by: Debbie Wright
As we gear up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday synonymous with the color green, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can make our celebrations more eco-friendly and contribute positively to our community. This year, why not go beyond wearing green attire and consider participating in events that promote environmental consciousness and sustainability?
Community Composter Certification Course
March 14, 2024, marks the commencement of the Community Composter Certification Course, a remarkable initiative led by Emily Hills, the director of Urban REAP. This comprehensive program aims to educate residents of McLennan County about composting, fostering a network of compost educators and advocates within the community. Participants will delve into topics such as soil and decomposition, composting science, and community outreach, culminating in the creation of independent projects aimed at spreading awareness about composting. By participating in this course, individuals can not only enhance their understanding of sustainable practices but also actively contribute to reducing organic waste in our community.
Just a few days after St. Patrick’s Day, on March 22, we celebrate World Water Day. This year, let’s engage as a community to address water-related issues and promote conservation efforts. Take part in the Brazos River Cleanup and help keep our waterways pristine from 10am – 1pm. After the cleanup, head over to Indian Springs Park for a range of educational and interactive activities. Our partners, including Keep Waco Beautiful, City of Waco Watershed Protection, and more, will offer fun for all ages. Enjoy yard games, kids’ activities, free giveaways, and delicious food and drinks!
Backyard Composting Workshop – March 16
Looking for practical ways to reduce waste and enrich your garden soil? Attend the Backyard Composting Workshop on March 16th and learn how to start your own composting system. Gain valuable insights into the composting process and see firsthand how you can turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Spring Plant Share & Garden Day – March 16
Get into the spirit of spring by joining your neighbors at the Spring Plant Share & Garden Day. Share and adopt new plants, gather seeds, and participate in activities to prepare the Butterfly Sanctuary Garden for the season ahead. Learn from Master Gardeners, contribute to volunteer activities, and support the local ecosystem by donating plants for butterflies, pollinators, and birds.
Household Hazardous Waste Day – March 23
After the celebrations wind down, take the opportunity to declutter responsibly by participating in the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on March 23. Safely dispose of potentially hazardous items, ensuring they don’t harm the environment or endanger our community.
Companion Planting Workshop – March 30
Wrap up the month of March by attending the Companion Planting Workshop on March 30th. Discover the benefits of planting companions that help each other thrive in your garden space. Learn valuable tips from garden guru April Strickland and maximize the productivity of your garden while promoting biodiversity.
This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s go green in more ways than one. By engaging in these events and adopting sustainable practices, we can make a meaningful difference for our community and the planet. Join the movement towards a greener, more environmentally conscious future. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
A Celebration of Heritage and Diversity
by: Debrah Wright
Black History Month serves as an annual tribute to the remarkable achievements of African Americans, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history. In Waco, Texas, we proudly participate in this celebration, fostering a sense of community and understanding through a diverse array of events throughout the month.
Originating from “Negro History Week,” conceived by historian Carter G. Woodson and other influential African Americans, Black History Month gained official recognition in 1976, with every U.S. president designating February as a time to honor the contributions of African Americans.
Waco’s rich history is deeply intertwined with the presence and influence of African Americans, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century when the first black residents, initially brought as slaves, played pivotal roles in the region’s development. Post-Civil War, they actively worked to rebuild their lives as freedmen and freedwomen, contributing significantly to the growth of Waco and McLennan County.
From the historic HBCU Paul Quinn College to the Farmers Improvement Society advocating for equal treatment post-Civil War, Waco’s Black history is filled with inspiring narratives. All Waco residents and visitors alike can celebrate Black History Month by exploring Black-owned businesses and participating in various events and learning opportunities throughout February.
Highlighted events include a Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the Memorial to Enslaved Persons hosted by Baylor University on February 23 at 1:30 P.M. and a Black History Walking Tour led by experts from Baylor University’s Institute for Oral History on Saturday, February 24th.
Join experts from Baylor University’s Institute for Oral History as they lead you through Downtown Waco for its third annual Black History Walk. Gain insights into historic locations during this educated tour, where guides will highlight influential Black figures like Waco’s first Black mayor, the initial Black female mayor, and the late Commissioner Patricia Miller.
