Deep in the Heart Film Festival returns for its fifth year beginning this Thursday at the Hippodrome after last year’s event was held online. Over four days you can see a wide range of feature films, blocks of film shorts — even music videos! — and mix with industry veterans at VIP events at venues across downtown. Want to hone your own filmmaking skills? Attend educational sessions on building buzz for your film, screenplay readings, and more.
This Saturday morning, take advantage of the unseasonably cool summer we’re having as the monthly Uptown Art Walk takes place on Washington Avenue. And as always, local guitarist extraordinaire Frank Exum will provide music for it at the Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery. Or, if you need something more raucous, Austin’s Flametrick Subs are playing at the Rogue Media Network studio on Saturday night.
In our recommended reads and podcasts section, learn what’s happening with the Stratton Building’s renovation in downtown Waco. Plus, Regina Wenger discusses the history of First Street Cemetery, Waco’s oldest, and Ann Harder talks with Betsy Robinson, who founded Fuzzy Friends over 30 years ago to help Waco’s most vulnerable animals.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit The Waco Insider for complete event details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Thursday, July 22
Deep in the Heart Film Festival | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | Tickets | 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
Panther Island Pint Night | 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
Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Friday, July 23
Deep in the Heart Film Festival | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | Tickets | 11:00 am – midnight
Bones, Bugs & Brews: Bug Pinning Class Sip ‘n’ Shop | Skellington Curiosities | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Splashh Fest | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Lion King Jr | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday Night Dinner | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Maggi Mayfield (early show) | SlapStix Comedy Club |Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Smokin Maxx | Tokio Store | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Brazos Brothers | The Minnow at Lake Waco Marina | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Little Women: The Musical | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Andrew Hudson | Undercroft Social Club | 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Dragon Week Outdoor Movie Night: Pete’s Dragon | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Max, Lynnette & Steven | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Greg Schroeder | Freight Bar | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Josh Ward with Darrin Morris | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Touch of Grey | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Maggi Mayfield (late show) | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Saturday, July 24
A Walk Up Washington Ave | Rogue Media Network | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
1st Annual Car Show | China Spring High School | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Deep in the Heart Film Festival | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | Tickets | 10:00 am – Jul 25 | 12:00 am
July Uptown Art Walk | Susan L. Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Lion King Jr (matinee) | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Steve Smith Group | Fuzzy's Taco Shop (Hewitt) | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Waco GoodFellas Christmas in July | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Lion King Jr | Ball Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Alexis McLaughlin | Tradinghouse Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Improv Comedy | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Peter Sinclair | Tokio Store | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Talent Quest International Singing Competition | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Little Women: The Musical | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Flametrick Subs with Zet Zero | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Darrin Morris Band | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
JD Hicks & Centex Country | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Prophets and Outlaws | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
DJ Eubby | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight
Maggi Mayfield | SlapStix Comedy Club | Tickets | 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sunday, July 25
Deep in the Heart Film Festival | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | Tickets | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Brunch with Ben Atkins | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fight Game Sunday | Nexus Esports | Tickets | 12:00 pm – 7:30 pm
3rd Annual Waco Fosters Love Benefit | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Little Women: The Musical (matinee) | Richfield Performing Arts Center | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Oddities & Curiosities Summer Night Market | Skellington Curiosities | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Karaoke & Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Monday, July 26
Mayborn Mini Monday: Exploring Water | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Beers & Bingo | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Monday Funday with The Brazos Brothers | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, July 27
Beer For Brains Trivia Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Byron & Carla Weathersbee | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, July 28
Fabled Storytime | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
45th Anniversary Party | Old Chicago | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Geeks Who Drink: Wednesday Edition | Route 77 Food Park | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
My Chemical Wednesday (Emo Night) | Truelove Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight
Recommended Reads & Podcasts
“The Stratton Building almost ready to reopen”
Standing at the corner of 8th and Austin Avenue, downtown denizens have watched the Stratton Building’s ongoing renovation by the Anthem Group with curiosity. Wendy Gragg details the plans, which include a coffee shop and vendor spaces on the first two floors, residential units, a basement event space, and rooftop access with great views of downtown.
Read the complete article at Downtown Waco.
“First Street Cemetery”
Oakwood Cemetery on La Salle may be Waco’s most well-known cemetery, but Regina Wenger takes a look at First Street Cemetery, Waco’s oldest. Located next to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, the cemetery’s condition and treatment have long been points of contention for both the descendants of those buried there and those who want to develop the area around it.
Read the full post at the Waco History blog.
Central Texas Living: “Betsy Robinson with Fuzzy Friends”
Host Ann Harder talks with Betsy Robinson, founder of the Waco no-kill animal rescue facility Fuzzy Friends. Hear how a chance encounter in 1990 at her pet groomer’s led Robinson to create Fuzzy Friends, which has saved the lives of thousands of animals and continues to do so today.
Listen to the podcast.
Coming in the next newsletter
Goat yoga, Dale Watson, and Tai Nguyen.