Act Locally Waco host Ashley Bean Thornton brings you all sorts of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of mankind's first visit to the moon, like a 'Hands on History' event at the Central Library to a 'Howl at the Moon 5K' fundraiser run for the Humane Society of Central Texas.
Moon Landing Celebrations
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of mankind’s first visit to the moon, and you have all kinds of choices about how to commemorate this auspicious event.
Saturday, July 20th
Hands on History: Moon Landing 50th Anniversary(Central Library)
Tomorrow morning from 11 to noon, Central Library on Austin is hosting a 'Hands on History' event to celebrate the lunar landing. Kids from 6 – 11 are invited to try astronaut training exercises, make moon footprints, and bring this historic event to life.
Apollo 50: The Next Giant Leap(Mayborn Museum Complex)
The 'Be the Astronaut' exhibit is on-going at the Mayborn Museum. This exhibit uses artifacts, touch screens and a simulator pod to put visitors in the pilot's seat of a spaceship. In addition to the exhibit, from 11 am - 3pm, the museum is offering all kinds of activities including lectures by space experts, and talks by scientists from Baylor and Space X as well as plenty of “Out of this World” hands on activities for kids. All of this special space stuff is included in the price of admission.
Party Like It’s 1969: 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing(Mayborn Museum Complex)
Then at 7 pm tomorrow night, the museum is hosting “Party like it’s 1969.” It will be a 60’s themed party featuring creative period-themed mocktails, appetizers, a live band playing Motown classics and more. So, tuck the kids into bed, put on your best 1969 costume and head over to the museum! Tickets to the party are $35 and you can pay on-line at the Mayborn Museum website.
Waco Walks: Moon Walk(Waco Walks )
Also, at 7 PM tomorrow night, Waco Walks is hosting a “moon walk.” We will walk about a mile and a half in Uptown Waco. To celebrate the Moon landing anniversary, we have invited Steven Moss to join us. Steven is the co- author of “We Could Not Fail: The First African Americans in the Space Program.” He will walk along with us and share some fascinating historical background about the space program. We will meet up at 7 pm at the Community Bank and Trust building at the Corner of Washington and 18thstreet.
Meyer Observatory Open House(Central Texas Astronomical Society)
If you would like to celebrate the moon landing with a beautiful view of the moon, consider joining the Central Texas Astronomical Society. They are hosting an open house at the Meyer observatory. Guests will have a chance to take a look through their 24" telescope to see planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, the milky way, and, of course, the moon. Admission is free. The open house will take place from 9 pm - 11 pm tomorrow. Meyer Observatory is located just outside of Clifton, Texas. Visit the Central Texas Astronomical Society website for details and directions.
Howl at the Moon 5K(Humane Society of Central Texas)
Finally, If you want to celebrate the first steps on the moon by getting in a good run, you are invited to the Howl at the Moon 5K benefiting the Humane Society of Central Texas. This is a nighttime run starting at 10 pm. The meet up is at Indian Spring Park. You will run along the well-lighted river trail, across the McLane Stadium Footbridge, and turn around at the Mayborn Museum before heading back to the Suspension Bridge. Registration is $35.
Arts Events:
Friday, July 19th - Matilda the Musical (Waco Civic Theatre)(Waco Civic Theatre)
⟶Fri Jul 19 thru Sun Jul 28
In addition to all the Moon landing celebrations, this is a terrific week for the arts in Waco.
The Waco Civic Theatre presents Matilda the Musical opening tonight. Based on an award-winning book by Roald Dahl, Matilda follows the story of girl genius Matilda Wormwood and her psychokinetic abilities. The performance will take place at the Midway Performing Arts Center at 800 Hewitt Drive in Hewitt. Tickets are $20. Curtains up at 7:30. If you can’t make it tonight, there are several shows available this weekend and next – check out the Waco Civic Theatre website for details.
Friday, July 19th - An Evening With The Artist- Richard C. Thomas(Kieran-Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery)
I’m sure most of you have noticed some of the wonderful murals going up around town this summer. Tonight you are invited to meet one of the visiting artists who is in town helping with some of these terrific projects. The Kieran-Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery invites you to an intimate evening with visiting celebrity artist, Richard C. Thomas from New Orleans. Richard’s works are on display and available for purchase during the month of July at the gallery. The event tonight is an opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to meet Richard and discuss his methods, techniques and inspirations. The event will take place from 6 – 8 PM, admission is free. The gallery is located at 2120 Washington Avenue.
Saturday, July 20th Brotherwell Brewing Mural – Community Paint Day(Creative Waco, ArtPrenticeship, Brotherwell Brewing)
And speaking of murals – Saturday morning you are invited to join the Waco ISD ArtPrenticeship team to work on one of the new murals. It’s Community paint day at the mural that is going up at the Brotherwell Brewing building. No experience necessary, just come out and make your mark and support public art in Waco! Community paint day will take place tomorrow morning from 8 Am to 11 Am at the Brotherwell Brewing building at 400 East Bridge Street.
Sunday, July 21st - Art Reception: Chesley Smith(Carleen Bright Arboretum)
On Sunday afternoon you are invited to a reception celebrating the work of local artist Chesley Smith. Born in Central Texas in 1945, Chesley Smith is a life-long artist During his twenty- year tenure as an art professor at Paul Quinn College, Chesley traveled extensively exhibiting his work both nationally and internationally. The reception will take place in the Whitehall Center as the Carleen Bright Arboretum. Stop by between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm on Sunday, to visit with the artist and view a collection of his abstract paintings.
Thursday, July 25th - Artist Talk: Morgan Eyring(The Art Center of Waco) |
On Thursday, the Art Center of Waco invites you to an artist talk featuring Morgan Eyring. Morgan is an emerging sculptor here in Waco. Originally from Ohio, she moved to Waco and immersed herself in the local art and maker scene, soon getting a job with a metal shop and a small furniture fabricator. She will talk about her art school experience and the big shift in her work from paintings that were very 3-dimensional to actual sculpture, and how her work at the furniture company has shown her the importance of functionality in art. The talk is free and will take place Thursday evening at 6 PM at Milo All Day on Franklin Avenue.
