Join Cultivate 7twelve at 6 pm on Friday for the opening of Pompeii–Ghost Portraits. This photographic exhibition of the ruins of Pompeii by celebrity photographer Michael Larsen is the first solo showing of his fine art photographs. He spent seven days at the archeological site in 2021, shot thousands of images, and spent the last year sifting through them and editing them down to the final 12 that make up this exhibition, which runs through May 31.
This Saturday, Bankston’s Collectables is one of the thousands of comic book shops worldwide celebrating the largest event in the comic book industry: Free Comic Book Day. Each year, over five million books are given away to millions of fans to share the wonders of comics, and Bankston’s has participated for 22 years.
“Free Comic Book Day is a great event for the whole community. Bringing everyone together, finding books for all to enjoy, and seeing people of all ages—children, teens, and adults—sharing our passion for comics is incredible,” said Roger Moore, Bankston’s manager. “Even if you’ve never picked up a comic book, we want to welcome everyone to Bankston’s on May 6 because there are so many amazing comics this year, and we can’t wait to share them.”
In addition, Plus Waco Comics artists and writers Danny Flores, Joey Gonzales, Armando Ramirez, and Nate Wells will be available with sketches, artwork, and commission work.
If the weather will just cooperate, you can hear plenty of live music outdoors this weekend, ranging from La Fiera de Ojinaga and Los Texmaniacs on Friday at Brazos Nights and the next installment of the Levitt AMP Waco Music Series on Saturday with Suede and Leaf Vxllage.
The biggest concert this weekend, however, is the Bears and Bugs festival on Saturday at McLane Stadium’s Touchdown Alley. The five-band lineup kicks off with Waco favorites CaCean Ballou and The Dirty Crawfish at 2 pm and headliner Giovannie and The Hired Guns play at 9:30 pm. Plus, there’ll be plenty of crawfish, crafts, and a kids zone to keep everyone entertained.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit Waco Insider for complete event and ticket details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
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Thursday, May 4
15th Anniversary Celebration | Black Oak Art | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
"May the Fourth" Star Wars Carillon Recital | Pat Neff Hall | 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Happy Hour with Dave Innis | Stay Classy Waco | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
May Steak Night 2023 | The Brazos Landing | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Baylor Bronze Concert | Waco Hall | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Latino Night FUNdraiser | The Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Trivia Night | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Bruce Carbonara | Lounge ’93 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Heather Ré | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ragland Country Band | Sul Ross Boot Scootin’ Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
The Book Review | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Blue Houdini | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke | 308 Tavern | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Touch of Grey | Old Chicago | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Waco Brew Theology | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Uptown Swing | Pinewood Public House | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Battle of the Bands Finale | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo Café y Pan Dulce | Cadence Bank | 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Crafter's Convention | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cinco de Mayo | Fish City Grill | 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
15th Anniversary Celebration | Black Oak Art | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
McCIF's Information Buffet: Setting Up Your Business Right | Startup Waco | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Farmers Market | Da’ Shack | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
First Friday Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cinco de Milo | Milo All Day | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Cinco de Mayo Party with Zamora County Line | Freight Bar | 5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Pompeii—Ghost Portraits Opening Night | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cinco de Mayo Celebration with The Bill & Phil Show | La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Let's Taco-Bout Adoption Family Bingo Night | DiamondBack’s | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cody Lee Stone | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cinco de Mayo | Truelove Bar | 6:00 pm – 2:00 am
Taste of the World | Antioch Waco | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
McLennan County Mud Fest | Riesel Lions Club | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act | Brazos Theatre | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Renegade Road Show | Hewitt Elks Lodge #2881 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Greg Bashara & Evan Klaras | Hilton Waco | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Zechariah Grey | Camp Fimfo | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Youth Chorus of Central Texas Spring Concert | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazos Nights: La Fiera de Ojinaga with Los Texmaniacs | Indian Spring Park | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | Segovia Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Kyle Mathis | Pivovar | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Venus E | Old Chicago | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Escape to Margaritaville | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Ultimate Eagles Experience | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Tyler Stokes with Tanner Bennet | Hoot’s Tokio Store | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Stephany Chavira | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Markus Miller | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Naughty Water | Lakeside Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
