This week on Act Locally Waco, Ashley Thornton brings us events in preparation for the holiday season, Dia De Los Muertos and ways to celebrate local artists and writers.
Friday, November 1 - Friends of the WacoMcLennan County Libraries Book Sale(Friends of the Waco McLennan County Libraries) ⟶Fri Nov 1 thru Sun Nov 3
Lots of terrific ways to get out and do some good for the community this week. For example, The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale starts today. The book sale is the major fundraiser for The Friends of the Library, so you can indulge your book buying habit and support our local libraries at the same time. The sale starts today from 4pm-8pm and continues through Sunday. They have moved to a bright new location this year – inside the convention center in the Texas rooms. Today is no tax day, tomorrow is teacher appreciation day and Sunday is $10 a bag day. Hardbacks and paperbacks are $2 and children’s books are $2 an inch. Check the “Friends of the Library” website for more details about the schedule and all the different bargains!
Saturday, November 2:
18th Annual Leatherneck 5K Run(Marine Corps League 975)
On Saturday morning, you can Join Marine Corps League 975 as they support local Veterans and kick off the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. It’s the 18thAnnual Leatherneck 5K run. Runners are invited to gather at 7:30 am for the Marine Corps birthday cake cutting ceremony -- the actual run will kick off at 8:15 am. It is $35 to participate and the local Marine Corps Reserve Unit will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
Friends of the Farm Work Day(World Hunger Relief Inc.)
The friends of the Farm are hosting a work day at the World Hunger Relief Farm tomorrow morning from 9am-noon. Any interested volunteers are invited to come help out from 9 to noon. There will be jobs for every age of volunteer. Ginger the Pig will be there to cheer you on. The Farm is located at 356 Spring Lake Road. You can find directions on the World Hunger Relief Farm website.
Cans for Critters – Cameron Park Zoo(Cameron Park Zoo)
This Saturday is the first Saturday of the month and you are invited to bring your aluminum cans to the Cameron Park Zoo. They will make sure your cans are recycled properly and all the money made from recycling will go into an enrichment account to buy our animal’s special treats and toys! They can only accept aluminum cans—like the cans soda comes in – no soup ,tuna or other food cans please.
The Arts
Friday, November 1 - EKPHRASIS : VERACITY(CTAC’s Ekphrasis: Art & Words)
Tonight is the opening reception for the annual “Ekphrasis” downtown art exhibit. Loosely translated “Ekphrasis” means to bring art and words together. Each year the Central Texas Artist Collective pairs up local artists and poets who work together throughout the year to create art and poems that go together. These works are on display in the windows of various downtown shops and businesses. The theme for the exhibit this year is “veracity;” the works focus on migration to immigration stories and the psychological effect that ripples through generations. The reception will take place from 6pm-10pm tonight at Cultivate 7twelve on Austin avenue. It will include a live performance by Isis Lee and viewings of the Ekphrasis film entries. Your $10 ticket will support the work of the Central Texas Artist Collective.
Thursday, November 7 - Antigone – Baylor Theatre(Baylor Theatre)
⟶Thu Nov 7 thru Sat Nov 9
Baylor University Theatre continues its season with a modern take on the epic tale Antigone. Performances are tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoon at 2. The musical will be presented in the Mabee Theatre in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center. It is a Green Series show, which means it will be more lean and minimalistic than a regular show. This is to train the theatre students to exercise and strengthen their creativity. Tickets start at $15.
Dia de los Muertos
Saturday, November 2 - Dia De Los Muertos Festival(QuetzalCo)
Last night was Halloween and this weekend many people are celebrating Dia De Los Muertos. You can join in the celebration tomorrow. Quetzelco Taqueria is hosting a traditional festival of Dia De Los Muertos with live music, dance, art, and an outdoor showing of CoCo. The event will have all kinds of activities for the entire family to enjoy and will include a vendor village, food trucks, and ofrendas to our ancestors.
You are encouraged to dress up and wear your best calavera – skull -- makeup, but there will also be face painting stations available in case you need a little help getting in the spirit. You will also have the chance to decorate sugar skulls which you can take home and place on your own ofrenda. The festival will take place tomorrow from 6:30pm-10:30pm at the South Waco Recreation Center on Speight – it is free to the public.
Christmas
Friday, November 1 - Deck the Halls Holiday Gift Market(Junior League of Waco)
⟶Fri Nov 1 thru Sun Nov 3
The weather is getting a little colder, so you may even be turning your thoughts toward…dare I say it? Christmas! The Junior League of Waco is hosting its fourteenth annual Deck the Halls Holiday Gift Market this weekend at the convention center. The market opens today at 9am and runs through Sunday. Besides the market, they will have a plethora of special events ranging from a Gingerbread Bash to Cookies with the Clauses. Market passes are $10 for a one-day pass and $15 for a three day pass. You can get your tickets and the whole schedule of events on the Junior League of Waco website.
Friday, November 1 - Tickets for Chambers Singer Christmas go on sale(Baylor School of Music)
Tickets for the Baylor Chambers Singer Christmas concert go on sale today and if you want to add this phenomenal concert of some of Baylor’s finest singers to your holiday season, you better act quickly. You can get your tickets in the lobby of the McCrary Music Building during regular business hours. They are $15 a piece.
Fun
Sunday, November 3 - Waco Walks: Architecture Bingo in Castle Heights(Waco Walks and the Historic Waco Foundation)
If you are the slightest bit interested in architecture, you are in luck! Waco Walks and the Historic Waco Foundation are hosting an “Architecture Bingo” walk in the Castle Heights neighborhood Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Local architecture historian Ken Hafertepe will teach us to spot the interesting architectural elements on some of the most beautiful homes in Waco. Meet up at the parking lot at 33rd and Franklin, across from the back of the Castle. The walk is free.
You can find more events online at ActLocallyWaco.org.
