The Weekly Dispatch
Epiphanies New Works Festival, Cellos in Conversation: Music of Brazil, and Groundhog Day STEAM Challenge: Free Build a Burrow
Wild Imaginings’ Epiphanies New Works Festival lands at Waco Civic Theatre this weekend as a snapshot of theater in motion—full productions and staged readings testing ideas before they harden into canon. Across BL!NK, Riverbend, and The Last Piece, the festival moves from tech ambition and ethical compromise to myth retold as coming-of-age and love refracted through memory loss, each piece asking what we trade away as we chase forward momentum.
This isn’t about polish so much as process: plays still deciding what they are and audiences invited to sit inside that uncertainty while it happens.
St. Alban’s Sacred Arts Series continues Sunday afternoon with Cellos in Conversation: Music of Brazil, a program built around the expressive range of the cello. Brazilian cellist Hugo Pilger, a leading interpreter of the country’s repertoire, joins Baylor’s Philip Borter for a performance that highlights how Brazilian musical traditions translate emphasis and motion into classical form.
It’s a focused, intimate concert that treats cultural exchange not as theme but as practice, unfolding inside St. Alban’s Episcopal Church rather than on a distant stage.
Free admission.
Groundhog Day at the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center next Monday turns a familiar tradition into a hands-on exercise in how science actually shows up in the world. This come-and-go free activity invites participants of all ages to design and build a groundhog burrow while quietly working through ideas about structure, habitat, and the physics of light and shadow.
No registration is required, and all materials are provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A Town Hall with Sheriff Parnell McNamara
Last week, Sheriff Parnell McNamara held a public town hall to discuss his department’s new agreement to work with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The latest episode of Your Waco Weekend takes a look at what was said—and what wasn’t—as immigration actions evolve in McLennan County.
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, January 29
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Play in a Day | The Performing Arts Community Center | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cooking Well with Diabetes | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
KRIS with a K Music Bingo | Waco Ale Co. | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cruz N Chill | So-Cal Speed Shop | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
AMPLIFIED Opening Reception | Art Center Waco | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Versus Series Wine Tasting: Spain vs. Italy | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Live Piano | BLVD Steakhouse | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Slap Stix Karaoke | Torchy’s Tacos | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
5-Course Château La Fleur de Boüard Wine Dinner | Pignetti’s | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Phantomelo & Primo Danger | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Branded Heart | Waco Lions Den | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
First Drafts: Open Mic Comedy Night | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Led Zeppelin 2 | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Service Industry Night | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 9:00 pm – midnight
Friday, January 30
Level Up 2026 Conference | AC Hotel | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Fossil Friday | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:30 am – noon
Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Lucas Jon Turner | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wicked Skate Night | Skate World Waco | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Live Piano | BLVD Steakhouse | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
January Wine Club Dinner | Valley Mills Vineyards | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Heart of Texas Drink ‘n’ Draw | Union Hall | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Darrell “D-Rail” Ray | Uncle Worm’s Smoke House | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mark McCallister | Camp Fimfo | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Zak Webb | Marie’s Wine Bar | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Epiphanies New Works Festival: BL!NK | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Faculty Recital: Jens Korndörfer | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Brazil to Baylor: Cellos in Conversation with Hugo Pilger & Philip Borter | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Don’t Tell Comedy | The Performing Arts Community Center | 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Tyler Hill | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Rewind Party Band | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fenix Theory | The Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Glen Templeton | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday, January 31
Battle of the Badges 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run | Waco Fire Station #1 | 8:30 am – 10:30 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | Bridge Street Plaza | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Chili Cook-Off | Tokio Store | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friends of Fantasy Day | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Half Price Pet Adoptions | Pet Circle Regional Animal Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bandai Hobby Builders Society Workshop | HobbyTown | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
All-Age Art Class: Lego Printmaking | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – 11:30 am
January Artist Studio Collective | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Home Products Show | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Meet the Scientist: Baylor Science Fellows | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Artisan Market | Webster Market | noon – 3:00 pm
Concert Choir Hymn Sing | First Baptist Church Waco | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Epiphanies New Works Festival: Riverbend | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Birthday Sip ‘n’ Shop | The Black Daisy | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Love Notes: Cabaret & Four-Course Affair | Baylor Club | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Father & Daughter Dance: Candy Land (SOLD OUT) | The Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Live Piano | BLVD Steakhouse | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Lucas Jon Turner | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Bohemian Pirates Band | Durango Inn Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Heart of Texas Road Gang | American Legion Post 121 | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Epiphanies New Works Festival: BL!NK | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The May Brothers | Elk Hall | 8:00 pm – midnight
Old School Reggaeton Night | Route 77 Food Park | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Another Band of Gypsys | Tokio Store | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Jokes & Jams | Marie’s Wine Bar | 8:00 pm – midnight
MagicMouth | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – midnight
Blue Sundown Band | 3R Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Collin James Band | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Touch of Grey | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Armadillo Mudflaps | MacDaddy’s Pub | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Mixtape Time Machine: Battle of the Decades | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Bill & Phil Show | The Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday, February 1
Chili Cook-Off | Tokio Store | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Schnitzel Sunday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Home Products Show | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
James Hollingsworth | Tokio Store | noon – 3:00 pm
Half Price Pet Adoptions | Pet Circle Regional Animal Center | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Epiphanies New Works Festival: The Last Piece | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Nathan Snyder & Friends | The Performing Arts Community Center | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cellos in Conversation: Music of Brazil | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Matthew Kim: We Follow Christ & What’s God Saying Here? | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Open Mic | Cricket’s Grill & Draft House | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sunday Family Special | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Faculty Recital: Rajung Yang | Waco Hall | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Monday, February 2
Mini Monday Story Time | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Groundhog Day STEAM Challenge: Free Build a Burrow | Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mahjong for a Mission | Milo All Day | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mondays are for Poets: First Monday Writing Workshop | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Darrell “D-Rail” Ray | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
1st Round Oval Points Race | HobbyTown | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
5-Course Unfiltered Beer Dinner | BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Monday Night Trivia | Cricket’s Grill & Draft House | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, February 3
Rave & Roll: Tiny Tot Skate | Skate Waco Bellmead | 9:00 am – noon
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Parents’ Night Out | The Performing Arts Community Center | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Women’s Happy Hour: ‘90s Trivia Night | Social House | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Pokemon League | Nexus Waco | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
February Ladies’ DIY Night | Salvation Army Corps Community Center | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Smarty Pints Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Lakeside Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Guest Recital: Mackenzie Melemed | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, February 4
The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Story Time: Valentine’s Day Special | Carleen Bright Arboretum | 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Wine Social Hour | Hotel 1928 | 4:00 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
The Guild: Alix Harrow | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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Coming Next Week
The Plaza Market, The Union Revival, and Wine & Watercolor
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