⚽ USA plays tonight. Here's how to follow along.

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like hearing "GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL" when your team scores.

⚽ Your Crash Course to the World Cup
🎭 Two arts expansions happening in Waco
🐶 Meet Camille
🎶 Everything happening in Waco this weekend
💼 Three Hot Jobs in Waco

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

Looking for a new way to stay active this summer? ☀️

Basin is Waco's only climbing gym, offering indoor rock climbing, fitness classes, summer camps, youth programs, and a welcoming community for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

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For a limited time, new members receive 30% off monthly dues, plus waived activation fees. The discount continues through August 15 when you join by June 30.

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View summer camp options at Basin Summer Camps

Use code SUMMERSAVINGS before June 30 to lock in your savings and make this your most active summer yet.^*

⚽Canales Furniture Is Having a Stressful Night
Last week, Canales Furniture ran a local promotion: buy furniture, and if Mexico and the US score in the first 15 minutes of their World Cup game, you get it all free.

Mexico scored in the 9th minute last night.

Tonight the US plays Paraguay at 8 PM -- and if they score before the 15-minute mark, a lot of Waco neighbors are waking up tomorrow with free furniture. Canales has to be sweating. The tournament kicked off last night in Mexico City, Dallas and Houston both host games starting Sunday, and tonight is what matters for the US. Barnett's Whiskey House on Franklin Ave is where a lot of Waco neighbors will be watching. More on that below.

If you only tune in every four years, here's your two-minute refresher on how the tournament works.

The group stage: 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four. Each team plays the other three. A win gets you 3 points, a draw gets 1, a loss gets nothing. The top two from each group advance to the knockout rounds, plus the eight best third-place finishers. That's 32 teams moving on total.

The knockout rounds: This year's expanded format includes a Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history. Win that, and you're in the Round of 16. From there: quarterfinals, semifinals, the final. One loss and you're done.

The US is in Group B alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. Win two of three group games and you're almost certainly through. Tonight is game one.

If you want a quick refresher on the difference between a red and yellow card, what VAR stands for, or what happens when a player decides to use his hands, read this.

🎭 Two Big Expansions in Waco Arts

Three things happening in Waco arts that are worth knowing about.

Cultural Arts of Waco is developing ArtPlace Waco at 418 Elm Ave -- a new arts center focused on art, music, education, and youth programs. New roof is on, signage is up, more to come. No opening date yet.

A few blocks away, The Performing Arts Community Center opened a new 2,000-square-foot black box venue this spring called The BackPACC, at 924 Austin Ave. It seats 125, has its own sound system, lighting, a 180-inch projection screen, and a dedicated street entrance. Brazos Theatre, which lost its home venue late last year, has moved in as the primary resident. Read more from Fox44.

On a national stage: the Waco Indie Film Fest (July 16-19) was just named one of MovieMaker's "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World." And fans of The Chosen -- Elizabeth Tabish, who plays Mary Magdalene, is coming to the Hippodrome on July 18 for a special Season 5 Episode 4 screening and live talkback. Tickets are on sale now.

The sponsorship for this section is available. Two rules: your business must be pet-focused, and you have to commit for the full year. It costs less than you'd think. Respond to this email for more information.

🐾 Dog of the Week: Camille

Ten years old, Pug mix, expert napper, zero drama. Camille is looking for a couch, a warm lap, and someone who appreciates a dog that's already figured herself out.

👉 Meet Camille at Fuzzy Friends Rescue

⚽ USA vs. Paraguay -- Watch Party at Barnett's Whiskey House
Tonight | 8 PM kickoff | 420 Franklin Ave

There's a reason soccer is the world's sport. Ninety minutes, no timeouts, and at any moment the whole room erupts. Watching it alone on your couch is OK. Watching it with a big group of Wacoans is something you'll actually remember.