Notably, Waco’s Black history once thrived on Bridge Street, but after the 1953 tornado, business owners relocated to Elm Avenue. The walk commences at the McLennan County Courthouse in downtown on Saturday, February 24th, running from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Be part of this enriching journey uncovering the impactful stories woven into Waco’s historical tapestry.
Waco residents and visitors can also embark on a self-guided tour of Black history throughout the city, curated by Baylor’s Institute for Oral Histories and the Texas Collection. This tour, running from February 1 to 29, explores significant landmarks, churches, bridges, and businesses that contribute to Waco’s diverse heritage.
Additional events include “Black History in the Archives” on February 27th at 4 p.m., hosted by the Black Faculty & Staff Association and The Texas Collection at the Carroll Library, and an Afro-LatinX Cultural Heritage Celebration on February 28th, hosted by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at Baylor University in the Student Union Building at 5 p.m. There is also the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government, hosted by Iowa State University from February 29 to March 3, promises a series of engaging discussions and activities.
Explore the Mini Black History Museum at the Dewey Community Center before it closes on February 29th. The Dewey team has curated an excellent display, and the exhibit is available during the following hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (museum closed from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (museum closed after 3 p.m.)
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this enlightening experience celebrating Black history.
Furthermore, Creative Arts Experiences held throughout the month provide opportunities to delve into the works of influential Black authors, musicians, and theatrical performances.
Experience the enchanting melodies of America’s most original genre, jazz, with Baylor’s Concert Jazz Ensemble on February 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Concert Hall, Glennis McCrary Music Building.
Join us in Waco as we commemorate Black History Month, embracing the past, present, and future of our diverse community.
The Waco Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 performance season theme is Out of this World and is a concert series that is truly something otherworldly. The performances will showcase composers and pieces from around the world and feature several notable guests. The season will end just before Waco becomes a hot spot to view the total solar eclipse next April.
“The Waco Symphony Orchestra has been a star of the Central Texas performing arts scene since 1962, and it’s all because of your unwavering support… get ready for blastoff, whether you’re renewing your season subscriptions or joining us for the first time!” said Carolyn Bess, Executive Director of the Waco Symphony Orchestra.
The season takes off on October 5 with “Breaking Boundaries” which features music from Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Conductor Lawrence Loh said that the pieces chosen for this performance are “the epitome of the ability of music to take the listener out of the world in which they live”.
The next performance “Larger than Life” will be on November 16 and will feature music from Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 4, conducted by David Itkin. A special feature of this performance is the narration of the poem that inspired the second piece, “Don Juan”.
The third performance “Extraordinary Feats” takes off with a jaw-dropping 30,000 note piano solo by the 2022 International Piano Competition Silver Medalist Anna Geniushene and will be conducted by Emmy award-winning conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
“Exploring the Great Unknown”, the fourth performance in the season, features a performance by the 2023 Grammy Award winning trio, Time for Three. The performance will be on March 21 and will pair music with an incredible visual of the cosmos.
On the eve of the Great American Eclipse, the WSO will perform music from some of your favorite Sci-Fi films such as “Star Wars”, “Star Trek” and “Interstellar”. The “Sci-Fi Spectacular: Sun, Moon, & Superstars” will be performed on April 7 and include insights from Emmy Award-winning journalist Gary Gogill.
By popular demand, the annual “The Nutcracker” performance has added an additional show. The two performances, taking place on December 9 and 10, will feature the WSO and the Ballet Frontier to bring a treasured holiday tradition to Waco.
Patrons can purchase season tickets for the Out of this World performance season or individual tickets to “The Nutcracker” or any other shows. Season tickets are sold in varying bundles with benefits such as parking passes, better seating, social events and after-concert receptions.
Season tickets for the Out of this World performance season and for “The Nutcracker” are on sale now and can be found here. Individual tickets for the Out of this World performance season will go on sale September 7 and can be found here.
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About Waco Symphony Orchestra:
The Waco Symphony Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Waco music for over 45 years. The orchestra features a wide variety of world-renowned soloists and guest conductors during their performance season concerts. They also feature a variety of special performances such as “The Nutcracker”.
The WSO’s mission is to present live classical music that will enrich the cultural life of the Waco community. They believe that music serves as a source of beauty, conscience, humanity and tranquility, which are essential to the human spirit.
For more information, please visit their website.
The Deep in the Heart Film Festival has announced the film lineup for its sixth edition, which will combine in-theater screenings from July 21-24, followed by an online encore from July 24-30.
