Boise Events We Like
Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseSaturday, June 9
Boise Pride Week – Saturday’s events, organized by Your Family, Friends, and Neighbors, begin at noon at Boise City Hall. A parade starts at 1 p.m. and marches to the Anne Frank Memorial for a festival at Anne Morrison Park. The day ends with Boise “Queer Idol” contest.
Sunday, June 10
Candlebox – That Seattle-based band from the ’90s, all grungy and flannel shirted, is coming to town to sing their old hits, such as “Far Behind” and “You” at 9 p.m. at The Big Easy. Missionary Position opens and tickets are $25.
Wednesday, June 13
Alive After Five – It’s officially summer when AA5 hits The Grove in the heart of downtown Boise. Eat, imbibe, flirt, run through the fountain, or just watch the zany dancers. It’s free from 5 to 8 p.m. This week’s musical performer is Patrick Sweany.
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A Community in Shock
Shooting Wreaks Devastation in Moscow, IdahoUpdate: At a press conference late this morning [Monday], Idaho authorities revealed that the shooter had in fact killed his wife before his rampage at the courthouse and the church, bringing the death toll to three. The gunman, who killed himself, was identified as Jason Hamilton, 37, a maintenance worker with a long history of mental illness and domestic violence. His wife, 30-year-old Crystal Hamilton, was found dead in their home with a single gunshot wound to the head. Crystal Hamilton worked at the Latah County Courthouse, where her husband unleashed a barrage of semi-automatic weapons fire Saturday night, and Jason Hamilton had done cleaning work at the church where he killed the caretaker.
The wounded police officer was identified as Brannon Jordan, and he was released from the hospital today after beng treated for leg wounds. A 20-year-old university student remained hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
Update Two: Joan Opyr in Moscow has posted a complete account from the press conference here.
At six-thirty [Sunday] morning, a friend called from Virginia. She'd seen Moscow, Idaho on the national news and wanted to know if my family was okay. We are -- but that was the first we knew of the shootings that took place last night in our town.
So far, we know only the bare facts. A gunman armed with an SKS assault rifle opened fire on the Latah County Courthouse and the Sheriff's Office. He fired round after round through the windows and walls of the dispatcher's center and through the walls of the building, more than 75 rounds altogether. He shot and killed Moscow Police Officer Lee Newbill and wounded Sheriff's Deputy Brannon Jordan, who remains in serious condition. One civilian was wounded and is reported in stable condition following surgery. The gunman then fled into The First Presbyterian Church, which is located just across from the Courthouse at the corner of Fifth Street and Van Buren. There, he shot and killed Paul Bauer, the church caretaker, before apparently turning the gun on himself.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseFriday, May 18
Sixth Annual Eagle Island Experience Festival – The weekend-long annual festival is what some would call a “hippy gathering,” but in fact, it is a lot more than that. There's music, food, demonstrations, and, yes, aura cleansers and fortune tellers. The festivities start Friday evening and run Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $5 each day or $10 for all three days.
Saturday, May 19
KNIN Pedal Power Parade – The last event of Boise Bike Week is a slow, fun ride through downtown. It is a family-friendly event for all levels of riders and all types of rides: fixed gear, mountain, recumbent, road, mountain, recumbent, cruiser, and trike. Folks from outdoor gear store REI will perform free bike checks before and after the cruise. The 3-mile ride begins at 3:30 p.m. at Healthwise on Bogus Basin Road and ends at Julia Davis Park with a finale party. Helmets and signed waivers are required.
The 29th annual Idaho Great Potato Marathon – Run with the big dogs or run with the not-as-big dogs in one of several distance options in one of Boise’s favorite races. The marathon, 26.2 miles, starts at Discovery State Park at 8 a.m. The half, 13.1 miles, the 10k and the 5k run/walk start at different spots along the way to the final destination: Ann Morrison Park.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseFriday, May 11
Nickel Creek – The Southern California trio is back in town to wow the crowd with a new album. "We use a lot of detailed arrangements, but there is also room for improvisation. I think of us as a sort of high-energy chamber band,” says violinist Sara Watkins. Her brother/guitarist Sean Watkins and popular mandolin player Chris Thile make up the rest of the band. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Morrison Center and tickets are $25-30.
