Shout for joy — the weekend is here, and Waco does not disappoint with the multitude of events happening. 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
Hang on to your cowboy hats, the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championship is here! Equestrian teams from all over the country will gather at the Extraco Events Center to compete in hopes of claiming the championship. Events begin at 8 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit extracoeventscenter.com.
Baylor University’s colors are flying high for Green and Gold Weekend! Friday through Sunday, you can choose from many fun events to celebrate your Baylor spirit. Start the weekend Friday night with Delta Night live with Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors at 8 p.m. at McLane Stadium Plaza. Saturday, you don’t want to miss the Green & Gold Spring Game at 12 p.m. at McLane Stadium. You could also enjoy music at The President’s Concert at Jones Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Then Sunday, enjoy brunch at the Baylor Club at 10:30 a.m. or hear the Baylor Women’s Choir and Bella Voce at Seventh and James Baptist Church at 3 p.m. Visit baylor.edu/greenandgold for a full schedule of events.
Grab the kids or your friends and head for the Mayborn Museum! Thursday kicks off the Northern Triangle exhibit with an opening reception at 6 p.m., which will discuss the event’s focus on the Central American refugee crisis. Created by Borderland Collective, the Northern Triangle exhibit is a space for constructive dialogue concerning the crisis. The event will run through September. For details, visit maybornmuseum.com.
Thursday, April 19
Surround yourself in art at Cocktails with the Curator at 5:45 p.m. at Cultivate 7twelve. This month’s curator is Rhiannon Rosenbaum, and the featured artist is Brad Settles. Enjoy a glass of wine with light snacks and learn the artist’s process. Tickets are free, but spots are limited. Email Rebekah at rebekah@cultivate712.com to reserve your spot.
Close your eyes and listen. Can you hear that? It’s the wonderful music of the Baylor University Jazz Ensemble. A talented group of 19 young jazz musicians will sweep you into the melodic concert. This group will be led by Alex Parker, senior lecturer in jazz studies and director of the Wayne Fisher jazz program. Enjoy this free concert at 7:30 p.m. at Jones Concert Hall on Baylor campus. For more information, visit baylor.edu/music.
Friday, April 20
Don your hats and pearls and stop by Ridgewood Country Club for the second annual Hats and Pearls Tiffany Style Champagne Brunch! The brunch includes a mimosa bar, a blue box raffle, a public service announcement preview, a life jacket fashion show and a silent auction. Tickets cost $55 per person or $400 for a table. Proceeds benefit The National Injury Prevention Council Drowning Prevention Campaign. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit nationalinjurypreventioncouncil.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
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 love literature? If the answer is yes, then head to the Armstrong Browning Library for its annual Browning Day! This year’s event focuses on “Such Very Fierce Radicals: The Brownings and Working-Class Culture.” A reception will begin at 3 p.m. in Cox Reception Hall followed by music and a lecture at 3:30 p.m. in the Foyer of Meditation. For details, visit baylor.edu/browninglibrary.
Combine “Project Runway” with sports — and behold The Front Row of Fashion at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Here’s your chance to experience a red carpet fashion event complete with up-and-coming brands, designers and models. Keep an eye out for professional athletes Jerrell Freeman, Perrish Cox and Derrick Johnson as they model. Doors open at 6 p.m, and ticket prices begin at $25. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Fashion4Word. Visit facebook.com/thefrontrowoffashion to purchase tickets.
Don’t miss the City of Waco’s 31st annual Brazos Nights! The concert series will kick off with The California Honeydrops followed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy from 7-11 p.m. at Indian Spring Park. Brazos Nights also includes food and drink concessions as well as children’s activities. Admission is free. To learn more, call 750-5627 or visit brazosnightswaco.com.
Some of the most talented musicians in Texas are right here in Waco. The Baylor University Symphonic Band is comprised of advanced musicians who will perform a wide array of selections including chamber works, masterworks for band and contemporary wind literature. Isaiah Odajima, associate director of bands, will lead the group. Here’s the best part: admission is free! The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Jones Concert Hall on Baylor University campus. For more information, visit baylor.edu/music.
