Author: Sarai Bennett

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Food & Wine Food & Drink

Dance Like a Cupcake 

Photos: Alannah Williams

Growing up, Alannah Williams watched her younger brother Joshua struggle with many food allergies that prevented him from eating certain foods her family and friends enjoyed. This devastated her — having to constantly watch her brother being left out.  

Now, Alannah has her very own business, Dance Like a Cupcake, which provides her customers with sweet treats, including her popular gourmet cookies, that don’t contain eggs, dairy, sesame oil, or nuts for those with food sensitivities — or those who are living a healthier lifestyle.  

And she’s doing it all at the age of 18. 

Alannah comes from a military family, and for a while they lived in Seoul, South Korea. In Korea, they make most of their food with sesame and peanut oil, two of her brother’s allergens. So, at 10, she was determined to bake something allergen-free, and that is how Dance Like a Cupcake originated overseas. Once her family moved back to the States, specifically to Memphis, she revived her business.  

Though Joshua is the biggest motivation behind Alannah’s business, its quirky and catchy name was inspired by her childhood friend. “I started when I was 10 and one of my friends came to an event that I was selling at. She had food allergies, too. She asked for a cupcake, and I gave her one. She was so happy because it didn’t have any allergens that she started dancing,” Alannah says. “So, anytime anyone eats my dessert, I tell them to dance like a cupcake because of how good it tastes.” 

Alannah’s bakery has been in business since 2016, but she faced a few hardships in the beginning. “I think the biggest [challenge] would be my age because people don’t take me seriously, or they didn’t take me seriously when I started,” says Alannah. “And the second [challenge] would be the stigma around vegan desserts. They think it doesn’t taste as good or it’s too healthy.”  

She did not let the criticism stop her because Dance Like a Cupcake has made a huge impact in her customers’ lives — especially those who have food allergies. “Just listening to her story about her little brother, I think that there’s definitely a population of individuals who would like to enjoy those type of sweets, but not have to worry about this type of ingredient that [they] can’t eat,” says Brian Ford, a loyal Dance Like a Cupcake customer who lives in Colorado. “My wife and daughter have food allergies, so that’s another thing that kind of drew me to her because they can’t eat certain things with different ingredients in them.”  

Most of Alannah’s customers see her business as not only providing people with healthier treats, but also educating and making more individuals aware of people who have food sensitivities. “When businesses like this come and bring things to the table that we aren’t used to, we should embrace that. We should embrace the information, the knowledge that businesses like Alannah’s have because they are willing to share,” says Jasmen Richmond, a Dance Like a Cupcake customer and nutrition educator. “Not only is she selling a product, but she’s also giving back and supporting the growth of our community.” 

For young bakers, ages 8 to 22, wanting to learn how to master vegan desserts, Alannah even offers an internship program. “It’s really [about] being creative, helping out Dance Like a Cupcake, and getting to know other people in the community,” says Alannah. 

Right now, Alannah does not have a physical location, so she sells her desserts at events and several restaurants around Memphis, like City Silo and Cxffeeblack. And she ships her gourmet cookies nationwide through her website (dancelikeacupcake.org). She plans to branch out soon.

Alannah’s most supportive customer is, of course, her brother Joshua, the one who inspired it all. “I really like the fact that my older sister created a business in my image, thinking about me and my allergies. And about all the other kids around the world who can’t really eat desserts like me,” says Joshua. 

His favorite cookie, he says, “has to be oatmeal raisin. I love the oatmeal raisin cookie, especially with the glaze on it.” 

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Middle College High Students Get Their Time to Shine at Storyfest

(Photo: Courtesy Orpheum Theatre)

Are you wanting to do something fun and interesting with your kids next week? Take them to Storyfest. A one-night event, Storyfest features live performances from young voices around the city of Memphis, giving audiences a peek into the lives of talented students.

Hosted by the Orpheum Theatre and in partnership with Middle College High School, students were selected from their theater class at Middle College High to participate in Storyfest. It is meant to give students, who haven’t had the opportunity before, to talk freely and share their stories in a safe space. “We wanted to create an event where anyone and everyone could have the ownership of their own story and be able to share it with the world,” says Jennifer McGrath, the Orpheum’s vice president of education, community engagement, and Halloran Centre programming. 

Audiences are urged to not be quick to judge but to hone in on listening. “We can learn from [these students]. We can know what it feels like to process what they’re going through. We can understand something about them that maybe we didn’t understand before. Everybody that’s listening can learn and be able to exist in a more communal way with them,” McGrath states. 

It is also worth mentioning that even though the Orpheum is known for its Broadway acts, they also provide many activities for young people to attend and participate in other than Storyfest. “We have a camp for young people who have experienced the death of one or both of their parents, and we have a camp for kids who stutter. And we do community engagement workshops. It’s important to communicate that, so that people know we want this to be a space for them,” McGrath adds.

