Waco Insider #192
Waco Restaurant Week, Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Texas Music Cafe: Ian Moore
Waco Restaurant Week is back with eight days of culinary adventures that’ll pull you out of your comfort zone and into a world of flavors you didn’t even know you needed. It’s not just about the food—it’s about the stories behind the plates, the local chefs pushing boundaries, and the community that’s thriving because of it. Get out there to feel the real pulse of what makes Waco's food scene tick—authenticity, risk, and a whole lot of passion.
And in addition to special menus at participating restaurants around town, scheduled events include:
The Spirit of Cooking (Friday, October 18)
Paddles & Pizza (Sunday, October 20)
Alleycat Popup at Balcones (Sunday, October 20)
Building A Healthy Service Industry Panel Discussion (Monday, October 21)
Glizzfest (Wednesday, October 23)
Culinary, Craft, and Community Creators Panel Discussion (Thursday, October 24)
Fried Chicken Night (Friday, October 25)
Green + Gold Day (Friday, October 25)
Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Waco Civic Theatre over the next three weekends is a lush, extravagantly emotional spectacle—a show that sweeps you into its world of soaring melodies and grand themes. It’s a rare blend of operatic intensity and irresistible entertainment, where the darker undertones are balanced by the warmth and heart of the characters.
If you crave a musical that mixes the gravity of Victor Hugo’s original novel with Disney’s signature gloss, this is the night at the theater you’ve been waiting for.
If you haven't heard Ian Moore tear into a guitar solo, you might as well be deaf to the soul of Texas itself—he's a lightning rod for everything that's right about the blues. And his voice? It’s got that rare combination of grit and grace that'll make you feel like you're standing at the edge of something dangerous and beautiful. Show up at Texas Music Cafe for his set on Friday night or stay home and regret missing the kind of electric magic that only happens when someone this good makes the stage catch fire. But you better hurry, as the show will likely sell out at any minute!
(Then for something completely different on Saturday night at TMC, you can hear the instrumental surf-reggae sounds of South Padre Island’s Los Surfvivers.)
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit Waco Insider for complete event and ticket details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Have an event you’d like listed? Visit our event submissions page.
Thursday, October 17
Thirsty Thursday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
4th Annual Oktoberfest | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
$25 Steak Night | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Founders Brewing Pint Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lucas Jon Turner | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Creepy Doll Creation Night | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Historic Waco Fall Lecture: William Brandt—The Troll Apostle | Lee Lockwood Library and Museum | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Love Songs For Lovely Village: WildTorch | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Garrison Brothers Tasting & Brisket Dinner | Lounge ’93 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Open Mic Night with Joel Wood | MacDaddy’s Pub | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jemar Tisby | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Screening | Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Broke LJ with Shelly Saulters | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Midnight Mustangs | Sul Ross Boot Scootin’ Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
KRIS with a K Music Bingo | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | Lounge ’93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Baylor Wind Ensemble | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Rocky’s Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Dave Wild | Hotel Herringbone | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Songwriter Showcase | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thirsty Thursday Karaoke | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
West Texas Wind with the Ethan Lynch Band & Dog Watch | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke on the Patio | Austin’s on the Avenue | 9:00 pm – midnight
Friday, October 18
2024 Bishop Reicher Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament | Cottonwood Creek Golf Course | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Kids College Fridays | MCC Community Services Center | 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Waco Restaurant Week: The Spirit of Cooking | Multiple locations | noon – 9:00 pm
Monthly Community Sound Bath | Good Neighbor House | noon – 1:00 pm
Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Beetlejuice Movie Night & Halloween Tufting Workshop | Fuzz Lab Waco | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dia de los Muertos Altar & Art Exhibit | Waco Memorial Park | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | 1424 Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
David Matthew Doran | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Another Band of Gypsys | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
13th Annual Brew at the Zoo | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Junior Paranormal Investigator Open-House | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
4th Annual Oktoberfest | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Keaton Nail | Uncle Worm’s Smoke House | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Outdoor Om with Farm Friends | Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Dave Innis | Cambria Hotel | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Game Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Halloween Movie Night | Union Grove | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Nonity | Lounge ’93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Haunted Paddle on the Brazos (SOLD OUT) | Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Towne Adams | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Kyle Reed | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tyler Stokes | Mynar’s Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Ian Moore with Chris Beall | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Out Loud | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Ballou's Cats | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Johnny Joe Ramos | Backyard Bar Stage and Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
