Spring is in the air, and Waco has plenty of events for you. Let us know what you’re up to by tagging @wacoan and using our hashtag, #WacoWeekend. You just might be featured in Monday’s Waco Weekend Recap. Enjoy!
Throughout the Weekend
America’s Navy is in Waco, one of only 14 cities selected to host Navy Week this year! Learn about the Navy and what role its people play in protecting our nation. The many events happening Thursday through Sunday include U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Navy Parachute Team (the Leap Frogs) and more. Visit this link for a full list of events, times and locations. Contact Lieutenant David Carter at 901/874-5590 or david.carter@navy.mil for more information.
Join the Waco Cultural Arts Fest in celebrating our culture’s art at the seventh annual Art on Elm Avenue. This pop-up art exhibition features artists, musicians, children’s activities, and craft and food vendors. The weekend begins Friday night with a colorful preview party, “Splash on the Color!” Enjoy the exhibition along historic Elm Avenue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special events Saturday include Elm Tea Fest and a performance by The United States Navy Brass Quintet. Tickets for the preview party cost $20. Call 723-6830 or visit artonelm.org for details.
You don’t want to miss the 2018 Baylor Percussion Symposium! Friday, Doug Perkins will perform with Baylor percussion students and faculty from 6-7:30 p.m. at Cultivate 7twelve. Saturday’s performance will showcase Michael Burritt and the Baylor Percussion Group at 5:30 p.m. at Jones Concert Hall on Baylor campus. Both events are free. For details, email todd_meehan@baylor.edu.
Support the Bosque Arts Center at its 36th annual fundraiser: The Big Event! Friday is Sip, Savor & Sax with a night dance featuring the legendary saxophonist Grady Gaines and his band the Texas Upsetters. Tickets for Friday cost $75 and include dinner by La Fiesta. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with music at 7 p.m. Saturday is Fly Me to the Moon. Enjoy dinner and a live auction with items ranging from original art to jewelry to trips to dinner. Tickets for Saturday cost $100 and include dinner by Bestyett and hospitality, which begins at 5:45 p.m. Saturday attire is Blue Moon Casual. To purchase tickets, visit bosqueartscenter.org.
Set the scene: Swiss-Austrian Alps in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars. Marie, found and raised by the France’s 21st Regiment, is now a young girl and falls in love. Let the hilarity ensue in McLennan Theatre’s production of the two-act comic opera “La Fille du Régiment” (“The Daughter of the Regiment”). Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ball Performing Arts Center on McLennan Community College campus. The production will be a condensed version in English and is appropriate for anyone seventh grade and up. Visit mclennan.edu/theatre for ticket prices.
For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in Waco. They will perform alongside the U.S. Army Special Ops Black Daggers, aerobatic airplanes and more at the Heart of Texas Airshow. Aside from the air entertainment, enjoy interactive exhibits, food, activities, live music by Navy band The Destroyers and more on the ground. The show will be held Saturday and Sunday at Texas State Technical College campus airport (KCNW). Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. For ticket prices, visit heartoftexasairshow.com.
Thursday, April 5
It’s that time again for The Stars Over Texas Jamboree! This month’s special theme is the popular Oldies Jukebox. See Royce Montgomery, Glenda Cheek, Kenneth Elliott as Elvis and more. The show will be held at Lee Lockwood Library & Museum. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a preshow at 6:45 p.m. General admission tickets cost $14 for adults, $12 for anyone 65 and older and $6 for Scottish Rite Members. Children 12 and under are free.
Friday, April 6
Champagne, lunch and raffle items? Let’s go! Head to the 27th annual Providence Champagne Luncheon & Style Show. Watch Wacoans model the latest fashion from Waco’s chic boutiques. Proceeds will benefit the Advanced MRI Center at Providence Health Center. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Chisholm Hall in the Waco Convention Center. For details, call 751-4717 or visit providence.net.
Baylor History Tours invites you to tour Baylor University campus and learn about two centuries of Baylor’s history. Admire some of the oldest areas of campus, such as the Armstrong Browning Library. Tours start at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat. Registration is free. To register and to learn more, visit facebook.com/buhistorytours or call 710-3100.
Do you know what it is? It’s First Friday, and that means plenty of specials and businesses staying open late! Head to Brazos Theatre for improv comedy, swing by the Dr Pepper Museum for free admission or check out the fun boutiques in Downtown Waco. Visit facebook.com/firstfridaywaco to see who is participating, what everyone is offering and when special events begin.
Stop by The Warehouse at 6 p.m. for What Were You Wearing, Waco? Opening Ceremony. This exhibit is a powerful art installation designed to promote awareness and to bust the myths surrounding sexual assault. Help fight victim-blaming. To learn more, visit facebook.com/whatwereyouwearingwaco.
