Events come and go in Waco and most fall into recognizable categories such as music, shopping, or food and drink. We’re still not sure, however, what to make of Andi’s Puppet Party, which describes itself as part puppet show, part comedy by X Sanchez, part music by The Makeshifts, and “the weirdest show you’ll see this month.” These days every Friday night offers plenty of different entertainment options, but we feel compelled to check this out.
In a more recognizable vein, this weekend — and the next one too! — Monarch Theatre presents The Lion King Jr, a condensed version of the hit Broadway musical, at McLennan Community College’s Ball Performing Arts Center. Plus, even though it’s summer, learning never stops, and on Saturday the Mayborn Museum Complex hosts STEMfest Community Day, a free event that lets you and your kids explore, create, make, and learn about exciting opportunities in science and technology.
In our recommended reads and podcasts section, discover the elements that contributed to a successful backyard makeover, and get recipes for the perfect summertime picnic. Plus, hear the plans local music impresarios Katie Selman and Jacob Green have for downtown’s Klassy Glass Wine Bar & Bistro following their recent purchase of it.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit The Waco Insider for complete event details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Thursday, July 15
Live Oak Brewing Pint Night + HonkyTonk Kid Barbecue | Dancing Bear Pub | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Lion King Jr | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Talent Quest International Singing Competition | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday Night Hills: Cameron Park Road Ride | Bicycle World | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Waco Famous Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Comedy | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bowling for Soup | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Friday, July 16
Venus E | Fuzzy’s Tacos (Hewitt) | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Lion King Jr | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Andi’s Puppet Party | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Dog Days of Summer with Bonner Rhae Rhoden | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Night Dinner | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Trey Stephenson | The Minnow at Lake Waco Marina | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wes Corwin (early show) | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Little Women: The Musical | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Tokio Trio | Tokio Store | 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Bruce Carbonara | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | Brazos Theatre | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Chingo Bling | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Morgan Lee Powers | Freight Bar | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Wes Corwin (late show) | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Saturday, July 17
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
World Snake Day Scavenger Hunt | Cameron Park Zoo | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
STEMfest Community Day | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fields of Gold | Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery | 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Lion King Jr (matinee) | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
The Suffers with Chris Pierce | Magnolia Market at the Silos | Tickets | 6:45 pm – 9:45 pm
Another Band of Gypsies | The Minnow at Lake Waco Marina | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Lion King Jr | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Improv Comedy | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Pour Painting with a Texas Twist | Brazos Theatre | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Rockin’ Rick | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Little Women: The Musical | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Ladies Night Comedy | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The Bill & Phil Show | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Nolan Pick Band | Elk Hall | 8:30 pm – 12:30 am
Rewind Party Band | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Shinyribs | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Southern Fried Band | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Strix | Lakeside Bar | 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wes Corwin (late show) | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sunday, July 18
Eastside Market Summer Jam | Brotherwell Brewing | 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Little Women: The Musical (matinee) | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Karaoke & Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Monday, July 19
Monday Funday with Sami Brown | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, July 20
Dragon Week Storytime | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Beer For Brains Trivia Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 21
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | Magnolia Market at the Silos | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fabled Storytime | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Bobby Dean & The Timeless Country Band | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Geeks Who Drink: Wednesday Edition | Route 77 Food Park | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rewound & Migzavier | Truelove Bar | 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Recommended Reads & Podcasts
“Before and After Backyard Makeover”
Everyone has spent more than enough time inside at home this past year, so Rachel Whyte details how she and her husband gave their back porch and yard a much-needed makeover. From a large playset for the kids to a new fire pit and concrete patio, they turned their backyard into an outdoor focal point for the entire family.
Read the complete post at the Waco Moms blog.
“Spread Out the Picnic Blanket”
Waco is having its coolest summer in years, which means you can still enjoy a picnic at your favorite local park. Check out Abby and Kevin Tankersley’s perfect picnic recipes for spicy-sweet club sandwiches, sugar cookie bars, tropical Topo drinks, and more.
Read the full article at the Wacoan.
Keep Waco Loud: “Keep Waco Loud Buys a Bar”
Hosts Katie Selman and Jacob Green talk about their latest Keep Waco Loud project: buying Klassy Glass Wine Bar & Bistro in downtown Waco. From their plans for renaming it to other must-know details, hear how this duo continues to reshape Waco’s entertainment scene.
Listen to the podcast.
Coming in the next newsletter
Deep in the Heart Film Festival, Josh Ward, and Maggi Mayfield