The recent rain wasn’t going to stop the final 2014 Live at the Lake show on Aug. 28 with Americana folk-rocker Richie Bates and Ali Holder. The Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University has never canceled a show in its six years and this is the second time Live at the Lake has been moved inside because of rain. The staff waited as long as they could before finally deciding that it would be best to move indoors.

Mary Maskill, public programs manager, said, “We waited until 5:55 to move inside and at 6:14 it had stopped raining.”

4o people attended the performance at the Mac and Connie Cannedy Hall. Maskill said that usually about 200 people come out to see the show. She said that people stayed away because of both the rain and the move to the new location.

“One of our regular friends left early because we aren’t having it outside,” Maskill said. “He said it wasn’t the same indoors as it is outside. But it’s still on the lake.”

Though the rain had finished, it left behind mud that Maskill said she doubted anyone would want to sit in. Gypsy Kit provided tacos for purchase and to accommodate patrons they moved to the patio in front of the door to the museum. The museum also had free beer on tap provided by Falls Distributing Company.

The music Bates and Holder played ranged from folk to blues.

Katharine Tate, senior in theater, said, “I like it. It’s nice and laid back.”

Bates and Austin-based artist Holder play together occasionally. Bates also plays in a rock band with Midwestern State University Philosophy Associate Professor Nathan Jun.

Jun said, “I think it’s great. When I can I try to make it to these shows.”

Live at the Lake is in its sixth year. When it first started the artists that played weren’t paid to perform. The groups that come are now given a nominal fee. The Museum of Art is also working to build an amphitheater with seats built into the ground. Once the amphitheater is finished the Museum plans to bring in more well-known acts.

“We try to get a range of music. Its nice entertainment for families. They bring their kids, dogs, and they can bring their own coolers. People have been asking for it forever,” Maskill said.

Construction of the amphitheater should start in Sept. and be completed in Dec. Maskill said that the museum has plans to restart an arts festival called Spring Fling on the first weekend in May. It would be a festival that combines theater, ballet, music and art.

Maskill said, “Everything we do we get grants for so we’re not draining the university, and we get help from the community like Falls Distributing.”

The museum was first started in 1967 by the Junior League of Wichita Falls. It didn’t become associated with the school until 2005. With 2,000 pieces in the museums collection it took a lot of legal paperwork before the association to become official.

Maskill said, “Museums supported by universities do very well. It was Dr. Rogers idea his first year as president.”