Ryan Walden plays Harry Boychick in Company J's “The Boychick Affair,” an interactive play about a young Bar Mitzvah boy who aspires to be a rap star. Walden is joined by, from left, Amy Feinberg, Grace Hancock and Sylvee Legge. The show continues through Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody. Photo: Heidi Morton

FRIDAY Dance: Atlanta Ballet presents the world premiere of Twyla Tharp’s “The Princess & the Goblin,” a  full-evening ballet co-produced with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Performances begin Feb. 10 and continue through Feb. 19 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Nature, exhibition: “Wildlife Rescue” explores the efforts of everyday people dedicating their lives to helping animals survive. Discover how waterfowl are being saved from oil spills, how orphaned elephant calves and baby orangutans are being raised and released back into the wild and more in this interactive exhibition, which runs through May 6 …

Home Grown GA was your pick for best new restaurant of 2010. Tell us about your favorite new restaurant of 2011. Photo: Becky Stein / Special

This time around, we’re all about the new kids on the block. Even in a less-than-stellar economic climate, the Atlanta area saw many new restaurants open in 2011. If you’re having trouble remembering what’s new, here’s Jenny Turknett’s list of 2011’s openings and closings.

Tell us about your favorite new restaurant in and around Atlanta and what makes it special. And if you want to lament the passing of an old favorite, that’s fine, too

A group of jugglers practice passing clubs during last year's Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival. The 34th annual event takes place this weekend at the Yaarab Shrine Center on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown. Photo: Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com

FRIDAY Festival: The Yaarab Shrine Center in Atlanta hosts the 34th annual Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival, which brings jugglers and fans together for three days of gravity-defying fun Feb. 3-5. Most events are free for spectators, including the competitive performances late-night cabaret at 10 p.m. Feb. 4, $5; registration $20 for festival participants.

Stage: The 2010 Tony Award winner for best musical, “Memphis,” comes to the Fox Theatre. Check out our interview with one of the show’s authors, David Bryan, and our review. It continues through Feb. 5.

Music: Hollyfest IV is the latest installment of an annual celebration of music from Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, marking the anniversary of the plane crash …

Colorful costumes, graceful movement and beautiful music combine in performances by Shen Yun Performing Arts. The company will bring its take on traditional Chinese music amd dance to the Cobb Energy Perfroming Arts Centre this weekend.

FRIDAY Recreation, families: The North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross hosts the Great American Motorcycle Show. They’ll have a huge selection of two-wheeled machines and lots of bike-related activities, including a best-dressed biker kid contest. It’s happening Jan. 27-29.

Stage: Shen Yun Performing Arts offers classical Chinese dance and music inspired by the myths and legends of traditional Chinese culture. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Stage: Théâtre du Rêve revisits its popular 2011 production, “The Red Balloon,” inspired by the classic French film, which comes to life with puppetry, live music and more. It opens Jan. 27 and continues through …

A sampler appetizer platter of various gumbos, red beans and rice and jambalaya at Gumbeaux's in Douglasville, which was your pick and our pick for best Cajun/Creole restaurant in and around Atlanta. Photo: Renee Brock / Special

1.Gumbeaux’s Cajun Café You say, “So worth the drive. The food is incredible and inexpensive. I just got back from New Orleans and it tastes just like the food there” and “Great food great atmosphere, most of the staff have been there forever and really make you feel part of the family. They always have great specials and 50¢ shrimp night. Their food is amazing and the portions are huge. Also the best banana pudding I have ever put in my mouth (sorry grandma ) lol. Seriously we go here on a regular basis and always refer our friends, clients and family. Check it out you will not be disappointed.”

2. Henry’s Louisiana Grill 3. Big Easy Grill 4. Adele’s Authentic Cajun Experience 5. AJ’s Famous Seafood and Po’boys 6. Cajun’s Cookin’

French …

The percussionists of "Blast" will drum up some excitement at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre this weekend.

FRIDAY Stage: In the Atlanta Opera’s “The 24-Hour Opera Project,” composers and lyricists who have been selected to participate will be randomly paired together, and will have 12 hours to write an opera scene. At the end of 12 hours, the pieces will be assigned to a stage director, who will draft singers from a pool of applicants, and have eight hours to rehearse before presenting the pieces in a showcase concert 24 hours after the project begins. Kick-off event is at 5 p.m. Jan. 20; composition begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 (both take place at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta). The final concert is at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Atlanta Opera Center.

Stage: 35 brass, percussion and visual performers come together in “Blast,” a blend of music and theater that received a 2001 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Catch it at the Cobb Energy …

Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio at Pho Dai Loi in Forest Park, your pick for best Vietnamese restaurant. Pho Dai Loi also has a location on Buford Highway. Photo: Becky Stein, Special

YOUR PICKS 1. Pho Dai Loi You say, “Another vote for Pho Dai Loi on Jonesboro Rd. Many a Saturday morning has found me there shaking off a hangover with a big bowl of pho and some Vietnamese coffee.” There is also a location on Buford Highway.

2. Lee’s Bakery 3. Chateau de Saigon 4. Pho Bac 5. Quoc Huong 6. Dua

A tasty bowl of pho at Nam Phuong in Norcross, our critic's pick for best Vietnamese restaurant in and around Atlanta. Nam Phuong now has a location on Buford Highway, too. Photo: Becky Stein, Special

OUR PICKS 1. Nam Phuong The AJC dining team’s specialist in International Cuisine Gene Lee says, “Run by a mother and son team, Nam Phuong’s Norcross location impresses diners with a sophisticated upgrade not typically associated with Vietnamese dining. Around a year later, a second location …

Go get yourself a boat at the Atlanta Boat Show this weekend - or maybe you could just window-shop and dream. That's likely what most of the attendees will be doing at this annual event, but don't miss the interactive learning experiences being offered through the weekend. Photo: Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com

FRIDAY Recreation, outdoors: The Atlanta Boat Show will have powerboats, sport fishers, ski boats and personal watercraft. Booths showcase the latest engines, gear, electronics and more. Don’t miss a massive 200,000-gallon wake park and the Let’s Go Fishing Center, which offers an underwater view of fish reacting to lures and bait. At the Georgia World Congress Center through Jan. 15.

Stage: In the Actor’s Express production “Next Fall,” 20-something Luke, who believes in God, is deeply in love with the slightly older Adam, who believes in everything but. When a tragic accident interrupts their perfect life, Adam must turn to Luke’s friends …

Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. We honor the great civil rights leader with an annual holiday on Monday, Jan. 16, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer and give back to the community. UPI.

Many of the King Day events are centered in the King Historic District in the Auburn Avenue area, including Monday morning’s annual commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the march and rally on Auburn Avenue Monday afternoon. Check the King Center’s website and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Site’s online home for more. For volunteer opportunities, head over to Hands On Atlanta’s MLK Day page.

“From King to Obama – DuBois and Back Again: Reflections on Race, Nation and African American Internationalism.” An art exhibition by J.R. Phillips focusing on the artistic interactions between the African Diaspora and mainland China in the 20th and 21st centuries. Through March 31. …