AUSTIN, TEXAS — August 4, 2021 — Waterloo Greenway Conservancy today announced the full programming lineup for the highly anticipated grand reopening of Waterloo Park and debut of the world-class Moody Amphitheater. In partnership with the City of Austin, the Conservancy will commemorate August 14th with CommUNITY Day — a free, family-friendly festival with dozens of activations and live multi-cultural performances, all in the reimagined 11-acre downtown park.
CommUNITY Day will kick off at 10:00 a.m. with a Land Acknowledgment and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Moody Amphitheater to celebrate the official reopening of Waterloo Park.
The program will include a proclamation from the City of Austin, as well as remarks from the following speakers:
- Kathy Miller, Waterloo Greenway Interim CEO
- U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett
- Mayor Steve Adler
- Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison
- Council Member Kathie Tovo
- Cotter Cunningham, Waterloo Greenway Board Chair
- Ross Moody, Moody Foundation Trustee
- Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Huston-Tillotson University President and CEO
Following Waterloo Park’s Ribbon Cutting, daytime programming will take over the Moody Amphitheater stage featuring exciting local music and dance performances, with family-friendly activities throughout the park. Tables from 20 community partners, including Art From The Streets, Austin Rowing Club, Frida Friday ATX, and Texas Parks and Wildlife, will be scattered throughout the park. Family activities will include a scavenger hunt starting at Meredith Heritage Tree Deck, hosted by UT College of Natural Sciences. Guests will also enjoy delicious food options from local favorites, like Stubb’s Austin, Flyrite Chicken, Burro Cheese Kitchen, and Taco Baby.
Daytime programming will include dynamic live performances and activations from the following Austin-based groups:
- Huston-Tillotson University President’s Jazz Ensemble
- Ballet Folklorico de Austin
- Elsewhere Dance Collective
- Mariachi Las Coronelas
- Think Bilingual Story Time
- Birds of Prey Flight Showcase
- Tiarra Girls
- SaulPaul
In the evening, Waterloo Park will transform into the “Taste of Austin” Concert Showcase, featuring a diverse lineup of nearly a dozen headline performances to light up Moody Amphitheater. With award-winning local artists in genres like soul, Latin pop, drag, electronic, and hip hop, there will be something for all park goers to continue the celebration into the night.
“Taste of Austin” Concert at Moody Amphitheater (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.):
- DJ Zetroc
- Big Wy’s Brass Band
- Gina Chavez
- Cynthia Lee Fontaine
- Stephanie Bergara
- Mélat
- Bavu Blakes
- Rapid Ric
- Tameca Jones
- Riders Against the Storm
“We are thrilled to be part of the opening day festivities at Waterloo Park,” said Stephanie Bergara. “After a difficult year for the music industry, it’s so exciting not only to be back on stage, but to be one of the first artists to perform at the brand new Moody Amphitheater. We can’t wait to see our fans and the entire Austin community on August 14.”
Waterloo Park guests can find parking at the nearby Capitol Visitors Parking garage located at 1201 San Jacinto Blvd. and State Garage F. Downtown visitors should also be aware of the PRIDE Parade on August 14 and related street closures from 1:00 p.m.-midnight on San Jacinto, East 13th and East 14th Streets.
CommUNITY Day is made possible by Waterloo Greenway’s generous sponsors. Visitors can learn more about the Conservancy’s membership drive at the PNC Bank Lounge, and adult guests can cool off with a beverage from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Miller Lite and Truly Hard Seltzer.
As Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater open, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and its partners will follow all local, state and CDC COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Per City of Austin and CDC recommendations, all guests are encouraged to wear facemasks at Waterloo Park CommUnity Day celebrations.
