Waco Symphony Orchestra is sweeping the curtains open for one last classical concert of the season that blends one of the most famous compositions in history, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, with other stellar works from both modern and classical pieces.

Balancing classes, part-time jobs and a growing business would overwhelm most college students, but for Weatherford senior Mariah Harris, it’s all part of the journey. Harris is the founder of RiahBeautyCo., a makeup company that caters to brides, alumni and anyone looking for professional photoshoot makeup.

Professional pianist Oliver Jia performed Monday night and told a beautiful story through his soulful art. With music degrees from the University of Michigan, Yale University and the Juilliard School, where he made his debut at Carnegie Hall as an undergrad student performing as a soloist with the Juilliard Orchestra.

Customers can sign up for a cooking class at Helberg’s Barbecue, located at 7809 N. U.S. Highway 6, to experience how the professionals work the pit. Co-owner Phillip Helberg teaches his class with the hope of guiding his community through each step of the process.

An array of red, white and blue fan memorabilia began to pour into the stands for Saturday’s showing of the Harlem Globetrotters in Foster Pavilion. As tipoff approached, the team ran onto the floor to practice an array of trick shots.

At the intersection of family, landscape and imagination, Associate Professor of Art Winter Rusiloski creates art that moves beyond mere representation. Rusiloski channeled both her knowledge and passion to create “Anniversary Storms Over Orion’s Ridge,” which is currently on view at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

A packed week lies ahead of us as Valentine’s Day approaches and the Harlem Globetrotters arrive in Waco. Whether you’re an avid celebrator of the day of love or just in search of an evening pastime, here is a list of upcoming things to do in Waco.

American icons, the Harlem Globetrotters, are heading to Waco Feb. 14 for their 100-year tour. While the Globetrotters have been a monumental part of pop culture for multiple generations, the group is learning to adapt while keeping the historical elements that make them so widely enjoyed.

In a college culture dominated by notifications, infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven outrage, a growing number of students are quietly opting out of the digital agenda. Instead, students are turning to analog hobbies to reclaim attention, creativity and mental clarity.

When driving around Waco, the Hispanic and Latino presence is evident through restaurants, supermarkets, food trucks and churches. From El Charro Tapatio to Las Trancas Taco Stand, Waco has a multitude of grassroots businesses that run deep with Latino and Hispanic culture, as well as the city.

Baylor Theatre is transporting audiences into the world of Wonderland in its upcoming production of “Alice by Heart.” The musical is set in World War II and reimagines Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

For avid concertgoer and obsessive poster collector Larry Cartmell, the brilliance of these artistic displays was obvious. This February, that collection steps out of Cartmell’s personal space and onto the walls of Art Center Waco in “If These Walls Could Talk.”

For VirtuOSO, Baylor’s competitive jazz a capella group, the taste of victory is still lingering as they celebrate a first place win at the quarterfinals for the ICCA Southwest Region competition in San Antonio on Jan. 31.

Chocolate hearts, teddy bears and red hearts. The annual costume of Valentine’s Day has begun its leave from hibernation, and just in time for the myriad of weekend festivities scattered across the Waco area.

Waco is bursting with coffee shops on every corner, but for the non-coffee drinkers with a whimsical side, finding the perfect tea place with both variety and bold flavor is a tall order.

​As the winter months continue, your favorite media is essential for making up what we are lacking in vitamin D. Whether you’re looking for a good laugh or a late-night cry, here is a list of five films to cure your seasonal depression. While each pick is from a different genre and era, all of them are bound to help raise your spirits.

While most students are still figuring out their calling after college, Los Angeles senior Samuel Koo has just launched his second business: SaaS Console. The site went live just months after Koo launched EvolveDaily, a life-improvement app for college students.

As we kick off our first full weekend in February, a multitude of events are set to fill the calendar. From fossils to a farmers market, there is something for everyone happening in Waco. So grab your friends and prepare for a schedule of music, entertainment and art.

February brings more than just deadlines and cold weather to campus. For Common Grounds, a new Valentine’s lineup just dropped, complete with pink signage, seasonal drinks and heart-themed names.

Arancia Gelato & Bakery has drawn in locals and tourists alike with its homemade pastries, Italian-style gelato and impressive coffee creations.

The Baylor Wind Ensemble is traveling through the cinematic ages this week with its upcoming concert, “A Night at the Movies,” a film-focused program set for 7:30 p.m. Friday in Jones Concert Hall. The free concert marks the first time in Baylor Wind Ensemble history that an entire program is dedicated to movie music.

At the Martin Museum of Art’s Biennial Faculty Exhibition, professors from both the art and art history departments have the opportunity to take off the instructor hat and embrace being students of art again, sharing their personal artwork for guests and students to see on display until March 8.

As winter closes in and students are stuck indoors, home can feel farther away than usual. Here is a list of comfort foods, some more familiar than others, that students are indulging in this winter.

Swig, a Utah-based soda chain known for its customizable “dirty sodas,” is set to open its first Waco location near Baylor University. The drive-thru shop is expected to open May 15 at 1011 S. 10th St., Suite 170, according to Waco city records and a reel posted on the official KCEN News Instagram page.

Baylor is preparing for a swarm of fans after announcing the upcoming Post Malone and Jelly Roll concert on May 19 at McLane Stadium. The duo will be stopping in multiple college towns for The BIG Stadium Tour Part 2. The show will mark a new era for Baylor as it pushes to bring more musical artists to the city.

St. Louis junior Ava Janes is starting the Waco Symphony Student Ambassadors, a new organization aimed to provide career advancement for anyone interested in arts management nonprofit organization, and hands-on experience in a professional setting.

As the snow begins to thaw and life begins to pump through the city’s veins once again, events are starting to pick back up. From coffee to paleontology, the schedule includes a variety of arts, theater and community events.

Creativity and entrepreneurship run wild with Sherman junior Mazie Ann Petelski, who reframes artistic success through her work as a tattoo artist. Petelski, a fine arts major with a concentration in printmaking, is also a first-year tattoo apprentice at Southpaw Ink in Waco.

Cha Community’s Eighth Street location near Baylor’s campus recently introduced food to its menu, expanding beyond drinks for the first time at that location. The menu includes items such as rice boxes, curry, dumplings, chicken broth and steamed buns, giving customers a variety of options to pair with their drinks.

Coming back to school after winter break can feel slow and a little overwhelming, but the right music can make a big difference in easing back into the swing of things. Songs meet you exactly where you are during this time of reflection and reset.