Welcome back to The To-Do List, where Daily Memphian staffers suggest their favorite events and activities for the coming week.
This week, Tennessee Williams’ paintings are on view at Rhodes, Thomas Dambo’s Trolls are in the Garden and Dru’s Bar is hosting a Grammy’s watch party (with prizes!).
‘If You Take a Groundhog Home as a Pet’ at Novel, Thursday:
The mom and son co-author team of “If You Take a Cicada Home as a Pet” has come out with their second installment and just in time for Groundhog Day. Kathleen Weatherford and her son, Payton Burke, will be at Novel to celebrate the release of their latest book. Originally written to help Payton, who was struggling with his ADHD, the goal of the series is to help children with reading and writing. Experience the story and snag a signed copy Thursday afternoon. 3:30 p.m. Free to attend. 387 Perkins Extd. Click here for more information. — Kelsey Bowen
‘Bluff City Chinese’ screening at Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Thursday:
During Lunar New Year week, the Dixon will screen this documentary film that shares the history of Chinese American immigrants in Memphis. The stories are told from the perspective of two storytellers from very different generations. After the film, Sarah Dehena, outreach instructor and program coordinator for Indie Memphis, will lead a Q&A with the film’s creators. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. 4339 Park Ave. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips
‘Skeleton Crew’ at Circuit Playhouse, opening Thursday:
Circuit Playhouse presents Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew,” which is the last of her three-play cycle, “The Detroit Project.” The cycle’s first two plays are “Detroit ’67” and “Paradise Blue” (the latter of which was produced by Hattiloo Theatre last September). “Skeleton Crew” unfolds in a Detroit auto plant, where a group of workers are grappling with the fear of impending layoffs during the 2008 recession. “This is much more of a class, economic condition of America (story) than it is an African American story,” said director Lawrence Blackwell. “(But) it’s definitely through an African American lens.” Read more about it in our January theater guide. Runs Jan. 30-Feb. 16. Times vary. 51 S. Cooper St. See here for more information. — Alys Drake
‘Tennessee Williams: Paintings of Love and Loss’ at Rhodes College’s Clough-Hanson Gallery, opening Friday:
 Tennessee Williams’ paintings will be on view at Rhodes College’s Clough-Hanson Gallery beginning Friday, Jan. 31. (Submitted)
In 1935, Tennessee Williams’ first play was produced while he was spending the summer with his grandparents in Memphis. While spending summers here, Williams would study in the library of Southwestern University (now Rhodes College). He went on to write “The Glass Menagerie,” “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” But he was also was a painter. Williams scholar Kenneth Holditch recently donated six of Williams’ paintings to Rhodes, and those are on view in this exhibition. The opening reception is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Friday. The gallery is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Read more about the show here. Free admission. Click here for a campus map. 2000 N. Parkway. — Elle Perry
Collage Dance Collective’s ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ and ‘Rise’ at the Cannon Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Friday through Sunday:
“Rise,” choreographed by artistic director Kevin Thomas, is set to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Mountaintop” speech — performed by voice actor Gerald C. Rivers — and features dancers performing to the sounds of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The winter performance also includes an adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s classic Harlem Renaissance novel, “The Eyes Were Watching God.” Amy Hall Garner and Thomas choreographed the work, which includes nearly 40 period costumes, and composer Quinn Mason’s score, which the Memphis Symphony will perform live. The final work is “Trilogy,” choreographed by Kevin Iega Jeff, which features the journey from the civil rights movement to the present, performed in three acts. Saturday ticket-holders have access to a post-show artist talkback with dancers, choreographers and others. 11 a.m. Friday student matinee; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $22 - $62. 255 N. Main St. — Perry
‘Through the Looking Screen’ at Germantown Community Theatre, opening Friday:
 Eileen Kuo is the director of “Through the Looking Screen,” showing at Germantown Community Theatre Jan. 30-Feb. 9. (Courtesy Germantown Community Theatre)
Editor’s Note: Friday night’s performance has been canceled due to illness. The show will proceed as planned Saturday.
