“People are hungry for songs and stories,” according to a local musician. And a South Main music festival is here to deliver. 

Two longtime Memphis events return this weekend, right in time for Memorial Day. 

As they’ve done for more than 40 years, New Memphis Institute is working to do a not-so-simple thing: connect talented people not just with companies in Memphis but with other talented people here or thinking about moving here.

In this week’s To-Do List, meet the artist behind Wiseacre’s cans, take a storybook tour of Tom Lee Park and get a taste of Cuba. 

Linda Perry will open for the Indigo Girls as part of the Overton Park Shell’s ticketed Shell Yeah! benefit series this fall.

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens pieced together a retrospective of Mary Sims, who, despite having sold works to celebrities like Jane Fonda and Burt Reynolds, remains mostly a local treasure. For now. 

Ron Vernon is stepping down as music director for Tennessee’s longest-standing community symphonic orchestra.

The $55-million renovation offers an expanded look at the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and of the movement since his death in 1968.

The winners performed to songs such as Wreckx-N-Effect’s “Rump Shaker” and Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” in the contest at Liberty Park.

Plus, Mississippi-native KIRBY sings the new “Spider-Noir” TV series’ theme song.

It’s another weekend to hit the great outdoors. 

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

Hernando’s annual A’Fair Arts and Crafts Festival includes a free concert, a 5K and 300 vendors selling a number of wares — all of which have to be handmade.

The historic venue launches the nearly $2 million artist lounge expansion to give artists “the experience they deserve.”

Flyers were posted on light poles in Memphis for a secret pop-up concert “tonight” by Phoebe Bridgers, who was part of supergroup Boygenius, at Hi-Tone Cafe. 

Genre movies from debut feature filmmakers, “Obsession” and “Is God Is,” are in theaters this week.

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest returns this week as the only barbecue fest in town. 

American Revival, which features a Festival of Helpers and performances, is coming to Memphis.

The Memphis River Parks Partnership announced the change Friday, May 8, as it honored recipients in the 5th annual Tom Lee Poetry and Spoken Word competition.

While the shop is open some days, visitors can order Boycott Coffee by landline phone and watch it being prepared on a closed-circuit TV.

The marquee event of Memphis Art & Fashion Week is Runway at the Museum, held on Friday, May 8, at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Playhouse on the Square’s production of the Pulitzer prize-winning play “Primary Trust” opens at the Circuit Playhouse Friday, May 8.

The Annunciation Church community starts preparing months in advance to make thousands of pastries in several varieties sold at the annual Greek Festival, held May 8 and 9 this year.

With roots in Mississippi, the Rhodes graduate has amassed more than a million monthly Spotify listeners and was the featured artist for March on BET’s spotlight program.

It’s peak spring this Saturday, with events galore scheduled.