Vol 1 no 2

10.16.13 - VOL. 1, NO. 2 - WACOWEEKLY.COM

contents

10.17-10.23

meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd EXECUTIVE EDITOR Matt Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brittany Hicks ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bekah Skinner LAYOUT/DESIGN Sally Franckowiak WRITERS

Sara Gilmore Topher Hawkes Luke Murray Brandon Nowalk

Essentials:

Listen Taste Play Calendar Discover Look

4 8 9 11 12 14

Spotlight:

12

“If you build it, they will come.” Common Grounds’ expansion makes room for A-list talent without sacrificing the venue’s down-to-earth roots.

INTERNS Kathleen Callison Claire Hand Chandler Hodo Olivia Montagna Cheyenne Mueller Catherine Neil Kaitlin Vickers Dani Wilkins

Waco Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with the city of Waco.

Taste

8 - It’s fall, and that means warm, spiced foods are in order. Check out this week’s seasonal recipes.

Listen 4 - Nichols reminds us

why Nashville is the home of country music.

Read the review of his latest release.

Look 13 - Brandon gives a rundown of this week’s top 20 box office films.

Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Waco Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher.

Waco Weekly P.O. Box 2004 Waco, TX 76703 ph: 832.594.7677 | @wacoweekly © Copyright 2013 Campus Press LP

1st copy is FREE, additional copies are $0.50 each

STONEY LaRUE at WILD WEST WACO •••••• LISTEN

By Luke Murray

The red dirt music circuit embodies the true grit of country music. Whether it leans toward country, rock, or even blues, circuit-veteran Stoney LaRue is one of the few who’s brought a bit of all three to the stage.

music scene, Larue stormed the dance halls of Oklahoma and Texas, winning the hearts of fans. His first album, Downtown, was recorded during a concert in Tulsa. Later, LaRue released The Red Dirt Album (2005), Live at Billy Bob’s Texas (2007), and Music has always played a Velvet (2011). key role in LaRue’s life. The southern country rock he Mark Deming of Rovi says Larue listened to as a child molded writes “music that combines the signature sound and voice the rootsy, emotionally honest that characterize him today. It sound of country with the beeralso helps that he was born into drinking swagger of heartland a family with a deep passion for rock and a dose of the moody music; his father played bass at blues.” a number of local joints in Taft, Texas.

LaRue takes the stage at Wild West Waco on October After moving to Oklahoma and 18. For ticket information, visit becoming a part of the Oklahoma wildwestwaco.com. wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • p 3

By Luke Murray

Joe Nichols Album: Crickets

Release Date: October 8, 2013

Rating: Sounds Like: George Strait Josh Turner Brooks and Dunn

Track Listing:

Just Let Me Fall in Love with You Hard to be Cool Baby You’re in Love with Me Yeah Billy Graham’s Bible Better than Beautiful Gotta Love it Sunny and 75 Y’ant To Hee Haw Love Has a Way Smile on Mine Open Up a Can Old School Country Song Footlights Crickets

••••••

We have to say that Joe Nichols is one of the most underrated performers in country music. In the midst of a fog of hick-hop songs about trucks and rednecks in suburbia, Nichols reminds us why Nashville is the home of genuine country music. He doesn’t get the hype of your Aldeans or the typical dirt road diva, but he does get how to make music that’s worth your dime. Once in a neon moon do you find an album that’s rounded enough to gear you up for Friday night and also bring you back down by the middle of the set. Putting 16 tracks on a non-deluxe album is unheard of in the industry; but when you’re producing for the passion rather than the

Better than Beautiful Old School Country Song Crickets

paycheck, it makes a lot more sense.

Crickets, Nichols’ eighth studio release, showcases his ability to sing the phonebook and make it radio worthy. The album’s current charting single, “Sunny and 75”, was the most successful radio debut of his career, setting a label-wide record for station plays in the first week. From “Sunny” to the record’s title track, we’re given a mix of Music City’s finest and Memphis-style blues that’s far from auto-tuned. Nichols took two years since his last release to drop this record, but this one might just throw down the gauntlet as the best of his career.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

pg 4 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

LISTEN

Recommended Tracks

Panic! At The Disco

“Too Weird to Live, Release Date: Too Rare to Die!” Oct. 4, 2013 After going double platinum on their debut, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, in 2005, Panic! tanked hard with the release of their sophomore album. Critics bashed the group with little mercy, saying they strayed from the iconic sound that sent their career soaring after takeoff. Now, four albums and a few member changes later, the group has reignited their Sins-Not-Tragedies style of over-the-top, theatrical drama-pop.

