There is no better way to kick off a Texas hot summer than with the best salsa, guacamole and queso that Central Texas restaurants, vendors, and residents have to offer. The 16th annual Margarita & Salsa Festival, held Saturday at the Extraco Events Center, brought in more than 9,400 cowboy-boot clad visitors looking for a spicy bite, a quality country concert and a cool beverage to bring it all together.

My name is Joshua Madden and I will be serving as the Arts & Entertainment editor for The Baylor Lariat. Let me be the first to welcome you to this section of the paper. If you’re like me, this is probably the first part of the paper you turn to – to read film and book reviews, find out about local performances, to find things to make the school year a little more fun and to procrastinate your studying a little bit longer.

The art department is holding the students’ photography show and print sale from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the Martin Museum of Art gallery and lobby.

Next Friday, Avance Waco will present its second annual Photovoice Project Gala, which aims to abolish stereotypes and prejudices and educate through the use of photographic storytelling.

Baylor University Theatre combines a classic tale with modern creativity in its production of The Odyssey. In a nutshell, Odysseus, played by Jeff Wittekiend from Burnet, must go through a series of life-threatening adventures in order to reach his hometown and become reunited with his beloved wife and son.

Inspiring cinematography, captivating characters and compelling scripts meld for an evening of entertainment at the 12th annual Black Glasses film festival at 7 p.m. Friday in Kayser Auditorium.

Uproar Records will release its third annual compilation album on April 27, but this year the record label is adding a twist by incorporating a sustainable fashion show and calling the event Project Greenway.

Baylor Theatre brings adventure, imagination and drama to the stage in a retelling of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” debuting at 7:30 p.m. today in the Mabee Theater.

This year Baylor kicked off Diadeloso with possibly the largest official Zumba class ever held in the world.

Although writing evokes images of seclusion, The Phoenix literary magazine is building a community revolving around a passion for prose and poetry.

Texas Independent Film Network will hold a screening of “The Whole Shootin’ Match” at 7 p.m. Thursday in Castellaw Communications Center, Room 101.

Diadeloso will feature music, meals, and merriment.

Mission Waco’s Jubilee Theatre brings Pulitzer Prize-winning production “Fences” to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Throughout history, walks have been used by some of the greatest social revolutionaries of all time.

The Baylor’s 11th annual StompFest is starting at 7 p.m. today in Waco Hall, with another performance at the same time Saturday.

Street tacos, salsa dancing, activity booths and prizes offer students a break from scholastic duties as the sixth annual Fiesta spices up Traditions Plaza on today from 6 to 9 p.m.

Baylor’s fourth annual Relay for Life, a community and campuswide event to benefit the American Cancer Society, will occur from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday on Fountain Mall.

The Center for Jewish Studies will host Holocaust survivor Irving Roth at 7 p.m. today in 131 Marrs McLean Science Building.

Baylor ShowTime! will entertain audiences with a Spring Show full of hilarity at 7:30 p.m. on Friday or at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Waco Hall.

By Bonnie Berger Reporter Mission Waco’s Jubilee Theatre is hosting Waco’s Got Talent, a communitywide event showcasing local talent through…

Popular Christian authors Anne Lamott and Donald Miller will meet with an audience of students, faculty and the general public to discuss writing as an act of faith at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Jones Concert Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building.

Traditions Plaza heats up today as the fourth annual Salsa Fest kicks off at 6 and lasts until 9 p.m. featuring free food, live music and plenty of salsa. Hosted by Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the flavorful event pits teams of four against one another as they dice, spice and blend their way into the judges’ hearts.

Baylor’s departments of Music and Jewish Studies teamed up to bring the composer the New York Times has called “our greatest living composer” to Baylor.

The nonprofit organization 100cameras is putting on an all-day music festival on March 26 at Common Grounds with the help of a Baylor student who is working as an intern for the company.

Passion, history and culture combine for an exciting production of Anna in the Tropics, opening at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Jones Theatre.

On Sing’s final night, curtain’s close brought many wins, including the overall title to Pi Beta Phi

For the first time, the largest Baptist institution in the world will greet Gloria Gaither, one of the most influential names in Christian music history.

Sing 2011 was filled with awesome sets, great themes and much improvement. We’ve made some observations on each of the acts. They aren’t meant to be rude — they’re meant to highlight the good and point out the areas that need improvement. Thanks to all the performers for their hard work. Our top three picks are Kappa Omega Tau, Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Beta Phi.

It’s that time of year when friends and classmates look more haggard than usual, disappear each night between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m. and are caught breaking into dance routines in odd places around campus.

Common Grounds will host magician Michael Ammar who will be exhibiting his up-close sleight of the hand tricks for a Waco audience.