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

This week, Lucero plays a free show for Huey’s birthday, a death-row inmate performs from an Ohio prison and you can play musical chairs at Hattiloo.

‘Freedom First’ jazz concert with Keith LaMar at Rhodes College, Thursday:

Cleveland-born poet and activist Keith LaMar is on death row at the Ohio State Penitentiary for his alleged role in a prison uprising that resulted in the murder of five fellow prisoners. LaMar maintains his innocence, but he’s scheduled for execution in January 2027. Since 2020, LaMar has been “touring” the world with his spoken-word performances, which are broadcast by phone from prison. In this Rhodes show, his spoken word will be accompanied by a live jazz band led by Albert Marques. 7:30 p.m. Free. The performance will be in the McNeill Concert Hall. Register here for a parking pass. 2000 N. Parkway. — Bianca Phillips

‘Schoolhouse Rock Live’ at the Shell on Wheels, Friday:

“Schoolhouse Rock Live” will be on the Shell on Wheels stage on Friday, April 11. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Need to brush up on the function of conjunctions? Or need a primer on how a bill becomes a law? “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” is coming to Shell on Wheels, marking the first-ever theater production on the Overton Park Shell’s mobile stage. Expect all the classics, like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill,” in this family-friendly production for all ages. This is an outdoor show, and attendees should BYOC (bring your own chair). In case of inclement weather, the rain date will be Friday, April 25. 4 p.m. Free. 9920 Humphrey Road in Cordova. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s ‘Happy Land’ book signing at Novel, Friday:

Dolen Perkins-Valdez

New York Times best-selling author and native Memphian Dolen Perkins-Valdez will be at Novel after the publication of her latest novel. “Happy Land” is based on the little-known Kingdom of the Happy Land, a community established by about 50 formerly enslaved people in the mountains of the border of North and South Carolina in the 1860s. William and Louella Bobo Montgomery served as king and queen of the self-sufficient community. Perkins-Valdez is an associate professor in the master of fine arts program of American University in Washington, DC. Her previous novels include “Wench,” “Balm” and “Take My Hand.” 6 p.m. Free (but RSVP here). — Elle Perry

‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ at Memphis Made Brewing Co., Friday:

Drink beer and learn about sustainable food at “Love Food, Hate Waste” at Memphis Made Brewing Co. on Friday, April 11. (Leann Edwards/Project Green Fork)

We’re smack in the middle of Food Waste Prevention Week, and Clean Memphis is celebrating with its annual “Love Food, Hate Waste” fest. Project Green Fork will host food-waste-themed trivia, and a chef will demonstrate how to turn kitchen scraps into tasty treats. Plus, there will be food trucks and live music. The event is free, but the first 50 people to register for tickets will also get a free Memphis Made beer or N/A beverage. 6-8 p.m. Free. 16 S. Lauderdale St. Click here for tickets. — Phillips

‘Spring for Forrest’ cocktail party and auction at Fedex Event Center at Shelby Farms Park, Friday:

The Forrest Spence Fund is hosting its 10th Annual Spring for Forrest Cocktail Party and Auction on Friday, April 11. (Courtesy Forrest Spence Fund)

The Forrest Spence Fund is hosting this 10th annual party with delicious food, craft beers and seltzers, fine wines, music and live and silent auctions. The Forrest Spence Fund assists critically or chronically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-South. The organization has provided nonmedical support to more than 136,000 families with a sick child. Last year, this event raised more than $80,000. 6:30 p.m. $100. 415 Great View Drive E. Click here for more information. — Nick Lingerfelt

All Night Trio featuring the University of Memphis Jazz Combo at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Friday:

All Night Trio will play at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts on Friday, April 11. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Kansas City, Missouri, jazz favorites All Night Trio released their latest project, “Yeah Sun,” on April 7. The trio, which has been making music together long before the band’s debut album in 2022, consists of bandleader and pianist Matt Villinger, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb and drummer Zach Morrow. The concert’s opening act is the U of M Jazz Combo, a small jazz ensemble composed of students in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show. $15 advance, $20 at the door. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280 — Perry

Cazateatro presents ‘The River Bride’ at TheatreWorks, opening Friday:

What happens when a handsome man emerges from the Amazon River in a Brazilian fishing village three days before a wedding? Explore love, regret and sisterhood at Cazateatro’s production of “The River Bride.” Cazateatro is a multilingual theater company that performs shows in English, Spanish and, in this case, Portuguese. Immerse yourself in a new culture through the stage. Plus, you might learn a bit of Spanish. Shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. $15-$25. 2085 Monroe Ave. Click here for more info. — Kelsey Bowen

Porchfest in the Cooper-Young Historic District, Saturday:

Porchfest will be held in the Cooper-Young Historic District on Saturday, April 12. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

One thing every Southerner loves is a front porch. (Amen!) At Porchfest, you can stroll the Cooper-Young neighborhood, and drop in on sets as bands play the porches of Midtown’s beautiful homes. Performers cover genres ranging from garage pop to bluesy jazz, to country/folk/Motown, rock and “indie folk for sad sacks” (that’s Matty K at 1:30 p.m. at 882 Meda St.). Don’t know where to start? Here are some shows to check out: 

• Noon - Alexis Jade & the Gemstones at the CY Gazebo or Turnstyles at 950 Meda St.
• 1 p.m. - Mystic Light Casino (my favorite show from last year) at the CY Gazebo
• 2:15 p.m. - Charlie & Friends’ stand-up to cleanse the palette at 2034 Evelyn Ave.
• 3 p.m. - Disney covers from Taco Belle at 882 Meda St.
• 4 p.m. - Shorty & the Grooves at 2033 Oliver Ave.
• 5 p.m. - Drag performance from Magical Miss Mothie & Friends at 922 Philadelphia St. or Strooly’s DJ set at 2006 Young Ave.