The album throws down heavy beats and synthesized riffs coupled with distorted, rangespanning vocals. After the self-inflicted identity crisis, we’re glad to hear 10 tracks that take us on a rollercoaster of anguish and hysteria, sounds we associate with the Panic! of old.

Recommended Tracks: Miss Jackson, Girl that You Love

Cassadee Pope

“Frame By Frame”

Release Date: Oct. 8, 2013 With one of the most anticipated album releases since the vocal talent shows became a weeknight staple, Cassadee Pope—winner of NBC’s The Voice—is already flooding the radio dials with the single off of her studio debut. Climbing the iTunes charts with every click of the download button, Pope is no stranger to digital success. Her recordings from the show already charted high on iTunes—including a cover of her vocal coach Blake Shelton that ended up being the only thing worthy of derailing “Gangnam Style” off the number one spot. With 11 tracks on the record, Pope flaunts incredible vocal strength and thoughtful lyrics—reminding us of Kelly Clarkson. The Palm Beach native has already been touring nationwide with this record as she’s made her way from the flat screen to radio.

Recommended Tracks: Proved You Wrong, Easier to Lie

Stone Temple Pilots

“High Rise EP”

Release Date: Oct 8, 2013 Being an EP, this album only gives us five tracks to review. We have mixed feelings; we’re die-hard fans of classic Stone Temple Pilots. The issue we have here is the vocalist change: Chester Bennington is not Scott Weiland. We know Weiland is no longer the STP front-man after his well-publicized issues with substance abuse, we get that. Yet, we can’t listen to Chester behind the mic without hearing essences of Linkin Park.

Don’t get us wrong, we love LP; but the two bands aren’t similar enough to make the fusion seamless. All of that said, the album sounds good with trademark STP fret and drum work in the background. It’s just hard to accept it as a Stone Temple Pilots’ release.

Recommended Tracks: Black Heart, Out of Time wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • p 5

exclusive interview:

CASEY McPHERSON - ALPHA REV ••••••

One of the hottest indie bands in the Lone Star, Alpha Rev has toured nationwide and soundtracked the silver screen. They’re bringing their high-energy show to Common Grounds w/ Quiet Company & The Reynolds Number on October 23. We caught up with AR’s Casey McPherson to discuss the music, the band’s humble beginnings, and even Miley Cyrus.

LISTEN

By Luke Murray

MW: Let’s start with “Sing Loud”, your most recent single from Bloom that you released earlier this year. What went into the writing?

AR: This song was a collaboration, based around difficulties we all have in relationships. I used a lot of metaphors in this song speaking to how we’re all going to fight, but eventually, we all have the chance for unity and freedom.

I was frustrated with the fighting in my relationships.

I can be a real selfish guy. The other element was the desire for complete freedom or arrival away from that selfishness and conflict, for the feeling of “Ahhh…I’m here; no more trying.”

MW: What do you guys draw from when you begin to put a song together?

AR: Often, we’re drawing from a melody, a feeling, or a sound. It really all depends on what comes out. Every song is a hidden gem you’re digging for, in yourself, and in others around you.

I feel certain aspects of life pretty strongly, like most people do. I tend to feel darker emotions more that happier ones, but that’s starting to change. Music is

also very spiritual for me. I was not on the football team, I was not the head of my class, and I did not win the lottery—in fact, I was from a small town and a big nerd growing up. So those feelings of alienation, the need to belong, and the desire to be happy with who I am, run throughout the music.

coming up in New York and Boston. What are some of the most memorable places you’ve played?

MW: Where do you start and how do you pull it together?

MW: With all the touring, have you guys had time to work on any new music?

AR: My favorite place to play was Red Rocks in Colorado.

What a beautiful venue. It’s the equivalent of playing outside in the mountains.

“Every song is a hidden gem you’re digging for, in yourself, and in others around you.”

-CASEY McPHERSON, LEAD SINGER AR: You start with whatever you’ve got, and you slowly go over and over it until it begins to unfold. It’s like carving something out of a block of wood. It takes a lot of time and dedication, but it’s a blast!

MW: You also have a hit song, “New Morning”, with a video that did well and was featured on the soundtrack for Miley Cyrus’s movie The Last Song. What was it like having your work featured on the silver screen?

AR: Well, it’s always a big win for us when we get our music in a movie. I still have yet to see this one, though; I’m more into the shoot’em up flicks.

MW: You guys have been doing a lot of touring it seems, playing shows all over Texas and you have some shows

pg 6 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

AR: Yes. I’m in Minneapolis right now for a show tonight, and we’re going to be writing all day before our load-in/ soundcheck.

