Ashley Thornton of Act Locally Waco brings us information on this weekends Deep in The Heart Film Festival, as well as events for a cause and other activities in town this week.
Film Festival
1. Deep in the Heart
The Deep in the Heart Film Festival kicked off last night and continues through the weekend bringing a flood of terrific films into Waco. These films illuminate the stuff of life - everything from second chances, to family dynamics, to justice, to old age, to the rodeo. Detailed information, including ticket prices and showtimes is all available on the Deep In the Heart Film Festival website. Also, check the schedule for other related events like after parties, a tour of Waco film locations and more.
Events For A Cause:
2. Boots, Buckles and Bling
Tonight, March 29, we have Boots, Buckles and Bling. This event is a fundraiser for the Cenikor Foundation. Cenikor provides programs in Waco to help clients through their recovery journey. The event will include gourmet country cooking, live entertainment and dancing as well as a silent and live auction. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Phoenix Ballroom downtown on 3rd Street and tickets are $100.
3. Heart Venture
Also tonight, we have the kick off reception for The Great HEARTventure. This event is co-hosted by the Deep in the Heart Film Festival, the Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo and Creative Waco. It will launch a public art project that will result in a series of 30 four foot tall fiberglass designed hearts for the city of Waco. The project will also help to raise money for student scholarships. The reception will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Cultivate 712 on Austin Avenue.
4. Chords and Conversations
On Saturday, March 30, Texas Tech Waco Campus is hosting the second-annual “Chords & Conversations” Songwriters event. It will feature three Nashville songwriters who will perform acoustic versions of their hit songs. Proceeds will directly benefit Texas Tech Waco-campus students through scholarships. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Waco Hilton and tickets are $150.
5. Thursday Trivia
This Thursday, April 4, is First Thursday and that means trivia night at the Hippodrome. The topic for the evening will be 80’s and 90’s Trivia so study up on Full House, Boy Meets World, and Saved By The Bell. This trivia will be benefiting the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children. Donations are welcomed and appreciated. Team sign-ups will be at 5:15 p.m. with the first question at 6 p.m.
6. Fun Runs
We also have several fun runs this week that are supporting great causes. On Saturday, March 30, we have the Gut Pak Run benefitting Mission Waco, The YMCA Color Run supporting the LIVESTRONG program, and the Bush’s Chicken Run benefitting Boys and Girls Club. And on Sunday, March 31, we have the First Responder Half Marathon, relay and 5 K. Details about all of these runs are available on the Act Locally Waco website.
'Wide World of Waco' Events
7. Mammoths
On Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., the Waco Mammoth Site is hosting their annual spring festival, Mammoths on the March! The free part of the event includes games with prizes, arts and crafts, flowers to take home and plant, and an egg hunt. You can also purchase an optional $5 wristband at the gate to access the petting zoo or visit the fossil site.
8. Cesar Chavez
On Saturday, March 30, from 11 a.m. – 3p.m. you are invited to a celebration of the life and contributions of Cesar Chavez. The event will include a lowrider car show, music, artists, information booths and much more. The Cesar Chavez celebration will take place at the Mutualista Hall located at 2214 South 15th Street just off LaSalle. The Mutualista will be selling enchilada plates for $10 including dessert and a drink.
9. Poetry
Starting Wednesday, April 3 and continuing through next Friday, April 5, you are invited to the Beall Poetry Festival. This three-day event is an opportunity to hear some of the finest contemporary poets read some of their work. This year’s featured poets are Mary Szybist, Donald Revell, and Juan Felipe Herrera. Poetry readings are free and open to the public. They will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings in Kayser Auditorium which is inside the Hankamer Academic Center on the Baylor campus.
10. HBCU Community Fair
For over 100 years Waco was the home of Paul Quinn College, the oldest historically Black college in Texas. Historically Black Colleges and Universities initially existed to serve African-American students. Today, they admit students regardless of race. On Saturday, March 30, any prospective college students in your life are invited to attend a Historically Black Colleges and University Community Fair.
This is a college fair with a twist – it will include the chance to visit with representatives from HBCU's from across the country, and it will also include local community organizations that offer valuable resources for college-bound students. The HBCU Community Fair will take place Saturday from 2 - 4 p.m. in the City of Waco Multipurpose Center located on the historic Paul Quinn Campus on Elm Street. The event is free and open to the public.
Get the details on these and many other events this week - and in the weeks to come - from the event calendar at www.actlocallywaco.org
