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

This week, 1990s hip-hop group Arrested Development headlines Africa in April, Shelby Farms Park gets a head start on Earth Day and music is back on Cooper-Young porches.

Africa in April at Robert R. Church Park, Friday-Sunday:

Africa in April runs Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, at Robert R. Church Park. (The Daily Memphian file)

The 37th annual Africa In April Cultural Awareness Festival will highlight the Republic of Gambia this year with music, food, fashion and more. The fest kicks off on Friday with a marketplace in the park opening at 8 a.m. and an international parade down Beale Street at 10 a.m. The marketplace continues on Saturday at 8 a.m. with a performance by 1990s hip-hop group Arrested Development at 6 p.m. Sunday is International Music Day with another day-long event. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday. 191 Beale St. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips

Spring Plant Sale at Memphis Botanic Garden, Friday-Saturday:

The Memphis Botanic Garden will host its annual spring plant sale Friday-Saturday, April 19-20. (Courtesy MBG)

If you haven’t started your spring garden yet, you’d better get busy before it’s hotter than Satan’s house cat outside. The Botanic Garden’s annual sale features a curated selection of native plants, including trees, shrubs, veggies, herbs, flowers and more. Plus, you can get gardening advice from the pros: MBG’s horticultural staff and Master Gardener volunteers will be on-hand to answer questions on plant care. Proceeds from plant sales benefit the Botanic Garden. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Shell Daze Music Festival at the Overton Park Shell, Friday-Saturday:

Mempho Presents will host the Shell Daze Music Festival Friday-Saturday, April 19-20, at the Overton Park Shell. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Mempho’s annual funk fest is back at the Overton Park Shell just in time for 4/20 weekend. Jacksonville, Florida-based American-Southern soul-rock band JJ Grey & Mofro will headline Friday’s show with an opening performance by Colorado-based jam/roots band The Runaway Grooms. On Saturday, jam band Oteil Burbridge & Friends will headline after opening shows by regional bands Kudzu Kings and Devil Train. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday, and music starts at 6:15 p.m.; gates open at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and music begins at 4:45 p.m. General admission is $50 for a one-day pass or $89 for a two-day pass. 1928 Poplar Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Ballet Memphis ‘American Roots’ at Crosstown Theater, Friday-Sunday:

Ballet Memphis is closing its 37th season with “American Roots.” The three days of performances feature three new dance works, each set to Americana music. Ailey II rehearsal director Alia Kache’s work is titled “The Stars, My God.” Ballet Memphis rehearsal director Julie Niekrasz’ work, titled “Habit of Mind,” explores empathy and self reflection and is set to the music of singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell. (Ferrell is scheduled to play the Overton Park Shell in August.) Ballet Memphis School co-director Brandon Ramey’s work is titled “One Trick Pony” and pays tribute to country music — and its listeners — with music from Dallas’ Joshua Ray Walker. The “American Roots” production also features live music from the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band. 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. $35-$55. 1350 Concourse Ave. — Elle Perry

Swiftie Saturday at Novel, Saturday:

Novel celebrates Taylor Swift’s new album on Saturday, April 20, with Swiftie Saturday. (Chris Pizzello/AP file)

Taylor Swift fans of all ages can take part in a day of Swiftie celebration at Novel. It begins with a writing workshop at 9 a.m., where teens 13 and up can make friendship bracelets and draft poems inspired by her Swift’s new album “The Tortured Poets Department,” which releases Friday. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a free Swiftie Story Time for children under 5, with another ticketed story time for kids 5 to 12 at 12:30 p.m. Then in the evening, adults 18 and up can head to one of the Never Grow Up Bracelet Making classes, which comes with Taylor-inspired drinks, a Swiftie “Mad Libs” book and all the friendship bracelets you make (and trade)! Throughout the entire day, there will be Swiftie merch and books on display and a photo booth to capture every second. And, of course, costumes are encouraged. First event begins at 9 a.m. $5-$35. 387 Perkins Extended. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets. — Kelsey Bowen