MW: Sorry, but we have to go back to Miley Cyrus: What do you think of the rollercoaster she’s on?

AR: I think we all go on a rollercoaster around that time in life. I certainly don’t fault her for the desire to act out. It’s just unfortunate that so many girls look up to her, as she’s using her body to sell her music and her brand, which I think sells her short. Maybe one day we’ll all value intelligence and ingenuity over money and fame. Until then, I’m getting a lottery ticket after my botox, as soon as I get back from my twerkout at the gym!

Stay up-to-date with Waco Weekly via social media, read our interactive digital issues online on your phone, tablet, or computer, find all of our content each week on our website and pick up our publication in print at various places around town.

FALL-LA LA-LA-LA

TASTE

Waco Weekly is an emerging community and culture publication that is your source to discover the When, Where, Who and What of the Downtown Waco district. From local business pioneers who are bringing commerce back to the streets to talented artists who are making the landscape here even more beautiful. Every week both local and nationally renowned musicians are entertaining audiences around the area, and daily, local eateries and bars are keeping appetites satisfied. As a voice in the Downtown Waco market, we will be a continuing voice to all that is going on and the best ways you can get involved.

••••••

A Word From Us...

Cheap Eats Easy to Make and Easy on Your Green

By Chandler Hodo There’s nothing quite like crisp fall weather to get your taste buds aching for cinnamon spice and warm comfort foods. We have two recipes that’ll get your taste buds acclimated to the season.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

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Cranberry Carrot Cake Ingredients:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups flower 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 tablespoon baking power 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1 pinch salt 1 ½ cups of sugar 1 Cup mayonnaise 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups grated carrots 1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple WITH juice ½ cup chopped toasted pecans ¾ cup dried cranberries

Butternut Squash Soup Serves 6

Ingredients

•

• • • • •

1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, chopped 6 cups chicken stock 1 pinch Nutmeg Sprinkle salt and ground black pepper

Directions 1. Cut squash into 1-inch chunks.

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 8-inch round cake pans.

2. Melt butter in large pot. Add onion and cook about 8 minutes until it looks translucent.

2. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl, and set aside.

3. Add squash and stock and bring to a simmer.

Cook until squash is tender, about 15-20 minutes.

3. Cream together the sugar, mayonnaise, eggs, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until blended, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in the flour mixture, then fold in the carrots, pineapple, pecans, and cranberries. Divide evenly between the prepared cake pans.

4. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

5.Serve hot.

wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • pg 7

WPRA World Finals at Extraco Events Center

By Dani Wilkins

Roadtrips and Getaways Within a Day’s Drive

Competing just as hard as the boys do in events such as barrel racing, team roping, breakaway and team roping, these ladies will be fighting for big money at this year’s finals. As the finals take their new home for the next few years at the Extraco Events Center (home of the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo), the best of the best will strut their stuff in one of the largest indoor arenas in the state of Texas.

By Cheyenne Mueller

Ever wish you could take a trip back in time, to Medieval times in particular? Without having to spend a fortune on a TARDIS, you can get the best of the past and still have the convenience of indoor plumbing.

The Texas Renaissance Festival is one of the nation’s largest, most acclaimed Renaissance theme parks. It’s open to the public every Saturday, Sunday, and even on Thanksgiving. The park will be officially open on Friday, October 12 and stay open through December 1. The enchanted 55-acre, re-created 16th Century British village comes to life as all of (pretend) Europe pays homage to the King and Queen during eight themed weekends.

Each of the eight weekends showcase a unique theme, and many of the weekends have been fashioned to reference shows and characters from pop culture to enhance the festival’s experience. During the October 19th and 20th weekend, the theme is “1001 Dreams Adventure.” Contests are the highlight of the entertainment for the weekend; compete or cheer on contestants as they eat and scavenge their way to win tickets for 2014. If you become interested in competing in any of the competitions, just visit the Revels Area for more information.

All contests are free to enter. A scavenger hunt will take place throughout the village from 10:00am-3:30pm; a fantasy costume contest will be held at the Arena at 2:00pm; and a “dragon” wing eating contest will be held at the New Market Music Gazebo at 4:00pm. The Royal Fireworks show will take place in the Arena at 7:45pm.

Although the finals are set to crown the world champions in various roping divisions, futurity, and derby divisions, there will be plenty of crowd-favorite barrel racing, with special events like permit-only races and a cardholder race.

