play at Eight & Sand at Central Station on Friday, Jan. 17. (Jordan Strauss/ Invision for FOX/ AP file)

Rashida Robinson (aka DJ Rashida) specializes in hip-hop, funk, soul, dancehall and house as her genres of choice. She served as Prince’s DJ, and has also toured with artists including Kelis, Cee-Lo Green, Pharrell Williams and Bruno Mars. Memphis DJ Ashley “Alpha Whiskey” Wimbush is the opening act for the Central Station event. Not only will it serve as a birthday celebration for Wimbush, it’s also the second anniversary of Wimbush’s weekly Ladies Night, which features local female DJs on Thursday nights at Eight & Sand. 9 p.m. Free admission. 545 S. Main St. More info here. — Elle Perry

Planetary alignment stargazing at the Terrace at River Inn, Friday-Saturday:

Weather permitting and on a first-come, first-served basis, the Terrace at River Inn will provide a telescope and a trained staff member to help folks view six planets aligned in the sky. The Terrace staff recommends 6 p.m. for the best view. By the way, planetary alignment doesn’t literally mean the planets will be in a straight line; it means multiple planets will be viewable in the sky at the same time from earth. 4-9 p.m. Free admission. 50 Harbor Town Square. More info here. — Perry

‘Inherit the Wind’ at Theatre Memphis, opening Friday:

Based on a true story, “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee dramatizes the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial formally known as the State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes. Scopes, a high school teacher, was accused of violating Tennessee’s Butler Act, which made it illegal for educators to teach human evolution in any state-funded school. The choice of producing the show as the election cycle comes to a close was intentional. “We wanted a play that dealt with the tension between two opposing groups of philosophy and what comes when those two groups come head to head,” said director Jeffrey Posson. Read more about it in our January theater guide. Runs Jan. 17-Feb. 2. Times vary. 630 Perkins Ext. See here for more information. — Alys Drake

‘Parade’ at Playhouse on the Square opening Friday:

‘Parade’ opens at Playhouse on the Square on Friday, Jan. 17. (Courtesy Playhouse on the Square)

The musical “Parade,” which is based on a true story, dramatizes the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in early 20th-century Georgia who is wrongfully accused and convicted of murdering a 13-year-old girl. “Bigotry and racism are just as rampant now as they were back when this trial unfolded,” said director Dave Landis, as he compared the “Parade” story to current times. “There are just these undertones, and sometimes blatant overtones, that make you go, ‘What? What century are we living in? Are we back in the early 1900s or are we in the 21st century?’” Read more about it in our January theater guide. Runs Jan. 17-Feb. 16. Times vary. 66 S. Cooper St. See here for more information. — Drake

MLK Day of Service at T.O. Fuller State Park, Saturday:

Volunteers can help restore areas of T.O. Fuller State park during an MLK Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 18. (The Daily Memphian file)

Looking for a way to give back ahead of Martin Luther King Day? The Wolf River Restoration Series is calling on volunteers to help restore hiking trails, resurface the playground and remove invasive plants at T.O. Fuller State Park. Founded in 1938, T.O. Fuller was the first state park east of the Mississippi River open to Black citizens. 10 a.m.-noon. 1500 West Mitchell Road. Click here to RSVP. — Phillips

‘The Road Warrior’ at Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, Saturday:

If you’ve only seen the recent installments of the Mad Max series — “Mad Max: Fury Road” and last year’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” — here’s a great chance to catch up. The Mel Gibson-starring 1981 installment “The Road Warrior,” originally titled “Mad Max 2,” probably rivals “Fury Road” as the best in the series of eye-popping, rubber-burning post-Apocalyptic, Australian action flicks. It will be shown on the giant screen at the Pink Palace Museum as part of the monthly “Movies and Brews” series, which pairs classic movies with local craft beers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the movie starting at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are $25.75. 3050 Central Ave. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington

‘The Night Club’ screening at the Orpheum Theatre, Saturday:

Based on a true story from a decade ago, Caroline Klank’s film centers on a group of 13-year-old students who sneak a parent’s car out during a sleepover. Klank, a Hutchison School alumna, wrote, directed and filmed the 20-minute movie. It stars several eighth-graders who attend Hutchison; they filmed during fall break. A Q&A with the cast will follow the screening, which begins at 8 p.m. Cocktail attire is required. 7 p.m. drinks/appetizers, 8 p.m. screening. Free admission (RSVP here). 203 S. Main St. — Perry

Folk All Y’all: Chris Milam in The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Saturday:

