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

This week, you can peep Cooper-Young backyard gardens, camp out with mushroom people and release your intentions into Hyde Lake.

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Liberty Park, through Saturday:

The Ms. Piggie Idol contest is back at this year’s Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file) 

More than 200 pitmasters from nearly 30 states and seven countries will compete over the weekend. The schedule includes Cupid (the Line Dancing King), blues artist Cedric Burnside, DJ Mic Tee, the Ms. Piggie Idol competition, cooking classes and demonstrations from the Irish barbecue team Smokin’ Soul, a family fun-zone and an “open-fire experience.” Click here for daily schedules. Parking and ticket prices vary. 333 S. Hollywood St. — Elle Perry

Association for Recorded Sound Collections Conference at the Memphis Riverline Hotel, through Saturday:

Eugene, Oregon-based ARSC is hosting its 60th annual conference for sound-recording scholars, collectors, preservationists and creators. It features presentations, panels and tours. A one-day “curiosity pass” is available for local participants. Among the presentations and panels are one led by Memphis author Robert Gordon, a talk on Memphis’ first recording session in 1927, a session on local jug bands, a discussion on music-making at the Mississippi State Penitentiary and lots more. There is an in-depth, full-day copyright workshop that is ticketed separately. Click here for the schedule. $30 for a single-day locals pass. 250 N. Main St. — Perry

Love Food Hate Waste Memphis at Wiseacre Brewing HQ, Thursday:

Love Food Hate Waste will be at Wiseacre Brewing HQ on Thursday, May 14. (Courtesy Leann Edwards/Project Green Fork)

This event, dedicated to reducing food waste, includes a panel discussion on Memphis’ food system, trivia (with prizes), live music from Jeff Hulett with Jacob Church and a demo on how to make snacks from kitchen scraps. 6-8 p.m. Free admission (tickets here). 398 S. B.B. King Blvd. — Perry

Experience Memphis Gardens in Cooper-Young, Friday-Sunday:

The Hell-o Strip along Southern Avenue in Cooper-Young is the strip of gardens between the sidewalk and the street. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

The month-and-a-half-long citywide garden walk known as Experience Memphis Gardens continues with its flagship event: the famed Cooper-Young Garden Walk. Beginning Friday evening, curious lookie-loos can meander through the outdoor spaces around the neighborhood. This is your chance to see up close and personal how these gardeners do it and maybe ask them a question or two. Friday evening also includes garden tours in Central Gardens. And you can see the Hell-o Strip (a strip of gardens between the road and the sidewalk along Southern Avenue), which will also be commemorated on Friday at 2 p.m. Times and locations available here. Register for a ticket lanyard here. — Nick Lingerfelt

Memphis Mushroom Festival Sacred Nature Weekend, Friday-Sunday:

The Memphis Mushroom Festival is hosting a camping retreat Friday-Sunday, May 15-17. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Want to get away and unplug for the weekend? Memphis Mushroom Festival is hosting two nights under the stars with a guided foraging hike and blacklight night hikes, drumming, yoga, guided nature painting, a bonfire and vegetarian-friendly meals. Bring your own tents and RVs. The event is for adults, 18 and up, and the location will be kept private until after registration. Setup starts Friday at 4 p.m.; pack up Sunday by noon. $100. Space is limited. More info here, and the schedule is here. — Bianca Phillips 

The Mighty Souls Brass Band at the Wolf River Greenway, Friday: 

This is the perfect time to be outside. It’s not too hot and not too cold. The mosquitoes aren’t fully out yet. So, bring a chair or a blanket, and enjoy an evening where the Wolf River meets the Mississippi riverfront. The Mighty Souls Brass Band will play their own brand of funky Memphis soul. Flyway Memphis will be selling beer, and the Good Groceries food truck has your dinner. Beer and food starts at 5:30 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. Free. At the Mud Island trailhead in Harbor Town, 1320 N. Mud Island Rd. More info here. — Phillips

Juvenile at Minglewood Hall, Friday:

Juvenile will play Minglewood Hall on Friday, May 15. (Gary Gerard Hamilton/The Daily Memphian file)

Fresh off his recent “Boiling Point” album (and its viral “B.B.B.” single), New Orleans’ own Juvenile brings his accompanying tour to Memphis. The show features the 400 Degreez Band, named for Juvenile’s classic album, and notable for the members’ appearance with Juvenile on his NPR Tiny Desk Concert. (The YouTube video of the concert is now up to more than 11 million views.) 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. Ticket prices vary. 1555 Madison Ave. — Perry

Legacy Experience grand reopening at the National Civil Rights Museum, Saturday:

The National Civil Rights Museum will reopen its Legacy building on Saturday, May 16. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