Tickets cost $26 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $13 for children (ages 5 – 12). Children ages 4 and under are admitted free. The cost of gate tickets remains the same throughout the entire day, but you can also purchase tickets online. Parking is free, with handicap accessible parking located near the front gate. The gates open at 9:00am and close at 8:00pm, immediately following the royal fireworks.

Outside of the arena, check out vendors, cowgirl church, awards ceremonies, and much more to celebrate the nittiestgrittiest girls in the rodeo.

There is a show performed at the front gates prior to opening, and arriving early also ensures a parking space closer to the front gate. Food prices range from $3 to $12 and drinks start at $2.50. TRF offers an array of food choices, from smoked turkey legs to banana empanadas and everything in between. Most vendors accept credit cards, with the exception of the food booths, and there are ATMs available throughout the park.

pg 8 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

PLAY

With over 65 years of experience under its belt, the Women’s ProRodeo Association is the oldest women’s sports organization in the nation, and it’s chock full of these kinds of gals. Started by a group of rowdy Texas women looking to add a bit of panache and femininity to a predominately male rodeo world, they’ve grown over the years and put their mark on rodeo, with a $5.2 million payout and 1,300-personed event association.

Road Trip to Ren Fest ••••••

It takes a different kind of woman to be a cowgirl—especially to be a darn good one.

We’re not talking about those blinged-out wannabes; we’re talking ladies that ride fast, get dirty, and know how to pull their own weight and still manage to maintain a little southern charm.

PLAY

••••••

Baylor Homecoming Schedule

Baylor Homecoming Hits Waco

THURSDAY - October 17

Baylor University began its homecoming tradition in 1909 by welcoming alumni back to campus and celebrating graduating seniors, who wore their caps and gowns to the weekend festivities. Compared to only 5,000 people in attendance during its inaugural year, the event has since evolved into a much bigger affair.

Freshman Mass Meeting Waco Hall - 11pm

With more than ten events throughout the weekend, there is something for everyone.

The weekend commences with the lighting of the bonfire, a Friday night Baylor tradition, accompanied by a pep rally, motivational speeches, and family-friendly activities beginning at 6pm. The homecoming parade kicks off game day on Saturday morning at 8:30am. The parade has always been an extravagant spectacle, and it’s believed to be the largest homecoming parade in the nation, as it travels across Baylor campus and through Downtown Waco.

50th Reunion Dinner Barfield Drawing Rm - 4pm

By Chandler Hodo

This year’s homecoming football game will be the last to take place at the Floyd Casey Stadium as the new $250 million Baylor Stadium is set to open. The game against Iowa State will begin on Saturday, October 19 at 6pm. For tickets and more information, visit baylor.edu/homecoming/buy.

The Baylor Alumni Network is hosting class reunions for those who graduated in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008. The University is also hosting the 50-year class reunion for the class of 1963. For more information on the reunion events, call 866-281-9444.

Pigskin Revue Waco Hall - 7pm

FRIDAY - October 18

Carillion Recital Founders Mall - 5pm Bonfire Fountain Mall - 6pm Pigskin Revue Waco Hall - 6:30pm Singspiration 7th and James - 7pm

SATURDAY - October 19 Traditions Walk Campus - 7am

Homecoming Parade Starts on Campus - 8:30am Pigskin Revue Waco Hall - 1:30pm Pigskin Revue Pigskin Revue is Baylor’s annual homecoming weekend production that showcases top acts from the All-University Sing event, which takes place the previous spring.

Pigskin will take place at Waco Hall on Thursday, October 17, at 7pm; Friday, October 18, at 6:30pm and 10:30pm; and Saturday, October 19, at 1:30pm. It will feature the two tied 1st place winners, Kappa Omega Tau and Kappa Sigma, third place winners Phi Kappa Chi, and many other talented groups. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Baylor ticket office at (254) 710-3210 or email them at BDSCTickets@baylor.edu.

March of the Bears Floyd Casey Stadium - 2:30pm Football v. Iowa State Floyd Casey Stadium - 6pm wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • pg 9

PLAY

••••••

3 Apps You Won’t Regret Downloading

By Luke Murray

Hello Vino Studies show that not only is light beer more common among today’s barely legal drinkers but wine has taken a drastic upward turn in popularity. Are we just getting classier? (The jury is out after Miley.) However, if you’re trying to get the lowdown on adult grape juice, Hello Vino is a great app. The little gem has the ability to make pairing recommendations among other helpful tricks. Say you’re trying to prepare a snazzy dinner party; check the app to see the best wine to go with your salmon or roasted chicken. You can also snap a picture of the label from any bottle to get ratings and pairings. A good tool to use before you buy, because you can’t take it back if it sucks--and we know good wine gets pricy. – FREE Tastemade Are you one of those Instagrammers constantly blowing up your followers feeds with your latest culinary concoction? Now there’s an app made specifically for you or anyone else who considers themselves a foodie. Tastermade, basically a food-porn app, gives users the ability to document and share their dining experiences.

