TREEFORT MUSIC FEST IN REVIEW
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of a Treefort attendee crowdsurfing at the
ON THE COVER:
Treefort Music Fest has come to a close. With over a dozen different “Forts” to attend, there are endless opportunities to immerse yourself in all that Treefort, and Boise, have to offer. Here is Treefort in review.
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“HOW THE WORLD BECAME RICH” MA R K KOYAMA
ALEFORT
An opportunity for Boiseans to have drinks, food and fun
Spencer Rentfro | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photo by Jocelyn Browne
One of Treefort Music Fest’s 13 forts was back in action for the 13th annual Treefort Music Fest March 27-30.
Alefort is one of the few free forts within Treefort where attendees can try craft beverages from different parts of the world alongside a few food trucks.
An interesting component of Alefort is that in order to purchase beverages, attendees must use Alefort tokens — priced at $3.75 each — instead of cash or a credit card.
A popular area where attendees gathered is the “Alefort Lounge”, a free-to-enter beer garden where various events were held throughout the week. Uncorked and Undressed
One event held on Friday, March 28 was “Uncorked and Undressed”, hosted by Sleight of Hand Cellars Winery from Walla Walla, Washington.
Co-Owner Trey Busch, who’s been in the wine business for 25 years selling wine
to Idaho and Washington markets, notes the most gratifying part of the work.
“The most gratifying part about being in the wine business is the people I’ve met over my 25 years,” Busch said. “When customers become your friends, that’s pretty special.”
The five wines sampled at the event are in Boise Co-Op Market, ranging from red blends to chardonnay. Each wine — The Magician Rising, The Enchantress Chardonnay, The Spellbinder Red Blend, Levitation Reserve Syrah and The Illusionist Reserve Cabernet — differ in flavors from sweet to bitter.
A Burlesque show starring performer (and Busch’s wife) Holly Dolly took place during the event.
“They’re both artistic,” Busch said. “Winemaking is art, so I get to share that with my people. Burlesque is art [and] Holly gets to share her art with her people.Anytime we get to share what we love making with other people, that’s always a thrill.”
Paella and Txotx
Other events used Alefort as a platform to showcase their culture through food.
“Paella and Txotx” was an event run by Tony and Tara Eiguren, owners of The Basque Market located in downtown Boise.
Throughout the day, attendees could have a plate of paella, a colorful dish containing saffron rice, shrimp, mussels, clams, chorizo, peppers and onions. Four members from The Basque Market team worked together to cook and serve the dish over two huge paella pans, each several feet in diameter.
“It’s pretty visual and it’s easy to have [to] feed a lot of people quickly,” Eiguren said of the paella. “So I think that works great for this kind of event.”
To complement the dish, they also served Txotx, a type of Basque cider. The cider shot out from a wooden barrel in a fast, straight stream, turning it into an exciting challenge for people to catch in their cups from a distance.
“The cider is fun,” Eiguren said. “Everyone likes to watch it shoot out of the barrel and try and catch it.It’s like a drinking game.”
Eiguren shared his thoughts on being able to represent Basque culture at the Treefort Music Fest.
“I think it’s great,” Eiguren said. “[I] feel like I grew up in the culture and everything and it’s changed over the years. Now it’s cool to be something different, when growing up, it wasn’t as cool to be Basque, and now everyone wants to share it and learn about it.”
Throughout the week, Alefort served beer and wines from around the world, with drinks from states like Idaho, Oregon and Washington to countries like Argentina.
Different stands had creative names for the various types of alcohol such as: “Tart”, “Hoppy”, “Dry Humour”, “On The Wild Side” and “Fun & Fruity”. Drinks were sold in eight and 16 ounce amounts.
Treefort and Alefort attendee Curt Perskine, who has attended Treefort the last eight years, shared his thoughts on the venue’s accessibility and the overall experience being mostly at the Main Stage.
“[There’s been] great bands [and the main stage has] been easy to get in and out,” Perskine said.
Perskine added he’s enjoyed getting to listen to bands from all over the world like the Australian group Amyl and the Sniffers.
Another attendee, Douglas Hutchinson, has been attending Treefort since he was a graduate student at Boise State University. Hutchinson said he’s enjoyed Treefort because it gives him the opportunity to visit venues in Boise he hasn’t been to before, such as The Olympic.
“I’ve lived in Boise for 16 years now and I’ve never been to The Olympic,” Hutchinson said. “It was just a fun opportunity to be there and see new bands that you’ve never heard of.”
In addition, Hutchinson expressed appreciation for Alefort’s food scene, with areas like Alefort’s “The Kitchen”, which offered Nashville Hot Chicken — some thing not currently available in downtown Boise.
