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

This week, Juneteenth gets started early, the BoDeans are at the Shell and the Memphis Social Bicycle Club races — in drag. 

Juneteenth events:

The Juneteenth celebration in Medical District Park was last weekend, but there are lots more events planned through June 19. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, is June 19, but events kicked off the first weekend in June and continue through next weekend. The Daily Memphian’s Elle Perry put together a guide to Memphis Juneteenth celebrations, including a LeMoyne-Owen College concert series that starts Thursday, June 12, and two festivals at the Cordova Library and the Cossitt Library on Saturday, June 14. See the full guide here. One event you won’t see in the guide: Hernando is having their Juneteenth fest on Saturday, June 14, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on MLK Jr. St. — Bianca Phillips

‘My Own Private Idaho’ at Crosstown Theater, Thursday:

Director Gus Van Zant’s 1991 film co-stars River Phoenix (two years before his death) and Keanu Reeves as two young hustlers — one a narcoleptic from a broken home, the other a son of power and privilege — making their way in the Pacific Northwest. This consciously Shakespearian road movie is loose, lyrical and, if memory serves, quite stirring. It was a much-loved cult movie in the 1990s. 7 p.m. $5. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington

Tri-state Black Pride at multiple locations, Thursday-Sunday:

This annual LGBTQ pride weekend kicks off with an opening ceremony at The Cadre, featuring Memphis Mayor Paul Young and the city’s LGBTQ liaison Renee Parker Sekander. Friday brings an educational summit, the annual Kiki Ball and an after-party with DJ Dosie. On Saturday, there’s a drag brunch, a pool party and a Saturday Night Sizzle party with DJ Smurff. The events close out on Sunday with the TSB Pride Memphis Music Festival, headlined by Memphis female rap pioneer La Chat. See here for schedule, locations and times. — Phillips

Rachel Maxann at The Grove at Germantown Performing Arts Center, Thursday:

Rachel Maxann plays The Grove on Thursday, JUne 12. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

GPAC’s outdoor Concerts in The Grove series features live music, food trucks and corn hole. Memphis folk/Americana/country singer Rachel Maxann brings her show in this edition. “Medicine Women, Songs That Feel Like Therapy” promises to bring together original music and artists who create music for healing and growing. Maxann works as a mental-health therapist and says the show is centered around themes that have come up in her practice and personal life: empathy, guilt, compassion, boundaries and the strength it takes to live authentically. Maxann will be joined by singer Cyrena Wages and violinist/vocalist Krista Lynne, as well her her all-female band composed of Erika Poke (drums), Victoria Dowdy (guitar) and Montana Jones (bass). There will also be visual elements, bubbles and hula hoops. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and blankets. Outside food and drinks are allowed. Maxann will host a clothing drive for women and LGBTQ organizations during the concert. Donors will receive access to a solo recording of some cover songs from the show. 5:30 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. start. $7 plus fees for adults, free for children under age 18, $15 plus fees for table seats. 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown. — Elle Perry

Chris McClain Johnson: ‘Three Guesses’ book launch at Burke’s Book Store, Thursday:

Local author Chris McClain Johnson’s new novel follows three strangers from Memphis, Phoenix and New York City, who form a deep friendship via snail mail. But the three, who have never met in person, decide to break their mail-only pact for an IRL meeting at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. 5:30-6:30 p.m. (reading at 6 p.m.) Free, book is $18.95. 936 S. Cooper St. Click here for more info. — Bianca Phillips

Memphis Social Bicycle Club drag race at Overton Park, Thursday:

Start your engines. Memphis Social Bicycle Club is hosting a drag race! Get all dolled up in drag attire, and meet at Overton Park’s Veteran Plaza at 7 p.m. (or catch the group at Memphis Made at the Ravine at 8 p.m.) for a nighttime race through Memphis. Helmets are a necessity! 7 p.m. Free. 1928 Veterans Plaza Drive. Click here for more information. — Kelsey Bowen

Almost Roo at Flyway Brewing Co., Friday:

If you close your eyes during Almost Roo at Flyway Brewing Co., you can imagine yourself in Centeroo (pictured) at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP file)

It’s high-five Friday! Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival starts Thursday in Manchester, Tennessee. And if you’re sad you won’t be trekking from Outeroo to Centeroo and from This Tent to What Stage, go tame that FOMO at Flyway Brewing’s Almost Roo fest. TBH, it won’t be anything like actual Bonnaroo, but you can still dance the night away with music by FERB, Jasades, Strooly and Von Gögh — and for waaaay less money. Doors at 8 p.m., music at 9 p.m. $10. Click here for more info. — Phillips

‘Unlocked Minds’ at Contemporary Arts Memphis, opening reception Friday:

Art from “Unlocked Minds” (Submitted)

Artist Derek Fordjour’s youth-oriented visual arts nonprofit has collaborated with Hope Academy students for this new exhibition. Hope Academy is the school for Shelby County students in juvenile detention. Its sixth through 12th-grade students created murals, working with Hope Academy teacher Lauren Carlson and guest artist Darlene Newman, with Contemporary Arts Memphis support. According to CAM, “each mural tells a story of resilience, hope and transformation.” 6-8 p.m. Free admission (RSVP here). 652 Marshall Ave. — Perry

‘A Bronx Tale’ at Playhouse on the Square, opening Friday:

“A Bronx Tale” is a musical coming-of-age story set in the Bronx during the early 1960s, and it centers on a young Italian-American boy from a working-class family. The show explores his struggle as he is torn between two father figures: his hardworking, honest bus driver father and a charismatic local mob boss. “I really hope that the people leave with the idea of the power of choice and the idea that your future isn’t dictated by where you come from or who you’re told to be — it’s by the choices you make and the people you choose to love in all those forms,” said director Daniel Stuart Nelson. Read more about it in our June theater guide. June 13-July 13. Times vary. $25 66 S. Cooper St. See here for more information. — Alys Drake 

‘Clark Gable Slept Here’ at TheatreWorks, opening Friday:

Emerald Theatre Co. presents this dark comedy by Michael McKeever. It offers a satirical look at Hollywood’s obsession with image and secrecy. The action unfolds during the Golden Globe Awards, when the body of a male prostitute is discovered in the penthouse suite of a famous Hollywood hotel, specifically in the room of action star Patrick Zane. “It’s just a really fun, fast-paced, witty, dark, comedic type of show about what it means to be a man in Hollywood and the lengths that people go to to cover things up,” director Den-Nickolas Schaeffer-Smith said. Read more about it in our June theater guide. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, June 13-22. $20. 2085 Monroe Ave. See here for more information. — Drake

East Nash Grass at Overton Park Shell, Friday:

East Nash Grass will play the Overton Park Shell on Friday, June 13. (Courtesy Overton Park Shell)

The International Bluegrass Music Association named East Nash Grass the 2024 New Artist of the Year. Members are 2016 Grand Master Fiddle Champion and 2024 Americana Music Instrumentalist of the Year nominee Maddie Denton, banjo player Cory Walker, mandolin player Harry Clark, bassist Jeff Partin and frontman James Kee. The band formed after gigging on the east side of Nashville (hence the name). Reportedly, the band still plays at the same bar every week, seven years later. The band has released two albums and is readying a 2025 album. 7:30-9 p.m. Free admission. 1928 Poplar Ave. Click here for more info. — Perry

William’s Walk at Overton Park, Saturday:

This inaugural walk to raise awareness for pedestrian safety was named for 14-year-old William McConnell. He was killed in 2022 after being struck by a car in the crosswalk at East Parkway and Sam Cooper Boulevard. Memphis Mayor Paul Young will deliver the opening remarks before a one-hour walk through Overton Park, near where McConnell was killed. There will be live music and food trucks afterward. Read more about the mission behind William’s Walk here. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free for the walk, or $25 if you want a shirt. Meets at the East Parkway Pavilion 389 East Parkway. Register here. — Phillips

Umami Amora plant-based dinner at Comeback Coffee, Saturday:

From left: Kinah Burks, Andrea Claxton, Daishu McGriff, Cheyenne Gray and Kayla J. Smith-Hardy will participate in the Umami Amora dinner. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Daishu McGriff, owner of Shroomlicious, closed her vegan restaurant a few months ago while she prepares to move it to a new location. But in the meantime, she’s hosting pop-up events all over, including this Saturday’s Umami Amora plant-based dinner in celebration of Juneteenth. The dinner features a seven-course meal prepared by seven Black chefs, including Monique Williams of Biscuits and Jams and Ayesha Collier of Sun of a Vegan. Read more about the inspiration behind the dinner in Christin Yates’ story. Each dish will be inspired by cultural heritage and prepared with ingredients from local farms. 6-9 p.m. $150 general admission or $225 for VIP. 358 N. Main St. Click here for tickets. — Phillips

BoDeans at the Overton Park Shell, Saturday:

The BoDeans will play the Overton Park Shell on Saturday, June 14. (Courtesy Overton Park Shell)

From their founding in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1980 to decades of almost-success to a rancorous split between those founders, the BoDeans are still making beautiful music, a sound that cofounder Kurt Neumann calls “a classic guitar-driven midwestern rock pop sound.” Of course, after cofounder Sammy Llanas left the band acrimoniously in 2011, that just leaves Neumann and a new cast of members under the BoDeans moniker. No matter. Those beautiful sounds live on in songs like “Closer to Free” (their only bonafide hit), “Good Things” (their best sing-along song), “You Don’t Get Much” (from “Home,” one of the best records that came out of the 1980s) and so many more. 7:30 p.m. Free. 1928 Poplar Ave. Click here for more info. — Jody Callahan

MAS Downward Dog Yoga at Lucyja Hygge, Sunday:

It’s time to stretch out with your pets out. Tap into some zen at Lucyja Hygge near Overton Square while supporting the Memphis Animal Services’ adoption program. All you need is a mat, and MAS will bring the pups. I’ll take this opportunity to talk about my rescue pup: She is sweet, precious and perfect in every way, and adopting her was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now, it’s a decision you can make, too! This event is free, but donations (and adoptions) are encouraged. Spots are limited, so be sure to register. 10 a.m. Free. 2075 Madison Ave. Click here for more information and to register. — Bowen

‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ at the Orpheum Theatre, Wednesday:

Director Barry Jenkins’ absolutely gorgeous, heart-rending 2018 follow-up to his Oscar-winning “Moonlight” is an adaptation of a 1974 James Baldwin novel, a Harlem-set love story. The title is a line borrowed from the W.C. Handy song “Beale Street Blues.” Regina King won Best Supporting Actress at that year’s Oscars, and she’s only the start of a deep, great supporting cast. “If Beale Street Could Talk” is screening as a Juneteenth-connected event. 6 p.m. Free. 203 S. Main St. See here for more info. — Herrington

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