Storyfest is Wednesday, February 26th, at 7 p.m., but doors will open at 6 p.m. so audiences are encouraged to arrive early to participate in the pre-show activities. For more information about Storyfest and to RSVP to receive a free parking pass, visit orpheum-memphis.com/events/storyfest.

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Dive Into Thought-Provoking Conversations at Hattiloo Theatre for Black History Month

Charles McKinney at a previous Black History Symposium (Photo: Courtesy Jennifer Sharp)

Black History Month, as we all know, is a month dedicated to celebrating Black culture, the history of Black people, and the willingness one must have to learn more about it. Black History Month is coming to an end soon and what better way to close out the month than by attending the final installment of the Black History Symposium Series?

The symposium, hosted by the Hattiloo Theatre, is intended to give people in the Memphis community the space to talk, share their experiences, and learn something new by discussing the struggles Black individuals have faced through storytelling. “The only way that a person can relay a thought is by telling stories. They tell a story of experience. They tell a story of a book that they read. They tell a story of a class that they took or a conference they attended,” says Ekundayo Bandele, executive director and founder of Hattiloo Theatre. “And so one of the things that we’re doing is looking at more ways of storytelling, and not just storytelling but culturally relevant storytelling.” 

Bandele encourages anyone to come and let their voice be heard: to offer solutions, listen and ask questions, and think critically about the current situations that are affecting Black communities around the country. “There has to be a response, and a response isn’t necessarily the symposium itself. The response is from people to see that they are part of a community, for individuals to ask themselves questions that they may not have otherwise considered on their own,” says Bandele.

So far, two of the three symposia have already passed, having been led by keynote speakers Charles McKinney, associate professor of history at Rhodes College, and Charity Clay, visiting assistant professor of African-American history at Rhodes College. The final one will be this Saturday, February 22nd, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with president of the National Civil Rights Museum Russ Wigginton delivering the keynote address. There will be plenty of opportunity for discourse, and there will also be light refreshments available and two 15-minute breaks before the closing segment.

To learn more information about the Black History Symposium and to register to attend for free, visit hattiloo.org/black-history-symposium-series/.  

Black History Symposium Series: The Gentrification of Black Culture, Hattiloo Theatre, 37 South Cooper, Saturday, February 22nd, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., free.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day Early With Mint Cream Market’s Pop-Ups

Amy Dobbins, founder of Mint Cream Market (Photo: Courtesy Amy Dobbins)

Are you wondering how you’re going to spend Valentine’s Day? Perhaps you will go out to eat with your significant other or a love interest and be showered with chocolate-covered strawberries or a teddy bear. Or maybe you don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day at all. Either way, you are guaranteed to fall head over heels for the Galentine x Valentine and the Love Will Tear Us Apart pop-up events hosted by Mint Cream Market.

The Black- and woman-owned pop-up market hosts monthly events in Memphis and Nashville, and both of the aforementioned events will give guests the opportunity to enjoy live performances, gain new experiences, and support small businesses. “Mint Cream Market is where I bring in vendors like crafters, artists, collectors, vendor stores, so people can set up a booth in the market. So, it’s a collaboration,” says Amy Dobbins, the market’s founder. 

The Galentine x Valentine pop-up will feature live performances from women musicians and DJs, as well as women-owned vendors. The event will be held at the Ghost River Brewery Co. from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, and anyone 18 years and older is welcome to attend.

Photo: Courtesy Amy Dobbins

If you are more of a lover, or even a heartbreaker, then the Love Will Tear Us Apart pop-up event is just for you. “We will have a well-known Goth DJ in Memphis, DJ Plastic Citizen,” says Dobbins. “He does industrial cold wave. We will also have a rocker DJ, Amy D — which is me. I’ll be spinning love songs. So, you got me spinning the love songs, the sweet stuff, and we got DJ Plastic Citizen spinning dark wave.”  

And if that’s not satisfying enough, there will be lots of merchandise that fits with the lover and heartbreaker theme of the event. The Love Will Tear Us Apart pop-up will be this Sunday at Memphis Made Brewing Co. from 12 p.m. to  4 p.m.

For more information regarding both events and future events visit mintcreamarket.com/home.

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Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Agricenter

The Chinese lunar calendar attributes each year to an animal. This year’s is the wood snake, representing wisdom, renewal, and a time for transformation. And the Memphis Lunar New Year Fair is occurring jusssst in time for those ringing in the Lunar New Year.

Hosted by the Greater Memphis United Chinese Association and sponsored by the popular Chinese restaurant, Dim Sum King, the fair was created to give participants and their families a day full of fun festivities. “We want all the Memphis community to really get a feel of Lunar New Year because Lunar New Year is not just about the lunar calendar; it’s also about other traditions — the food, culture, and the people, like family getting together and interacting with each other,” says Effie Du, co-chair of the Memphis Lunar New Year Fair. 

