Memphis author, screenwriter and playwright April “Skyy” Blair decided 2018 would be her “year of yes,” a leap of faith to start saying yes to things she normally would not consider.

The Weekly Memphian is a partial guide to things happening in Memphis, recommended by Daily Memphian staff. This guide covers December 19-23.

Fifty-six voters from nine Southern states named “Roma,” director Alfonso Cuaron’s autobiographically influenced return to his native Mexico, the best film of 2018 in annual voting of the Southeastern Film Critics Association.

Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge heard a status update about Aretha Franklin’s birthplace on Dec. 12.

Fifty Shelby County Schools pre-kindergarten teachers and administrators began professional development workshops in early childhood visual arts curricula, art center management strategies and the connections between visual arts, literacy and early childhood development in late September.

The Grove at GPAC should host visitors in the spring of 2020 after the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a $5 million contract last week – the final approval needed before construction begins.

A local magician is working to bring back the art of magic to the Memphis area. Jeff Day, who specializes in a Victorian style of magic, performs across the Mid-South for a wide range of audiences.

Earlier this week Kaywin Feldman was named the first female director of the National Gallery of Art in the museum’s 77-year history – and nobody in Memphis was surprised.

While Charles “Lil Buck” Riley rehearsed for this year’s edition of "Nut ReMix" at New Ballet Ensemble & School on Monday afternoon, a crew of two filmed him for an upcoming television dance docuseries.

Kaywin Feldman, who served as director of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from 1999 to 2007, has been named director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

The Snow Queen in New Ballet Ensemble & School’s 2018 performances of “Nut ReMix” comes all the way from Zurich. But how she came to perform with the group actually begins in Italy.

For many people, the holidays are not complete without attending the annual Christmas play presented by the students of Madonna Learning Center in Germantown.

The Weekly Memphian is a partial guide to things happening in Memphis, recommended by Daily Memphian staff. This week's list covers Dec. 12-17. 

“Ain’t gonna take no mess.”

Growing up, Dan McCleary, founder of Memphis' Tennessee Shakespeare Company, was exposed to Shakespeare in the way many students are today — in its written form.

Bobby Rush is playing a Memphis benefit concert in a little more than a week’s time. The beneficiary of the concert: a nonprofit with the mission to create an entity that will monitor and manage the Memphis Sand Aquifer in Shelby County. The aquifer is the source of Memphis’ drinking water.  

Since September, there has been a replica of a U.S. immigrant detention center cage at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis. And on Saturday, Opera Memphis singers and a pianist will perform in that custom-built structure.

The Levitt Shell at Overton Park is getting a new executive director as Shelby Farms Park executive Natalie Wilson announced she will be taking over at the helm.

Let's Innovate Through Education Pitch Night: During LITE Memphis’ ninth – and largest – semi-annual Pitch Night, 35 high school students will pitch their entrepreneurial ideas. Those in attendance will help select which ideas will receive thousands of dollars.

Visible Music College president Ken Steorts has joked that the institution for higher learning has a secret FM radio station. The station, on the dial at 100.3 FM, is not a secret exactly.

The Weekly Memphian is a partial guide to things happening in Memphis, recommended by Daily Memphian staff. This week's list covers Nov. 28 to Dec. 4. 

Subscription cable and satellite network Starz has announced the pickup of a television series created by Memphis native Katori Hall.

Despite big-box retailers such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Ikea, the custom cabinet business is alive and well in the Bluff City.

Marie Pizano, CEO and founder of MVP3 Entertainment Group, has a mission to bring Hollywood, California, to Memphis to help train and mentor young actors. Her vision will come to life Nov. 30 at Germantown Community Theatre.

Lawrence “Larry” Hass doesn’t have the traditional background that leads to becoming a full-time magician. The former philosopher wasn’t intrigued with magic as a child and never saw himself pursuing the mystical profession.