Cheer on Team USA tomorrow night at Barnett's Patio, 420 Franklin Ave. Massive screens, lawn games, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you not want to miss anything. Kickoff is at 8 PM.^*

🎈 Friday, June 12:

On the Border on closes today for good. If you've got a final chips-and-queso run in you, today's your last shot. I will keep you posted on if it will become a Pappasito’s. 🙏

Women of Waco June Meeting @ Baylor Club - 11 AM to 1 PM

Dr Pepper 10-2-4 Club Live Auction @ Dr Pepper Museum -- 2 to 5 PM (vintage collectibles, open to the public)

Finding Nemo Kids @ Waco Civic Theatre - 5 PM

Painted Pride Community Paint Night @ PACC, 924 Austin Ave -- 6 to 8 PM (free, RSVP required)

KWBU Summer Nights @ Brotherwell Brewing -- 6 to 8 PM (live music, food trucks, yard games, free, all ages)

USA vs. Paraguay World Cup Watch Party @ Barnett's Whiskey House, 420 Franklin Ave -- 8 PM kickoff

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
SMOKIN MAXX @ The Grape Wine Bar and Bistro -- 5 PM
Monte Rose @ Slow Rise on the Brazos — 6 PM
Pat McKee and Zach Sagone @ Uncle Dan's BBQ -- 6:30 PM
DJ The Sweetest T @ MARIE'S Wine Bar -- 7 PM
Darrell Ray @ Blue Pup Wine and Martini Bar -- 7 PM
Billy Bones US Blues @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar -- 8 PM
Phil Hamilton @ The Will of Waco -- 8 PM
Lover: Taylor Swift Tribute @ The Backyard -- 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday, June 13:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza -- 9 AM to 1 PM

Yoga on the Rooftop @ Dichotomy Coffee -- 9 AM

Home on the Range @ Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum, 100 Texas Ranger Trail -- 10 AM to 3 PM (live reenactments, touch-a-truck, meet a real Texas Ranger, free)

Mahjong 101 with Mama Bear Mahjong @ Magnolia Silos - 10 AM Tickets

Local Author Fair @ Hewitt Public Library - 10 AM to 1 PM

Finding Nemo Kids @ Waco Civic Theatre - 10 AM & 7 PM

Guided Hike with a Park Ranger @ Northern Gateway Cameron Park - 10 AM

Summertime Sugar Cookie Decorating @ Mayborn Museum-- 10:30 AM to 12 PM

Family Fun Day by the Advocacy Center @ Oscar DuCongé Park - 11 AM to 2 PM (games, prizes, free food)

Parade of Homes @ Various Waco locations -- 12 to 5 PM

Mother and Son Pajama Jam @ Woodway Family Center -- 6 to 9 PM ($20, dodgeball, karaoke, food)

Freedom Ball @ BASE at Extraco Events Center - 6 PM (honoring military, veterans, and Gold Star Spouses; Elevation Band, silent and live auctions)

Summer Movie Night @ AC Hotel Waco Downtown Pool -- 6 to 10 PM (Finding Nemo poolside, $5 kids / $10 adults)

DC Universe LIVE! @ PACC, 924 Austin Ave -- 7 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Sue Foley “One Guitar Woman” @ Texas Music Cafe - 8 PM
Gordon Collier Duo @ The Will 8 PM
The Damn Torpedoes (Tom Petty Tribute Band) @ The Backyard — 8:30 PM

🎈Sunday, June 14 :

Homegrown Sunday @ The Will — Live music noon to 5 PM, vendors 1 to 5 PM | Free | Dog friendly

Parade of Homes Touring @ Various locations — noon to 5 PM | Tickets

Finding Nemo Kids @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2 PM

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

Director of Impact and Engagement at United Way of Waco-McLennan County. Lead grant-making, community partnerships, and the initiatives that move the needle on child well-being in McLennan County. $55,000 to $65,000

Marketing Support Specialist at Neighborly. Support franchise owners across the country with marketing tools, training, and day-to-day problem solving. Hybrid schedule with Mon-Wed in the Waco office. Marketing degree preferred

Chief Information Officer at the City of Waco. Lead technology, cybersecurity, and systems for our city. This is the top IT seat in local government. Six years of IT management experience required.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 118 new roles added this week

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off their summer camp using code WACOBUZZ. If you or your child wants to try climbing before signing up, swing by the gym any day and give it a try together.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for $1 this month.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevy of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

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Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something worth doing this weekend, share it with your friend who complains there is nothing to do in Waco.

Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways to get more involved:

1. Want to reach Waco? This newsletter lands in 14,000+ local inboxes every Tuesday Friday and Sunday. If you're a business owner looking to get in front of people who live here, let’s talk.

2. Dinner Club: Meet five other locals (recent movers and lifelong Wacoans) over dinner on June 24. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.

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