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

This week, former Carolina Chocolate Drops cellist Leyla McCalla plays Crosstown Theater, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth signs her book at Novel and Ukrainian artists share how war has changed their culture.

“Cooley High” at Crosstown Theater, Thursday:

Crosstown Arts will screen “Cooley High” at Crosstown Theater on Feb. 16. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

If you haven’t seen the movie, maybe you’ve encountered the references: Boyz II Men titling their debut album “Cooleyhighharmony,” Nas rapping “dropped out of Cooley High” on his classic album “Illmatic.” The 1975 film about a couple of best friends navigating senior year at the titular Chicago school is a classic coming-of-age film and a much beloved and influential moment in Black American film and culture writ large. If you mostly know Glynn Turman from “A Different World” (or later “The Wire”) or Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs for “Welcome Back Kotter,” they may be revelations here as co-leads in their signature feature-film roles. Crosstown Arts offers a rare chance to catch this too-little-seen gem on the big screen as part of its ongoing film series. 7 p.m. $5. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington

“Mardi Gras in Memphis” at Railgarten, Thursday-Saturday:

Marcella Simien and Her Lovers (pictured) will join Lucky 7 Brass Band for the first night of Railgarten’s three-day “Mardi Gras in Memphis” festival on Feb. 16. (Houston Cofield/The Daily Memphian file)

Railgarten is letting the good times roll this weekend with a three-day Mardi Gras music festival. On Thursday, local swamp soul songstress Marcella Simien and her band will play in a double-billed show with Memphis-based Lucky 7 Brass Band. On Friday, New Orleans-based funk/jazz/rock/hip-hop ensemble Big Sam’s Funky Nation takes the stage, and the festival wraps up on Saturday with performances by NOLA’s own funk singer-songwriter George Porter Jr. and Lexington, Kentucky-based bluesy jam band Magnolia Boulevard. 8 p.m. each night. $15 for Thursday and Friday’s shows; $20 for Saturday’s show; $40 for a three-day pass. 2166 Central Ave. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips

“From the Dnipro to the Mississippi: Ukrainian Artists in Conversation” at University of Memphis, Friday:

Four internationally acclaimed Ukrainian graphic artists will discuss what their home country’s art, culture and society was like before the Russian invasion and what it’s like now. Panelists include Ukrainian illustrators Mari Kinovych, Zhenya Oliinyk, Anna Ivanenko and Jenya Polosina — all currently living in Kyiv. Guests can hear the conversation at an in-person event at the U of M’s Arts and Communications Building or on Zoom. 11 a.m. Free. 3715 Central Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Leyla McCalla at Crosstown Theater, Friday:

Leyla McCalla will play Crosstown Theater on Feb. 17. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Once the cellist for the great modern string band Carolina Chocolate Drops, this Queens-born daughter of Haitian immigrants has evolved into quite a solo artist. A classically trained multi-instrumentalist (add guitar and banjo) whose grounding in various Black diaspora folk styles includes time busking in New Orleans, McCalla’s fourth and most recent album, last year’s “Breaking the Thermometer” is a collection of songs rooted in her parents’ Haitian experience, with lyrics in French, English and Creole and with a kind of murmured grace throughout. 7:30 p.m. $30. See here for more info. — Herrington

“Great Backyard Bird Count” at Lichterman Nature Center, Saturday:

Lichterman Nature Center will host the “Great Backyard Bird Count” on Feb. 18. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Love birds? Being in the great outdoors? Citizen science? You can combine all three passions this weekend. With provided binoculars, you can count birds alongside members of the Tennessee Ornithological Society’s Memphis chapter for the “Great Backyard Bird Count.” Benefits are two-fold: You’re helping scientists track changing bird populations while also learning how to identify birds. No experience is required, and in fact, the museum says this event for beginners. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free with general admission, which is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $8 for ages 3 to 12. 5992 Quince Road. Click here for more information. — Elle Perry

“Hearts for HappiDog” dinner and auction at the Museum of Science and History, Saturday:

Bailey is available for adoption from HappiDog Animal Rescue. The organization will host its annual “Hearts for HappiDog” dinner and auction at the Museum of Science and History on Feb. 18. (Courtesy HappiDog)

HappiDog Animal Rescue recently celebrated a milestone of 10,000 dogs rescued since the organization’s inception. They focus on rescuing and rehoming small- and medium-sized dogs, like Bailey (pictured above). Bailey is a dachshund/Jack Russell/chihuahua mix, who is almost house broken, crate-trained and sleeps through the night, and he’s looking for a new furr-ever home. But if you can’t take in Bailey, you can still help HappiDog’s mission at their fifth annual dinner and auction this Saturday. There’s a three-course buffet meal, a special “Puppie Love” cocktail and both a live and silent auction of more than 100 items. 6:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $40. 3050 Central Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

“Opera Goes to Mardi Gras” at Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Saturday:

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens will host “Opera Goes to Mardi Gras” on Feb. 18. (Courtesy Dixon Gallery & Gardens)

This upcoming opera performance includes selections from New Orleans, home of Mardi Gras, and Venice, where Carnival is celebrated. Opera Memphis’ Handorf Company Artists and special guests will sing selections from Verdi, Rossini, Bernstein and Poulenc. Performers are Erika Danielle Vasallo (mezzo soprano), Matthew Soibelman (bass), Jacob Kerzner (piano) and Anne-Carolyn Bird (soprano). The performance takes place at the Dixon’s Winegardner Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. $25. 4339 Park Ave. Click here for more information  — Perry 

“Soup Sunday” at The Kent, Sunday:

Youth Villages’ “Soup Sunday” fundraiser will be held on Feb. 19 at The Kent. In this file photo, Jessica Bobo makes Margie’s 901 ice cream sandwiches at “Soup Sunday” in 2020. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Now in its 34th year, Youth Villages’ “Soup Sunday” fundraiser will feature samples from 20 Memphis restaurants and caterers, including Sunrise Memphis, Mosa Asian Bistro, Huey’s and and Riko’s Kickin Chicken, among others. It’s mostly soup, of course, but there are also sweets (Nothing Bundt Cakes and Margie’s 901 ice cream shop will be there.) You can wash all that down with beer from Grind City Brewing, mimosas and a Memphis Toddy cocktail from Old Dominick Distillery (It is Sunday fun-day, after all.) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $85. 61 Keel Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Kristin Chenoweth book signing at Novel, Sunday:

Kristin Chenoweth will sign her new book, “I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts,” at Novel on Feb. 19. (Chris Pizzello/AP file)

Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth’s newest book, “I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts,” is part biography (with vulnerable and humorous personal stories on Chenoweth’s life) and part inspirational guide to life. There are Bible verses, and there are f-bombs, so if either offends you, this may not be the book for you. But if it is, you can get a signed copy at Novel. Line tickets to meet Chenoweth are sold out, but Novel is still taking orders for signed and personalized copies that you can pick up any time after the event. $22.99 for a signed book. 387 Perkins Extd. Click here to place an order. — Phillips

.....