Saturday, May 12
Idaho Conservation League Hiking Series – The group that aims to preserve Idaho's clean water, wilderness and quality of life through citizen action, public education, and professional advocacy continues its 2007 hiking season, this time with a trip to Owls Roost and Chickadee Ridge. Hikers, limited to a group of 12, will explore the margins of a high desert plateau that is currently grazed but bounded by several creeks that the Owyhee Initiative Wilderness, Wild & Scenic Rivers bill would protect. It’s a free program but call the ICL at 208.345.6942 to reserve a spot.
2007 Komen Boise Race for the Cure – The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest series of 5K run/fitness walks in the world. The Boise race, in its 8th year, is one of more than 100 this year with more than 1.5 million participants expected worldwide. The non-profit organization, which operates with hundreds of volunteers, has raised $1.5 million dollars locally that goes toward breast cancer education, screening and treatment. The race starts at 9:15 a.m. in front of Albertsons Corporate Office on ParkCenter Blvd.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseFriday, April 27
Arbor Day – The Idaho Forest Products Commission is giving away free blue spruce seedlings. Pick up your free baby tree at any Kinkos in Idaho or Pullman, WA, or Home Depot in Idaho, Spokane or Ontario. Or at the Coop, the Flicks, the Egyptian Theater, or a slew of other places. For more info, call (208) 334-3292.
Yonder Mountain String Band – The jam band from Colorado is, as name would indicate, a string band. And they are rad and catchy and upbeat without electronic hubbub. It's just four dudes with a bass, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. The band is touring for their fourth studio album. The show starts at 9 p.m. at the Big Easy. Tickets are $17.50 in advance or $20 at the door.
Arj Barker – The funniest comic on the touring circuit. Last time Arj was in town, more than a year ago, he tore the place down with laughter. They had to rebuild it. The show is billed as X-rated. But X probably stands for X-cellent. Young comic Theo Von opens at 8 p.m. at the Funny Bone Comedy Club. They also perform on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12-15.
Saturday, April 28
IWA Used Boat Sale – The sale benefits the Idaho Whitewater Association (IWA). Last year, more than a thousand people showed up, so get there early to get the best deals. Equipment check-in is Friday night. 8 a.m. at Idaho River Sports, but call 336-4844 if you need directions.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseFriday, April 20
Butterflies Are Free – A blind bachelor gets his first apartment and meets a pretty, young actress who lives next door. Romance, pain and jokes ensue. The play, made into a popular movie decades ago, is directed by local Larry Dennis. 8 p.m. at the Boise Little Theater.
Idaho Botanical Garden’s Annual Plant Sale – Shop for native and no-so-native annuals and perennials while snacking and drinking at the gardens by the Old Penitentiary. The sale is open only to members on Friday but is open to everyone on Saturday, and it only costs $1 to shop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 21
The Race to Robie Creek – The toughest half-marathon in the West, maybe even the world, snakes uphill for 8 miles through Robie Creek to the summit and then descends steeply. Watch or cheer on friends and strangers, but the race numbers are all taken and volunteer spots are too.
Sunday, April 22
Idaho Conservation League Hiking Series – The group that aims to preserve Idaho's clean water, wilderness and quality of life through citizen action, public education, and professional advocacy starts its 2007 hiking season with a trek to sandy Bruneau Dunes State Park. Follow the hike leader around the outer edges of Bruneau Dunes and then up to the top. It’s a free program but call the ICL at 208.345.6942 to reserve a spot.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening in BoiseFriday, March 23
U.S. Bank Boise Flower & Garden Show — The annual flower show runs all weekend and features demo gardens, crafts, exhibitions, seminars, wine and jazz nights, and a lot more for just a $7 entry fee at the Boise Centre on The Grove from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday, March 24
Jerry Joseph — The constantly touring Northwestern singer-songwriter used to play with his band the Jackmormons, but this time the Jackmormons are out. Tickets are $12 for the show at the Big Easy Concert House.
