This weekend could well be Waco’s busiest this year, but the Waco Cultural Arts Fest (WCAF) at Indian Spring Park from Friday through Sunday is a don’t-miss event.
If you want to make, see, or buy art, it’s got you covered. Plus, for book lovers and wordsmiths, the WCAF’s WordFest is taking place at the Waco Convention Center. And that’s not even counting the lineup of live music that includes local bands Oxford Comma and Pride and Joy along with Saturday night’s headliner Del Castillo from Austin.
Other highlights on Saturday include the Heart of Texas Storytelling Guild’s annual Walking Tales at the Oakwood Cemetary, where volunteers make the stories of the famous — and infamous! — people buried there come to life. And for something really scary, check out The Goon Squad’s Nightmares, a one-night-only, pop-up art exhibit at Stay Classy Waco.
New at The Waco Insider
Song of the Week: Zet Zero’s “9Lives”
Learn more about post-punk rockers Zet Zero.
“Waco Cultural Arts Fest 2021: A Healthy Dose of Happiness”
Last year’s Waco Cultural Arts Fest (WCAF) was a victim of the pandemic, but it’s back in 2021. Get an in-depth look at what you can expect from the three-day festival this weekend. Plus, meet Doreen Ravenscroft, the woman who makes it all happen.
Read the complete article.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit The Waco Insider for complete event details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Thursday, October 14
Who’s Got Talent? Show | Rogue Media Network | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Surplus Glass Pint Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | Stay Classy Waco | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Oktoberfest Concerts: Thomas Csorba & Paul Childers | The Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Songwriter Thursday | Backyard Saloon | 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
Airness | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
McLennan Community Orchestra Fall Concert | Ball Performing Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Wind Ensemble | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tracy Lawrence with Carson Jeffrey | Extraco Events Center | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:00 pm – 1:00 am
Friday, October 15
Blow-Your-Own Pumpkin @ Stanton Studios | Tickets | 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Raise From the Roof | Bubba's 33 | 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Brew at the Zoo with Jennifer Pisarcik (night 1) | Cameron Park Zoo | Tickets | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Holly Tucker | The Baylor Club | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Night Dinner | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Going Rogue Cabaret 7 | Rogue Media Network | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Murder at Casillero de la Sombra: A Vampire Murder Mystery Dinner | Brazos Theatre | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest: WordFest | Waco Convention Center | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Airness | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Ring of Fire | Waco Civic Theatre | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Chad Prather & The Ragamuffins | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday Night Magic: Commander | Nexus Esports | 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Lucas Jon Turner | Stay Classy Waco | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Bill & Phil Show | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Twelve12 | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest: Johnny Joe Ramos | Indian Spring Park | 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Walker Hayes with Gabe Lee & Jack Ingram | Extraco Events Center | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Candlebox | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Ballous Cats | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Saturday, October 16
Baylor Homecoming Parade | Downtown Waco to Baylor University | 8:00 am – 10:30 am
Blow-Your-Own Pumpkin @ Stanton Studios | Tickets | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Bear Cub Homecoming Story Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Cougars & Canned Goods Drive | Brazos Park East | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Pop-Up Shopping Event | Bledsoe Miller Community Center | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest | Indian Spring Park | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest: WordFest | Waco Convention Center | 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Walking Tales | Oakwood Cemetery | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
College Football: Baylor vs. BYU | McLane Stadium | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Brew at the Zoo (night 2) | Cameron Park Zoo | Tickets | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ladies First: Breast Cancer Awareness Concert | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Goon Squad Presents Nightmares | Stay Classy Waco | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ring of Fire | Waco Civic Theatre | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest: Del Castillo | Indian Spring Park | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Airness | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Joe Nichols with Mike Ryan | Extraco Events Center | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
John Epperson | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Karaoke with Tony Lee | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | Brazos Theatre | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Brazos Brothers | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sunday, October 17
Waco Cultural Arts Fest | Indian Spring Park | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Waco Cultural Arts Fest: WordFest | Waco Convention Center | 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
October Eastside Market | Brotherwell Brewing | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Airness (matinee) | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | Tickets | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
McLennan County Master Gardeners Children’s Garden Fair 2021 | Miss Nellie's Pretty Place | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bridge of Souls: A Ceremony of Remembrance | Indian Spring Park | 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Ring of Fire (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | Tickets | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Bella Voce | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Heart of Smash #65 | Nexus Esports | Tickets | 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Live Comedy | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke & Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
The Brook & The Bluff with Sawyer | Common Grounds | Tickets | 8:00 pm – midnight
Monday, October 18
Monday Funday with The Brazos Brothers | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday Night Trivia | Backyard Saloon | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fall Book Recommendations | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Stay Classy Waco | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Waco Jazz Orchestra: Swann-derful | Ball Performing Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, October 19
Hard to Kill Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Concert Choir | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Backyard Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wednesday, October 20
The Meetup at Startup Waco | Hustle Co-Working | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Story Time: The Very Busy Spider | Cameron Park Zoo | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | Magnolia Market at the Silos | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fabled Storytime | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Lunch with the Masters: Whimsy in the Garden | MCC Emergency Services Education Center | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Trivia Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trunk or Treat | Hart-Patterson Track & Field Complex | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday Night Trivia | Old Chicago | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Witty Wednesday BuzzTime Trivia | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Coming Next Week
Analog Waco, Labretta Suede, and Shock-Toberfest.