Local blues legend Classie Ballou Sr’s first brush with fame came in 1954 when he played guitar on Boozoo Chavis’s seminal zydeco hit “Paper In My Shoe.” After that, he never looked back as his solo career included “Classie’s Whip” in 1958 all the way to a dynamic Texas Music Cafe performance earlier this year.
Ballou passed away in late July, but his children and grandchildren continue to carry his musical torch in bands such as CaCean Ballou and The Dirty Crawfish, The Ballou’s Cats, and Cedryl Ballou and The Zydeco Trendsetters. Many of them, as well as other local musicians, will be at the Backyard Bar Stage & Grill on Sunday afternoon for the Classie Ballou Sr Tribute and Benefit Concert, which takes place on what would have been his 85th birthday.
Local theater group Wild Imaginings’ latest production is The Way He Looks at You, with performances this weekend at McLennan Community College. Playwright Trent Sutton, who also founded Wild Imaginings, says, “Abuse can take on many forms, but this is a conversation that we rarely seek to have. And even more rarely do we extend that conversation beyond heteronormative relationships. My hope for this play is that it does exactly that: expand our conversations to be more inclusive, more compassionate, and more frequent.”
Once again, Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon in Lorena is the place to be on Friday night as the Calamity Janes will be performing. This trio of sisters combines crystal-clear harmonies with an old-school country style that’s not to be missed. For a sample of what you can expect, listen to their latest single, “Thank You, Miller Lite.”
Other events of note:
Get the inside secrets to making great barbecue on Saturday at Helberg Barbecue’s latest barbecue class at The Amsler Building in Crawford.
Noted “kumbayalogist” Bob Scott plays at Hemingway’s next Monday Funday. Plus, enjoy food from Fat Boyz Tacos.
Skate Waco Bellmead hosts the Battle of the Brazos next Wednesday night as the Baylor ice hockey team takes on the Waco men’s roller hockey team.
Now Read & Hear This!
“Creative Waco’s Public Art Survey”
Unlike other cities, Waco has few existing pathways to create public artwork that reflects the history, values, and ambitions of the entire community. To counter that, Creative Waco is intent on creating more mechanisms for funding and selecting art using public input.
This includes its public art survey, that’s currently available in both Spanish and English. The questionnaire is open to everyone in the Waco community and provides a unique opportunity for every citizen to have a say in the artistic development of their city.
Read the complete article at Waco Insider.
“Outside” by Annabelle Chairlegs
Austin’s Annabelle Chairlegs bills its style as “built on desert noir, bluesy guitar riffs, and laced together with understated traces of psychedelia.” That said, the band’s 2015 debut Watermelon Summer sounds like a long-lost entry from The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s catalog. Since then, however, singer Lindsey Mackin’s feral voice has moved increasingly to the forefront, and the group has come into its own.
Catch them on Saturday night at Freight Bar for only $5 as they headline Keep Waco Loud’s latest music showcase. Waco’s Zet Zero and Sunnn open.
Listen to more music by Annabelle Chairlegs on Spotify.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit Waco Insider for complete event details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Have an event you’d like listed? Visit our event submissions page.
Thursday, August 18
Acoolstic Happy Hour with Tha Johnny Joes | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bob Scott | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Business After Hours | Extraco Events Center | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | Coach's xXx Smoke | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday Night Ride: Cameron Park Hills | Bicycle World Waco | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wild Acre Pint Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Acrylic Painting on Canvas Workshop | Maker's Edge Makerspace | Register | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cornhole Tournament | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
$3 Thursday College Night | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 2:00 am
The Way He Looks at You | MCC Music & Theatre Arts Building | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Truelove Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jacob Augustine | Pivovar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Waco Famous Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Fooligan EP Release Party | Common Grounds | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Stephany Chavira | Old Chicago | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday, August 19
Music on the Patio | Magnolia Press | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Gallery Talk: The Anatomy of a Supervillain | Mayborn Museum Complex | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Johnny Joe Ramos | The Grape | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Summer Reading Passport Popsicle Party | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Way He Looks at You | MCC Music & Theatre Arts Building | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Night Dinner | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
House of Dragaret Presents Camp Novacayne | Nexus Esports | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jeremy Rowe | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Madstone | Triple B’s Smokehouse | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sloppy Joe Trio | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sundae Drivers | Pivovar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Three4one Band | Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tyrha & The Triad | Stay Classy Waco | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Branded Heart | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Calamity Janes | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday, August 20
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Helberg’s Barbecue Class | The Amsler Building | Register | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
2022 Vault Sale | Balcones Distilling | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Fawn Young Book Signing | Half Price Books | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Eastside Market’s Third Anniversary | Brotherwell Brewing | 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Kyle Sinkule | Pivovar | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Way He Looks at You | MCC Music & Theatre Arts Building | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
2nd Annual Rockin’ Luau Dance with The Morticians | The Palladium | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Annabelle Chairlegs with Zet Zero & Sunnn | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bubba Haze | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Darrell Ray | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
North of Navasota with 4DB & Sharp Shooter | MOJO Event Center | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Poetry Night | Undercroft Social Club | Tickets | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Venus E | Triple B’s Smokehouse | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | Stay Classy Waco | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Chris Perez | Lakeside Bar | 8:00 pm – midnight
End-of-Summer Tiki Party | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Rude Ant Karaoke with Tony Lee | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:55 pm
Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | Brazos Theatre | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Stephen Day | Common Grounds | Tickets | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Strix | Camp Fimfo Waco | 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Joe Parker Band | Elk Hall | 8:30 pm – 12:30 am
Sundae Drivers | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Darrin Morris Band | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 9:00 pm – midnight
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday, August 21
Classie Ballou Sr Tribute Concert & Benefit | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Way He Looks at You (matinee) | MCC Music & Theatre Arts Building | Tickets | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Karaoke & Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – midnight
Monday, August 22
Acoustic Open Mic | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday Funday with Bob Scott | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday Night Lights Mountain Bike Ride | Bicycle World | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Keep Waco Loud Open Mic Night | Stay Classy Waco | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday, August 23
Stephany Chavira | Di Campli’s Italian Ristorante | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Beer Garden Yoga | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Books & Brews: Lab Girl | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Karaoke Time! | Old Chicago | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Smarty Pints Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Towne Tuesday Open Mic | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Adult Skate Night | Skate Waco Bellmead | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Beer For Brains Trivia Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, August 24
Fabled Storytime | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Acoolstic Happy Hour with Nate Rodriguez | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Gridiron Mini Tour Kick-Off & Trivia Night | Old Chicago | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Trivia Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Beer League Kick-Off Night | Waco Axe Company | Register | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Godspell | Waco Civic Theatre | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Battle of the Brazos Roller Hockey | Skate Waco Bellmead | Tickets | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Music Bingo Night: Songs with # in Name | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Witty Wednesday BuzzTime Trivia | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 10:00 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
Godspell, Fabled Bookshop & Cafe’s Third Anniversary, and the Melinda Adams Trio.