Calendar

C A L E N D A R

A hot air balloon floats up among many others at Boise Balloon Classic 2018.

BRIAN MYRICK/IDAHO PRESS

Residents and potential visitors saw cancelations of Boise’s biggest attractions in 2020, however, while the uncertainty around hosting events remains, many are hopeful for 2021.

Several performing arts institutions, such as Opera Idaho and Treefort, have rolled sold tickets over into 2021, and others—including Ballet Idaho and Boise Philharmonic—have already planned a virtual season that extends into the spring of 2021.

And while many of us missed getting together, we were still offered event experiences virtually, from author talks hosted by Rediscovered Books to virtual runs, solo experiences but with

PERFORMING ARTS AND THEIR VENUES • Alive After Five went completely virtual this year, offering concerts via social media. Experience kits, featuring local food and beverages, were available for pick-up. downtownboise.org. • Ballet Idaho has announced its virtual 2020-21 season, consisting of five streamed movements November to April: balletidaho.org. • Boise Philharmonic began its virtual 2020-21 season, available through May. The organization currently has pop-up concerts across several months planned as well: boisephil.org. • The Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts continues to adapt, offering virtual shows like “Hamilton” and “Cats.”: morrisoncenter.com. encouraging cheerleaders on social media, from Boise PRIDE Festival to newly introduced “History Happy Hour.”

It’s an ever-changing normal, but fans have shown they will continue to show up, in-person or virtually, to support the culture that we have enjoyed for years.

In these pages you won’t find a traditional calendar, rather there is a mini event guide of annual events and year-round things to do. We hope to be able to return to normal, and bigger, experiences soon, but until then we will keep you posted on what’s happening, and how you can be a part of it.

LITERARY AND MORE ARTS • We missed Boise Balloon Classic and Idaho Shakespeare Festival, among others, and will keep you updated on those in 2021. • Art in the Park, one of the largest fundraisers for local artists, was hosted by Boise Art Museum virtually in 2020: boiseartmuseum.org/art-in-the-park. • For a variety of spoken-word performances, readings and more, check out Story Story Night and Storyfort events: treefortmusicfest.com/fort/storyfort. • The Cabin hosts regular (now virtual) author talks, drop-in writing workshops, craft courses and more: thecabinidaho.org. Something you can do at home: November is National Novel Writing Month. • Boise State University, The College of Idaho, College of Western Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University often host public events, from lectures to gallery receptions, which are available on their calendars.

C A L E N D A R

GET OUTSIDE • Runners were sorry to see cancelations of the City of Trees Marathon, Race to Robie Creek, and other popular races. Others, including the Sue B. Memorial 5K/10K run/walk and Race for the Cure, were done independently, with fundraising and cheerleading done virtually. • Bicycling enthusiasts also experienced modifi ed events of Boise Goathead Fest (boisegoatheadfest.com) and Ridetober (ridetober.com).

IN-PERSON OR MODIFIED YEAR-ROUND GO-TOS • Boise and Ada County libraries have been off ering many regular, virtual events for patrons of all ages, with Storytime for the younger ones, tailored teen activities and book clubs for older audiences. Check out adalib.org and boisepubliclibrary.org. • First ursday happens at the beginning of every month and features business specials, classes, later operations and more as part of Boise’s downtown scene: downtownboise. org. • Trivia Night (complete with craft beer) has become a competitive and popular pastime SOME EVENTS ARE STILL TBD and can be found at a number of locations, As many hope for a COVID-19 vaccine to be fi nalized and including Barbarian Brewing Downtown released soon, residents and event organizers are still going forTap Room, Edge Brewing, e Lounge at ward, adapting as needed. It would be remiss if we did not prothe End of the Universe (which also hosts vide a list of near-future events later in late 2020 and early 2021 comedy nights), and the Spacebar Arcade, and early next that may or may not happen in some capacity: which also features classic arcade games. • EMPTY BOWLS: e Empty Bowls Event is usually • Local game stores, such as All About held around anksgiving at e Boise Centre. It’s a Games, feature competitive game play and chance for people to donate to the Idaho Foodbank and game nights. purchase a decorated bowl painted by an ametuer artist. Idahofoodbank.org PLACES TO GO • THE POTATO DROP: is yearly family fun New • e Boise Depot is not only a picturesque Years party has moved from e Grove to e Capitol landmark of the city, it is also an embodi- since its inception in 2013 but the celebration is the ment of part of Boise’s defi ning history: a same. e large “potato” is slowly lowered by a crane bustling railway stop. Now, the space hosts next to the crowd to bring in the New Year. idahopotaevents, both indoors in the Great Hall and todrop.com outdoors in the Platt Gardens: cityofboise. org. • FESTIVAL OF TREES: e festival has been happening in Boise for 37 years and usually takes place at Boise • e James Castle House, a historic space Centre on e Grove but this year it’s going virtual. memorializing the artist and providing People can experience all of the decorative magic and residency programs, off ers socially dis- bid in the auction online. saintalphonsus.org tanced tours: jamescastlehouse.org/visit/ tours-talks. • CUPID’S UNDIE RUN: is stripped-down fun run happens every year around Valentine’s Day. e event • Hyde Park Street Fair was canceled, and raises money and awareness about neurofi bromatosis, will hopefully return in 2021: northend. a genetic disorder that aff ects one out of every 3,000 org/hyde-park-street-fair. births. cupids.org • Autumn in the Garden and har- • 208 COMEDY FEST: is yearly festival is a hoot and vest-themed activities were had at Idaho traditionally uses diff erent stages around downtown and Botanical Garden, which also hosts Winter in the past has boasted some amazing local and national Garden Aglow in December. Gardening talent. 208comedyfest.com enthusiasts will fi nd advice and classes. is Boise staple is partnering with other organizations to put on events: idahobotanicalgarden.org. • COMIC CON: e Gem State Comic Con is held at Expo Idaho and celebrates all things comic; be it graphic-art, movies, shows, cosplay, fantasy, sci-fi , video games and even actual comics. gemstatecomiccon.com • Idaho State Museum introduced History Happy Hour (virtually), and the Old Penitentiary adapted by hosting a series of spookier events during “Locktober.” Frightened Felons will hopefully return in 2021. • TWILIGHT CRITERIUM: e criterium is a professional men’s and women’s cycling road race that’s usually held in downtown Boise every July. e city blocks off some of downtown and people line up to watch the bikes whiz by. downtownboise.org