Comedy Show — Not only will Eddie Brill of "The Late Show with David Letterman" fame be here in Boise, he'll be performing with famously banned kid comic Trevor Hattabaugh and local funnyman Pete Peterson in the Hatch Ballroom at Boise State University. Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8 p.m.
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening Around BoiseSaturday, Mar. 3
Africa Night — Everything Africa invades BSU. Join the Black Student Alliance for their annual African Night with food, fashion, drums, and prformances from some of the big-name countries, including Kenya, Congo and South Africa. Cost is $10 for general admission, $6 for students, $5 for children.
Snake River Community Dinner and Presentation — Community dinner and presentation; the program is about how the Department of Energy wants to build a long-term spent fuel storage, reprocessing and reactor complex. There are two proposals in eastern Idaho that would increase the threat to our water, challenge the current ban on long-term nuclear waste storage, incite other nuclear bomb makers around the world, and cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. The dinner is spaghetti and fixings. Cost is $7, or $6 for members, kids are free.
Sunday, Mar. 4
David Copperfield — Not the book, the magician. You know this American illusionist from making the Statue of Liberty disappear on TV a few years ago. And from having dated supermodel Claudia Schiffer. Check out his stellar act at the Velma V. Morrison Center. There are three shows, and tickets come at different prices.
Purim Celebration — The Jewish holiday celebrates with costumes, food, noisemakers and the reading of the Megillah (AKA the Book of Esther). Often kids dress in Purim-appropriate costumes but this year Chinese costumes are encouraged and a kosher Chinese dinner will be served. Cost is $18. 5:30 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish Center.
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MVP Events
Chris Fairbanks tickles Boise’s Funny Bone
Chris Fairbanks is a stand-up comedian, artist, skateboarder, golfer, actor, designer…and the list goes on. Chris moved away from Missoula seven years ago in search of something bigger and he ended up in Austin. While in Austin he quickly made a name for himself as a force on the stand-up clubs in town. In 2003 Chris was voted the funniest person in Austin.
Chris will be performing at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Boise from Jan 17-21 and 24-28. Shows start at 8pm every night with second sets at 10 on Friday and Saturday. Here are some clips from some of Chris’s various performances.
Colin Hickey is the New West Event Editor. Check back for his "MVP Events" or pick your own here: www.boiseevents.net
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Boise Events We Like
What’s Happening in and Around Boise This WeekThursday, Dec. 14
Tea Education Class with Toni — No, this isn’t a class about proper tea parties, it’s a chance to learn about the origin of tea with tea artisan and expert Toni Hodge of Shangri-La Teas. The class will specifically cover black teas, and students will get the chance to learn about, taste and experience the essences of six different black teas. Cost is $25 in advance. The class is at 7:15 p.m. at the Tea Room at Spirit at Work. For more info, call 388-3884.
Friday, Dec. 15
It’s the first night of Hanukkah, so stay in and have latkes, play dreidel and celebrate the miracle of lights that is Hanukkah, or Chanukah.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Holiday Skate — Can’t get to Rockefeller Center for a quintessential holiday skate? Go to Idaho IceWorld instead for a festive afternoon of skating with Santa. There isn’t a huge tree and throngs of spectators, but proceeds benefit the AdVenture program. The entry fee ($7 or $5 for seniors and kids) covers skate rentals. The event runs 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Idaho IceWorld
Holiday Festival on Ice — On the same day (Saturday), at the same place (Idaho IceWorld), and overlapping with another activity for a few hours (Holiday Skate) is the Holiday Festival on Ice, which features, in addition to a skating Santa, performances by competitive and amateur figure skaters. Shows are at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and admission is $3 or $1 for kids or $8 and $3 for VIP admission, which includes seats on the ice, hot cocoa or coffee and cookies.
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