Chris Milam will perform in The Green Room at Crosstown Arts on Saturday, Jan. 18. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Crosstown Arts and Folk All Y’all are back with another installment of their listening-room music series. This show features singer-songwriter Chris Milam, who recently released a new album, “Orchid South.” Hailed as his most ambitious album yet, “Orchid South” balances themes of beauty with impending doom and is intended to be listened to as a cohesive album, rather than an album full of singles. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $20. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280. Click here for more information. — Phillips

YoBreezye Live! at Gourmet Gallery, Saturday:

YoBreezye (Kam Darko)

Bryan Roberson is a DJ, curator and cultural event organizer. Known as YoBreezye, Roberson’s event at this new restaurant in Downtown Memphis, will feature himself and a few of his DJ friends. Expect to hear house music, songs from the 2000s, Afrobeat, Amapiano and other genres. Event cocktails are The Cool Breeze (with Hennessy, pineapple juice and strawberry puree), The Rich Auntie (with Don Julio tequila, triple sec, lime juice and simple syrup) and The Memphis Mane (with Jack Daniels whiskey, sweet and sour mix, and peach puree). 8 p.m.-midnight. $10 advance, $20 day of show. 412 S. Main St. — Perry

Dolly Day at Wiseacre Brewing Co. OG, Sunday:

Wiseacre Brewing Co. will celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday on Sunday, Jan. 19. (Jordan Strauss/ Invision/ AP file)

Happy Birthday, Dolly! The queen of country, Aunt Granny, the Iron Butterfly — however you know her, everybody wants to celebrate Dolly Parton. And on her birthday (Capricorn queen!), Wiseacre is throwing a birthday bash fit for the Backwoods Barbie. First and foremost, if you dress up as Dolly, you’ll get 20% off your draft tab. (Pets can dress up, too!) The costume contest will happen around 4:30 p.m. with prizes for first- and second-place winners. Plus, local brand and Wiseacre neighbor Slowdown Dry Goods will be selling T-shirts with Dolly’s face on a skull. Pretty sick. Begins at noon. Free to attend. 2783 Broad Ave. Click here for more information. — Kelsey Bowen 

Mahjong at the Museum: Lessons and Open Play at the Brooks, Sunday:

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will host mahjong lessons and open play on Sunday, Jan. 19. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Have you been wanting a piece of this Mahjong madness but don’t know where to begin? Start at the Brooks! Local certified Mahjologist Cassie Lazzo will be teaching the ins and outs of the Chinese game. Lessons are two hours long, and all supplies will be provided. And if you’re a seasoned Mahjong-er, open play will be available. Note: National Mah Jongg League 2024 cards are required. Entry gets your name in the door-prize raffle, and food and drinks will be provided. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Beginner lessons are $60 per person, and open play is $40 for a table (four seats per table). 1934 Poplar Ave. Click here for more information and to buy tickets. — Bowen 

DJ Spanish Fly birthday celebration at JamRack, Sunday:

The “Godfather of Memphis Hip-Hop” is taking us back to the classic Memphis club days. At the 10 p.m. hour, he promises to bring the vibes of Club No Name/Expo, where he served as the house DJ in the late 1980s and early ’90s. The evening party includes ’80s buckjumping and gangsta walkin’ tunes. The daytime party begins at 5 p.m. and includes karaoke, line dancing and Southern soul music. Fly is also JamRack’s new house DJ, spinning on Friday nights. 5 p.m. Free admission. 150 N. Avalon St. — Perry

The Kickback featuring DJs Devin Steel, Big Sue and Hou Hefner at the Hi-Tone, Sunday:

Devin Steel will host The Kickback at The Hi-Tone on Sunday, Jan. 19. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Devin Steel brings back the latest in his series of “boom bap for music snobs and true hip-hop enthusiasts.” The event features the DJs on four turntables backed by a live band. Attendees can expect classic hip-hop, 1980s and ’90s R&B, reggae and house. The event takes place in the big room of the Hi-Tone, located upstairs. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show. $24.50 advance, $29.50 day of show. 412 N. Cleveland St. — Perry

King Day at the National Civil Rights Museum, Monday:

The National Civil Rights Museum’s King Day celebration will be Monday, Jan. 20. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

The museum will kick off its year-long “Community Over Chaos” observance on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Throughout the year, “Community Over Chaos” will highlight pivotal anniversaries in civil rights history, including the 60th anniversary year of the Selma March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Museum admission will be free all day, and there will be musical performances by Karen Brown, Gerald Richardson, the Stax Music Academy 901 Band, Ekpe Abioto and others. Museum will be open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. At 10 a.m., there will be a virtual presentation honoring King. Free. 450 Mulberry St. Click here for more information. — Phillips

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