In a surprise addition to the season, Germantown Community Theatre will present an encore of “Through the Looking Screen,” which ran at Quark Theatre last September. The one-woman musical by Anne Chmelewsky explores the experience of online dating. Set in the early days of dating sites, the story covers not only a woman’s journey to find love but also her discovery of the internet as a way to connect with others. “It’s almost like an operatic monologue comedic sketch where you get to live through her experience of finding someone online and waiting for a date,” director Eileen Kuo said. You can read more about it here. Runs Jan. 31-Feb. 9. Times vary. 3037 Forest Hill-Irene Road. See here for more information. — Drake
Alison Cook Beatty Dance at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, Friday:
 Alison Cook Beatty Dance will perform at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 31. (Courtesy Buckman)
Alison Cook-Beatty’s experience includes dancing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Taylor 2, as well as creating choreography for organizations such as Ballet Next, Carolina Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet School and The Ailey School. Cook-Beatty founded Alison Cook-Beatty Dance in 2012 in New York and serves as the artistic director of the company, which specializes in classically based modern dance. While the company is in town, it will offer a free master class for advanced dance students at the University of Memphis’ DanceSpace at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30. (Email here to RSVP for the class.) Performance will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, $35 adults, $30 students. 60 Perkins Ext. — Perry
‘Thomas Dambo Trolls: Save the Humans’ at Memphis Botanic Garden, opening Saturday:
 Artist Thomas Dambo’s “Trolls” exhibition opens on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Memphis Botanic Garden. (Courtesy MBG)
Artist Thomas Dambo uses recycled wood to build larger-than-life troll sculptures all over the world, and beginning Saturday, Memphians can enjoy six of his latest works in his “Trolls: Save the Humans” exhibition. The back story: Six young trolls met up at the fictional “Trolliefolkyfest” and made a pact to help save the humans by helping them to rediscover nature and live in harmony with the earth. Each troll has a name and a story, like Kamma Can (pictured), the creator troll who wants to teach us to reuse plastics rather than throwing them away. The exhibition will be on view through May 21. Included with garden admission. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Lunar New Year Celebrations at Good Fortune Co., Saturday and Tuesday:
 Good Fortune Co. hosts its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 1. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)
Good Fortune kicks off a month-long celebration for the Year of the Snake on Saturday with a traditional lion dance, food specials and a performance by a secret guest. Also, Saturday marks the start of Good Fortune’s fourth annual bar crawl. That runs through Feb. 28, and three Asian-owned businesses will be serving themed cocktails. You can get a special “passport” stamped for each cocktail you try, and two stamps will earn you a Year of the Snake tee. On Tuesday, Good Fortune will host a Baijiu 101 class, where you can learn about China’s national liquor and try four different styles. Saturday’s festivities begin at 2 p.m., but doors will open at 1 p.m. That will be free. Tuesday’s class is $40, and seating is limited. 361 S. Main St. Learn more about all of Good Fortune’s Lunar New Year events here. — Phillips
Cirque du CMOM: Into in Infinity at the Children’s Museum of Memphis, Saturday:
 Cirque du CMOM gives adults a chance to party at the Children’s Museum of Memphis on Saturday, Feb. 1. (Courtesy CMOM)
If you’ve ever wanted to play at the children’s museum without a bunch of loud kids running around, here’s your chance. The annual Cirque du CMOM fundraiser is for guests ages 21 and up; no kiddos allowed. Parents — and non-parents — can dance the night away at this space-themed party with drinks, small bites and a silent disco. Food vendors will include Bain BBQ, Grecian Gourmet Kitchen, Huey’s, Phillip Ashley Chocolates and many more. 6 p.m.-midnight. General admission tickets are $175, and VIP tickets are $250. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival at The Kent, Sunday:
 The Memphis Restaurant Association hosts its annual food festival on Sunday, Feb. 2. (Courtesy Alison Stukenborg)
The Memphis Restaurant Association’s annual festival, which began in 2022, showcases the diversity and richness of Memphis cuisine. This year, the event will have a 1920s Prohibition-era theme, and food and drink vendors have been asked to incorporate a vintage twist in their offerings. Attendees are also encouraged, though not required, to dress in attire inspired by the Roaring Twenties, and they can taste samples from 16 of the city’s finest chefs and mixologists. Read more about the event here. 5-9 p.m. $75 per person. 61 Keel Ave. Click here for more information. — Jennifer Chandler
Grammy Awards watch party at Dru’s Bar, Sunday:
Memphis-area natives GloRilla and Justin Timberlake are two locals nominated for Grammys this year. And 901 music collective B----Bopz is helping screen the show. Enjoy themed cocktails and mocktails as your fave artists collect their awards. This isn’t just a watch party; it’s also a shop party! Six local art vendors, including Foraged Finery, Grace John and Monolithic Press, will be set up. There will be a best-dressed contest, so come to dazzle. The winner gets a $20 gift card to vintage clothes seller Outphits. Cast your ballot for Grammy winners, and the top three who get the most correct will get prizes from artist Zoe Jett or local shop Planeta777. Karaoke will follow after the livestream ends. Don’t forget a complimentary goodie bag on the way out! Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Pay what you can. 1474 Madison Ave. Click here for more information, and to RSVP, click here. — Bowen
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