Sunday, the final day of Alefort, concluded with rounds of Bingo as attendees gathered together one last day before Treefort Music Fest came to an end.
COMEDYFORT
Four comedians who stole the show at Comedyfort
Julianna Kelsey & Roszy McGeorge | Opinion Editor and Sports & Rec Reporter | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos courtesy of Treefort Music Fest
Roaring laughter filled multiple venues within Boise, Idaho as comedians from across the country brought their talent and best material to Comedyfort.
After long days of exploring Treefort Music Fest’s music scene, trying out local cuisine and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Treefort, audiences could rest their feet and unwind at the free and open to the public comedy showcases.
Over 30 comedians and performers were featured at Comedyfort, bringing a rich and diverse lineup of performers with something for everyone.
Across the 17 events hosted by Comedyfort, several comedians stood out as must-see acts, ranging from established comics to up-and-coming performers to keep an eye out for in the future. Wally Baram
Wally Baram, a Los Angeles- based comedian, is one of the most accomplished performers to take the stage at Comedyfort. She has written for hit shows like “Shrinking” and “What We Do in the Shadows” and has performed stand-up on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
Her comedy “brings a unique perspective on the strange banalities of entering the adult world, as well as growing up with a strong multi-cultural/MexicanSyrian identity,” according to the Treefort website.
Baram had the audience howling with jokes about her experiences growing up Christian and a story about a hilarious first date involving skydiving. Her hysterical set proved that she is a must-see performer.
“Wally Baram definitely killed it,” Neal Bunker, Boise resident and Comedyfort attendee said. “They [Treefort] had mentioned that she had worked as a writer on ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, and even her jokes had elements that reminded me of the show. It was really good.”
Jasmine Rogers
Jasmine Rogers, a Boise native, blends physical comedy with her bold personality to captivate audiences.
She is a “successful stand-up comedian in the PNW [Pacific Northwest], performing with Netflix and Comedy Central-accredited comedians,” according to her website.
Her sharp wit and high-energy performances earned her the title of Boise’s 2025 Comic of the Year in a competition hosted by Blue City Comedy, a local comedy club earlier this year.
Rogers’ Comedyfort set had the audience laughing nonstop from start to finish. At the end of her performance, Rogers brought the house down with a musical retelling of a childhood experience “in the style of Lin-Manuel Miranda”.
Her Hamilton-inspired grand finale had the audience roaring, further cementing her reputation as one of Boise’s top comedians.
Rogers will continue to light up the Boise comedy scene throughout the year as she performs stand-up at local events. Her other artistic endeavors can be found on her website and on her YouTube channel Jazmataz.
Ricci Armani
Ricci Armani, a Seattle based stand-up comedian, stole the show at Treefort for three back-to-back days.
Armani continues to make a name for himself, headlining all over the country and being featured in comedy festivals such as Portland’s RIP City Fest, Seattle’s Upper Left and New Mexico’s Cloudtop Comedy Festival.
His use of anecdotal stories and crowd work sent the audience into full hysterics. Comedyfort attendees, Josie Sprinkle and Carly Pierce rushed into the comedy showcase at Boise Contemporary Theater on Saturday night.
“We wanted to hurry in and sit in the front row so the comedians would make fun of us,” said Sprinkle.
Sprinkle and Pierce were in luck.
Halfway through his set, Armani called out the two girls in a light-hearted but brutally honest and hysterical round of crowd work.
Armani used the perfect mix of making fun of himself by including personal
stories as a gay Filipino man as well as poking fun at the audience.
Ian Yearsley
Idaho-born comedian Ian Yearsley was featured in five shows at Comedyfort. Yearsley quickly became a crowd favorite through his use of relatable storytelling and mix of edgy but lighthearted humor. He’s opened for Casey Rocket, headlined Don’t Tell Comedy three times and sold out Liquid Laughs twice — making him well known in the world of comedy. If you missed Yearsley at Comedyfort, make sure to look out for him at upcoming events on eventbrite.com as Yearsley is often featured in shows all around Idaho.
Throughout Comedyfort, it was clear that the festival wasn’t just a platform for funny punchlines and silly musical numbers — it was a celebration of culture, humanity, diversity and community.
Those lucky enough to hear from these talented performers were not only entertained, but also got the chance to see how connecting through humor can bring people together.
“One thing I like about Treefort and Boise is that there’s all kinds of different art forms,” Lillian Johnson, a Boise resident and Comedyfort attendee said. “I think it’s so important to bring that back and keep it alive. And, yeah, I think comedy is an art form that’s definitely essential. It’s one of the things that makes humanity what it is.”
