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

In this week’s To-Do List, the Stax Music Academy takes over Handy Park, Ballet Memphis performs a Shakespeare classic and Novel’s new club lets you walk and read at the same time.

Stax Music Academy’s ‘Dance Into The Summer’ Handy Park Residency: Thursday

Stax Music Academy will start a residency at Handy Park (pictured) on Thursday, April 9. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Stax Music Academy kicks off its Handy Park residency this week. (There are also shows on April 16 and April 23.) The April 16 session is Jazz Night and set to feature Stax Music Academy students, along with students from Central High School, Memphis Jazz Workshop, White Station High School, Collierville High School, Cordova High School and Overton High School. Attendees should bring a lawn chair. 5:30 p.m. Free admission. 200 Beale St. More info here. — Elle Perry

‘Townmania’ book talk at Novel, Thursday:

Marcus B. Winchester (Courtesy The Digital Archive of Memphis Public Libraries)

You’ve no doubt heard of E.H. ‘Boss’ Crump, a dominant force in Memphis politics for most of the first half of the 20th century. But what about Marcus Winchester? He was the first mayor of Memphis way back in the late 1820s. Sent to Memphis at Andrew Jackson’s request, Winchester transformed the Mississippi River’s fourth bluff into a thriving city. But his story has been largely forgotten. Now, “Townmania,” a new book by R. Scott Williams, attempts to bring that tale to light. Read more about the book in Joi Malone’s Daily Memphian story. Williams will discuss the book in conversation with former bow-tie weather guy Joey Sullipeck. 6 p.m. Free. 387 Perkins Extd. More info here. — Bianca Phillips

Chef’s Tasting at Erling Jensen, Friday-Saturday: 

Chef Erling Jensen’s tasting menu includes eight courses at his flagship restaurant on Friday and Saturday evening. The meal begins with the amuse-bouche: a potato croquette with crispy chicken skin, black pepper and chives. It also features wines from France, Italy and South Africa as optional pairings for five of the eight courses. 6:30 p.m. $119. 5101 Sanderlin Ave. Reservations encouraged. — Ellen Chamberlain 

Live Music at Ciao Bella, Fridays: 

Alternative rock, folk, blues and soul music take the outdoor stage at Ciao Bella Italian Grill in this two-month weekly music series. Each Friday through May 22, a rotating lineup of artists will serenade patio guests with live music. This week’s performance is from Liquid Paperboys. The full kitchen and bar menus will be available. 6-9 p.m. Free to attend. 5101 Sanderlin Ave. More info here. — Chamberlain 

‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ at Hattiloo Theatre, opens Friday:

"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" opens at Hattiloo Theatre on Friday April 10. (Courtesy Hattiloo Theatre)

Ma Rainey, known as the “Mother of the Blues,” helped shape the blues in the 1920s and was known as a sharp businesswoman who controlled her performances and resisted exploitation. Playwright August Wilson sets “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” in a Chicago recording studio where frustrations overflow during a session. The 2020 film by the same name stars Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final role before his death from colon cancer the same year. The film was dedicated to Boseman. Read more about it in our theater roundup.  7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $25 37 S. Cooper St. More information here. — Alys Drake

“When I come back next year there will be more added to it,” Elvis fan Becky Cornelius said about her Elvis tattoo as she stood outside Graceland during the candlelight vigil Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

Tattoo Fest at Graceland Exhibition Center, Friday-Sunday:

It’s time to finally get that TCB tattoo. This annual festival will bring more than 200 tattoo artists from across the country, and many of them will be available for walk-up appointments. Besides offering new ink, artists will be competing for prizes in categories ranging from best back piece to best pop-culture tattoo. 1-10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. Single-day tickets are $27.50, and weekend passes are $60. 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. More info here. — Phillips

Ballet Memphis’ ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the Germantown Performing Arts Center, Friday-Sunday:

Ballet Memphis will perform “Romeo and Juliet” Friday-Sunday, April 10-12. (Submitted)

Ballet Memphis closes its mainstage season with artistic director Steven McMahon’s version of the Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet.” Ballet Memphis debuted the ballet in 2012 and last performed it in 2019. It will be the first time Ballet Memphis has performed it at GPAC. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $40-$62 (including fees). 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown. — Perry

Book It: An Audiobook Walk at Novel, Saturday:

Who says you can’t walk and read at the same time? At this inaugural meetup of Novel’s new walking club, the first 20 people to show up will get a free book from Libro.fm, an ethical audiobook platform that supports indie bookstores, not Amazon. If you’d rather talk to friends while you walk, that’s fine, too. After the walk, there will be time for socializing at the store. 9 a.m. Free, but register here. 387 Perkins Extd. More info here. — Phillips

Spirit Fest Metaphysical, Holistic, & Crystal Expo at the Agricenter International, Saturday:

Get ready to get woo-woo! This traveling metaphysical expo got its humble beginnings here almost two decades ago at a Germantown Holiday Inn Express. Though it’s now based in Florida, it comes back to Memphis annually, and it’s grown big enough for the Agricenter. Inside, you’ll find psychic readers, crystal sales, sound healing sessions and all manner of new age-y things. I had my aura read at the first-ever Spirit Fest in 2010, and it glowed yellow — if you believe the aura-reading machine. (For my joyful optimism and vibrant personality, natch. You can see a picture of that in this old Memphis Flyer story.) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Sunday. $14.90. 7777 Walnut Grove Road. More info here. — Phillips

