Hello friends! How are you this week? I've got some fun ideas for you this weekend & next week, plus a heads up on a *new* club coming to downtown Boise! Listen to me chat about stuff on today's podcast episode. And if you love this newsletter, tell a friend to subscribe!

In partnership with Idaho Wine Commission

We usually think wineries are only for summertime patios and late night hangs, but the best time to drink a glass (or two.. I’m not judging) is in the snowy winter, with the warm glow of the fire and a yummy bite to eat. Whether it’s a tasty bowl of chili, a favorite food truck snack, or even a classic charcuterie board, it makes for an incredible vibe.

That's why I love Idaho Winter Wine Weekends.

Over 20 Idaho wineries are going all out with comfort food pairings this weekend, making it worth your while to trek through the snow. Drink some wine, play a game, share some laughs and actually enjoy being out in the Idaho winter. Check out Idaho Winter Wine Weekends here!

Space Banana coming soon

New club alert: Downtown Boise is getting a new electronic club. Space Banana is a micro-club located in downtown Boise at 816 W Bannock Street. They are planning on opening on Wednesday, February 14 and they already have shows up. Here’s the schedule:

Wed Feb 14: Rinzen
Th Feb 15: Mz Worthy
Fri Feb 16: N2N
Sat Feb 17: Nala
Fri Feb 23: Felix Cartal
Sat Feb 24: The Sponges

I'll get more info for you soon but here's the heads up!

Movie weekend

It's a good weekend to go watch a movie. Here's some cool films to go see:

The Flicks has some gooood films showing right now, including Poor Things, The Boys in the Boat, The Holdovers and more. See showtimes here.
Fri Jan 19: Little Shop of Horrors (1986) is showing at 6pm and Lethal Weapon (1987) is showing at 8:30pm at The Egyptian Theatre. Tix are $10.
Sat Jan 20: The DreamWeaver Film Festival is happening at JUMP. Amateur & professional filmmakers will premiere their short films in a variety of genres, all with the theme of dream. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges, and the audience will be given the opportunity to vote on a fan favorite. All films are family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. It's free!
Sun Jan 21: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) is showing at 11am, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) is showing at 2:15pm, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) is showing at 5:15pm at The Egyptian Theatre. Tix are $10 or $20 to see all three!
Next weekend: The Banff Film Festival 2024 is showing at The Egyptian Theatre Thursday-Saturday.

Sponsored by Ballet Idaho

3 performances, 1 evening...

...don't miss Ballet Idaho's upcoming performance, Anthology. Returning to the SPEC theater for the intimacy it provides, Anthology will showcase the incredible range of Ballet Idaho artists in three distinct dances.

Associate Artistic Director Anne Mueller and Artistic Director Garrett Anderson will co-choreograph a new work for the company, set to the music of contemporary composer Marc Mellits and performed live by cellist Jake Saunders and violist Aubrey Holmes from the Treasure Valley String Quartet.

Trading pointe shoes for cowboy boots, James Kudelka’s signature work Man In Black is set to the soulful late music of Johnny Cash and is a masterpiece of form, shaded with emotional nuance and the gravitas of Cash’s lyrics.

Closing the evening is Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, a gorgeous study of contemporary movement and theatrical sleight of hand set to the music of Phillip Glass.

Anthology runs February 8-11 at Boise State University SPEC and promises to be a gorgeous and eclectic feast for the dance lover. Get your tickets now!

Dancer pictured is Leonardo Gonzalez; photo by Quinn Wharton

Tunes & shows

TONIGHT: Kaivon at Knitting Factory Boise
TONIGHT: DJ Chakra Khan at Hap Hap Lounge
TONIGHT: Country Music Night w/ DJ Nicholas at Old State Saloon
Fri Jan 19: Life Upon Liars + Become The Apex +Forsythia + Our City Skyline + The Latest Victim at Treefort Music Hall
Fri Jan 19: Rad Cat + ROYHOBBS + Kanders10 + Cdigi at Shrine Social Club [Basement]
Fri Jan 19 Cozy Acoustic Fridays at Mad Swede Brew Hall
Fri-Sat Jan 19-20: Hot Jazz, Cold Nights - an Evening of Vintage Bawdy Songs at Lounge at the End of the Universe
Sat Jan 20: Hillfolk Noir + James Dean Kindle & His Country Combo + Brad Parsons + Tycoon Machete at Shrine Social Club [Ballroom]
Sat Jan 20: Flamenco Idaho at The Riverside Hotel
Sat Jan 20: Riot Ten + PhaseOne + Chibs at Treefort Music Hall
Sun Jan 21: Hed Pe + Johnny Richter X Stacc Styles + Final Underground at The Olympic Venue
Sun Jan 21: The Dewdroppers at The Riverside Hotel
Tue Jan 23: Bryan Adams + Dave Stewart at Ford Idaho Center