The Civil Rights Museum’s Legacy building, which is across the street from the Lorraine Motel, will reopen with new galleries that trace the last 50 years of the civil-rights movement. They’ll cover everything from poverty and gender equity to fights for equal education and housing. The opening party on Saturday will feature live music, a ribbon-cutting and food trucks. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15. 450 Mulberry St. More info here. — Phillips

Beale Street Monster Club: Bigfoot on Beale at A. Schwab, Saturday:

Do you believe in Bigfoot? I must confess, dear reader, I don’t. But for all my Sasquatch supporters (Hi, Dad, I am talking to you), have I got plans for you. Your local monster club is bringing the big guy to A. Schwab with presentations about Mr. Foot and evidence of his existence (if you’re into that sort of thing). There will be artists, vendors, a movie and trivia for my cryptid geeks. You can even take a photo with the Tennessee Wildman. This is a great chance to start recruiting for your Sasquatch research team. And, hey, a few of us may even leave as believers. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 163 Beale St. Click here for more info. — Kelsey Bowen 

Memphis Water Lantern Festival at Shelby Farms Park, Saturday: 

Release your intentions into the universe during this annual water-lantern fest. Attendees will be given a lantern that they can personalize with a message. As the sun sets, people will release those lanterns into Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms during a choreographed, hour-long ceremony set to live music. 5 p.m. $36.99 in advance or $57.99 at the event. 6903 Great View Dr. N. More info and tickets here. — Phillips

‘Maybe it’s all trash,’ book release party at Memphis Listening Lab, Saturday:

Michael “Birdcap” Roy will talk about his new book at Memphis Listening Lab on Saturday, May 16. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Memphis muralist Michael “Birdcap” Roy has a new book chronicling his career. Book sales will begin at 5 p.m., while the artist talk begins at 5:30 p.m. Free admission. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 269. More info here. — Perry

Wrasslin’ and Tasslin’ at Wiseacre Brewing OG, Saturday:

Do you like wrestling? Do you like burlesque? If you go to Wiseacre’s original location on Saturday, you don’t have to choose. The night begins with Tiger Pro Wrestling matches, beginning at 7 p.m. That’s open to attendees of all ages. Bouts include Andy Mack (“The Maker”) vs Bobby Ford (“Live Wire”), Just Missy vs. Gigi Turner, among several others. At 10 p.m., the burlesque, which is for ages 18 and up, begins. Frankie LaFemme curated the burlesque portion, which includes performers Eden L. of Nashville, Godiva Goddess, Mona Ford, Black Magick, Ruby LaRue, Rita Redhanded and Andy Mack. 7 p.m. wrestling (all ages), 10 p.m. burlesque (18+). $15 for just wrestling or burlesque or a $25 combo ticket at the door. 2783 Broad Ave. More info here. — Perry

Germantown Symphony Orchestra 50th Anniversary Concert at the Germantown Performing Arts Center, Saturday:

The Germantown Symphony Orchestra presents “A Golden Celebration” in honor of its 50th anniversary. The GSO is the longest-standing community symphonic orchestra in Tennessee. To mark the volunteer ensemble’s anniversary, former members are invited to join the orchestra for one selection: “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius. 7 p.m. $16 for general admission, $11 for seniors and student admission is free. 1801 Exeter Rd. Get tickets here. — Abigail Warren

Strangewaze in the Medical District, Wednesday: 

Food, drinks, music, shopping and axe-throwing? You’ve got it. The Strangewaze celebration returns to Medical District Park for a mid-spring party. DJ AD will be spinning tracks followed by live music from Cat Daddy as you enjoy food from Sabor Caribe and Chai Hala, with free drinks from Flyway Brewing, Old Dominick Distillery and Rootstock Wine Merchants. Snag something fun from 901 Deals’ sneaker pop-up, Slowdown Dry Goods, Silk N Honey Permanent Jewelry and more. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Medical District Park. Click here for more info. — Bowen 

‘I Love Boosters’ early screening at Malco Paradiso Cinema Grill, Wednesday:

Cast member LaKeith Stanfield (left) and writer/director Boots Riley of the upcoming film "I Love Boosters.” (Chris Pizzello/AP file)

Boots Riley’s second feature film, “I Love Boosters,” officially hits theaters on Friday, May 22, but Memphis is among the cities getting an advance look. “I Love Boosters” was the opening-night film of the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. The comedy follows professional shoplifters (read: boosters) who target a “cuthroat fashion maven.” It stars Keke Palmer, Taylour Paige, Don Cheadle and Demi Moore. In 2018, Riley was the keynote speaker for Indie Memphis Film Festival’s first Black Creatives Forum. 7 p.m. $14, plus fees. 584 S. Mendenhall Rd. – Perry

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