Spirit Fest Metaphysical and Holistic Fair at Agricenter International, Saturday:

Let’s get metaphysical! The owner of The Sanctuary for Mind, Body, & Spirit, a long-gone Memphis metaphysical shop, moved to Florida several years ago, but she’s bringing her shop’s Spirit Fest back to the Bluff City this weekend. Expect Tarot readers and other intuitive readings, healing practitioners of various stripes (think Reiki, etc.) and plenty of vendors selling crystals, oils, candles and all the woo-woo supplies your heart desires. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $14.90. 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Earth Day Festival at Shelby Farms Park, Saturday:

Earth Day is Monday, April 22, and Shelby Farms Park is kicking off its festivities a couple days early. The festival starts with an untimed fun run around Hyde Lake at 10 a.m. The afternoon brings three goat yoga sessions at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. A DJ will play music throughout the day, and there will also be a kids’ zone with inflatables, yard games, learning stations and more. More than 25 local organizations will be on-hand to discuss their approaches to sustainability. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Festival is free; fun run registration is $22. 6903 Great View Drive North. Click here for more information. And check out our Earth Day guide for more events. — Phillips

World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival at Mississippi River Garden Park, Saturday:

The 22nd Annual World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival is Saturday, April 20. (Courtesy Charles London)

Wing it up at this yearly festival benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. This year, 50 teams will compete for a $10,000 cash prize. Grilled, smoked, fried, sweet, savory, exotic: There’s a wing for everybody to sample at this festival. Teams accept donations to the Ronald McDonald House in exchange for wing samples ($1-$3 per wing recommended). Each festival ticket includes three “wing bucks” to get started. And don’t forget the live music! The Memphis Second Line Jazz Band will lead a parade to start the festival at 11 a.m. See the full music line-up and read more in our April food event guide. 11 a.m. $15. 51 Riverside Drive. Click here for tickets. — Nick Lingerfelt

Cooper-Young Porchfest, Saturday:

Cooper-Young Porchfest is Saturday, April 20. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

The Cooper-Young Community Association is once again hosting Porchfest, with a dizzying schedule of bands performing on 46 porches in yards around Cooper-Young on Saturday afternoon. It’s a prime people-watching, yard-snooping and spring mingling event. There will also be about 20 yard sales happening around the neighborhood. Visit the gazebo at Cooper Street and Young Avenue starting at 11 a.m. for paper maps and merch for sale. The afterparty concert starts at 6 p.m. with the Overton Park Shell’s Shell on Wheels stage setup at Philadelphia Street and Young Avenue. Noon-6 p.m. Free to attend. Click here for the map and more information. — Holly Whitfield

Muck Sticky’s ‘Reefer Madness’ at Black Lodge, Saturday:

Muck Sticky will perform at Black Lodge on Saturday, April 20. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file

It’s 4/20, and you know what that means? It’s time for Memphis’ weirdest, pajama-pants-wearing “rapper” to take the stage in his hometown for the first time in five years. Not familiar with Muck Sticky? Think back to that late 1990s-era stoner you’d see playing hacky-sack with on the college quad, and give him some oversized sunglasses and colorful, baggy PJ pants. And then imagine these lyrics coming out of his mouth: “I’m the sticky muck, sticky icky muck/We’re gonna party, la dee da dee/Till the sun is coming up.” Opening performance by Bonzai (formerly Taco & Da Mofos). 7 p.m. $20 advance or $24 at the door. 405 N. Cleveland St. Click here for more information. — Phillips

‘Metal Petals and Healing Roots’ opening reception at Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Saturday:

See the tools of destruction that have been turned into tools of growth and works of art. The reception will showcase pieces created from the Guns to Gardens gun-surrender event. It will also celebrate the artists who shaped this metal into something new. All proceeds from the art sale and opening reception will be used to support future Guns to Gardens events, tentatively scheduled for February 2025. Runs through May 11. 7-9 p.m. Free. 1567 Overton Park Ave. Click here for more information. — Alys Drake

