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

In this week’s To-Do List, catch the premiere of a new opera set in Memphis, the Dixon celebrates women in the arts and the Monster Club honors the King of Cool.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend at Graceland, Friday-Sunday:

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Jimmy Holmes, who won in 2024, will be back during Graceland’s tribute-artist weekend Friday-Sunday, March 6-8. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

The Elvi are coming. Past winners of Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest will be returning to Memphis for a weekend filled with concerts, photo ops and more. Among the events is a barbecue dinner with live music from Emilio Santoro, a karaoke show with audience participation and a concert with Elvis hits from his 1956 breakout year. See the full schedule here. — Phillips

‘SPORTS! The Musical’ at TheatreWorks, Friday-Saturday:

Sports meet improvisation when the Bluff City Liars take to the stage at TheatreWorks in a comedy revue. The troupe was formed in 2017 by four friends who love long-form improvisation. Expect an interactive, high-energy spectacle and be prepared to laugh. 8 p.m. $12- $15 2085 Monroe Ave. Tickets here. — Alys Drake

Opera Memphis presents ‘Pretty Little Room’ at Crosstown Theater, Friday-Saturday:

This new opera, written by Memphis composer Robert Patterson and librettist Jerre Dye, tells the story of Alice Mitchell, who finds herself locked away in a Memphis mental hospital in 1892. She’s not sure why she was sent there, but her story comes to light as the other women she’s locked up with help her remember Freda, the young woman whom Alice loved. 7:30 p.m. both nights. $50 general admission. 1350 Concourse Ave. More info here. — Phillips

Beale Street Monster Club presents ‘The King of Cool vs. The King of Goo’ at A. Schwab, Saturday:

Steve McQueen was the King of Cool who played the antihero in movies and raced cars in real life. So, will his breakout-role character (also called Steve) in 1958’s “The Blob” be any match for the carnivorous alien? This edition of Beale Street Monster Club celebrates McQueen and his amoeboidal nemesis with a screening of the film and complimentary Jell-O (but of course!). 1 p.m. Free. 163 Beale St. Register here. — Phillips

Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser for Peabody Elementary at Memphis Made Brewing, Saturday:

There’s a chili cookoff to benefit Peabody Elementary at Memphis Made Brewing on Saturday, March 7. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

The Cooper-Young Community Association and Memphis Made Brewing are coming together again to host their annual fundraising event for the 100-plus-year-old Midtown elementary school. Cooks of all skill levels are encouraged to compete and must prepare a minimum of 12 servings to be tasted by fellow contestants and guests. 1-3 p.m. Free to compete, $10 to eat. 16 S. Lauderdale St. Detailed eligibility requirements and sign-up are online. — Ellen Chamberlain

MengCheng Collective’s ‘Four of Hearts’ opening reception and cookbook launch at Sheet Cake Gallery, Saturday:

Meng Cheng Collective artists (left to right) Yidan Zeng, Thandi Cai, Neena Wang and Lili Nacht posed at Crosstown Concourse in 2023. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)

MengCheng Collective member Neena Wang died last fall at the age of 30. Since then, collective members said their work “has pivoted to center communal grieving, healing and rituals of care.”“Four of Hearts” is described as “a meditation on the realms beyond.” The artists include Wang, as well as Thandi Cai, Dana Lynn Harper, David Onri Anderson, Joel Parsons, Katie Mongoven, LiLi Nacht, Rahn Marion, Tif Ng and Yidan Zeng. The reception opening also serves as the launch of the collective’s cookbook: “Jia Pu: Cooking Our Way Home; Recipes, Art & Stories from the Asian American South.” The cookbook began with the collective documenting the stories from Memphis’ Chinese community during MengCheng’s 2023 Crosstown Arts residency. Exhibition events include Grief Talks from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, with an artist talk, community ritual and gentle somatic movement. 5-7:30 p.m. 405 Monroe Ave. Free admission. More info here. — Elle Perry

‘One Enchanted Evening’ at Peabody Memphis, Saturday: 

Song meets sorcery at this performance by Memphis magician/musician Joe M. Turner. Expect an interactive show that blends piano music, sleight-of-hand magic and mentalism (that’s mind reading and other mental magic). 7 p.m. $60.54. In the General Moorman Room at Peabody Memphis. 149 Union Ave. More info here. — Phillips

Women in the Arts at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Saturday:

Tara Stringfellow

Tara M. Stringfellow is the keynote speaker for the Women in the Arts event this Saturday at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Stringfellow is the bestselling author of “Memphis,” a novel that traces three generations of a Southern Black family and the violence that shaped their legacy. The day will also feature performances, demonstrations and classes designed to uplift and empower women across artistic disciplines. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free 4339 Park Ave. Information here. — Drake

Soupstock at First Congo Church, Sunday:

Social-media influencer Kai Stowell created a soup for Soupstock on Sunday, March 8. (Courtesy Kai Stowell)

Ten Memphis chefs come together for this event benefitting First Congo Food Justice. Patrons can sample soup flights featuring Chef Jimmy Gentry’s Jamaican pepper pot veloute, a chicken pozole verde from social-media influencer Kai Stowell and a Lowcountry-Asian fusion turkey and okra soup. 5-10 p.m. $35 in First Congregational Church’s fellowship hall, 1000 S. Cooper St. Tickets can be purchased online. — Chamberlain

Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest at Memphis Botanic Garden, Sunday:

Mardi Gras may be over, but you can eat gumbo any time — especially for a good cause. This annual contest raises money for the Tennessee Equality Project, which supports statewide LGBTQ advocacy efforts. I participated in the inaugural contest years ago (with the only vegan gumbo), and I continued to compete for a few more years. While my cooking-gumbo-for-a-crowd days are over, it’s still a super-fun event that I would highly recommend. 4:30-7 p.m. $35 general admission or VIP for $60. Both tickets include gumbo tasting, but VIP includes open-bar access. 750 Cherry Road. More info here. — Phillips

Memphis Roller Derby Spring Skate School at Pipkin Building, starts Monday:

Memphis Roller Derby will offer skating lessons beginning Monday, March 9. (The Daily Memphian file)

If you hold onto the wall when you attempt to roller skate, this is for you. Memphis Roller Derby players, who somehow manage to skate while participating in a full-on contact sport, will teach this seven-week program. Once you’re steady on your feet (er, wheels), you’ll learn roller-derby skills and game rules. There will be some loaner gear and skates available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 6:30-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. $15. 940 Early Maxwell Blvd. More info here. — Phillips

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