steppin’ out
We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews By Julia Baker
Caritas Community Center & Cafe (formerly Caritas Village) has one simple mission: to provide quality food to the public, regardless of their ability to pay. To help carry out that mission, former head chef Spencer McMillin is bringing Jonathan Magallanes of Las Tortugas on as the featured chef in this month’s chef partnership dinner to share his Mexican delights. “Spencer came into my restaurant and became a regular, and we became friends,” says Magallanes. “Spencer could ask me to do anything, and I would do it. He approached me and said he’d love to cook together. This was a no-brainer. I’ve known about Caritas for a while, so I think it’s just a perfect opportunity to cook some really good food.” Magallanes has spent much of his life living in both Memphis and Mexico City, and he takes culinary influences from both cities to create his own unique spins on classic Mexican dishes, like his tacos al pastor, which traditionally features a sweet and spicy combination of red chile pork and pineapple. “I like to use juicy pomegranate in place of the pineapple and then use that with fried pork belly,” he says. “It’s marinated in sour orange, black pepper, and cinnamon. Then, instead of using cilantro, I might use chopped mint. That’s sort of a little nod to the pastor in my opinion.” Magallanes is excited to concoct something equally delicious and unique for the dinner for Caritas. “It’s an absolute honor and a privilege to be part of the dinner,” he says. “My main philosophy as a chef and a restaurateur is that feeding people is a privilege, period.” CARITAS CHEF PARTNERSHIP DINNER FEATURING JONATHAN MAGALLANES, CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTER & CAFE, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 6:30-9 P.M., $56/PERSON (NOT INCLUDING GRATUITY).
Fe b r u a r y 2 7 - M a r c h 4 , 2 0 2 0
Iron Maiden’s Sun and Steel is a saké-infused lager. Sure. Why not? Brews, p. 25
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THURSDAY February 27
FRIDAY February 28
Booksigning by Candacy Taylor National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry, 6 p.m. Author Candacy Taylor discusses and signs her recently published book, The Overground Railroad. In the book, she writes about the impact a travel guide for black motorists, Green Book, had during its years of being published from 1936-1966.
New Works by Bill Huetell Buckman Performing Arts Center, 60 Perkins Extd., 5-7 p.m. Bill Huettel’s collection of watercolor works will be on exhibit February 28th until April 6th in the Levy Gallery of the Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s.
Iris Orchestra and Opera Memphis Pop-Up Concert Morton Museum of Collierville History, 196 Main, Collierville, 7-9 p.m. It’s Collierville’s 150th birthday, and to celebrate, the Morton Museum is hosting a free pop-up concert.
Grizzlies HBCU Night FedExForum, 191 Beale, 6-9 p.m., $20-85 Before the Grizzlies grit and grind against the Sacramento Kings, graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities can pre-game with free food and live music. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the HBCU Awareness Foundation.
Next in bad ideas, lawmakers want to let students carry guns on campus. The Last Word, p. 31 SATURDAY February 29 Vive Le Smash! Brooks Museum, 1934 Poplar, 6-10 p.m., $100 Brooks Museum celebrates the art of smashed grapes, featuring 20 varieties of wine paired with foods by Iris Etc., while DJ AD plays smashing good music in the rotunda.
Memphis Parent Camp Expo Pink Palace, 3050 Central, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Memphis Parent brings together area camps to help parents plan their kids’ summer activities. At this free event, meet face-to-face with camp staff, watch informational videos, and gather take-home info.
Heidi Walters, Unbridled Ambition Art Show Eclectic Eye, 242 S. Cooper, 6-8 p.m. In her “Unbridled Ambition” art show, Heidi Walters features her works, in which she has made use of “another man’s trash,” using newspaper and other items to craft sculptures of elongated human forms.
Leap Year Bar Crawl Railgarten, 2166 Central, noon-6 p.m. It’s leap year! To celebrate, Railgarten and others host a bar crawl, starting at Cafe Ole and stopping by Sweet Grass/Next Door, Celtic Crossing, and Aldo’s Midtown on the way to a finisher with live music at Railgarten.
MICHAEL DONAHUE
Holy Mole
Jonathan Magallanes