Interested in learning about gin? Join Dichotomy at 6 p.m. for Dichotomy University: A Guide to Spirits — Gin. Explore the world of gin and enjoy two cocktails and a 5-piece tasting flight. Tickets cost $45 in advance or $50 the night of the event. Call or text 719-213-7044 with your name, the number in your party and a callback number.
Saturday, April 7
Who doesn’t love spending the morning at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market? A plethora of vendors, lovely people and delicious food. What more could you want? The farmers market will be at 500 Washington Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring fever, anyone? Join Farm Bound on a field trip to Bonnie’s Greenhouse for Grow Your Groceries! This beginner gardener seminar will teach you how to start your own vegetable garden. Everything starts at 9:30 a.m. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $12 for children or students. For more information, visit farmboundwaco.com.
If you loving exploring nature, swing by the Waco Mammoth National Monument for its weekly Wild Residents Trail Walk. Stroll through nature on a 20-minute guided tour and learn about the park’s wild residents. This free tour begins at 11 a.m. Visit nps.gov/waco to learn more.
The dog days of April are upon us. What better way to celebrate than at Dog Days Family Event? Bring your furry friends to Cabela’s between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. A free pet-friendly gift will go to the first 100 dogs, with their owners. Take a family photo with your dog and receive free photo downloads. At 1 p.m., watch or participate in the Best Dog Trick contest. Prizes include dog bones, microfiber towels and wash mitts. The Humane Society of Central Texas will attend with several adoptable dogs. For details, visit facebook.com/cabelaswaco.
Calling all fans of the TV show “This is Us”! One of the show’s stars is coming to Waco. Chrissy Metz will be at Magnolia Market from 1-3 p.m. for her This is Me: Book Signing. Tickets are required for access to the signing and include a copy of “This is Me.” To learn more and to sign up for the ticket waitlist, visit facebook.com/chrissymetzofficial.
For one night only, Central Texas welcomes a new place to dine on exotic food: Wild Game Dinner and Charity Auction. Local hunters will donate meats, fins and fowls for a crew of chefs and more hunters to create a superb menu. Feast on the delicious dinner, bid in the silent and audible auctions, enjoy live music by the Gordon Collier Band, and sip on local beer and wine. Attire is classy casual. The event will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the ranch of Ambassador Lyndon and Kay Olson (16734 North Highway 6, Valley Mills, Texas, 76689). Funds raised will benefit Meals on Wheels Waco’s Reserve Fund. To purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships, call Janet Nors, Director of Development at Meals on Wheels Waco, at 752-0316.
Take a strange journey to Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s residence as the Waco Hippodrome and the Waco Civic Theatre present “Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast.” This classic film is accompanied by a Waco Civic Theatre shadowcast performance. Screenings are at 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available at wacohippodrometheatre.com.
Sunday, April 8
There’s no better way to spend national Zoo Lovers’ Day than at Cameron Park Zoo. Stroll through the zoos and admire the animals. Keeper talks will occur throughout the day. Visit cameronparkzoo.com for more information.
Buds, Bugs and Blooms — oh my! Historic Waco Foundation invites you to its monthly Skadoo, a Victorian family event. Stop by McCulloch House (407 Columbus Avenue) from 1-4 p.m. for loads of fun activities revolving around bugs, butterflies and flowers. Tours of McCulloch house are also available. Admission costs $10 per family. For details, visit historicwaco.org.
Live Music
Thursday
• Pat McKee & Trammell Kelly (jazz), DiamondBack’s, 6 p.m.
• Michael Saldana (Texas country), La Fiesta, 6:30 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• When Forever Ends (alternative/indie), Common Grounds, 7:30 p.m., $10
• Koe Wetzel (Americana/rock), The Backyard, 8:30 p.m., $22-$27
Friday
• Greg Bashara & Evan Klaras (jazz), Waco Hilton, 7 p.m.
• Brian Bell (alternative rock), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• The Bill & Phil Show (acoustic), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Joseph Neville (pop), Dichotomy, 8 p.m.
• Three4one (pop/rock), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Parker McCollum (folk/Americana), The Backyard, 8:30 p.m., $15-$20
Saturday
• Tanner Louis (country), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• More Than Sparrows (Christian), Common Grounds, 7:30 p.m., $7-$10
• Shane Spann (Americana), Sip & Swirl, Valley Mills Vineyards, 8 p.m.
• Kayla Ray (country), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Josh Ward Band (country), The Backyard, 8:30 p.m., $10-$15
• 35 South (country), The Melody Ranch, 9 p.m.
Sunday
• Jackie Darlene (country), The Backyard, 9 p.m.