The event will open with a special presentation of short films. The Texas premiere of Juliet Landau’s thriller A Place Among the Dead will be the spotlight screening, and then the festival will close with the world premiere of Michael McNamara and Aaron Hancox’s documentary Catwalk 2: The Comeback Cats.
The Festival will present 123 films (five features, 109 shorts and nine music videos).
Co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter said, “We recognize the impact this film festival increasingly makes on the Waco filmmaking ecosystem, just as it solidifies its place each year as a key stop on the map for filmmakers attending regional film festivals on the national tour. Giving our filmmakers more opportunities beyond the wonderful interaction with our Waco audiences to help with their development as artists, and maybe encourage them to come back to town to shoot their next project here is a central focus for this film festival. Of course, the sense of fun and love of cinema that Deep in the Heart FF will be omnipresent once again as our ability to spread the gospel of our films and what we do has become stronger and made us quite a force to be reckoned with.”
Leading the remaining trio of feature films presented this year is Aaron Hosé’s One Pint at a Time, looks at the heritage, history, and traditions behind American brewing culture. Today, Black-owned breweries make up less than one percent of the nearly 9,000 currently in operation. This documentary follows the Black brewers, brand owners and influencers across the country who are reshaping the craft beer industry and the future of America’s favorite adult beverage. Adding to Deep in the Heart FF’s genre offerings this year, Zachary Endres’ ghost story Home Body follows a shut-in who dies alone and returns as a housebound ghost, finding himself at the mercy of a world that didn’t even notice he was gone. Rounding out the features lineup is Micah Stathis’ The Sisters Karras, which focuses on two estranged half-sisters who must form a complicated bond in order to retrieve their rare and precious inheritance, which their late father inexplicably left to the mysterious man.
A major focus of this year’s Festival is the celebration of Waco as a film location. Given the proximity to both the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and Austin, Waco effectively serves as a connection point between these production hubs.
Those in charge of the Festival say that with a supportive community to filmmakers and filmmaking and the city’s beautiful and versatile location, it is easy to say that Waco is made for movies.
This year, the Festival will launch the “Made Deep in the Heart” screenplay grant. This grant is awarded to the winner of the Festival’s screenplay contest, and it provides a variety of elements for producing this screenplay in Waco. This includes:
- Up to four nights of complimentary hotel stay provided by the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. These nights may be used for pre-production scouting or during the production.
- Up to $2,500 in rebates provided by the Deep in the Heart Film Festival. These purchases must go toward McLennan County people, places, and things. This funding can pay for local cast, crew, catering, costumes, all sorts of filmmaking goodies. All the purchases must be made in McLennan County with receipts provided.
- Camera and Lighting Package. The Festival has partnered with Vision Vehicle Studios, veterans of stage and screen, who will provide a suitable camera and lighting package for the winning filmmaker.
- Five hours of free filmmaking consulting with Vision Vehicle Studios. This could be on equipment, potential revisions, directing, and local production.
To promote the screenplay grant, the Festival wanted to illustrate Waco as a film destination. This led to a collaboration with Blanca Estefania, Will Saurez, and Skcoobavelli Treviño to develop a movie mashup campaign – mixing movie icons and Waco landmarks for a series of distinctive posters for this year’s edition of the film festival underlining how Waco is made for movies.
While visual imagery is an excellent way to connect the Festival to the local community, the best way to reach the film lovers of Waco is through personal connection. To this end, the Festival has enlisted a team of Festival Ambassadors to help us share the mission and purpose of the Festival.
They include:
Sam Brown, Senior Vice President – Commercial Business Development at The First National Bank of Central Texas
Jacob Green, Co-Owner of Stay Classy Waco
Katie Selman, Co-Owner of Stay Classy Waco
Michael Larsen, Larsen & Talbert Photography
Tracey Larsen, Larsen & Talbert Photography
Eric Linares, Founder of Eastside Market
Doug McDurham, Executive Director of Art Center Waco
Jillian Ohriner, Founder of We Grow the Co
Kennedy Sam, Marketing Director at Creative Waco
David Taylor, Co-Owner of Waco Surf
Ashely Bean Thornton, Founder of Act Locally Waco
The Festival is also teaming up with The Waco Trolley to make it easier for filmmakers to get here. Filmmakers can catch a free ride from DFW Airport to Waco, with a return trip at the end of the festival.