Saturday, April 21
A glorious morning spent at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market is not a morning wasted! Grab your friends and explore the market. Chat with vendors, and just have fun. The farmers market will be at 500 Washington Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Keep Waco Beautiful welcomes you to Rain Water Harvesting! Learn the ways of harvesting rain water at one of two classes: 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m. Each attendee will leave with a “How-To Guide” and a constructed rain barrel. Both classes will be held at Circle Hardware Supply (2504 La Salle Avenue). Tickets cost $35. Visit facebook.com/keepwacobeautiful to sign up.
Have you ever wanted a flower or vegetable garden but haven’t had enough space? Learn how to create one at How Does Your Garden Grow? Container Gardening. The McLennan County Master Gardeners will provide tips and advice so you can make the most of your container garden. Registration is free and recommended to reserve your seat. The event will be held at South Waco Library from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn more at wacolibrary.org.
Step back in time on Waco Walks: Midcentury Modern Waco-Lake Air Estates. Though the 60s and the Lake Air Mall are long gone, explore the “Lake Air Estates” neighborhood behind Target (what used to be the old Lake Air Mall). Admire midcentury homes, ponder the parks and consider the future of Waco as you walk by the original Davidian Compound and the peace garden at Lake Shore Baptist Church. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the West Waco Library. Donations are welcome to support Act Locally Waco. For details, visit facebook.com/wacowalks.
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.
Grab your fishing gear, and head to the theatre! On second thought, maybe leave the gear at home while you attend the Fly Fishing Film Tour premiere at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre. Kick back, have some dinner, grab a drink, enter a raffle contest and watch fly fishing films from around the world. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information, visit flyfilmtour.com.
Sunday, April 22
Show your support for first responders everywhere at the First Responder Half Marathon. Choose between a half-marathon, a 5K and a 2-person relay race. All races begin at 8 a.m. The courses start and end at Waco Fire Station Number 1 (100 Peach Street). Registration ends Friday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. For prices and to sign up, visit facebook.com/firstresponderhalf.
Cameron Park Zoo invites you to Join the Pride! Celebrate difference and success and the disability awareness and resource fair. Enjoy live music, vendor exhibits and animal rehabilitation keeper talks. Interpreters will be provided by Sign of the Times. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. For ticket information, visit cameronparkzoo.com.
Live Music
Thursday
• Pat McKee & Trammell Kelly (jazz), DiamondBack’s, 6 p.m.
• Lauren January & Kayla Ray (country), La Fiesta, 6:30 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• Jason Fletcher (country), Klassy Glass, 7 p.m.
• Ashlyn Austin (pop/country), Dichotomy, 7 p.m.
• McAllister/Cavern Company/Shadow of Whales (indie rock), Common Grounds, 8 p.m., $7-$10
• Jack Russell’s Great White (hard rock/metal), The Backyard, 9 p.m., $25-$30
Friday
• Morgan Ashley (country), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• Jackson Anderson (bluez/jazz), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• DC Young Fly, Waco Hippodrome, 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m., $28-$30
• Byron Swann Band (jazz), Klassy Glass, 8:30 p.m.
• Kid Millport (country), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Ryan Thomas (hip-hop), Common Grounds, 8 p.m., $10-$13
• Mike Ryan (country), The Backyard, 9 p.m., $15-$20
Saturday
• Pat McKee and Trammell Kelly (jazz), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Johnny Joe Ramos, La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Ryan Thomas (indie/folk), Common Grounds, 7:30 p.m., $10-$13
• Bruce Carbonara (Sinatra-style), Sip & Swirl, Valley Mills Vineyards, 8 p.m.
• Shane Spann (folk/Americana), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Crash Landing (classic rock), Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
• Beth Ullman & Chuck Jennings (jazz), Klassy Glass, 8:30 p.m.
• 35 South (country), The Melody Ranch, 9 p.m.
• Josh Abbott Band (country), The Backyard, 9 p.m., $25-$30
Sunday
• Luke LaGrange (country), The Backyard, 1 p.m.