Family Day at Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Saturday:

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is hosting a free family day on Saturday, April 11. (Adrian Sainz/AP file)

Admission to the Stax Museum is free at this monthly event. For the April family day, the American Red Cross Mid-South Tennessee Chapter will be on-site offering hands-on CPR demos for kids and teaching basic fire and earthquake safety. There will also be food trucks, arts and crafts, games and other activities. 1-4 p.m. Free. 926 E McLemore Ave. More info here. — Phillips

Tributaries Music Festival at Wiseacre Brewing OG, Saturday: 

Wiseacre Brewing Co. is hosting the Tributaries Music Festival, featuring tribute bands playing the music of Neil Young, Booker T & the MGs, Talking Heads and the early music of R.E.M. The event is being held concurrently with Taste the Rarity, Wiseacre’s annual beer festival. Parking will be limited. 2-10 p.m. Performances begin at 3 p.m. Free. 2783 Broad Ave. More info here. — Chamberlain 

Control Cultura Vol. 5 at Growlers, Saturday:

DJ and graphic designer Mala Leche’s Control Cultura series features DJs spinning reggaeton, dembow, merengue, cumbia and bachata. This edition features DJs Mala Leche, Odyssey and Doctora Hot Coco (Andrea Jacobo, who has a doctorate in public health). 9 p.m. $15.46 (tickets here). 1911 Poplar Ave. — Perry

Shelby County Star Trek Day at Neil’s, Sunday:

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy (right), shown here with wife Amy Mulroy (left) and daughter Molly Mulroy, created Shelby County Star Trek Day more than a decade ago. (Courtesy Molly Mulroy)

For the 11th time, Memphians will have a chance to celebrate Star Trek Day, an event created by Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy — who absolutely loves “Star Trek.” The free event will feature trivia and costume contests, vendors selling “Star Trek” merchandise, Trek-themed food and drinks and a special appearance via Zoom from Cirroc Lofton, who played Jake Sisko in 173 episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and had a small role in one episode of the latest Trek series, “Starfleet Academy.” It’s probably no surprise that a DS9 actor would appear Sunday as Mulroy’s favorite Trek series is DS9, so much so that he’s been known to end phone calls by instructing those on the other end to go watch that show. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 5725 Quince Road. More info here. — Jody Callahan 

Harlem Globetrotters at Landers Center, Sunday:

The Harlem Globetrotters will play at the Landers Center on Sunday, April 12. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)

Will this be the game the Washington Generals finally win? You’ll have to show up to find out — though it’s doubtful. The Harlem Globetrotters have lost fewer than 300 games since they founded their basketball exhibition team in 1926. There’s also zero chance you’ll see past “draft picks” Brittney Griner or Usain Bolt or honorary team members Whoopi Goldberg or Jesse Jackson. But what you will see is plenty of basketball finger spins and a bunch of cool trick shots by guys named Hammer, Torch, Bulldog and Cheese. 3 p.m. $43-$150. 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven. More info here. — Phillips

Latin Soul: Selena at The Artist Table, Sunday: 

Late singer Selena Quintanilla has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP file)

Chef Marco Navarro returns to The Artist Table for the next installment of his Latin Soul dining series: a tribute to the late Selena Quintanilla. The Mexican-American pop star will be honored through Mexican cuisine, music and a costume pageant. The night’s menu includes a build-your-own taco station, elote, Mexican rice with charro beans, carne asada, pollo asada and carnitas. The costume competition begins at 7 p.m., and participants are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Selena fashion. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 contestants. 5-9 p.m. $35. 412 S. Main St. More info here. — Chamberlain 

The Gunshy at Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe, Sunday:

I’m not going to pretend to know anything about The Gunshy, the folk-rock project of singer-songwriter Matt Arbogast. But I’ve listened to some of The Gunshy’s music, and it’s got a somber, acoustic Americana vibe. What I do know about is Lulu’s, the vegan bakery and cafe known for chef Don Gaines’ fantastic eggy tofu breakfast sandwiches and baker Stephanie Blanda’s inventive and immaculate sweets. Try the vegan tres leches cake or the Dubai chocolate cheese cake bars (or both!), and thank me later. Lulu’s is teensy (much too small for a show, honestly), so I imagine this show will be very intimate. 7 p.m. Pay what you can at the door. 3119 Poplar Ave. More info here. — Phillips

Memphis Botanic Garden’s spring plant sale, starting Wednesday:

Memphis Botanic Garden’s Spring Plant Sale starts Wednesday, April 15, with a preview party. (Courtesy Memphis Botanic Garden)

The weather is getting warmer, so it’s time to get out in the yard. The Botanic Garden’s horticulture team has curated the best plants for your outdoor or indoor garden. There’ll be natives, trees and shrubs, vegetables, herbs, annuals, pollinator favorites, woodland ephemerals, houseplants and tropicals. Plant experts will also be on hand to answer questions. A 21+ preview party will kick off the sale Wednesday night. The party will include a welcome cocktail and two additional drink tickets. Food trucks will be on-site, and Botanic Garden horticulturists will circulate throughout the evening to offer one-on-one guidance. Preview party 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Sale open Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Preview party tickets are $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Advanced purchase is required. Please note the Plant Sale is cashless. 750 Cherry Road. — Nick Lingerfelt

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