written with love from Boise

over 1 year ago

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9 min read

Weekend festivals, food recs & lots of live music

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Hellooo friends! How are you? There's a lot going on this weekend - holy smokes. Tons of live music, lots of festivals & I've got some new food recommendations for ya. You can listen to me talk about some of these events on today's podcast episode.

Bodo Block Partayy

Sat June 24: There's a big ol Bodo Block Party going on in downtown Boise this weekend. It’s to celebrate the opening of Treefort Music Hall, Hap Hap Lounge, Bodo Cinema, and the Warehouse Food Hall. They are closing down 8th Street between Front and Broad and will have a bunch of games, and food, and a set up a stage for live music with bands on the hour, every hour.

It's all free with the exception of the late show at Treefort Music Hall, those tix are $15. Here's the music schedule:

It's a festival weekend

Lotsss of festivals happening this weekend! Here's some fun ones happening in Boise & beyond:

Wed-Sat June 21-24: The 94th Annual Meridian Dairy Days is in full swing, happening all over Meridian. Events kick off tonight at 4pm and into the evening, then it's all day Friday and Saturday. You can check out the schedule of events here. It's very fam-friendly and most things are free!

Th-Sun June 22-25: Sawtooth Valley Gathering is happening all weekend up in Stanley! There's 30+ bands, including Margo Price, Fruition, MarchFourth, The Band Of Heathens, John Craigie & Friends and The Brothers Comatose! It's super fun. Tix are still available if you want to check it out.

Fri-Sun June 23-25: Neo Anime Oasis, a Japanese anime convention, is happening at the Grove Hotel/Idaho Central Arena. This is the *last one* because they can't find a space for future years - sad. So go check it out while you can. Tix are $30 for kids and $60 for adults, good for all three days.

Sat June 24: The Boise Dandelion Festival is happening at Cassia Park from 11am-4pm. You can learn about the city's new dandelion program, taste dandelion beer from Woodland Empire (cool!), hear live music, do some dandelion crafts & more. It's free!

Sat June 24: Boise Music Festival is happening at the fairgrounds. There's two stages with bigger names and local bands, plus a carnival, vendors, etc. This year headliners are Ludacris, Jelly Roll, Elle King & more. Tix are $40+.

Sat June 24: City of Kuna's Art Attack Festival is happening from 10am-4pm on the Kuna Greenbelt. Music, dance, vendors, food & more! It's free to attend. Also every time I see things like this happening in Kuna I think of my friend Lisa Holland, who was the economic development director there and tragically passed away in May 2021. She would be so thrilled with the things like this happening in Kuna <3

Sat June 24: Lavender Festival is happening at WM Knight Lavender, Flowers & Herbs (4459 Southwest 5th Avenue in New Plymouth). Pick your own lavender, enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade, shop vendors & enjoy a day on the farm. Admission & parking is free!

Sat June 24: San Juan Eguna Basque Festival is happening in Homedale, Idaho. Celebrate the the feast day of St. John the Baptist with your Basque friends and family. There will be Basque food, drinks, music and dance performances, games, a bonfire, vendors and more. It's very fam-friendly and you can bring chairs & shade canopies, but no dogs plz. It's free! Here's the address: 333 South Main Street Homedale, ID 83628.

Sun June 25: The 29th Family Reunion Volkswagen Car Show is happening at Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. Go see alllll kinds of VWs and vote for your faves. Admission is free!

Some city stuff

There's a few open calls from the City of Boise that I thought y'all would be interested in:

Call to writers: the new Boise City Writer-in-Residence program that is accepting applications now. It's a six-month residency for local writers - so cool! Selected applicants get a stipend of $5k and it's open to emerging and mid-career writers. Apps open until July 22.

Call for nominations: nominate someone for the Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History! Do you know a person, business or organization that contributes to Boise's creative & cultural community? Nominate them! Categories are excellence in the arts, excellence in history, excellence in education, support of the cultural sector, emerging individual or organization, and lifetime achievement. Noms are open now through July 29.

Call for applications: apply to be the next City of Boise Cultural Ambassador. Every odd numbered year, the mayor appoints an organization and/or individual as Cultural ambassador to promote Boise's culture and represent the city on an international scale. Apps open until July 30.

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Tunes & shows

It's a biiig weekend for live music, y'all. Lots of options!

Sat June 24: Record Exchange Sidewalk Sale is happening from 11am-5pm! 2 for $1 vinyl, $1 CDs, $1 DVDs & more.

Next Wed June 28: From Boise is doing a lil pop up at the Neighborhood Concert at Philippi Park! We have new stickers, pins, and our gal Gail is making 10 super cool custom shirts that are gonna go quick. We're also working on a lil snail mail surprise. And my mom is going to be there lol! The show is free and open to all. Come see us & enjoy some local tunes.