You can search posts and see ones that were logged close to your location, making it easy for you to stop and give something a taste. Think of it as combining Instagram, Vine, and Four Square into a food-crazy app for people who live their lives by the fork.

However you slice it, boil it, bake it, or sauté it, this app will stir up anyone’s appetite. Best of all, it won’t cost you a dime. – FREE Couch-to-5K If we’re going to talk so much about food, we better talk some about fitness. There is never a wrong time to start taking your health seriously, and the earlier, the better. Couch-to-5k is arguably the best running-based fitness app in the app store. It takes anyone, even people who gravitate toward the couch—hence the name—and builds a custom plan to help gets users acclimated to endurance running. The biggest danger to anyone who is physically active is preventable injury. One of the most common cases is people who try to do too much, too fast. Couch-to-5k coaches users by using scientifically developed methods to increase running endurance gradually. Log your workouts, calculate your pace and distance with built in GPS tracking (manual entry for treadmill users), and monitor your progress. - $1.99

pg 10 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

WEDNESDAY

It is time for Homecoming.

Events take place all weekend.

Stoney LaRue is back in Waco. This time at Wild West Waco.

Alpha Rev is ready to break in the newly expanded Common Grounds

PAGE 9

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WEEKLY // EVENTS OF

OCTOBER

17 - OCTOBER

23,

2013

FIND MORE AT: WWW.WACOWEEKLY.COM/CALENDAR

Stoney LaRue

After moving to Oklahoma and becoming part of the Oklahoma red dirt community, LaRue stormed the dance halls of Oklahoma and Texas and won the hearts of fans. LaRue’s music is known for its mixture of emotionally honest country with Texas homespun rock and blues. WILD WEST WACO 115 Mary St. Waco, Oct. 17, 2013 8:00 PM $12-15

SATURDAY 10/19 David Wild Trio

PIGSKIN REVUE

THURSDAY 10/17 FRIDAY Pigskin Revue

Presented by the Department of Student Activities, Pigskin Revue is an annual production hosted during Homecoming Weekend. It features the top acts from All-University Sing the previous spring. AllUniversity Sing pits performers in 7-minute, Broadway-style productions against one another. WACO HALL Baylor Campus, Oct. 17, 2013 7:00 PM

Izzy Cox

10/18

A one-woman-band with her own record label, Miss Izzy Cox produces music that would make Mae West grin. Voodoobilly jazz coupled with a saloon bar singer’s vocals, she’s made headway on the charts and continues to grow an adoring fanbase. TRUE LOVE 1826 Lake Shore Dr. Waco, Oct. 18, 2013 8:00 PM

The winery will be hosting Dave Wild Trio.

Valley Mills encourages you to bring your own snacks or buy a snack there. A little jazz, a little wine, and friends round out an evening at locally owned Valley Mills. VALLEY MILLS WINERY 8532 N State Highway 6 Waco, Oct. 19, 2013 9:00 PM

SUNDAY

10/20

Sunday Funday

Warm up your vocal cords for karaoke at Treff’s Bar and Grill on Sunday nights, from 10pm-1am. Grab a group of friends, take the mic and sing, or sit back with a drink as a spectator. TREFF’S BAR AND GRILL 520 Austin Ave., Waco, Oct. 20, 2013 10:00 PM

TUESDAY Karaoke

Warm up your vocal cords for Karaoke at Cantina Texas on Tuesday nights. Bring your friends along for a night full of lyrics and laughs. CANTINA TEXAS 1201 Hewitt, Waco, Oct. 22, 2013 7:00 PM

WEDNESDAY 10/23 ALPHA REV

One of the hottest indie bands in the Lone Star, Alpha Rev has toured nationwide and soundtracked the silver screen. They’re bringing their high-energy show to Common Grounds w/ Quiet Company & The Reynolds Number on. COMMON GROUNDS 1123 S. 8th, Waco, Oct. 23, 2013 8:00 PM

WPRA FINALS

The WPRA World Finals are coming to Waco.