Celebrating Latinx culture and finding art in unexpected places
Olivia Brandon | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Naomi Brown
From dance performances to gallery showcases and hidden art exhibits, Artfort 2025 truly had it all. After months of creating and rehearsing, painters, dancers, sculptors and other Boise based creatives unveiled their works from March
26-30 in various locations throughout the Treasure Valley.
The Arbiter reached out to a handful of the talented artists who are a part of Artfort this year to hear about the creative process.
Tropico FM: “Coatl: Ten Perspectives”
Featuring the work of ten artists, this showcase is described as celebrating the “rich expanse of Latinx creativity in Boise, showcasing the works of established and emerging artists whose talents bridge generations and experiences.”
Mariana Jimenez Edwards, a featured artist in the showcase, said the focus on community within the showcase’s creation aligned with her goals as a visual artist.
“Maybe six years ago, I made it my goal to meet other artists like me,” Edwards said. “Then we started doing this showcase with Tropico FM, and it pulled us closer together. We support each other as artists, and seeing our work together — it’s so fun.”
Edwards explained that the showcase has taken place for five years and that it has gradually been narrowed down to focus on ten artists.
Her mixed-media collage-style pieces “Arrojando Luz Sobre La Frontera” and “Respuestas” were inspired by her experience as a high school art teacher. Edwards had her students use their sketchbooks as journals, and she found herself drawn to the style as she worked alongside them.
“I was teaching my students how to use their sketchbook as a journal, I was working along with them, and I got really interested in that — it was just a really fun and portable way
to make art,” she said. “The reason why I love doing that is because I can combine found imagery and make it look distressed, make it look like [the] walls are crumbling down and like the imagery is fading in and out.”
Edward’s multimedia piece “Respuestas” features pops of bright pink and embedded cutouts to create an immersive experience. A woman stands in the foreground as sheets of paper circulate in the space around her. This piece is extra special to Edwards as she was able to incorporate artwork from her nine year old son.
The piece “Arrojando Luz Sobre la Frontera” or “shedding light on the border”, as Edwards described it, features a figure of a woman repeated three times, representing multiple generations of Mexican-American women.
“The idea behind that is we as Mexican-Americans … We kind of have this feeling like we have to be different in different situations, and how we respond to things, the whole code-switching kind of thing,” shesaid. “We are from a certain place, our family is from a certain place, but we haven’t really been there. We haven’t really grown up there. So all we have are these memories, or what we have are these ideas, and a lot of those similar ideas bring us together, really connecting with who we are or who we were supposed to be.”
“Arrojando Luz Sobre la Frontera” also includes advertisements pulled from 1950s era National Geographic depicting Mexico and various other magazine clips; a glimpse, Edwards said, into what messaging people in the North were getting regarding Mexico.
In an email interview with The Arbiter, artist Miguel Almeida echoed Edwards’ sentiment of the showcase, establishing a sense of artistic community.
“It is a really cool experience, especially being part of a showcase of all Latine artists,” Almeida said. “I believe most of us are Mexican, and it is really cool to share a space together and tell our stories through art. The art scene in Idaho is sometimes not very diverse so it’s always special to get to share our work together. We got many heavy hitters in the artist line up from our community with two newer younger artists. Shout out to Tropico FM for starting this showcase that has continued to grow each year.”
Almeida provided some additional insight into the overall vision behind “Coatl: Ten Perspectives”, and what the showcase means to him.
“The idea behind the show was to touch on themes of transformation, duality, cultural continuity or ancestral wisdom,” Almeida said. “For my piece I decided to paint my Abuelita Concha making salsa in a molcajete bowl at her home in Mexico. Salsa, and the art of making it, is a connection to my past and has been a tradition long before European countries invaded the Americas and colonized. For me, a lot of Mexican food is very special and a connection to my ancestors and past.”
Almeida’s piece, “Abuelita Concha” features warm, rich shades of purple, yellow, green and terracotta orange. As Abuelita Concha makes her salsa, three birds sit on the windowsill to watch and a pink butterfly is perched on her shoulder.
Honoring his ancestors and staying true to his roots are at the cornerstone of Almeida’s artistic identity.
“I think staying true to my roots as a Mexican-American and honoring my ancestors that came before me has helped shape my artistic identity,” he said. “It is so easy to lose some of that tradition and culture when you live in a state like Idaho that is very white, but I’m glad I kept it and continued to learn more. I want to celebrate the beauty of my culture, the people that have built it and make the community feel proud of who we are.”
Artfort is just a small glimpse into the Mexican and Latine culture in Idaho. Almeida shared the importance of supporting businesses, art showcases and more.
“Support your Mexican/Latine community, their businesses, art, food and the community,” he said. “These are definitely uncertain times for us and it feels like we are being attacked at all angles.”
