Karena Reynolds Staff Writer
This weekend, the first-ever “Waco Block Party” will be held downtown for three days packed with music, movies, podcasts, and crafts.
In 2023, Southern Roots Brewing Co. and Rogue Media Network teamed up to host the “Battle of the Bands” event. In partnership with the Waco Independent Film Festival and Texas Music Cafe, we decided to expand the event into a Waco Block Party this year. The event is free and family-friendly and will be held all day Thursday through Saturday at 500 Washington Avenue.
Lewis Hunter, director of operations for the Waco Independent Film Festival, said organizations brought together a variety of mediums to make this event what it was.
“We talked about it and thought, since this is a music thing, we'll bring in some music documentaries, and this is a local thing, so we'll bring in more local short films.” said Hunter.
The event will feature films by two Baylor alumni, Kirby Warnock's “Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers of the Blues” and Mike Markward's “The Birth and History of Western Swing.” .
Hunter said the event will once again include a Band of the Band competition, with the winning artist opening for headliner musician Don Lewis.
“I think it’s great because he’s a completely hybrid artist,” Hunter said. “He does a lot of country, but you can also hear rap in his act. There's an R&B element to what he does. There's also a rock element to what he does. I mean, just like in Waco. , he's multi-genre and, like Waco, he's going to be big. He's really on an upward trajectory and listens to Spotify a lot [plays]So we're excited to bring him to town. ”
In addition to movies and music, the event will feature a lineup of podcasts on a variety of topics including sports, family and true crime, said Mike Hamilton, chief creative officer at Rogue Media Network. That's what it means.
“I fly in from South Carolina to do her show, I have a show from Dallas, and then I have my show. It's all about 'King of the Hill,'” Hamilton said. . “And we’re bringing a band to play, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
The craft market is held all day Saturday and features vendors selling everything from pet accessories to jewelry.
“It's all about getting people out of the house and out into the community and jiving and rocking with each other,” Hunter said. “And it's going to be a lot of fun.”
A complete schedule of events and activities can be found here.
