Hello my friends! This is some springy weather, eh? My husband mowed the lawn last night LOL. Just a friendly reminder to be aware of muddy trails. Here's my winter trail tips story - lots of good info in there because sometimes it's confusing. Like, how muddy is too muddy? The answer is in that story.

Also fyi Ridge to Rivers has closed the following trails because of mud & damage: Heroes Trail, Seamans Gulch Trail (section from the water tank at the trailhead to the Wild Phlox Trail junction), Who Now Loop Trail, and Bucktail and Two Point Trails (separate pedestrian and cycling routes). Always check the interactive map to see conditions.

Ok time for the fun stuff! Here's today's podcast episode.

G I V E A W A Y

One of my favorite ballet events is coming up: Anthology.

I love this Ballet Idaho performance because it's in the small theater and it's a totally different style of ballet than I even realized was possible. It's really cool & I really want you to go, so I'm giving away 4 tickets to Anthology on Thursday, Feb 8! Two winners will be chosen on Sunday, Feb 4.

Enter here!

Good luck :)

First Thursday tonight

It's First Thursday in downtown Boise! And on the first day of the month. Why is that so satisfying? Anyway here's some fun stuff to do tonight:

Art Source Gallery is celebrating the life & art of Boise artist Zella Bardsley
City Peanut Shop has a nut & beer pairing with Hop Valley Brewing.
The Balcony is hosting drag bingo (21+).
City Hall is doing a Black History Month event with live performances, gallery and more.
Mad Swede Brew Hall has open mic comedy.
Re-POP Gifts is celebrating 60 years of Doctor Who.
+ lots more. See all events here.

Adelmann Building in downtown Boise, photo by Arianna Kharizz

More bookstores

Remember our story about local bookstores? At the end I listed our local bookstores, and thanks to help from y'all we have more bookstores to add to the list! I updated the story so you can find the full list there. Big thanks to Mark for the Caldwell bookstore info. Here are the new additions:

The Meridian, Caldwell, and Nampa Libraries all have Friends of the Library Bookstores.
A NEW bookstore is opening in Caldwell. It's called Shared Stories and it's opening very soon at 106 South Kimball, in the former Hello Norman space. This post is all I could find but I'm on the hunt for more info. If you know who owns this place please let me know.
I also learned this morning that there is a Spanish bookstore in Caldwell. What is the name of it? I can't find it online.
Also Kuna has a bookstore called Kuna's Book Habit. So cute. Go check it out during the event below.

Mon Feb 12: Sweet As Candy Grownups Book Fair is happening at Kuna's Book Habit from 4-6pm. Tix are $30 and includes a book, NA drink, tote bag, live music and books! 18+

V-day prep

Here's a few Valentine's events happening soon or events to get tickets for. I only included events that still have tickets available. Next week's newsletters will have more events & ideas for ya!

Sat Feb 3: The Dating Game (speed dating) is happening at Watson's Cafe. This sounds very interesting!
Th Feb 8: Galentine's Pop-Up Market happening at Barbarian Brewing (Garden City). Lots of local vendors, live music, food truck & drinks! Goes 5-8pm.
Fri Feb 9: Love on the Rocks, a valentine comedy show, is happening at Knitting Factory. 18+
Fri Feb 9: Valentine's Day comedy show is happening at Lounge at the End of the Universe. Starts at 6pm, 21+
Sat Feb 10: Lover's Bingo at Coiled is happening at Coiled Wines. Tix are $10. 18+
Sat Feb 9, 10, 12: Aphrodisiac Love Flights is happening at Split Rail Winery. Enjoy 3 Split Rail wines paired with 3 aphrodisiacs. Tix are $25-$30 and good for Feb 9, 10, or 12.
Sat Feb 10: Build a bouquet date night is happening at Jordan's Garden Center. Tix are $55 per couple and includes instruction & supplies to build a beautiful bouquet! PS Jordan's Garden Center has the cutest resident cats.
Sat Feb 10: Galentine's Day Event is happening at Sagebrush Collaborative. There's tarot reading, diy flower bar, tiny tattoos, treats & drinks. Goes 11am-6pm.
Sun Feb 11: Valentine's Favorite Things Party is happening at Hidden Gem Events in Meridian. You bring one thing you love, bring 4 more of the same item, and then exchange randomly with strangers. So fun! It's free but limited to 30 people.
Mon Feb 12: Valentine Market at Telaya Wine Co is happening at 3pm. Shop local vendors while sippin local wine!
Tue Feb 13: Lit & Co Candles is hosting a Make Your Own Candle event at the Hyde Park shop. Tix are $39 & you get to make your own 9oz scented candle. There is a 6-7pm slot or 7-8pm slot.
Tue Feb 13: Sockeye Alehouse Sweetheart Brewer's Dinner is happening at the Fairview location and the new Hill Road location. It's a four-course dinner paired with drinks for $55. It doesn't say for sure but I think it's 21+.
Wed Feb 14: Valentine's Couples Dance & Singles Mingle is happening at Humpin' Hannah's from 7pm-2am. There's a sweet giveaway, valentine's (one has a $100 bar tab in it), rom com trivia, drink specials, and more! 21+
Wed Feb 14: Valentine's Speed Dating is happening at Warehouse Food Hall. Check in at 5:30pm, dating starts at 6pm.
Wed Feb 14: Boise Single & Mingle Valentine's Day is happening at Payette Brewing. There will be games, Arno Chocolate (my favorite), tarot reader, floral arrangements, drink specials & people to meet! Goes 5:30-8:30pm.
Wed Feb 14: Hap Hap Lounge is doing a lil valentine event with two special menus and vinyl DJ. 4pm-12am, 21+
Wed Feb 14: Open Heart Conscious Dance: A Sober Banger is happening at Lounge at the End of the Universe. There will be a ceremony and poetry from 7-8 followed by dance from 8-9:45. This is a sober event. Tix are $15.
Wed Feb 14: Heart of Caldwell, a valentine event, is happening at Indian Creek Plaza. There will be drinks, live music, wine tasting and more! 6-9pm.
Wed Feb 14: Romancing the Pen is happening at The Old Idaho Pen. Find the true meaning of "ball & chain" lol. Self-guided tours and special exhibits on love stories. Speaking of, here's my love story about Dennis the Cat. Admission is $10 or $14 per couple.