“The Backrooms”: Art in the hidden corners of Treefort venues
Picture this: You’re strolling the streets of downtown Boise, Treefort wristband on your arm, when you’re pulled into The Shrine basement by the sounds of one of the countless incredible bands taking the stage.
As you descend the stairs, a flashing light in the far left corner of the room catches your eye. Is it another performance? No, instead, it is a surreal sculpture display of what looks to be metal pipes.
Artist Annette Isham created “Entropy Corner”, a multimedia art piece at the Modern Hotel. The exhibit featured projected animations, soundscapes and holographic video to create the feeling of being in a working lab.
“The creative process was an exciting opportunity to merge several elements I’ve been interested in for a long time,” Isham said. “I’ve always been drawn to spaces like back rooms or labs, where the process is exposed and preserved in a way. These environments have a raw
authenticity that allows creativity to unfold naturally. I wanted to capture that — showing how the work evolves and offering the audience a chance to experience the process behind the creation.”
The unusual venue for the Backroom exhibits has allowed Isham to have creative freedom.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to be part of such a supportive and creative community,” she said. “Plus, presenting work outside of a gallery setting, where there are no expectations, gives the freedom to experiment and engage in a different kind of creative dialogue.”
April VanDeGrift, another “Backrooms” creator, established her exhibit, which was displayed at Lost Grove Brewing with the help of artist Goran Fazil.
“He works primarily in video and often drawing, but he is incorporating his animations on the top of some drawings [and] some paintings that I’m creating,” VanDeGrift shared. “We’re kind of engaging with this idea, or this reality of movement with people. He comes from Bosnia and has moved here in route of other places as well. Kind of this idea of immigration and movement. Each of these round, formatted images will have some animation on there that corresponds to that idea.”
The collaborative experience was something VanDeGrift really enjoyed as an artist.
“It’s about taking on an idea of what you’re trying to get across, and then figuring out different ways that you can communicate that idea,” VanDeGrift said. “As somebody who was born and raised in the U.S., the issues that surround immigration in this country isn’t a topic I normally tackle because it’s not necessarily my content,” VanDeGrift said.
“It is Goran’s content,” she continued. “So, with him speaking [and] sitting down and talking about some of the ideas that he has about his own experiences, listening to his stories … and then trying to come to those sto -
ries with both empathy and curiosity and care is how I’m trying to approach this particular problem.”
At the close of each interview, the artists were asked if they see art in any unlikely or abstract places in their dayto-day lives.
With spring on the horizon, Edwards has been noticing shadows and the way light reflects or bounces off of various items.
Almeida finds art in the creation of salsa, which he said tastes even better when made traditionally in a molcajete, a stone tool similar to a mortar and pestle.
Isham finds art everywhere. In textures, interactions, her children’s toys.
“Everyday life is full of inspiration — everything around me has the potential to influence and shape what I create,” she said.
Photos by Omar Saucedo and Jocelyn Browne
THE FIVE BEST SHOWS FROM EACH DAY OF TREEFORT MUSIC FEST
Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Grahics by Kelsey Mason |
I’ll be brutally honest — I fell in love last week. Not in the typical storybook sense, but with the way Boise, Idaho came to life during Treefort Music Fest 2025.
Here are my five favorite shows from the five days that downtown Boise became my playground.
ORA COGAN AT THE SHRINE BALLROOM
This show was the perfect way to kick off Treefort Music Fest. Vancouver Island based artist Ora Cogan put on the set of my dreams.
With her smoky vocals, haunting violin and romantic psychedelic sound, the Shrine Ballroom was left in a daze when her set came to a close.
While Ora Cogan wasn’t someone originally on my radar, “Cowgirl” — a track with the perfect blend of atmospheric tones and edge — was an immediate addition to all of my playlists.
& Jocelyn Browne
RUDY LOVE & THE ENCORE AT CYCLOPS
Day two of Treefort taught me that the best shows are the ones you didn’t originally intend to see.
While riding a Lime scooter through the city to my next show, I found myself drawn to Cyclops, the 8th Street stage where Rudy Love & The Encore were playing.
Despite only catching the tail end of their set, I was immediately immersed in their musical trance. Rudy Love & The Encore is a neo-soul band including Rudy Love Jr., Marrque Nunley, Rachelle Love, Mariel Jacoda, Sherdeill Breathett and Willy Simms.
The band’s energy on stage was unmatched and had the entire crowd dancing the night away — right in the heart of downtown Boise.
