Waco Insider #187
Rogue Music Showcase, Waco Civic Theatre's A Midsummer's Night Dream, and Tonee Shelton
Calling all music lovers! Get to the Rogue Media Music showcase by 7 pm on Friday at the newly opened Performing Arts Community Center. The payoff? The kind of raw energy and performances that’ll have club owners all over town kicking themselves for not booking these future stars first.
Headliners Garret Butler and Alan Reyes, as well as a host of other rising talents including Live Oak Moonshiners and T3A Aguilar, are set to turn the stage into a baptism by fire for anyone who cares about real music. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a talent scout, or just someone who craves the thrill of seeing tomorrow's legends before they blow up, this is the only place you need to be.
Forget everything you think you know about Shakespeare—Waco Civic Theatre's A Midsummer Night’s Dream isn’t just another stuffy production. It’s a tangled fever dream of love, jealousy, and magical mishaps set in an enchanted forest where fairies play puppet master with confused lovers and bumbling actors. Without a doubt, you owe it to yourself to catch this show over the next three weekends—it’s pure, chaotic brilliance wrapped in iambic pentameter.
If you’re not at Tonee Shelton’s book signing next Tuesday at Fabled, you're missing out on a rare chance to dive into the mind of a poet who's tackling what it means to exist on the fringes.
Identity Crisis, her latest book, is a raw, unapologetic exploration of race, gender, and identity, giving a voice to those who’ve never truly felt like they belong. With her sharp take on imposter syndrome and the weight of being the “first” or “only,” Shelton’s work doesn’t just resonate—it challenges, uplifts, and inspires everyone to rise above the limits society tries to impose.
Reserve your seat for free online.
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, September 12
Thirsty Thursday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Pork & Pinot Wine Dinner | Pignetti’s | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Tenth Avenue North with Natalie Layne | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
GOOD WORK: Poetry & Music | Anthem STORIES | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Dee Kelly Jr. | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Open Mic Night with Joel Wood | MacDaddy’s Pub | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Waco Brew Theology: Religion & Robots | Bare Arms Brewing | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Open Mic Night with Zach Hill | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Stars Over Texas Jamboree: 14th Anniversary Edition | Lee Lockwood Library and Museum | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Bobby Dean & The Timeless Country Band | 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
A Midsummer Night's Dream | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Baylor Jazz Ensemble Annual Swing Concert | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Flamy Grant & i.V KiNG with Mariela | Cultivate 7twelve | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | Lounge ’93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 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
Karaoke on the Patio | Austin’s on the Avenue | 9:00 pm – midnight
Friday, September 13
2024 Express Classic Golf Tournament | Cottonwood Creek Golf Course | 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Kids College Fridays | MCC Community Services Center | 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Sip & Spin with Heritage Coffee | Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep | 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Conectar-Connect: ¡Viva la Cultura de los Artistas! | Art Center Waco | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday Night Chef Dinner | The Olive Branch | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Johnny Joe Ramos | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Down on the Bayou | The Exchange Event Center | 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
After Dark (early show) | Waco Hall | 6:30 pm – 8:00 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
Zach Hill | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Game Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday the 13th Murder Mystery Dinner | Cultivate 7twelve | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rogue Music Showcase | Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
A Midsummer Night's Dream | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Eric & Thomas Unplugged | Lounge ’93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
End-of-Summer Tiki Party | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Martian Folk | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Lindsley Brothers | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Touch of Grey | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
David Matthew Doran | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Rusty Pipes | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
William Beckmann | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
After Dark (late show) | Waco Hall | 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Freaky Friday with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday, September 14
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 500 Washington Avenue | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
McLennan County Master Gardeners: Seed Saving & Propagation | Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
China Spring Farmers & Crafters Market | First Baptist Church of China Spring | 9:00 am – noon
Homestead Weekly Market | Homestead Heritage | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Storytime | Barnes & Noble | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Orgullo Fest | The Market | 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thank You! Lee Lockwood Fundraiser | Lee Lockwood Library and Museum | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Carlos Whittaker | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
David Matthew Doran | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Skellington Market | Skellington Curiosities | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
College Football: Air Force vs. Baylor | McLane Stadium | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Stephany Chavira | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
A Midsummer Night's Dream | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Wes Cunningham with Lyda Plummer | Texas Music Cafe | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Oak Ridge Boys with Ben James | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Joel Wood Band | Elk Hall | 8:00 pm – midnight
Bohemian Pirates Band | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Colton Hawkins & Joey Dvorak | Wolf’s Sports Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Neon Texas | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Zach Hill | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday, September 15
Sunday Funday with Aaron Jade | The Will | noon – 2:00 pm
Summer Wedding Showcase | Hotel 1928 | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
A Midsummer Night's Dream (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 5:00 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
Song Swap & Open Mic Night with Michael Saldana | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mexican Independence Day Concert with Ziztema & Zamora County Line | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
HOT Pro Wresting: High Stakes | Waco Lions Den | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ease with Empress | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Monday, September 16
Monday Story Time: Enchanting Fairy Tales | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Aaron Jade | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Monday Funday: Johnny Bustamante & Teresita's Birria | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 6:00 pm – 10:00 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
Tuesday, September 17
Vocal Music Hour | Waco Hall | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Woodwind Hour | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Waco Life Drawing | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Karaoke Night | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 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
Karaoke | Tokio Store | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tonee Shelton | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 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, September 18
The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Fabled Story-Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Newcomers & Neighbors | Baylor Club | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
All-Day Happy Hour | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Kids Eat Free Wednesday | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pop-Up Shop | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Levitt AMP Waco Music Series: Marquo & DJ The Sweetest T | Bridge Street Plaza | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bobby Dean & The Timeless Country Band | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 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
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
Hip Pop and R&B Futura Showcase, Healing Harvest, and 2024 Walk for the Homeless.
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