EDM Sessions with Young Heezy & Scuffed | Tandem Rooftop Bar | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Freaky Friday with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:00 pm – 1:30 am
Saturday, October 19
Saturday Mash-Up Scrimmage | Skate Waco Bellmead | 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Cars & Coffee | Black Rifle Coffee Company | 9:00 am – 11:30 am
17th Annual Karem Shrine Car Show | Karem Shrine | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
China Spring Farmers & Crafters Market | First Baptist Church of China Spring | 9:00 am – noon
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 500 Washington Avenue | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Homestead Weekly Market | Homestead Heritage | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Walking Tales | Oakwood Cemetery | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Battle of the Baggers Cornhole Tournament | Harley-Davidson of Waco | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Walk to End Alzheimer's | Legends Crossing | 10:00 am – noon
October Artist's Studio Collective: Still Life | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Out on the Brazos | Brazos Park East | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
SIC'EM Science Day Jr. | Mayborn Museum Complex | 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Plant with Your Pet | Da’ Shack | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
4th Annual Oktoberfest | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | noon – 11:00 pm
4th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration | Pinewood Public House | noon – 10:00 pm
8th Round RC Points Race | HobbyTown | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
2024 Cattle Baron's Ball | Extraco Events Center | 6:00 pm – midnight
13th Annual Brew at the Zoo | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Deaths & Legends of Waco | McCulloch House Museum | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dueling Hearts | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Stephany Chavira | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Los Surfvivers with Garrett Askins | Texas Music Cafe | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
3-for-1 Rogue Media Live Podcasts | Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Dave Innis | Marie’s Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Live Jazz Saturday with the Chuck Jennings Duo | Segovia Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Collin James Band | Elk Hall | 8:00 pm – midnight
Hip-Hop Night | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
5th Annual Halloween Ball | Tandem Rooftop Bar | 8:00 pm – midnight
Karaoke | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – midnight
Haunted Paddle on the Brazos (SOLD OUT) | Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | Brazos Theatre | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Paul Wall | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Fooligan | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Chris Colunga | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
DJ Wyatt | Freight Bar | 11:00 pm – 1:00 am
Sunday, October 20
Volunteer Day | Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary | 10:00 am – noon
Woodway Farmers Market | Carleen Bright Arboretum | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Great Waco Duck Race | Indian Spring Park | noon – 3:00 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (matinee) | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Matinee Dance with the Heart of Texas Road Gang | Karem Shrine | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Seltzer Sunday | Freight Bar | 4:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Waco Restaurant Week: Paddles & Pizza | Brazos Park East | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Joel Looper | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sacred Arts Series: Richard Elliott | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Waco Restaurant Week: Alleycat Popup Cocktail Bar | Balcones Distilling | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic | Cricket’s Grill & Draft House | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Trevor Hickok | The Will | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Song Swap & Open Mic Night with Michael Saldana | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
HOT Pro Wrestling: A Nightmare on 42nd Street | Waco Lions Den | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Drag Show Spooktacular | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday, October 21
$5 Pints & Burgers | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Floating Mercado Trunk or Treat | Skate Waco Bellmead | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Waco Restaurant Week: Building A Healthy Service Industry Panel Discussion | Performing Arts Community Center | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Monday Funday with Eric & Thomas Unplugged | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Karaoke Mondays | The Crying Shame | 7:00 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
Baylor Symphony Orchestra & Campus Orchestra | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, October 22
Piano Hour | Waco Hall | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Break-Even Bottle Night with Yamazaki Peated Malt | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Woodwind Hour | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Artist Talk: Small Works Artists & Collectors | Art Center Waco | 6:00 pm – 7:30 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
Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Booze Clues Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, October 23
Fabled Story-Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Waco Ale Co. Pint Night | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Kids Eat Free Wednesday | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday Night Farmers Market | Bridge Street Plaza | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Waco Restaurant Week: Glizzfest | Hotel Herringbone | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Slap Stix Trivia Night | Torchy’s Tacos | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Vinyl Night | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
moony with Silvie & Sack Lunch! | Common Grounds | 8:00 pm – 11:30 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
Cinema Safari: Hocus Pocus, Silent Disco, and Witches Paddle Parade.
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