Photos by Omar Saucedo
LUCAS BENOIT AT THE DISTRICT COFFEE HOUSE
REMI WOLF AT MAIN STAGE
As a newfound fan of Remi Wolf after her 2024 release of “Big Ideas”, I’d been eagerly anticipating this main stage set since its announcement — and she did not disappoint.
With three vibrant screens with tour visuals and lyrics complimenting the Main Stage for tracks like “Cinderella” and “Disco Man”, Remi Wolf’s set was as much a visual spectacle as it was an auditory one.
Despite the rainy Friday night weather, this set was the perfect excuse to let loose and lean into the festival’s energy.
LOWERTOWN AT THE SHRINE BASEMENT
If I could only have one takeaway from Sunday night, it would be that Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg of Lowertown are literal rockstars.
The band had palpable stage presence from the start of the show — palpable enough to get the tight Shrine Basement crowd moshing from the second track on the setlist.
Halfway through the show, Osby joined in on the fun and began crowd surfing during an interlude. As a casual listener of Lowertown, this set made me love them even more.
It’s become clear to me that Treefort Music Fest is about so much more than just music. It’s about the city itself — the way Boise welcomes you to explore, the energy other concert-goers bring and the collective experience of discovering music with good friends.
Up-and-coming Portland, Oregon based folk artist Lucas Benoit played one of my favorite shows of the festival on Saturday night at The District Coffee House.
Acknowledging the mix of his warm vocals and honest delivery, Benoit delicately describes his work as “sweet treasures from the pockets of careless lovers” and “tokens of wisdom scratched onto napkins by old friends”. Closing out his coffee house set with “Pretty Flowers” and “She’s Sick”, Benoit left the entire crowd and I excited for his next studio album releasing in early spring 2025.
A new chapter: Storyfort highlighted Boise’s next generation of writers
Julianna Kelsey | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photo by Omar Saucedo
In a fast-paced weekend full of bustling crowds and musical performances, some of the quiet and cozy corners of Treefort Music Fest offered gentle escapes from the whirlwind of the celebrations taking place outside.
One of these hideaways was the Idaho State Museum, where Storyfort held a collection of author readings and discussions about the world of writing and storytelling.
On Saturday, March 29, Storyfort shared the stage with creative writing students from Boise State University. Several undergraduate students and Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) candidates read their original works to the audience.
Lily Kent, a junior studying Creative Writing with a minor in Art History, shared an excerpt from her speculative historical fiction story “Feel My Heart”.
Kent’s vivid imagery and detailed storytelling took the audience to 18th century New Orleans and left them eager to hear the rest of the story. With such strong storytelling abilities, it’s easy to imagine Kent’s novels finding a place on bookshelves around the world.
“I’ve always loved reading, and I never knew that writing was something you could actually do for a job,” Kent said. “When I started thinking about what colleges I wanted to go to, I literally just looked up ‘writing’. I genuinely didn’t know creative writing programs existed until five years ago, and I realized I can actually do this. I’ve always enjoyed reading and coming up with stories, and when
I realized you can actually study it, I was like, ‘Okay, well, now I have to’.”
Storyfort events offered students the ability to share their work with others — a powerful opportunity to connect and grow as young writers.
“This was my first time coming to Storyfort,” Kent said. “This is the first time I’ve read my stuff in front of people, so it was terrifying, but it was a lot of fun.”
Some students shared writings inspired by personal experiences. Adrianna Monsivais, a Storyfort intern and junior studying Creative Writing with a minor in film, shared a reading inspired by her older sister and an experience from her youth called “Socks”.
The short story was emotional and powerful, and the entire audience was captivated from start to finish. Her story and ability to evoke powerful emotion received a long round of applause from the audience.
“As a child, I didn’t know how to address emotions in a healthy way,” Monsivais said. “I was very quiet and kept them very much hidden. I started writing, maybe not to escape, but just because I thought it was very entertaining to do. I think it took my mind away from a lot of what was happening at home.”
As both a participant in the undergraduate reading event and an intern for Storyfort, Monsivais was able to see firsthand the power of writers coming together to share what they do.
“I think Storyfort has put ‘fun’ back into writing for me,” Monsivais said. “When you go to school for writing and have to write strictly for deadlines
and assignments and professors, it can feel like you’re writing for the ‘A’ rather than from a place that is more authentic and more you … Now when I approach writing, I approach it specifically from this place of ‘What is it that I’m trying to say, and what do I want to write?’.”
Some students had the opportunity to share original poetry. Elanor Spring, a senior double majoring in Creative Writing and French, shared four original poems that explored deep emotional themes.
Spring uses descriptive imagery, stunning detail and elements of nature to explore her inner dialogue, and the result is beautiful, captivating poetry. Her poem “Panorama” was touching, raw and completely transportive for listeners.