And don’t forget to bring some cash to tip your performers. For early birds, there will be neighborhood yard sales from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here’s the map. And if you need a caffeine kick to get you up, stop into the newly reopened Java Cabana. Shopping, walking, jamming, eating and drinking — hey, that’s all you need for a perfect day! (Amen!) Click here for the full Porchfest schedule, maps and more details. Noon-5 p.m. Free to attend. — Kelsey Bowen 

Musical Chairs Dinner Theatre at Hattiloo Theatre, Saturday:

Hattiloo will host a new event, blending a multi-course dinner, live musical performances from the Hattiloo House Band and “musical chairs-style seat swapping.” Dinner choices include standard and vegetarian. The event benefits the theater’s programs. 6 p.m. cocktail hour, 6:30 p.m. seating (on-time arrival is suggested. $125 (tickets here). 37 S. Cooper St. — Perry

‘Havoc at Hampline’ at Hampline Brewing, Saturday:

Memphis Armored Fight Club members will let you hit them with swords at Hampline Brewing on Saturday, April 12. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Want to fight a knight? Here’s your chance to pretend like King Arthur fighting The Black Knight in “Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail.” Just no “flesh wounds,” okay? At this family-friendly event, you can sip beer and fight dudes in armor. First, there’s an exhibition fight at 6 p.m., where you can watch the pro knights from Memphis Armored Fight Club battle each other. And then, you can either suit up in padded armor and fight your friends (or strangers!), or you can grab a sword and take your frustrations out on one of the Fight Club’s accommodating knights. How chivalrous! 6-9 p.m. $10 event admission (all ages welcome), $10 for Fight Like a Knight (where you fight friends; ages 5 and up) or $10 for Whack-a-Knight (where you fight an Armored Fight Club member; ages 10 and up). 584 Tillman St. #1. Click here for more information. — Phillips

Nnenna Freelon at Germantown Performing Arts Center, Saturday:

Nnenna Freelon (right) and her son Pierce Freelon arrived at the 66th annual Grammy Awards in 2024. She’ll be performing at the Germantown Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 13. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP file)

Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz vocalist with a 30-year career. Having performed with Ray Charles, Ellis Marsalis and Herbie Hancock, Freelon released her latest album, “Beneath the Skin,” in March. It centers on love, loss and transformation. Also a playwright and author, Durham, North Carolina-based Freelon co-founded the nonprofit NorthStar Church of the Arts with her late husband Phil Freelon in 2018. Its mission is to serve minority and LGBTQ+ communities through social justice and the arts. Her multi-faceted career includes starting the Babysong workshop in collaboration with the Duke Medical Center. It encourages postpartum families to use singing to teach and soothe babies. She also has served as a teaching artist, working with kindergarten through 12th-grade students in rural North Carolina. 8-9:30 p.m. $34-$76. 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown. — Perry

Huey’s 55th anniversary block party, Sunday:

Ben Nichols of Lucero (Owen Sweeney/AP file)

Huey’s is now old enough to get a discounted senior room rate at the Best Western. And the party they’re throwing will definitely appeal to the Gen X crowd of the same age. Lucero is headlining the free show, so that’ll be a big draw. And other acts include Sons of Mudboy, John Nemeth and the Blue Dreamers, El Ced & Groove Nation, Even Odds and The Chaulkies & Art Edmaiston. There will also be a kids’ zone, food and beer. Learn more about Huey’s history in this episode of our Sound Bites podcast. 1-8 p.m. Free. 1927 Madison Ave. Click here for more on the show. — Phillips

New Ballet Ensemble’s ‘SpringLoaded’ at Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, Saturday-Sunday:

New Ballet Ensemble will present “SpringLoaded” at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center Saturday-Sunday, April 11-12. (Courtesy New Ballet Ensemble)

“SpringLoaded” is New Ballet Ensemble & School’s annual spring production. This year, it features “Slaughter at the Peabody,” transforming Richard Rodgers’ ballet “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” and relocating it to the Peabody Hotel. The production includes works featuring student and professional choreographers. “SpringLoaded” uses EpiArts Alliance’s FlashCue Project protocols, which inform theater audiences of flashing lights and educates theater lighting designers on photosensitivity. The protocols can be helpful for attendees with epilepsy, autism or migraines. The Peabody Memphis is a sponsor of the “SpringLoaded” production. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 60 Perkins Extd. — Perry

.....