CaCean Ballou & The Dirty Crawfish | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fenix Theory | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Lindsley Brothers with Colby Cobb | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Collin James Band | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Great Divide with David Matthew Doran | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday, May 6
McLennan County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale | Westview Village | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Farmers Market | Da’ Shack | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
St. Jerome Mayfest | St. Jerome Catholic Church | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
63rd Annual Waco Gem & Mineral Show | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Crafter's Convention | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Dr Pepper Museum's Birthday Bash | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Free Comic Book Day | Bankston’s Comics and Collectibles | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Print Sale Saturday | Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
15th Anniversary Celebration | Black Oak Art | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bears & Bugs Fest | McLane Stadium | 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Kentucky Derby Watch Party | Milo All Day | 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Kentucky Derby Watch Party | Z’s at the Curry | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
2023 Levitt AMP Waco Music Series: Suede with Leaf Vxllage | Bridge Street Plaza | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Don't Eat That | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Darwynn & Keaton Nail | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Boots on the Brazos | Waco Convention Center | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
McLennan County Mud Fest | Riesel Lions Club | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Jared Pool | Camp Fimfo | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Waco Early Jazz Quartet | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Escape to Margaritaville | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
PROM-prov Improv Comedy Show | Brazos Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Rude Ant Karaoke | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:55 pm
Taylor Branch | Hoot’s Tokio Store | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Ryan Glenn & The Honky Tonk Heat with Brandon Padier | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Diamondback TX | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tyler Stokes | Last Chance Bar | 8:00 pm – midnight
Torino Turnpike | 3R Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – midnight
Jeremy Parsons | Freight Bar | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Distinguished Soundz | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
The Johnny Joes & Tha Band | JRG’s Bar & Grill | 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Sunday, May 7
Crafter's Convention | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
63rd Annual Waco Gem & Mineral Show | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Blessing of the Bikes with 10th Leper | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act (matinee) | Brazos Theatre | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Escape to Margaritaville (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Cigar Sunday | Cozy’s Lounge | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday Funday with DJ Suavesito | Coach’s xXx Smoke | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday, May 8
Mother's Day Art Class | Greater Waco YMCA | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Acoustic Open Mic | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday Funday with Venus E | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Faith & Fiction: Flannery O'Connor | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Trivia Night | Lakeside Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, May 9
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Dave Innis's Tuesday Night Piano Happy Hour | Stay Classy Waco | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Meet the Artist: Chandler Grayson | Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
CTHCC Family Skate Night Fundraiser | Skate World Waco | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jewelry Making: Beading Workshop | MAKER’s EDGE makerspace | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Kolten Benton | Lounge ’93 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Twelve12 | Di Campli’s Italian Ristorante | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Books & Brews: Black Cake | Cricket’s Grill & Draft House | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Beer Garden Yoga | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Smarty Pints Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Towne Tuesday Open Mic | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fabled's Book Club: Generations | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Arkhē | Art Center Waco | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Booze Clues Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, May 10
1 Million Cups Waco | Hustle Co-Working | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Fabled Story-Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Bridge Street Farmers Market & Ribbon Cutting | Bridge Street Plaza | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Business After Hours | Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Live Figure Drawing | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Trivia Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Jon Fox | Lounge ’93 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Trivia Night | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (Hewitt) | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Night with James Hollingsworth | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
David Lyle Jeffrey | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Trivia & Karaoke Night | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Name That Tune Music Bingo | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Trivia Night | Stay Classy Waco | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Witty Wednesday BuzzTime Trivia | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Need to know when to staff up for large events? Click here to view business and social events that may not be listed above.
Coming Next Week
John Conlee, Waco Couch Potato Festival, and Family Skate Night.
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