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Act Locally Waco - February 22 - 28

This week on Act Locally Waco, host Ashley Thornton highlights some more Black History Month events as February winds down. She also chimes in on some arts and culture events that are also coming up this week. 

Black History Month Events: 

NAACP Scholarship Banquet: “Still on the Battlefied” with Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, Former President Alabama State University

Saturday night, Feb. 23, is the the annual NAACP scholarship banquet.  It will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on University Parks Drive. The speaker will be The Reverend Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, former President of Alabama State University.  The theme of her speech will be “Still on the Battlefield.” Tickets are $50 and may be purchased from any NAACP member.  

Movie Mondays: “The Wiz”

On Feb. 25, the “Movie Monday” offering this week is “The Wiz,” a re-telling of the Wizard of OZ starring Diana Ross as a Harlem schoolteacher who is trying to save her dog from a storm, when she is  whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz.  

In addition to Diana Ross, the musical stars Richard Pryor and Michael Jackson, among others. The movie is free but you do need tickets.  You can pick those up at the Baylor box office in the Student Union Building or at the Hippodrome box office. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Hippodrome Theatre at the corner of Austin and 8th downtown.

Bronze Bust Dedication in honor of Pioneering African-American Professor, Dr. Vivienne Malone-Mayes

On Tuesday, February 26, the Baylor Department of Mathematics will honor pioneering African-American Professor Dr. Vivienne Malone Mayes. Born in Waco in 1932, Dr. Malone-Mayes first became aware of segregation as a preschooler when she mistakenly drank water from a whites-only fountain at the Montgomery Ward store on the corner Fourth and Austin downtown.

Dr. Malone-Mayes was denied the opportunity to attend Baylor as a student due to her race. But she went on to get her PHD from University of Texas and eventually returned to Baylor to teach math, becoming the first African-American member of the Baylor faculty.  A bronze bust of Dr. Malone-Mayes will be dedicated in her honor on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the third-floor lobby of the Sid-Richardson building on Baylor Campus. 

Dinner & a Movie: BlacKkKlansman

On Thursday, Feb. 28, The Community Race Relations Coalition presents dinner and a movie.  The movie will be BlacKkKlansman, a Spike Lee movie based on the true story of a black undercover detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.  

The dinner and movie are free (with donations gladly accepted), but you do need to call and make reservations so they know how much food to prepare.  The phone number is available on the Community Race Relations Coalition website and Facebook page.  The dinner and movie will take place from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church at 11th and Austin near downtown. 

Art Events:

Born 2 Win 

Tonight, Feb. 22, the Texas Speak Now Movement presents Born 2 Win, a play by local author, Kay Bell. The debut performance in January sold out. So, don’t miss your chance to see it this time.  It is a story full of love and joy that chronicles a group of homeless people and their collective plan to escape homelessness. The show starts at 7 PM at the Mission Waco Jubilee Theatre at the corner of Colcord and 15th.   Tickets are $20. Proceeds benefit The Cove, an organization serving homeless youth in Waco.  

 Deadline to reserve tickets for MCC’s Hearts in the Arts Theatre Gala

Monday, Feb. 25, is the deadline for reserving your tickets for the Annual Hearts in the Arts Theatre Gala at MCC. Entertainment will be scenes from the upcoming MCC opera and theatre production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.” 

MCC arts alums include Emmy award winners, Grammy nominees, Tony Award finalists, and more.  This Gala is the single most important source of funding for arts scholarships, master classes, equipment, and more.  Contact the McLennan Community College Foundation to reserve your tickets. The Gala takes place on Thursday with an hors d’oeuvre and cocktail reception at the Ball Performing Arts Center on MCC campus at 6 and the show at 7:30. 

If you can’t make the Gala, but you do want to see Pirates of Penzance, the show will continue through Saturday. Visit the MCC Theatre website for details about performances.  Tickets are $12.  

Tatsuya Nakatani at Cultivate 7Twelve

If you are a fan of percussion, Thursday, Feb. 28, is your opportunity to hear legendary percussionist and sound artist Tatsuya Nakatani.  He will be performing at Cultivate 7Twelve. The bill will include a performance of Chris Sies work, Translucent Bodies, for percussion duo and electronics, along with a solo set from Mr. Nakatani.  Tickets are $7 and donations will be accepted for traveling musicians. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. 

Mammoth Collective

This week is your last chance to see a special exhibition featuring art from The Mammoth Collective at Cultivate 7Twelve which ends on Feb. 28.  The Mammoth Collective is a group of up and coming young female artists in Waco who are creating work that is symbolic, vulnerable and modern.  

Events for a Cause: 

No Limitations Superbowl

Saturday, Feb. 23, is the No Limitations Football and Cheer Superbowl.  No Limitations is a local non-profit that gives people who live with developmental and/or physical challenges the opportunity to participate in social activities, including team sports.  

The superbowl will be the culmination of their football season.  Games start at noon and take place throughout the rest of the day with the last game kicking off at 3.  They will take place at D1 Waco located at 5100 Franklin Avenue.  This super bowl is also an S-O-U-P Souper bowl…so bring a can of soup to donate to a local charity. Visit the No Limitations Facebook page for more details. 

Banging Chains for Autism 

If you are a disc golfer you are invited on Sunday, Feb. 24 to participate in the third annual “Banging Chains for Autism” event at Dewey Community Center on 9thStreet. It’s an 18-hole tournament with a flex start from 9 AM to 3 PM.  This is a fundraising event for the Annual Waco Charity Open benefiting Autism Research. $20 to play.  Check out the“Banging Chains for Autism” Facebook event for more details. 

For more visit Act Locally Waco's website for a full calendar of events happening around Waco. Stay tuned next week for another episode of Act Locally Waco next week.