Sponsored by Boise Philharmonic

Hear cinematic sounds come to life at Boise Phil’s The Cinematic Music of John Williams on February 17th.

John Williams has composed film scores for Hollywood’s blockbuster films for over 50 years, such as Star Wars, The Cowboys, Jaws, Hook, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List, Superman and E.T. Hear these cinematic scores come to life through the power of live orchestral performance. Dress up as your favorite character and share the love of cinema with others during this family-friendly event.

Get your tickets here!

Tunes & shows

Treefort news: yesterday Treefort Music Fest announced the full 2024 lineup for the festival happening on March 20-24, 2024. There's 420+ bands from Boise & beyond, plus 13 different forts full of activities & events. Also heads up: Treefort tix prices go up on March 1 so get your tickets now!

TONIGHT: Steve Poltz + Lena Maria Schiffer at the Shrine Social Club (basement)
TONIGHT: Kameron Marlowe at the Knitting Factory
Fri Feb 2: Slothrust + Weakened Friends + Roller Drome at Shrine Social Club (basement)
Fri Feb 2: 2 Day Rental at Heritage Social Club
Fri Feb 2: Ben Annand + Billy heath + kc nova + Tuggy + Satrvn + Frankie Mello + Nathan Sanchez at Treefort Music Hall
Fri Feb 2: Classic Allman Brothers Music at The Sapphire Room
Fri Feb 2: Sugar: The Nu-Metal Party at Knitting Factory
Fri Feb 2: CDIGI + Effy K at Hap Hap Lounge
Sat Feb 3: Winterfest 2024 at Heritage Social Club
Sat Feb 3: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in concert at The Morrison Center
Sat Feb 3: Fooz Fighters + Town of Trees + 57 Heavy at Knitting Factory
Sat Feb 3: Neptune Moon + Leaway + Looom + VellaNox at Neurolux
Sat Feb 3: Grateful Winterland Warmup at Visual Arts Collective
Sat Feb 3: The Biggest Rave in US History is happening at The Shrine Social Club (ballroom)
Sun Feb 4: Brenn Hill at The Sapphire Room
Mon Feb 5: Cold War Kids + Hovvdy at Knitting Factory
Mon Feb 5: Dose + All That Matters + Price of Silence + Wasted at The Shredder
Mon Feb 5: Slick Rick at Treefort Music Hall
Wed Feb 7: The Delta Bombers at Neurolux
Wed Feb 7: Sloan Hatton Gates at The Sapphire Room

Comedy & storytelling

TONIGHT: Jump Boise is hosting Giggle Fest: a First Thursday event all about laughter from 5-9pm.
Sat Feb 3: Comedian Steve Treviño will be at The Egyptian Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 and tix are $32-42.
Sat Feb 3: Mad Swede Downtown is hosting Dark Jokes, a comedy show for the twisted. The show starts at 9pm and tix are $20.

Food finds & things to drink

Fri Feb 2: Destination Beer 2024 is happening Fri Feb 2 & Sat Feb 3 in McCall at the Ponderosa Center. It’s the perfect combination for a winter getaway - an unique beer event in an Idaho mountain town.
Sat Feb 3: It’s National Ice Cream for Breakfast day at The Stil, all proceeds go to The Idaho Food Bank, Game Changers Idaho, and Idaho Humane Society. Go grab a scoop, a slice of banana bread, and a mimosa!
Sat-Sun Feb 3-4: Wine & Chocolate Weekend is happening at Williamson Orchards and Vineyards in Caldwell.
Sat Feb 3: Telaya Wine Co is hosting Casino Night. Enjoy casino games, food truck, and win of course! It starts at 6pm and tix are $55.
Sun Feb 4: Anthony’s Boise is hosting an All You Can Eat Crab Feed from 3-8pm and it’s $50. Yummm.

Ice cream by the fire, anyone? Credit The Stil.

Things to do

TONIGHT: AI Boise is hosting Boise Market, an event filled with vintage goods, flash tattoos, handcrafted jewelry, and lots more. It’s happening from 5-10pm and it’s free to go!
TONIGHT: Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2024 is happening at The Egyptian Theatre at 5pm. Tix are $15.
Fri Feb 2: Join Boise State University's Dept. of Physics at 7:30pm in the Education Building for the monthly First Friday Astronomy Lecture and Stargazing event. It's free!
Fri Feb 2: The 18th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour is back at The Egyptian Theatre with a top-notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead. Starts at 6pm and tix are $22.
Fri Feb 2: First Friday Evening Market is going on at L.A. Junk Antiques from 5-7pm.
Sat Feb 3: The Lunar New Year Celebration is being held at Idaho State Museum. There will be hands-on activities and crafts, food, and performances. It starts at 10am and tix are $5.
Sat Feb 3: Join Idaho Rocks & Gems for an Impromptu Silversmithing Class. Starting at 10am you will get to create your own piece of fine jewelry and learn some new skills. Fun!