The Festival will also host a panel with veteran filmmakers and Industry experts who will discuss film festival and film business strategies – including online distribution of short films and real world problem solving toward the challenges of taking the next step and making a feature film.
The Festival has organized a locations-scouting tour around town to show what Waco has to offer. This year, representatives from the Texas Film Commission, as well as the Texas Media Production Alliance, join members from the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau to talk about the benefits and opportunities found by filming in Texas.
The Festival will kick things off with its Creative Waco Red Carpet Press Party on Thursday, July 21. Local press and photographers will be on hand along with the filmmakers, cast and crew, and attending industry veterans. The Red Carpet is an exclusive event for VIP passholders, sponsors and filmmakers. Each night of the festival will also concludes with an after-party, where local attendees enjoy a more casual connection with visiting filmmakers.
These parties are hosted at locally owned Waco hot spots: Brotherwell Brewing, Southern Roots Brewing, and Stay Classy Waco, and include party games, free drinks (for VIP passholders), and a mechanical bull.
The in-person portion of the Festival will conclude on Sunday, July 24, with the Waco Heart of Texas Awards Brunch – including the announcement of the winner of the Festival’s short screenplay competition – which is open to filmmakers, festival sponsors, and VIP passholders.
To purchase passes and tickets, you can visit https://www.deepintheheartff.com/tickets. For more information on the Deep in the Heart Film Festival, you can visit https://www.deepintheheartff.com/.
By Natalie Galindo
Join the City of Waco as we celebrate the first big event at the newly opened Bridge Street Plaza 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, with live performances beginning at 5 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature live music, local food trucks, vendors, arts and crafts, Skate Waco mobile unit, and much more.
This plaza was built with the talent and entrepreneurship of the East Waco community in mind, and thus most of our performers and vendors are from East Waco or have ties to it.
Due to construction on Elm Avenue, access to the plaza will be via Taylor Avenue. We are asking the public to park in designated parking lots along Taylor. These lots include the TFNB (715 Elm), Elm Ave Community Clinic (609 Elm), and City Center Waco (801 Elm).
Parking signage will be deployed to direct people, and a shuttle service will be available for those who have to park blocks from the plaza.
East Side Market at Brotherwell Brewing will be occurring on the same day. So, we are excited about the concentration of activity in the Elm corridor on that day.
City Center Waco is a nonprofit agency that serves as a bridge between community and development in
downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Natalie Galindo is public information communications specialist with the City of Waco.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email the ALW team — [email protected].
By Terry Roller
Following a successful first Golden Oldies Edition at the Waco Hippodrome in June, the Stars Over Texas Jamboree will present its first Legends of Country Edition at the historic downtown theatre, 724 Austin Ave. on Tuesday, July 8. Pre-show begins at 6:45 p.m., and showtime is 7 p.m.
Special guests include Danny Ragland as Willie Nelson, Bridgett Huffhines as Patsy Cline, and Jamboree partner Johnnie Bradshaw as Jim Reeves, along with the Jamboree partners, band, and cast.
Tickets are assigned seating. Seats are $20, $16, $14, and $12 (balcony) plus sales tax and a small processing fee. Tickets are available on the Hippodrome website and at the door on the night of the show, though by that time the remaining seats may most likely be balcony seats. Limited $16 (plus tax and processing) advance tickets will also be available at Lone Star Music, 929 Lake Air Dr. Ample parking is available within a block of the Hippodrome including on and off-street parking.
The Hippodrome location provides visitors the opportunity purchase a selection of adult beverages, water, and soft drinks while watching the show.
Shows will follow all current CDC and government mandates and Hippodrome policies regarding masking and social distancing at the time of the show. Check the Hippodrome website and Facebook page and the Stars Over Texas Jamboree Facebook page for changes or updates. Should there be another shutdown, this show will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date.
Terry Roller is a retired graphic design professor from Baylor, having taught there for 33 years in addition to 6 years at Eastern Illinois University and 4 years as a teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee where he holds a BFA and MFA in design. He is also a partner in the Stars Over Texas Jamboree. He acts as vocalist, designer, roadie, and occasional emcee and comic.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].
By Gary Lee Webb
I have been in Waco 21 years. Before that, I had never heard about Toastmasters International; although, I did participate in some speaking organizations back in high school (Model UN while in California and the Arizona Model Legislature) and thought I was a great speaker.