“A big part of my inspiration comes from living in Boise,” Spring said. “Getting to work in such beautiful nature and be inspired by what’s around you — It’s a combination of being in a community with other people and other writers and also having a really beautiful space to work in.”
Spring dedicated each of her poems to friends and loved ones, and said
that the support she felt from her loved ones gave her the courage and passion to share her work publicly.
“It was a great experience,” Spring said. “I love reading to the public, and it’s always fun to hear from others and to share how important writing is. It’s so great to be able to talk about things that are really beautiful and difficult to talk about without an artistic medium.”
“I think it’s very cool to see the spectrum of people we get at Storyfort,” Tessie Ward, assistant director of Storyfort, said. “With the Boise State undergraduate reading, having Boise State interns and having the MFA reading, we have a whole community of writers that bring so many different perspectives. I think Storyfort gives a space for any writer at any stage to come in and be amazed.”
From fictional stories to emotional poetry, the readings shared at Storyfort highlighted some of the best and brightest writing students at Boise State University. After a jam-packed festival weekend, it was a breath of fresh air to experience the talent of these young writers.
Treefort Music Fest: Is it really a festival for all?
Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photo by Jocelyn Browne
The sun sets in Boise, Idaho as hoards of college-aged students linger on the outskirts of Treefort Music Fest. Music pours from the mainstage that is just barely out of reach. They scroll their phones or clutch their counterfeit bands in hopes of being a part of the five-day music festival.
For many students, the festival’s fiveday pass — now pushing $300 — isn’t just expensive; it’s impossible. The irony being that some of the very artists on stage are in the same boat, playing for exposure while the price of admission keeps rising.
Rhodes Hull, frontman of Rhodes Hull’s Magic Band, is one of many musicians performing at Treefort Music Fest, an event where even paid artists often find themselves navigating the high costs of participation.
While Hull receives compensation for his set, he acknowledges that for many attendees — especially students — the rising price of tickets makes the festival increasingly inaccessible.
With the need to take time off work, pay for meals and the wristband itself, many artists and students find themselves struggling to take part in the Treefort experience.
“I only started going to Treefort a few years ago, [the] reason being because my band got in and I was able to get tickets that way,” said Hull. “It’s really, it definitely is a hefty price”
This year a basic general admission pass for the entirety of the festival cost $383.50 — just over 52 hours of minimum wage pay in Idaho.
Fon Petersen, a local Boise musician and lead performer of Fon Songs is a long-time Treefort artist. Petersen explains that for artists like himself, taking time off work to perform does not justify the low pay they receive —some receiving as little as $50 for performances.
“The music scene here has not been nearly as financially lucrative as it has been in the past,” said Petersen. “I’ve known people who were supporting themselves off of playing shows and
touring, and that’s not super possible anymore.”
Petersen explains that when bands submit an application to perform, they are sent an offer via email detailing how much they will be compensated for a set.
“There’s no language that makes it clear that you can ask for more money or that you’re like, I guess, quote, unquote, deserving of more money,” said Petersen.
“My first Treefort … had five people for most of the set, six people for a few songs. We got paid $50 [total], we all had to take a week off of work in order to actually participate.”
Petersen also explains that if artists were to bring their own sellable merch, venue owners and Treefort coordinators receive a cut of total sales.
“They take a cut of it, even if you made it by hand,” Petersen said. “It’s your f***ing merch, you should be able to make those sales. But no, they get a cut of whatever you make from your f***ing labor spent on making merch for your participants of your show.”
Treefort Music Fest is an exciting opportunity to both see small performers or perform yourself, however incessant costs are proving to be a detriment to both performers and attendees.
The official Treefort Music Fest page explains that the five-day wristband grants full admission (venue and Main Stage shows) to all days of Treefort and other “Forts”, including Filmfort and Yogafort. Excluding specialty ticketed events such as certain Comedyfort shows, Foodfort events or Alefort experiences.
To some, this experience is worth the price. For five days, Boise comes to life and allows the community to enjoy each other’s company with food and music. But to some, it is simply out of reach.
While the cost of admission is expensive, the cost of enjoying yourself adds additional prices. With beers at Alefort costing up to ten dollars and food trucks being the only option for meals, Treefort quickly turns into an excessive expense.
Emma Gouge, a senior English Literature major, has never attended Treefort due to the rising costs of admission.
“I have never attended Treefort, it is something I have wanted to do forever because it would be such a fun experience with all my college friends and it is so accessible, unlike bigger festivals in large cities. I think the passes are very unaffordable, especially for the content. Because most of the bands are smaller — I don't think they don't deserve money — but having the cost be the same as a multi-million dollar artist is ridiculous.”