Bringing the best women of the rodeo world to a rodeo lovin’ city will make for an exciting event, as it crowns champions in breakaway, team roping (heading and heeling) and tiedown roping, the futurity and derby division, and the WPRA Junior barrel racing division. The event will find its new home in the Extraco Events Center. EXTRACO EVENTS CENTER 4601 Bosque, Waco, Oct. 23, 2013 8:00 PM

CALENDAR

Contact Us At 254.716.0973 or Info@deuxtone.com

10/22

••••••

WEEK

Design | Branding | Web wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • pg 11

If You Build It, They Will Come:

Common Grounds Backyard Renovations Make Room for Bigger Crowds, Bigger Bands

•••••• DISCOVER

By Sara Gilmore

If you’ve been to Common Grounds this fall, you may or may not have noticed a subtle yet drastic change to the backyard. Maybe it just feels like a little extra wiggle room, but the renovation that backed the stage up a bit actually added 900 sq. ft., which took the venue from 400 max capacity to 650.

Ordinance played there,” Butler said.

From there, shows moved out to the side patio, and then on to a stage out back where bands just played into an open parking lot. The backyard was created six or seven years ago and has been evolving ever since.

well as renting a better sound system cost more money than necessary. Investments made over the summer to purchase a new system and expand the backyard were made so that the shop can earn money back in the long run, instead of losing it every time they bring in a big name.

The best part about a bigger backyard? Big names are coming in with it, like the NEEDTOBREATHE show on November 3rd, which happens to be the only Texas date on the band’s entire Stomping Ground Tour.

Butler said the renovation they did this summer was the necessary next step in the growth of Common Grounds as a music venue, and the excitement about the backyard

“We’ll make that money back,” Butler said. “We’re going at such a rate right now with bands that I’m looking at. I’ve made a lot of offers today and got holds on some pretty

Coffee shops just don’t pull off shows of that caliber. They don’t beat out major bars and venues in bigger cities.

But Common Grounds isn’t your average coffee shop, and it’s obviously become a contender as a legitimate music venue in the area.

Maybe it’s the unique culture of Waco, or the fact that the shop sits right on Baylor’s campus, or the years Common Grounds has spent building a reputation for itself as a music venue that’s gotten it where it is today. Live events coordinator Wes Butler said it’s a combination of all of the above.

“I think being next door to Baylor is huge. Just the whole Common Grounds experience is a huge aspect to the music venue side of things,” Butler said. “I think it’s also just the long, hard road of being a music venue and struggling through the years of not making any money.”

The shop has gone through a drastic evolution as a music venue over the years.

“It used to be that you sat on a stool where the condiment bar is, and that was where the show was. Green River

“I feel like all these artists are doing these smaller, more intimate tours, and it fits Common Grounds. So we’re working our butt off to make sure that those shows can happen here.”

-WES BUTLER, LIVE EVENTS COORDINATOR has drawn consistent crowds this semester — there hasn’t been one with fewer than 100 people.

“I think people are realizing we’re not gonna book bad shows, Butler said. “And I think just the whole aspect of us being outside is beautiful; it’s something about Common Grounds that’s special, and that people love to come back to; even the bands.”

Since big names are returning and drawing even bigger crowds, it was time to renovate so that the backyard no longer had to be reconfigured for larger shows. Common Grounds was losing money because of their small-scale renovations before each big show. Taking down the fence and putting up a temporary one to make more space, as

pg 12 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

exciting people.”

The physical evolution of Common Grounds over the years follows the evolution of the kinds of bands coming in.

There’s a demand for them, so the room had to be made.

Butler said one of the key reasons they’ve become a legitimate venue is just because they’ve stayed in the game long enough and they haven’t been afraid to ask.

With the upcoming NEEDTOBREATHE show, it was actually a first-time rejection that led to them coming back and being the ones who pursued Common Grounds.

“The summer before last I emailed NEEDTOBREATHE and said, ‘Is there any way, just throwing it out there,’ and they said, ‘No, we’re looking for much bigger rooms.’

Which is great, you know; ask not, receive not, we didn’t — it’s ok. Then they came back to us, so I’m just as amazed as you are,” Butler said.

It seems to be a trend for bigger bands to go back and do smaller, more intimate tours. Mute Math did it a few years back, which is what Butler said got Common Grounds’ foot in the door with them.

“I feel like all these artists are doing these smaller, more intimate tours, and it fits Common Grounds,” he said. “So we’re working our butt off to make sure that those shows can happen here.”

Even the current 650 max capacity isn’t a stopping point for Common Grounds. There may be room to release more tickets than that now, and there are plans to make the fence mobile so that they can widen the yard for bigger shows in the future.

“Now that we’re 650 capacity, we’re still gonna make it so we can extend the fence,” he said.