Collage Dance Collective presents ‘Elevate’ at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday-Sunday:

Collage Dance Collective, shown here in past performance of Amy Hall Garner’s “Bluff City Blues,” will perform “Elevate” Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21. (Shocphoto/Courtesy Collage Dance)

Collage Dance’s final home performance of its 14th season features three works. The centerpiece is the Memphis premiere of Wayne McGregor’s “Chroma.” McGregor created the ballet for London’s Royal Ballet, and it received an Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. “Chroma” is set to original music by Joby Talbot and his arrangements of music by Jack White of The White Stripes. “Elevate” also features the Memphis premiere of “Luminescent,” a ballet that Collage commissioned from a Miami choreographer. It’s set to the music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the 18th-century French violinist and composer sometimes called “The Black Mozart.” During the show, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform the score live. The weekend also features the return of Amy Hall Garner’s “Bluff City Blues.” That ballet is set to the music of Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Koko Taylor. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday; 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Ticket prices vary. 255 N. Main St. — Elle Perry 

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival on Riverside Drive, Sunday: 

The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival is Sunday, April 21. (Courtesy Mary Braddock/Porter-Leath)

This spring festival dedicated to fresh Louisiana crawfish has free entry for all, with crawfish, food and drink for sale. There will be two stages with live music: Local band Free World will play on one stage, and Dikkie Du and the Zydeco Krewe will perform a South Louisiana zydeco set on the other. Activities include crawfish bobbing, eating and racing; arts and crafts vendors; and a play area for children under 12 years old. Read more about the event in our April food guide. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free, but meals will cost $40. Riverside Drive. Click here for more information. — Lingerfelt

Sowgand Sheikholeslami’s ‘Progression’ and ‘Memphis 2024’ at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, opening Sunday:

Lonnie Robinson is one artist featured in Dixon Gallery & Garden’s “Memphis 2024.” (Courtesy Dixon)

In its Mallory and Wurtzburger Galleries, the Dixon is hosting Sowgand Sheikholeslami’s “Progression.” Sheikholeslami retired in December 2023 after a 38-year-career that included working as designer and illustrator for a publishing agency, and then as an art and creative director for a nonprofit. This exhibition is her first foray into life as a full-time fine artist. She describes her current style as “non-representational figurative.” The exhibition will be on view through July 7. The Dixon Gallery & Gardens will also open its “Memphis 2024” exhibition in conjunction with the 2024 Memphis Flower Show. “Memphis 2024” features more than 50 works — including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, fiber art, photography, metalwork and assemblage — from 20 artists currently creating in the city. Among those artists are Jimpsie Ayres, Jamond Bullock, Ben Butler, Brantley Ellzey, Carl E. Moore, Kong Wee Pang, Cat Peña and others. The exhibition runs through Sunday, June 30. 1-5 p.m. Free admission. 4339 Park Ave. — Elle Perry

Tributaries: Morgan Lugo ‘It’s All Relative’ at the Metal Museum, opening Sunday:

“Family Recipe (Southern)” by Morgan Lugo. Lugo’s work will be on view at the Metal Museum from April 21 through July 7. (Morgan Lugo/Courtesy Metal Museum)

After healing from a brain injury, Sicilian/Puerto Rican post-surrealist sculptor Morgan Lugo became interested in what a fleeting moment of personal experience might look like as it transitions into a memory. In his work, he attempts to illustrate those fleeting moments with permanent materials, such as bronze. The exhibition runs through July 7, and Lugo will present an artist talk on Sunday, April 21 from 3-5 p.m. 374 Metal Museum Dr. Click here for more information. — Phillips

‘Le Spectacle’ at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Sunday:

The Children’s Ballet Theater Youth Company and Tennessee Ballet Theater will play tribute to famed contemporary choreographer George Balanchine with classical and contemporary dance. “Le Spectacle” also features contemporary works by Memphis choreographers Steven Prince Tate, Erin Walter and Alyssa Abbas. 2-3:15 p.m. $10 for teens; $15 for adults. 60 Perkins Extended. — Perry

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