Comedy & storytelling

Fri Jan 19: Check out the Captivating Conversation with Mary Ann Kojis, co-founder of Story Link Idaho. Story Link Idaho seeks to link children and incarcerated parents with the gift of reading. It’s at The Old Idaho Pen from 6-8pm. It’s free!
Fri Jan 19: Comedian Gabriel Rutledge will be at The Lounge at the End of the Universe Fri Jan 19 & Sat Jan 20 from 7-8:30pm. Tix are $25 and the show is 21+.
Sat Jan 20: Check out Variety from the Vaults - Winter Wonderland at Idaho State Archives. Learn how Idahoans have played, worked, and lived in winter throughout Idaho history. It’s free! Starts at 12pm.
Sat Jan 20: Comic of the Year 2024: Semi-Finals are happening at Mad Swede Brew Hall from 7-11pm. It’s an annual comedy competition showcase. Tix are $30.
Weekly comedy open mics: Mondays at Mad Swede (Cole Road), sign ups 7:30pm/start 8pm. Tuesdays at Hops & Bottles at 6:30pm. Wednesdays at The Handlebar at 8pm. Thursdays at Mad Swede (Downtown), online sign ups, starts at 8pm. Saturday at Mad Swede (Downtown), sign ups 10:30pm, start 11pm.

Food finds & things to drink

It's frickin cold & all I want is soup. Here are some of my favorite Boise soups:

Roots Zero Waste Market always has the best soup. They make over 300 soups every year! Grab some at 3308 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City.
Lemon Tree serves a delicious creamy Tomato Basil Soup. You can find them downtown, on Parkcenter, or in Harris Ranch.
Zeppole Bakery has rotating soups that are made fresh daily. Great bread too. Find them on Apple Street or 8th Street Downtown.
Nahm Thai & Burmese Cuisine is the best & has an amazing Tom Kah Soup & Shan Noodle. Pro tip: this place is tiny so get your order to go!
Cobby’s is a Boise staple, along with their big sandwich menu they also offer a good selection of soups. You can find them on Overland Rd or Chinden Blvd.
Luciano's has amazing cioppino that is big enough to feed like 3 people. I also want to try the cioppino at Anthony's.

What's your favorite Boise soup?!

Red bean gumbo from Roots. Credit Roots Zero Waste Market.

Things to do

TONIGHT: New Year Bingo at Coiled Wines. This event is all about self care and reaching your goals. All prizes will be self care and self help themed. Starts at 5:30. 21+.
Fri Jan 19: Push & Pour is hosting yet another Latte Art Throwdown at their Garden City location (214 E 34th St). There is a $10 buy in to compete but it is FREE to attend. There will be drinks, prizes, and good times.
Fri Jan 19: Friday Night Karaoke is happening at Mad Swede Brew hall at 9pm. It’s FREE and 21+.
Sat Jan 20: Wanna run? Join Shu’s Idaho Running Company for a Running Technique clinic. It’s from 11:30am-12:30pm. It’s free!
Sat Jan 20: UNO! There’s an Uno Tournament at Cactus Bar from 3-7pm. It’s $15 to compete & only open to 20 people. 21+
Sat Jan 20: Voodoo Brewing is hosting Bend & Brews from 10-11:30am. Tix are $35 and that includes 60 minutes of yoga & a free beer of choice.
Sun Jan 21: There is a Beginner Bird Walk on the Bethine Church River Trail which is a beginner-friendly bird walk with Golden Eagle Audubon Society from 10am-12pm & it’s FREE.
Tue Jan 23: Trivia at Black Moon in Garden City from 6-8pm. It’s free and they offer lots of tasty food & drink while you play.