It was not until a demonstration of Toastmasters at my work in 2007 that I learned about the organization. It reminded me of the fun I had in high school, and one can always improve their communication skills, so I joined.
I quickly learned that I was only good, not great. I had a long way to go. But Toastmasters has taken me from being a good speaker to extremely good, top decile in the world. I learned to use my voice to its full capacity — pitch and intonation, speed and cadence, how to moderate to best effect, when to stage whisper across a room. I improved my use of gestures and movement across the speaking area. I learned rhetorical devices, assonance and alliteration, and even the use of unusual techniques such as the paraprosdokian twist. After all, the voice is the sharpest scalpel within the surgeon’s kit of speaking. If you use it well, people will be intrigued and you can paint pictures.
I also went from being a horrible humorist to someone who can occasionally win a humor contest. That is something I must still improve, but at least people do not stampede the door, exiting when I tell a joke.
I learned to think quickly on my feet, replying in one to two minutes to off-the-wall questions. In Toastmasters, we not only practice prepared speaking but also impromptu speaking at every meeting. We call it “Table Topics.” A predesignated Table Topics Master queries random people with questions he prepared earlier. Getting good at answering is a very useful skill for job interviews or a quick proposal to one’s boss.
Something else we practice at meetings is the art of constructive criticism: nicely telling a speaker where they can improve and how to do so, in a way that encourages him to take your advice. After all, our goal is to help every speaker to become better. Leaders should know how to evaluate others, whether they supervise paid employees or a group of volunteers.
We also teach leadership skills, much to my personal benefit. When I joined Toastmasters, I was happy to take a supportive role, assisting the leadership team, but never the lead role. Now I have learned to take the reins, if necessary. Thrice within the last 12 years, I have taken on one-year terms as Area or Division Governor or Director (titles have changed).
Finally, we learn to guide, teach, and train. Every new member gets a mentor to guide them, and when they have become experienced we hope they will do the same. I have mentored three-dozen new members, assisting them to become better speakers and leaders. Some of them have hit heights I have never reached – what better result can any teacher expect? I have also taught the speechcraft seminar sixteen times: eleven weeks on speaking basics. More advanced skills as well. And I have led officer training for multiple leaders and even organized the event held at Baylor University, August 2014: ten trainers, twelve classes, training sixty chapter officers.
In short, Toastmasters International has enriched my life and improved my skills. What can it do for you?
Gary Lee Webb is the grandfather of two (age 9 and 7), a long-time member of Toastmasters International and the National Storytelling Network, and the author of 17 published short stories. He is also a world traveler (having lived on three continents), an astronomer, and a software engineer. Currently, he is vice president of education for three Waco public Toastmaster chapters and can be reached at [email protected].
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].
By Megan Davis
The City of Waco’s annual “4th on the Brazos” celebration is set to return Sunday, July 4, at Touchdown Alley, next to Baylor University’s McLane Stadium. Admission is free, and the community is invited to enjoy the festivities with food trucks, live music, family fun, and fireworks.
Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the fireworks will kick off at about 9:15 p.m. The fireworks will be shot above the river, between Touchdown Alley and the Ferrell Center. They will be visible from both sides of the river, the Ferrell Center, and areas around Baylor campus.
Bag check stations will be located at all entrances. Coolers with drinks and snacks are allowed, but glass bottles and containers are prohibited. Extra hand washing stations will be located throughout the grounds, and guests are encouraged to practice social distancing.
Additional details, including an event schedule and artist announcement, will be available soon. For updates, visit brazosnightswaco.com or follow Brazos Nights on Facebook or Instagram.
Megan Davis works the City of Waco’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].
By Chase Jensen
World Hunger Relief, Inc., is thrilled to welcome Wacoans back out to the farm this summer!
As with so many organizations, our plans last summer were either canceled or seriously reworked to fit into a virtual format. We had a blast with local youth during our online summer program but missed seeing the contagious wonder and curiosity that kids have when they get to explore our farm in person.
While we were able to convert educational opportunities into an online format, all of our community events had to be canceled, including our annual Farm Day and Night on the Farm dinners. But while our city was closed we remained hard at work learning, revising curriculum, and feeding Wacoans through our C.S.A. and our Produce Prescription Program.
