This week, Memphis marks the 49th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination with events at the National Civil Rights Museum and elsewhere. The Week Ahead also holds a look into the science of Overton Park’s Old Forest, a chance to support cancer research with Relay for Life, and much more...

Tuesday marks 49 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. Many of the observances this year in Memphis are about looking ahead to next year at this time and the 50th anniversary.
The National Civil Rights Museum’s observance launches the effort “MLK50: Where Do We Go From Here” – a year of reflection and action on King’s legacy and what that legacy means today. The effort is a series of events and programs that are scheduled through April 4, 2018, when much of the world’s attention will turn to Memphis.
The museum is on the site of the Lorraine Motel and as it has done in recent years, the museum’s formal observance of the assassination is focused on 6:01 p.m., the moment King was shot. There will be a changing of the wreath on the balcony and a moment of silence in the courtyard.
The commemoration begins at 3:15 p.m. with guests being asked to sign pledges for peace and to resolve to take action on issues and injustices that King and others chronicled in the museum made their cause.
Earlier Tuesday, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church hosts a Faith and Community Leaders Breakfast at 9 a.m. and a public rally at noon.
For many, the April 4 anniversary in Memphis is a time for personal reflection and for those not alive in 1968, it is a time to learn what brought King to the city. For that reason, the museum is open on April 4 and expecting the larger crowds that usually come through the museum on the anniversary.
Click here for details on the day's events. 

Memphis International Airport, meanwhile, will unveil a historical marker memorializing MLK’s final flight into Memphis 49 years ago. Monday's 9 a.m. ceremony will take place in the Concourse B ticketing lobby; if you’re interested in attending, email mlfrisby@firsttennessee.com.

Relay for Life of Memphis, part of the world’s largest fundraising event to save lives from cancer, is back this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tiger Lane.
Don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s a run/walk; Relay for Life events are actually community block party-style events. The local one – themed “Hope is Made in Memphis” – is scheduled to have live music, a “Memphis’ Got Talent” show, Bluff City beer station, activities and more.
The cost is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation during or before the event. The American Cancer Society uses the money to fund cancer research and provide free information and support to people facing cancer.  

(facebook.com/balletmemphis)

Follow the yellow brick road to The Orpheum Theatre this weekend, where Ballet Memphis presents “Wizard of Oz” Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. Last performed in 2013, the show is associate artistic director Steven McMahon’s version of Dorothy’s adventures with the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man.
Bonus: Want your picture with the Wicked Witch of the West? Take your camera for meet-and-greets with the characters after each performance.

The Germantown Municipal School District board meets Wednesday evening at 6:45 p.m. at Houston High School to vote on a site for a new Germantown Middle School that would be built on 38 acres of land at Forest Hill-Irene Road and Poplar Pike.

Early voting is back, which doesn’t seem right. What we mean is, it is again election time in Shelby County – but for only part of the county.
If you live in the Eads-Collierville area, early voting opens Friday in the special primary elections for state House District 95 – the seat that voters there just elected Republican Mark Lovell to this past November. Lovell resigned after not even a month on Capitol Hill in Nashville.
All of which brings us to the primary special elections. There is no contest in the Democratic primary where Julie Byrd Ashworth automatically advances to the June 15 general election because she is running unopposed in the primary. She is joined on the June 15 ballot by independent candidates Robert Schutt and Jim Tomasik.
The real contest in the primary is among the seven Republican contenders. Early primary voting runs through April 22 with election day itself on April 27. Democracy in action.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, it's a time to bring the community together to remember children who died because of abuse or neglect. MCAC, along with Memphis and Shelby County officials and community members, will gather Friday at noon for the Children's Memorial Flagraising at Civic Center Plaza outside City Hall. 
Sadly, six Shelby County children ranging from 6 months to 4 years old have died of abuse in the past year. The flag will fly throughout April in their memory.

Fuel Cafe and Fuel Food Truck, as well as the pop-up and online vintage shop Sunday Vintage, are hosting a pop-up brunch event Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fuel Cafe (1761 Madison Ave.). Vendors will be set up on the patio, and Fuel Food Truck will be selling an all-natural brunch including 'Fuel Mimosas.' Because nothing says winning at life, like brunch.

The Memphis Grizzlies are coming down the stretch of the regular season and will have three home games this week at FedExForum. On Wednesday, the human triple-double machine that is Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder come to town for a 7 p.m. game. On Friday at 7, it’s Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks and Sunday’s game vs. the Detroit Pistons has an earlier start at 5 p.m.

The University of Memphis baseball team will take on Alcorn State on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at FedExPark at South Campus.

Memphis and Shelby County neighborhoods will showcase their unique vibe Friday at the fourth annual Taste of Memphis festival. Neighborhood groups will gather at Tiger Lane from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with displays that tell the stories of who they are while celebrating awards, accomplishments and their rich history.

Nature enthusiasts and fans of Overton Park will be able to meet some of the researchers who are studying the Old Forest and explore topics such as copperheads, tree regeneration, and species diversity at the Old Forest Science Fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The researchers will set up at the Tylur French Old Forest gateway between Overton Bark and Rainbow Lake Playground including a 10 a.m. bird walk with the Overton Park Conservancy staff as they look for more species to add to their Bucks for Birds tally.

Elmwood & the Civil War Walking Tour starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. When Elmwood Cemetery was founded in 1852, the original proprietors set aside 8 acres for the interment of veterans who died in the line of fire. More than 1,000 soldiers who died in the Civil War rest there now. Find out more and register here.

The Healthy Memphis Food Festival, an annual family event aimed at helping people develop healthier habits, is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wiseacre Brewing Co., 2873 Broad Ave. They'll have activities like healthy food demos, yoga classes, belly dancing, and blood pressure and cholesterol checks, among other things. Admission is free, and anyone who brings a full bag of nonperishable foods will be registered to win prizes.

The Dixon Garden Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. This annual spring plant sale at Dixon Gallery & Gardens features difficult-to-find natives, choice shrubs, herbaceous perennials, fragrant plants and gardening experts.

Opera Memphis' Midtown Opera Festival continues this week with events stretching through Sunday that include everything from operas to parties to panel discussions, family events and more. It all takes place at Playhouse on the Square and will feature three operas by living American composers. The festival will also feature workshop performances of the organization's newest commission-in-progress, among other things.

The Daily News staff compiles The Week Ahead for you, our readers, every week. You'll receive it as part of our Monday online edition. Email associate editor Kate Simone at ksimone@memphisdailynews.com if you have items for consideration.