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, you can learn to listen like an artist and help some art kids get to Italy. 

‘Musicality for Modern Humans’ book event at Memphis Listening Lab, Thursday:

Do you really listen to music? Like, listen, listen? Nashville music journalist Craig Havighurst wants you to listen to music like an artist would, and he has tips in his new book, “Musicality for Modern Humans: How to Listen Like an Artist.” For the past decade, Havighurst has been the editorial director for WMOT Roots Radio 89.5 FM, where he hosts a weekly show covering culture, media and American music. He’ll discuss his book, answer questions and sign copies, which Novel will provide for purchase at the event. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. 1350 Concourse Ave. More info here. — Bianca Phillips

Crosstown Arts Summer 2026 residency artist talks at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Thursday:

Crosstown Arts’ latest batch of artists-in-residence includes writers, musicians, visual artists and filmmakers. Projects from the Summer 2026 artists range from a young-adult novel centered on friendship to a musician whose work focuses on liminal spaces to a musician creating songs to be sung by his dead mother using an AI clone of her voice. Jack Eubanks, Madisen Sago, Armaine Dela Cruz, Daniel Portis-Cathers, Corinne Jones and Anuj Bhutani will each share more about the projects they are working on during their residency. 6-8 p.m. Free admission. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280. More info here. — Elle Perry

Twin Fiction album release show at The Dame, Friday:

Twin Fiction

You may have seen brothers Jacob and Ben Church performing their blend of 1990s-style college rock, country twang and soul as The Church Brothers. But they recently changed their name, because they were tired of people thinking they were a Christian band. Now known as Twin Fiction, the duo is releasing a self-titled vinyl record, and this show serves as the release party. Frank McClallen will open. 7 p.m. $13.73. 69 E. Pontotoc Ave. More info here. — Phillips

‘Art Kids in Italy’ exhibition closing repetition at The Medicine Factory, Friday:

“Art Kids” is an exhibition of works by University of Memphis art students Abbie Wynn, Carrie Veil and Megan McTigue. They’re using the show to raise funds so they can participate in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. Wynn is a ceramicist from Paris (Tennessee!) who graduated with a BFA from UT Martin and is working on an MFA from U of M. Veil is a Memphis multidisciplinary artist working on a BFA in studio arts at the U of M. McTigue is a watercolor artist from Collierville studying at U of M. Patrons can contribute by donating directly or buying art. 6-8 p.m. Free admission (register here). 85 Virginia Avenue West, Suite 101. — Perry

Kam Darko’s ‘Beauty in My People’ exhibition closing reception at UrbanArt Commission, Friday:

There’s a closing reception for Kam Darko’s “Beauty in My People” on Friday, July 10. (Elle Perry/The Daily Memphian)

Memphis photographer Kamien Bell — known as Kam Darko — was born in Winstonville, Mississippi. In “Beauty of My People,” Bell photographs people along the Blues Highway (Highway 61). 7-9 p.m. Free admission (register here). 422 N. Cleveland St. — Perry

Catherine Erb ‘Lit’ artist talk at David Lusk Gallery, Saturday:

Memphis artist Catherine Erb’s seasonally appropriate exhibition “Lit” — featuring photography of firecrackers and smoke bombs — has an artist talk. Anna Wunderlich, an art consultant and Erb’s studio assistant for the exhibition, will be in conversation with Erb. 11 a.m. Free admission. 97 Tillman St. More info here. — Perry

The Long Play at the Memphis Listening Lab, Saturday:

Memphis Listening Lab will launch a new listening event series on Saturday, July 11. (Courtesy Logan Schaal)

The Memphis Listening Lab is launching a new series in which attendees can listen to new releases, old gems or underheard albums. First up is the new vinyl release of “Eusexua Afterglow” by FKA Twigs. The Memphis Listening Lab plans to host The Long Play, where music fans can listen to full albums, weekly. Seating is first come, first served. 3 p.m. Free admission. 1350 Concourse Ave, Suite 269. More info here. — Perry

Ed Murphey Classic at Handy Park, Saturday:

Chris Nilsen attempted to clear the bar during the Ed Murphey Classic pole-vaulting event on Beale Street in 2024. This year’s competition is Saturday, July 11. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

The Ed Murphey Classic brings pro runners, pole vaulters and other track and field athletes to Memphis for serious competitions. But you don’t have to be a real athlete to get in on the fun. There’s a free game day on Beale Street where you can compete in an open shot put contest and watch the pros at shot put and pole vaulting. You can even run in the Beale Street Murphey Road Mile, a one-mile fun run down Beale Street. Entry to the park is free, but the race costs $34.09 to register. Open shot put series starts at 4:30 p.m., the Murphey mile and pro shot put is at 5 p.m., and pole vaulting begins at 6:30 p.m. 200 Beale St. More info here. — Phillips

Midtown Smackdown with the Armored Knights of Memphis at Growlers, Saturday:

The Armored Knights of Memphis will host a Midtown Smackdown at Growlers on Saturday, July 11. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Hear ye! Hear ye! The mighty Armored Knights of Memphis have journeyed far beyond their home, winning tourneys, slaying wrong-doers and “generally being awesome.” Now, they’ve returned for a smackdown. Our storied knights will go head to head, clashing steel while weighed down by 65-pound armor, while you … enjoy a refreshing beverage. It’s not easy, but someone’s got to do it. 7-10 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 14 and under. 1911 Poplar Ave. Click here to buy tickets.— Bowen

Heat.Wav DJ night at Wiseacre Brewing HQ, Saturday:

Chill family-friendly brewery by day, rave by night. That’s been Wiseacre HQ lately as Mad Events puts on its late-night dance parties. This one features DJs Brian Hamilton, Ohlosha, Raxx and Rosamii spinning bass, house and club tunes. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $20. 398 S. B.B. King Blvd. More info here. — Phillips

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