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

This week, Stax kicks off a summer dance series in Handy Park, flowers meet art at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Memphis Made rolls out the hops. 

Stax Music Academy at Handy Park, Thursday:

Stax Music Academy will perform at Handy Park on Thursday, April 11. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Handy Park will host a Stax Music Academy residency, coined Dance Into Summer, on Thursdays in April. The free shows include performances from various Stax Music Academy ensembles, games, and arts and crafts. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Thursday’s show features the Stax Music Academy Jazz Band, Street Corner Harmonies and Rhythm Section Ensemble. The April 18 event features the Stax Music Academy Rhythm Section Ensemble and Satellite Band. And the finale on April 25 features all of the ensembles. 5-7 p.m. Free (RSVP here). 200 Beale St. — Elle Perry

‘Into the Woods’ at the University of Memphis, opening Thursday:

Weaving together classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk through a new tale about a baker and his wife, Stephen Sondheim’s wordy, witty “Into the Woods” musical comes to the U of M stage. You can read more about it in our April theater roundup. 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays April 11-20. 3745 Central Ave. Tickets and more information can be found here. — Alys Drake

Art in The Loop in the Ridgeway Loop, Friday-Sunday:

This annual East Memphis art festival — co-presented by WKNO and Memphis Magazine — features local fine craft and art vendors and a juried artist market. And because WKNO-FM is involved, guests can expect live performances of classical music throughout the weekend. Food trucks will be onsite throughout the festival as well. Noon-6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Free. Ridgeway Loop Road at Briarcrest Avenue. Click here for more information. — Bianca Phillips

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ at Germantown Community Theatre, opening Friday:

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is narrated by Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism who possesses an extraordinary mathematical mind. The play explores themes of truth, trust and family dynamics from the unique perspective of individuals with autism and offers audiences a glimpse into Christopher’s mind and his journey of self-discovery and growth. The play’s director, Marques Brown, has a remarkable connection to the show. You can read more about it in our April theater roundup. 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays from April 12-28. 3037 Forest Hill Irene Road in Germantown. See here for more information and tickets. — Drake

‘Blues in the Night’ at Hattiloo Theatre, opening Friday:

Hattiloo’s final show of the season is “Blues in the Night,” a musical revue of blues songs that tell the story of three women and the men who have impacted their lives. The music serves as the narrative thread, expressing themes of love, loss, betrayal and resilience that are inherent in the blues tradition. You can read more about it in our April theater roundup. 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday from April 12-14 and 18-28. 37 S. Cooper St. See here for more information and tickets. — Drake

‘Out in the Woods: FOG Fairy Tales’ at Evergreen Theatre, opening Friday:

Classic fairy tales meet drag in this original Friends of George’s variety show, directed by Irene Crist. Ticket sales benefit “Love Doesn’t Hurt,” a local nonprofit working to prevent relationship violence. Friends of George’s, by the way, is the theater company that successfully challenged last year’s attempt by state lawmakers to ban drag performance in public spaces. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 12-13; 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20. $30. 1705 Poplar Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Memphis Flower Show: Rhythm & Hues at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Saturday-Sunday:

Memphis Flower Show: Rhythm & Hues will open at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens on Saturday, April 13. (Courtesy Dixon)

Immerse yourself in art and flowers at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Artists have prepared arrangements inspired by the gallery’s art and this year’s theme, “Rhythm & Hues.” The showcase has been presented by the Memphis Garden Club for the past 40 years and combines elements of photography, botanical arts and design. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Free. 4339 Park Ave. Click here to see the full schedule and buy tickets. — Kelsey Bowen

Puppypalooza at Crosstown Concourse, Saturday:

Crosstown Concourse will host Puppypalooza on Saturday, April 13. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

There will be a paw-ty on Concourse’s South Plaza. Dogs and their owners can enjoy DJs, yard games and even a pet costume contest. Pet parents can get a custom portrait of their dog, and pets can get their nails trimmed for free. Plus, Church Health will be providing blessings for animals. For those looking to add a fur baby to their family, local shelters will have adoption options available. Noon-3 p.m. Free. 1350 Concourse Ave. For more info, click here. — Bowen

Hopped at Memphis Made Brewing Co., Saturday:

Drew Barton (left) and Andy Ashby (right), co-owners of Memphis Made Brewery. Memphis Made will host its annual Hopped festival on Saturday, April 13. (Houston Cofield/The Daily Memphian file)

Some like it hop(py), and if that’s you, spring is your time to shine. Breweries are trading those dark winter stouts and porters for lighter, hoppier beers as the weather warms. Memphis Made Brewing and Memphis Filling Station will offer a selection of limited-run hoppy brews at this annual fest. Plus, there will be live music by Jeff Hulett & the Hand Me Downs and San Salida. Food trucks Chi Phi and Emporio’s Table will be on-site, and there’s a free Drafts and Laughs comedy show starting at 7:30 p.m. Festival starts at noon. Free. 768 S. Cooper St. Click here for more information. — Phillips

New Ballet Ensemble presents ‘Springloaded’ at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, Saturday-Sunday:

New Ballet Ensemble’s “Springloaded” shows at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14. (Courtesy New Ballet)

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time for New Ballet’s annual “Springloaded” show. This year’s performance, “Tales of Light,” explores the duality of the physical light we can see and the light that shines from within through diverse styles ranging from classical ballet to hip-hop dance. 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 60 Perkins Extd. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Time Warp: ‘Hail! Hail! Classic Rock and Roll Cinema’ at Malco Summer Drive-In, Saturday:

Time Warp Drive-in will feature rock documentaries at the Malco Summer Drive-in on Saturday, April 13. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

This month’s installment of the Time-Warp Drive-In series offers up a triple bill of classic rock on the big screen: Director Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic “The Doors” (with Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison), the 1982 album adaptation “Pink Floyd: The Wall” and the 1976 concert film/documentary “Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same.” I rewatched “The Doors” a few years ago and, well, it’s terrible. But it’s the kind of cheesy terrible that probably works in this setting, especially if you like the music. And the finale of this triple feature? The concert footage is from Madison Square Garden circa 1973, a great band at peak of powers. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Films start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $25 per car. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington

‘A Day on Witches’ Way’ at Paradox at Peco, Sunday:

Paradox at Peco will host “A Day on Witches Way” on Sunday, April 14. (Submitted)

Witchy vibes will abound at this metaphysical festival co-hosted by oddities shops Paradox and The Sanctuary. Expect vendors selling anything from jewelry to taxidermy, psychic and intuitive readings, live music, food from Blanchard’s Organic Breads and beers from the aptly named (for this fest) Soul and Spirits Brewing. Noon-6 p.m. Free. 248 S. Cooper St. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Sara Koffi in conversation with Kristen R. Lee at Novel, Tuesday: 

Sara Koffi will discuss her new book at Novel on Tuesday, April 16. (C Pearce Photography)

Memphian Sara Koffi’s debut novel “While We Were Burning” is on a number of anticipated book lists. The thriller has been described as film “Parasite” meets bestselling, Kiley Reid novel “Such a Fun Age.” It’s centered on a well-to-do Harbor Town woman — Elizabeth — who hires a working-class woman — Brianna — as her personal assistant. Both are coping with recent deaths: Elizabeth, with the death of a friend, and Brianna, the death of her son at the hands of police. Memphians will recognize many locales in the book. Koffi will be in conversation with friend and fellow Memphis author Kristen R. Lee. Lee is author of young adult novels “Sun Keep Rising” and “Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman.” 6 p.m. Free admission ($28 for hardcover book). 387 Perkins Ext. Click here for more information. — Perry

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