We are definitely ready to welcome Waco back to the farm though! In April we were able to host our first Night on the Farm dinner of the year, which featured delicious food, live music, and a beautiful outdoor covered setting (even with a little rain!). Our next Night on the Farm dinner is scheduled for June 3, and we expect it to be just as memorable a time.
These dinners allow us a chance to show off the farm, give people a chance to taste the food we raise on the farm, and share a bit about our current and upcoming activities. There are still a few spots available, so if you’d like a seat at the table register soon at www.worldhungerrelief.org!
The farm is also hosting two weeks of farm-filled fun for children entering K-6th grade during the weeks of June 7-11 and June 14-18. This day camp will occur Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and includes a healthy snack and lunch. Our theme this year is Farm-to-Table, and we will be learning about different trees, plants and animals on our farm as well as engaging in fun games and engaging crafts. This is a great opportunity for kids to get outside and engage with living things after a long year inside and in front of screens! You can learn more and register by visiting www.worldhungerrelief.org/farm-camp.
Chase Jensen is director of education for World Hunger Relief in Waco.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].
By Terry Roller
Beginning with a June 10 Golden Oldies Edition, The Stars Over Texas Jamboree will join forces with the historic Waco Hippodrome to begin an exciting reincarnation of Waco’s only locally produced music variety stage show. In addition to a new venue, the Jamboree will be moving to a new night, the second Thursday of each month instead of the first. The curtain will open at the Hippodrome at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10, with a pre-show at 6:45 p.m.
The Hippodrome location will allow fans to enjoy a selection of adult beverages, soft drinks, popcorn, and snacks while enjoying the show. Once the Hippodrome-affiliated restaurants are back in operation, audiences will be able to order food during the show. Patrons will also have the convenience of purchasing tickets online from the Hippodrome website. Ticketing will be for assigned seating with varying prices depending on location in the theatre.
The Jamboree was launched in September 2010 by then partners Johnnie Bradshaw, Jim Guest, Terry Roller, and Andy Schlesser (Andy Thomas) who later withdrew. Local music favorite Ralph Sparks, the Jamboree keyboard player, became the fourth partner. Jim, Lead guitarist, toured with Reba McEntire and lived for a time in Branson, playing in various shows in that popular music-centric tourist destination. Johnnie is a long-time fixture in the Waco music scene, having started numerous bands over the years going back as far as his father’s band, the Bradshaw Gang and the Starlites with Phil Duckett. He also served as a DJ on local radio. Terry, a graphic design professor at Baylor, came on board as a vocalist and promotional designer. Johnnie and Terry share emcee duties, as well.
Monthly shows rotate between oldies, country, and gospel, providing an entertainment event similar to those in Branson. The show has been very popular, with many loyal audience members having missed very few of the 115 shows in those nine-plus years. That is a long run in Waco. In that time, the Jamboree has presented the best in Central Texas music talent including our band, cast, and over 200 different guest performers.
As the partners began thinking about reopening, they learned that the relationship with The Lee Lockwood facility would not continue. Searching for a new home, they found the management of the Waco Hippodrome eager to come aboard. The Jamboree appreciates the nine years of support from Lee Lockwood at great cost to them. The partnership looks forward to being at the Hippodrome and the new possibilities it brings while realizing there will be challenges.
We are still in the planning stages. Watch for further details as the concert date nears. Check our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheStarsOverTexasJamboree, or the Hippodrome website: https://wacohippodrometheatre.com/ or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wacohippodrome/ for updates. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information or phone 254-755-7257.
Shows will follow all CDC and government mandates and Hippodrome policies regarding masking and social distancing at the time of the show. Should there be another shutdown, this show will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date.
Terry Roller is a retired graphic design professor from Baylor, having taught there for 33 years in addition to 6 years at Eastern Illinois University and 4 years as a teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee where he holds a BFA and MFA in design. He is also a partner in the Stars Over Texas Jamboree. He began singing at the age of 50 after having taken a continuing education group vocal class at Baylor with his then 11-year-old daughter. Soon after, he began singing around central Texas and as a regular with the Texas All Star Review at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. With three partners he met through the Music Association of Central Texas, he helped found The Stars Over Texas Jamboree that kicked off its very first show September 2010. He acts as vocalist, designer, roadie, and occasional emcee and comic.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].