- Emma Gouge
Treefort does offer passes to those who volunteer or perform at the festival, but volunteering still may be out of reach for full time students such as Gouge.
“I work two jobs and go to school fulltime,” said Gouge. “I don’t have time to volunteer for Treefort so I haven’t been able to do that.”
Despite the hefty price of a good time, Treefort does offer opportunities to musicians who otherwise would struggle to perform in Boise. While it is expensive, one must weigh what one values.
“When I hadn’t gone to Treefort, I thought it was a ridiculous price, but after going the last few years now and seeing how much you can do, it definitely is worth it to get the ticket,” said Hull. “I think about how they bring in 500 artists, and they allow all these local artists to even get the opportunity to play on a stage. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have even been playing on stages.”
For many students, Treefort represents everything they love about Boise — live music, community and creative expression. But as ticket prices rise, the festival is becoming less accessible to the very young people who help fuel its energy.
As Treefort continues to grow, the question remains: will it remain a festival for everyone, or only for those who can afford the price of admission?
DRAGFORT
Drag, resistance and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights
Jocelyn Browne | Digital Content Producer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Jocelyn Browne | Design by Naomi Brown
Alocal drag show is a spectacle of self-expression — bold, dazzling and unapologetically queer. Performers take the stage in outfits that range from classic elegance to wild camp, each look reflecting their unique personality.
Crowds are loud and ecstatic, waving single dollar bills and cheering with enough force to shake the walls. Within these spaces, LGBTQ+ people are celebrated and their artistry and presence are met with admiration and applause.
This year, drag performances were a highlight of Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho, proving that queer artistry is not just surviving, but thriving in the city’s cultural landscape.
The festival’s embrace of drag further cements its role as a space for creativity and resistance, where artists bring both joy and defiance to the stage.
Performers dazzled the crowd at The Balcony Club during Dragfort’s “The Glamour Revolution!” on Saturday, March 29. From burlesque to drag kings, the night was a vibrant celebration of community, joy and acceptance. Each performance captivated the audience through bold moves and striking looks.
However, one performance stood out as a powerful act of protest.
Kara Mel, draped in an American flag dress, took the stage for a strikingly patriotic piece. As the music swelled, she poured oil onto the money she had collected from the audience and ate it, an intense and visceral display of defiance against a system that values profit over people. The audience erupted in applause, a collective moment of solidarity in the face of adversity.
On Sunday, March 30, another unforgettable Dragfort event took place.
“Drag Me to Brunch” drew in the largest crowd yet, with guests packed into the Alefort Lounge like sardines, eagerly awaiting the start of the show. The stage came alive with a dazzling mix of sequins, punk vibes and even a surprise clown performance. Each act kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The show culminated in a joyous dance party to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, celebrating acceptance and love. The room pulsed with energy as everyone danced, sang and threw loose dollar bills into the air, a beautiful reminder of the sense of community and freedom that
But as the lights dimmed and the wigs were put away, the performers stepped off the stage and into a stark reality.
Outside of this space, LGBTQ+ people in Idaho are facing yet another threat to their rights. Idaho lawmakers are pushing forward House Joint Memorial 1 (HJM 1), a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
If successful, this push could open the door for states to reinstate bans on samesex marriage, stripping away rights that have been legally recognized for nearly a decade. While HJM 1 cannot directly change the law, it signals a growing effort to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and could embolden further attacks on queer individuals’ legal protections.
For same-sex couples in Idaho, the potential consequences are devastating. A repeal of Obergefell could invalidate marriages, complicate parental rights, affect access to healthcare and spousal benefits and make legal protections inconsistent across state lines.
This bill serves as a stark reminder that while queer people may be celebrated in entertainment, they are still fighting
for basic legal recognition in their everyday lives.
“It’s really easy to come sit down and be entertained,” says Riley Burrows, an Idaho native drag artist who performed during “The Glamour Revolution!”. “When it’s not your reputation — your safety on the line — it’s a little easier to shy away.”
Drag has long been an act of resistance, a bold reclaiming of space in a world that often tries to erase queer existence. It is art, it is protest and it is joy all at once. The painful reality, however, is that LGBTQ+ people are often only accepted when they’re making people laugh, cry or cheer.
“In terms of entertainment, the world has always piggybacked on queer people,” says Big Gay Paycen, another local drag queen who hosted “The Glamour Revolution!”. “They have the blueprint for entertainment.”
History is full of queer artists, musicians and entertainers who were revered for their talent but shunned in their personal lives. Today, drag artists face a similar paradox, celebrated in clubs but vilified in political discourse.
Yet, despite these attacks, the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight. Activists, performers and allies are refusing to back down. Protests are being organized, voices are being raised and above all, queer joy is persisting.