Comedy & storytelling

  • Sat June 24: It's A Conspiracy! Comedy Show: BigFoot is happening at Recycled Minds Comedy. Tix are $5-$15 and starts at 8pm. Don't forget your tin foil hat lol.
  • Sat June 24: Comedian Brendan Gay is at Mad Swede Brewing (Cole Road location) at 9pm. Tix are $15.
  • Sat June 24: The Flapper Comedy Special is happening at Mad Swede Brew Hall (downtown) at 9pm. Tix are $22.
  • Sat June 24: Check out the Bring Comedy Backyard June Showcase, featuring local comedians. It's in the backyard of 2219 W Idaho Street, Boise. Tix are $25 and limited to 45 people so get em while you can.

Food finds & things to drink

Last week I asked for some new food/restaurant recommendations and y'all did not disappoint! Here's a few food/drink events happening soon, and some food recs from your fellow readers.

  • Sat June 24: Happy 5th bday Hops & Bottles! They are celebrating with a mimosa bar & donut holes from 12-2pm, free tacos at 3pm and live music from 5-8pm. Lots of prizes, specials & fun! Bring your dog.
  • Next Wed June 28: Learn How To Make Craft Cocktails At Home at Boise Co-op. Tix are $30-$40 & you learn how to make 5 different cocktails! 21+
  • Have you been to Karie Ann's Desserts? It's a small food truck that serves Gelati, Italian ice & custard, and there's new flavors to try every week. Thanks for this perfect summer rec, Patty!
  • Have you been to Madurai Virundhu? It's a South Indian restaurant, which is different than what most of us are used to. Madurai still has naan, butter chicken, and more popular dishes, but they also serve dosai, which is a fermented lentil-based kind of savory crepe. Thanks to Holly A. for this great rec! She says to order a masala dosai and get it with a spiced potato filling. Sounds soo good.
  • Have you been to Carneceria Coalman on Fairview? Caile S. has rave reviews. It has a little tienda store and amazing food, she loves the pozole and said they introduced her to a different style of quesadilla. They close at 5:30 so go early for dinner. Thanks Caile!
  • Alsoo if you didn't hear, The Wylder people opened a new restaurant called Percy. You know it's gonna be good. It's a more upscale place with a big and delicious menu. My friend Mel had only good things to say and she said that they have a delicious mushroom burger that is not a portobello. Very interesting. Some photos for ya below (thanks Mel!). Also head up if you go this weekend, the alcohol license is being transferred so you can byo bottle of wine. Address is 400 S 4th Street in downtown Boise.

I'll post some more food recs next week, so keep sending them! Reply here or email marissa@fromboise.com. And I'll post my thoughts and photos when I get to try these and others.

Things to do

  • Sat June 24: No New Vintage Market is happening at the Linen Building from 10am-4pm. Lots of clothing and vintage vendors, handmade things , tiny tattoos, coffee & more!
  • Sat June 24: Go to Yoga in the Park - it's free! It's happening at Mountain View Park from 9-10am. Byo mat.
  • Sat June 24: Join Compose, Click, & Critique: A Workshop with Jean Shon at James Castle House from 11am-1pm. It's a photography workshop & sounds really cool. You can bring any camera (even a phone) & it's free!
  • Sat June 24: Idaho Babe Film Screening is happening at Idaho State Archives. It's a film about Babe Hanson, a queer woman who ran the Sawtooth Lodge in Grandjean, ID, at the beginning of the 20th century. Starts at 12pm & includes a tour of the archives!
  • Sat June 24: Total Request Live: A Y2K Drag & Burlesque Show is happening at The Balcony from 7-10pm. Tix are $10 online/$15 at the door. 21+
  • Sat June 24: New book club alert! Rediscovered Books Krampus Reading and Tea Society Book Club is for the horror fans. Wow I love this. The next meeting is on Saturday at Sunshine Spice Cafe on Fairview, and the book is Ghostwritten. Tix are $25 and includes a copy of the book and $5 at the cafe.
  • Sat June 24: Want to learn some new dance styles? Join Rhythm Revival at Global Lounge! It's a chance to learn new dance styles, explore creativity and meet people. It's $15 and goes 5-7pm. 18+
  • Sun June 25: Check out the Ethereal Arts Bazaar at Gem Center for the Arts. Shop artists, makers, physic readers & more. It's free & fam-friendly!

Just trust me...

someone book Veronica for the Yellow Pine Harmonica Fest

​

Thanks for reading! Have a fun weekend!

With love from Boise,

Marissa

PS - I'm looking for some introverts to chat with. You could probably guess that I am an extrovert haha but I'd like to include some more things to do (and maybe even plan a meet up?!) for the introverts! I need some help with ideas and want to bounce some ideas off y'all. If you're an introvert, hmu --> marissa@fromboise.com

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From Boise

Every Tuesday, read a story about a person, place, piece of Boise history, or local happening. Every Thursday, get a huge list of things to do over the weekend. No news, no politics - just the fun stuff.

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