“It’s gonna be sick. It will be on hinges and wheels so we can just swing it out. When that thing’s opened up, we might be able to fit like 800 or so.”

A growing venue means it’s also time to expand the range of genres and bands brought in if Common Grounds is going to continue to build its reputation for music.

“When we made the investment in the backyard, we really wanted it to be more than just a twonight-a week music venue. It’s hard to do that if you don’t explore your other markets,” Butler said.

He said he’s working on growing the country genre at Common Grounds, because there is a market for it at Baylor. One of the bands Butler reached out to recently is Love and Theft, a pop country duo you may know by their radio hit “Angel Eyes.”

The gamble, Butler said, with bringing in new bands is that a band might have thousands or even millions of fans on Facebook, but how many of them are actually in Waco? Butler has been doing some research, visiting sorority meetings on campus and taking polls on what bands Baylor students want to see at Common Grounds.

“We’ll see, we might lose some money on some shows, or we might hit it out of the park every time. Hopefully, we do,” he said.

Evolution will continue to happen. Shows will grow, crowds will grow, and the spectrum of genres will grow. It will diversify, but the heartbeat of Common Grounds, at its core, will be what continues to make it thrive. It’s about cultivating a community of creative people, and it’s working, drawing big names back even when they get too big to play there.

wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • pg 13

- By Brandon Nowalk -

Runner Runner DRAMA (R)

Captain Phillips ACTION (PG-13)

LOOK

••••••

Captain Phillips is the most fascinating case study in globalization since Zero Dark Thirty. The capture of the American shipping vessel Alabama by Somali pirates, is based upon a true story. Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips gets some shading, but most of the characters are avatars, down to Catherine Keener playing Wife. Pared down, there’s the Alabama and American business in Middle Eastern waters; what wrinkles that is the cargo: food and water being delivered to Mombasa, Kenya. That is, it’s international aid. The pirates claim to be subsistence fishermen, but as the movie goes on, we discover they are part of a rather extensive business operation themselves.

Throw in forces of international justice, the U.S. military, and a western media frenzy, and Captain Phillips becomes a kind of status update on the way the world works.

That’s partly because of director Paul Greengrass’ observational style. Like a number of recent process-based films including terrorist epics Zero Dark Thirty and Carlos, Captain Phillips relies primarily on journalistic reporting, or the appearance of, sitting back and capturing the action instead of inflecting it. Some critics have found that problematic, as if it were possible to find an objective truth; and that’s a major source of tension in Captain Phillips.

Greengrass clearly thinks the operations of the Navy SEALS are cool, and they are. But his attempts to provide equal time to the pirates and to the crew shows exactly how clouded he is by the influence of western power. He doesn’t understand these pirates. They get into little spats with Phillips about the plight of Africa, but dramatically, they are always villains.

Greengrass pretends to give them equal time but stokes the audience’s bloodlust.

It’s a pulse-pounding action film, a testament to the training, bravery, and creativity of Phillips and his crew. Its depiction of colliding institutions offers much food for thought.

But make no mistake: The maudlin ending doesn’t stand in for genuine consideration.

It’s a counterfeit catharsis to help us shake it off and to move on instead of actually thinking about what just happened.

pg 14 • WACO WEEKLY • October 16, 2013 • wacoweekly.com

Runner Runner was never going to be good, but did it have to be exhaustingly dumb? The script alternates between faux profound aphorisms throughout the film, such as a crack about “the Indians” getting only one thing right until they started casinos in the ‘80s. The structure is a classic, the kind of thing that would have made a seaming B-noir back in the ‘40s: Justin Timberlake gets cheated at online poker, goes to Costa Rica to confront the site’s owner played by Ben Affleck, and winds up working for the guy, seduced by his lavish lifestyle. Come to find out it’s meant to be a play on generational sparring: Affleck accuses Timberlake’s generation of doing nothing and blaming others; Timberlake accuses Affleck’s generation of bleeding America dry. If only it were that serious.

Escape From Tomorrow DRAMA (NR)

The making of Escape from Tomorrow should be a far better film than the one we have. Shot at Disney World without Disney’s permission or knowledge, it’s the story of a family on their last day of vacation in Orlando. The father is laid off by phone in the opening scene, but that’s just the beginning. He has an alienating hallucination on one ride where his family tells him they hate him. He also keeps running into these two tempting, underage French girls. Eventually he gets lost in his own imagination, a paranoid Disney nightmare. But there’s a dark side to the indie film, too: amateurishness. Escape from Tomorrow doesn’t trust the audience one bit, repeating every beat including one insulting flashback to info we heard 30 minutes before, and the performances aren’t far off from costumed characters. The result is a frustrating headache, but the “Making Of” documentary would be amazing.