This event was also intended to help people understand more about Asian culture. “It’s all about the people and the diversity, and seeing the culture and getting a feel of the Asian culture. That’s what we want to bring. It’s not just one thing. It’s a whole package of Lunar New Year, and the diversity and culture that comes with it,” says Du. If you plan on attending, be prepared to be amazed by many cultural performances, such as martial arts demonstrations and the dragon dance, which is a traditional dance said to bless the new year with good fortune and to ward off bad spirits. And feel free to indulge in a variety of Asian-inspired dishes from local food vendors, mahjong lessons, hands-on experience practicing calligraphy, and so much more.

The Memphis Lunar New Year Fair will only be here this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a general admission fee of $15 and free admission for children 10 years old and under. To learn more information about the upcoming fair and where to purchase tickets, visit memphislunarnewyear.com.  

Memphis Lunar New Year Fair, Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Saturday, February 8, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., $15/general admission, free/children (10 and under). 

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Collage Dance Hosts Two Ballets at the Cannon Center 

Collage Dance celebrates Black History Month. (Photo: Tre’bor R. Jones | courtesy of Collage Dance)

Are you looking for a celebratory way to kick off Black History Month? Well, here’s one way you can start the month off right. Collage Dance’s ballet performances of Their Eyes Were Watching God and Rise were originated with one thing in mind: to honor Black culture and to spotlight pivotal moments the Black community endured in the past. 

“I wanted to create works, or ballets, about our community. Because in this art form, classical ballet, there really are hardly any stories about us,” says Kevin Thomas, artistic director at Collage Dance, co-choreographer with Amy Hall Garner of Their Eyes Were Watching God, and choreographer of Rise. Based on Zora Neale Hurston’s 1937 novel of the same name, Their Eyes Were Watching God follows the timeless story of Janie Crawford’s life and her journey of self-discovery that many fans love, incorporating it into ballet. Thomas says, “This is the first time a story by Zora Neale Hurston has been turned into an actual ballet and a ballet about our history.” 

Rise, on the other hand, is Collage Dance’s decade-old ballet that portrays the era surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech before his assassination, evoking what Black people have overcome and the uncertainty about what lies ahead for them. If you have seen Rise before, expect a few changes as dancers will now be wearing period-inspired costumes instead of the classic abstract attire that they have previously worn. “This was inspired by Abeo Brown, who’s our wardrobe designer, and she came up with this look. She was actually inspired by a picture of the balcony scene of Martin Luther King. There’s a little girl on that balcony and that’s where the inspiration came from. Abeo was honoring that little girl there,” says Thomas. King’s final speech will be presented live during the performance and voiced by the award-winning voice actor known for portraying Pua in The Lion Guard, Gerald C. Rivers. 

The production, which also features the dance Trilogy, runs from January 31st through February 2nd, and tickets are on sale now. For more information regarding all three ballet performances and where to purchase tickets, visit collagedance.org/rise/.  

Their Eyes Were Watching God and Rise, Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Friday, January 31, 11 a.m. (Student Matinee) | Saturday, February 2, 2:30 p.m. | Sunday, February 3, 2:30 p.m., $22-$62.

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Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin Has Its World Premiere at Playhouse

(Photo: itsjusthalo)

Surely, you’ve heard of Joseph Stalin, the controversial leader of the Soviet Union, but have you ever heard of Alexei Dikiy or Felix Dadaev? These are the two characters, based on real people, in Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin, a play following the lives of the two actors who are preparing for the riskiest roles of their careers: Stalin’s body doubles. 

“Dianne Nora, who’s the playwright, has taken very interesting historical facts, which is the fact of Joseph Stalin’s body doubles during World War II, and created this entire world of what could have been — the training that one of those body doubles ended up experiencing,” says Savannah Miller, director of Playhouse on the Square’s NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting Competition that Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin won. The NewWorks competition allows six plays to be entered and examined by judges, but only two can be selected as the winners. (The other winner of this season was Coco Queens, which was performed last summer.)

Of Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin, Miller says, “It speaks to our current moment, with a new and old president coming into office. It speaks to critically evaluating our world leaders and what they are asking you to do. In this case, in Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin, they’re asking you to put your life on the line and you need to know exactly what you’re standing up for.” 

The play, directed by Tony Isbell, encourages audiences to be more aware of what occurred in the past and how it affected people — not to mention how the past can easily become the present. “I hope that it makes them question a little bit more the world around them. And I hope ultimately that it just starts a dialogue. I think it’s a very, very timely piece,” says Miller. 

The production is 90 minutes with no intermission, and it will run from this week until the week of the 26th. For more information about this newest production and Playhouse’s upcoming season as well as where to purchase tickets, visit playhouseonthesquare.org/season-2024—2025.  

Six Men Dressed Like Stalin, TheatreWorks@TheSQuare, 2085 Monroe, through January 26th, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., $25/general admissions, $20/senior citizens, military, and first responders, $15/children under 18.