Big Brother isn’t just watching—he’s dragging you into the grim, electrifying nightmare of George Orwell’s 1984 this weekend at the Waco Civic Theatre. This stage adaptation doesn’t settle for telling the story; it slams you headfirst into the paranoia, propaganda, and brutal truths of a world where reality is rewritten with every breath.
It’s intense, unsettling, and absolutely unmissable—a gut-punch of a play that’ll have you questioning everything you see and hear by the time the lights come back on.
For anyone blessed—or cursed!—with a creative spark, the 254 Creatives Mixer at The Performing Arts Community Center this Friday night is where you need to be. It’s a chance for actors, writers, directors, musicians, and anyone in the arts to connect, vibe, and maybe plot the next big thing over wine and a killer charcuterie spread.
More than a mixer, however, it’s a live-wire collision of talent and inspiration, ready to ignite new collaborations and friendships in Waco’s creative community.
Waco’s own Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, is bringing his sharp insights and fresh perspective to Fabled Bookshop & Cafe next Wednesday night to discuss Your Story Has a Villain, his latest book. This is a chance to hear from one of the city’s most engaging voices on life, challenges, and personal growth while snagging a signed copy of his book.
For anyone who thrives on thought-provoking ideas and faith-based debates, this promises to be a memorable evening of connection and conversation.
Register for free online to attend.
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, January 23
Thirsty Thursday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Mix It Up: Chronic Care | Texas AHEC East | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
ArtVenture: Beyond Blue | Art Center Waco | 4:45 pm – 6:15 pm
Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$25 Steak Night | Barnett's Whiskey House | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Not In My City Movie Night: Unleashed | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Kazu Kibuishi | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
KRIS with a K Music Bingo | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Adult Skate Night | Skate World Waco | 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Trivia Night | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Heart of Texas Road Gang | Sul Ross Boot Scootin' Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
Generations Songwriter Series | Texas Music Cafe | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic Night with Joel Wood | MacDaddy’s Pub | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Guest Recital: Kevin Lee Sun | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Groundhog Day | The Performing Arts Community Center | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Terry Roller & Johnnie Bradshaw | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Slap Stix Music Bingo | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Open Mic Comedy Night | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Justin Cole | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Thirsty Thursday Karaoke | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday, January 24
Project Homeless Connect | Waco Convention Center | 9:00 am – 11:30 am
2nd Annual Dinks for the Endangered Pickleball Tournament | Central United Methodist Church | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Conectar-Connect: State of the City | Cambria Hotel | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Outdoor Om with Farm Friends | Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Gordon Pyle | Cambria Hotel | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
254 Creatives Mixer | The Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Country Throwdown: A Night of '70s, '80s & '90s Hits with DJ Eddie Rose | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
'90s/2000s Chart Toppers Music Bingo | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Collin James Trio | Uncle Worm's Smoke House | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sip & Speak: Poetry Edition | Sascee's Southern Style Eatery | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
1984 | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Faculty Recital: Jens Korndörfer & Brent Phillips | Truett Theological Seminary | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Yacht Crew | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Out Loud | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Becca Ward & Lauren January | The Tipsy Lion Bar & Grill | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Drake Milligan | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Feel-Free Friday with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:30 pm – 1:30 am
Saturday, January 25
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 500 Washington Avenue | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Concerto Competition: Session 1 | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 10:00 am – noon
Community Pool Grand Opening | Doris Miller Community Center | 10:00 am – 11:00 am
The Pigeon Comes to Waco! Exhibit Opening | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Home Products Show | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
2nd Annual Dinks for the Endangered Pickleball Tournament | Central United Methodist Church | 11:30 am – 8:00 pm
Recharge Retreat: Wellness Expo & Membership Open House | Baylor Club | 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
2025 Harley-Davidson Model Release Party | Harley-Davidson of Waco | noon – 4:00 pm
Concerto Competition: Session 2 | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Storytime: Nattie and Zoe—The Best Adventure Award | Barnes & Noble | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Kids Puzzle Event | Barnes & Noble | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Jam for Jimbo Hooper | MacDaddy's Pub | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Gordon Pyle | Cambria Hotel | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | Marie's Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Far From Reach | The Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
1984 | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Rewind Party Band | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bubba Haze | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Kody West with Sterling Elza | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Griffith Switch | Last Chance Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight
Billy Holt Band | Melody Ranch | 9:00 pm – midnight
Saturday Spins with DJ Wyatt | Freight Bar | 10:30 pm – 1:30 am
Sunday, January 26
Home Products Show | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Warehouse Sale | Ramble & Company | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday Outdoor Market | The Will | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
1984 (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
25% Off New Whiskeys | Barnett's Whiskey House | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Seltzer Sunday | Freight Bar | 4:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Open Mic | Cricket's Grill & Draft House | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Song Swap & Open Mic Night with Michael Saldana | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hospitality Night with DJ Eddie Rose | The Will | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Monday, January 27
$5 Pints & Burgers | Barnett's Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Manic Monday | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Slap Stix Trivia Night | Lakeside Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, January 28
Break-Even Bottle Night with WhistlePig | Barnett's Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Guest Recital: Bronwen Forbay & Christian Bester | Waco Hall | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Stroll Networking Event | Marie's Wine Bar | 5:00 pm – 7:00 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
Booze Clues Tuesday Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Guest Recital: Evan Wong | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, January 29
The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Fabled Story-Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Rural Health Book Club: The Price We Pay | Texas AHEC East | noon – 1:00 pm
$35 Hungry Man Dinner & Lagunitas Pint Night | Barnett's Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Kids Eat Free Wednesday | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Giacosa Wine Dinner | Di Campli's Italian Ristorante | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jonathan “JP” Pokluda | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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Coming Next Week
Chad Prather, Youth Pop-Up Shops, and Celebrity Chef.
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