1. Gravity

In this revolutionary 3-D rollercoaster, a space mission gone awry forces astronauts Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to fend for themselves among various space stations and to get back home. PG-13 (90 min.)

2. Captain Phillips

Based on a true story, Tom Hanks stars as the captain of a U.S. ship transporting supplies to Kenya when his ship comes under attack by Somali pirates in this journalistic depiction of international institutions colliding. PG-13 (134 min.)

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Our hero, Flint Lockwood, voiced by Bill Hader, leaves his job when he finds out the machine responsible for the original is still in operation, leading to another avalanche of foods crossed with animals. PG (95 min.)

4. Machete Kills

←President Charlie Sheen hires Danny Trejo’s grindhouse action hero Machete to take on an international terrorist in the second episode of the franchise sending up ‘70s Latino exploitation flicks.

Co-starring Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Antonio Banderas. R (107 min.)

5. Runner Runner

Justin Timberlake plays a grad student who gets into online poker to pay his tuition. When he’s cheated out of his savings, he discovers an offshore site with an enticing criminal opportunity.

Ben Affleck co-stars. R (91 min.)

6. Prisoners

When the daughters of two neighboring families are kidnapped on Thanksgiving, the parents take matters into their own hands, even as the police investigate in this star-studded drama (Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal). R (153 min.)

7. Insidious: Chapter 2

Patrick Wilson may have gotten his son back from the demonic spirit world, but is it really his son? And why are the demons so intent on

possessing him? Rose Byrne co-stars.

PG-13 (105 min.)

8. Rush

Beefy Chris Hemsworth squares off with brainy Daniel Bruehl through the ‘70s as they compete in races across the globe. The only thing is, as an opening monologue tells us, there’s a tragedy in their future. R (123 min.)

9. Don Jon

Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs, and stars as a Jersey Shore caricature and porn addict who finds actual sex unsatisfying. Enter Scarlett Johansson’s vapid princess and Julianne Moore’s night school classmate. R (90 min.)

10. Baggage Claim

As the only unamarried woman in her family, Paula Patton and her friends use their airport connections to cook up a plan to help her find the “one” among her exes across the country.

PG-13 (96 min.)

11. Enough Said

Julia Louis-Dreyfus befriends a hippie poet (Catherine Keener) and her exhusband James Gandolfini at the same party. Her relationships with each start to threaten each other. Her college-bound daughter only cranks up her emotions. PG-13 (93 min.)

12. Pulling Strings

A Mexico city mariachi singer is denied a visa for his daughter to visit their relatives in the US. That is, until he and his friend invite an embassy worker on an adventure. PG (112 min.)

13. We’re the Millers

A road trip comedy about a bunch of outcasts playing an all-American family (Jason Sudeikis as dealer dad, Jennifer Aniston as stripper mom) to sneak into Mexico and retrieve a marijuana package for a quick buck. R (110 min.)

14. Instructions Not Included An Acapulco playboy is forced to

reorient his life when his daughter is left on his doorstep. Then he has to do it all over again when the birth mother shows up in this Spanish-language hit. PG-13 (115 min.)

15.The Butler

Forest Whitaker serves as White House butler for eight different presidents (Robin Williams, John Cusack, James Marsden, the list goes on) while his son explores the rise of the Black Panthers. PG-13 (132 min.)

16. The Family

Robert De Niro plays a gangster in witness protection in small-town France with his wife Michelle Pfeiffer and handler Tommy Lee Jones. But this fish-out-of-water comedy gradually turns into a violent showdown with his ex-associates. R (110 min.)

17. Grace Unplugged

AJ Michalka stars in this Christian movie as a singer who finally gets her big break by taking an opportunity first offered to her father. But the higher she climbs, the more her values are tested.

PG (103 min.)

18. Romeo and Juliet

A 21st century update of William Shakespeare’s classic tells the story of two teenagers from feuding families who fall in love and the chain of tragedies that ensue. Starring True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet. PG-13 (118 min.)

19. Despicable Me 2

The heroic Anti-Villain League hires Steve Carell as a grumbling supervillain turned adoptive father to help fight a new supervillain. Featuring the voices of Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, and Russell Brand. PG (98 min.)

20. Monsters University In the sequel to the early Pixar hit, Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley(John Goodman) flashback to their college years, where they started off shaky and grew to appreciate each other. Steve Buscemi and Helen Mirren co-star. G (104 min.)

wacoweekly.com • October 16, 2013 • WACO WEEKLY • pg 15