“I really hope audience members just feel joy and happiness and a sense of community,” Cody Pendant, an assigned female at birth drag artist who took the stage at “Drag Me to
Brunch” said. ”I love the body that I have because I can just kind of shove it in people’s faces.”
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, confidence isn’t just about being seen — it’s about reclaiming space, embracing individuality and finding power in self-expression. It’s a reminder that the fight for equality is not just legal; it’s personal.
Drag is not just about performing; it’s about the hours of preparation, the meticulous crafting of looks and the personal vulnerability of stepping onto a stage where you’re fully exposed — physically and emotionally.
Each wig is styled with precision, every costume is constructed to tell a story and every makeup application is a work of art in itself. Behind the glitz and glamour is a defiant act of self-expression, a refusal to conform to societal expectations of gender and identity.
“Do what you really love to do if you know that you’re passionate about something,” said Olympia, who is almost a year into her drag career and did her first Dragfort performance at “Drag Me to Brunch”. “That is going to bring true success at the end of the day. Confidence is shown in many different ways.”
Dragfort is more than just a series of performances; it’s a vital part of Treefort Music Fest, a celebration of all that Boise stands for inclusivity, creativity and the fearless pursuit of artistic freedom.
Dragfort embodies the spirit of Treefort by providing a plat-
shine — bringing joy, defiance and community to the forefront. It stands as a reminder that Boise, with its growing cultural landscape, is better for embracing spaces where people can be unapologetically themselves without fear of judgment.
In a city that has seen its share of challenges when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, Dragfort offers a safe haven, a space where individuals can come together to celebrate not just their queerness but their humanity. It’s a testament to the power of queer spaces to cultivate love, joy and resilience.
Boise is undeniably enriched by the vibrant energy of Dragfort and its continued presence is a beacon of hope for the future — showing that when you make room for everyone, the community grows even stronger.
The show will go on — not just on the stage, but in the streets, in the courts and in every fight for equality that refuses to be silenced.
FILMFORT
From shorts to features: Three standout films from Filmfort 2025
Kelly Ann Asker | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Omar Saucedo | Movie posters from Letterboxd
When you think of a film festival, there are plenty of big names that come to mind. Sundance Film Festival, Festival de Cannes and South by Southwest are staples for film-lovers everywhere.
To the wider film community, Filmfort may not ring a bell. But to Boiseans, Filmfort is a beloved part of Treefort Music Fest.
Filmfort ran from March 27-30 — a three day festival bringing together emerging filmmakers and local cinephiles for a weekend of feature films, documentaries and shorts.
Best of all, the cast and crew of these films joined audiences for a Q&A after each showing, allowing for aspiring filmmakers and fans to get a glimpse inside the creative process.
Showing primarily at Idaho Film Society and The Flicks, attendees could either buy individual tickets to the events or enter with their General Admission Treefort wristband.
Here are three films to keep an eye out for!
OBEX
Following its premiere at Sundance Film Festival in early 2025, Filmfort was “OBEX”’s second ever showing.
Filmed entirely in black in white on a camera from 2012, “OBEX” follows Conor Marsh (Albert Birney) — a man living a secluded life with his dog, Sandy.
Set in 1987, Conor makes money creating commissioned portraits of people on his computer, using a variety of symbols to bring the subjects to life. When he’s not typing up a storm, Conor and Sandy watch movies, sing karaoke and sit in their backyard.
When Conor spots an advertisement in a magazine, he decides to sign up for “OBEX”, a computer game that claims to be better than the rest.
After sending in a VHS with his name, information about himself and Sandy and different angles of his body, Conor shortly receives his copy of OBEX.
Once he pops the game into his computer, disappointment quickly follows. What he thought would be an innovative game turned out to be a pixelated mess with no point.
However, what once started as a mediocre game soon turns into a living nightmare when Sandy goes missing and Conor has to venture into the land of OBEX to get her back.
After “OBEX”’s final credits rolled, the audience erupted into applause as co-writer, director and lead actor Albert Birney and co-writer, cinematographer and producer Pete Ohs took to the front of the Idaho Film Society theater for a Q&A session.
Although you may not recognize Birney by name, he has a fair share of credits. Along with having acted in “I Saw the TV Glow”, he has directed 12 films, including “Strawberry Mansion”.
“OBEX” uses various elements to create a film that is a combination of horror, comedy, sci-fi and fantasy. From extreme closeups of cicadas to a thrilling soundtrack by Josh Dibb, almost every minute of “OBEX” kept the audience enthralled.
Cicadas were a constant theme throughout the film and their deafening sounds could be heard in the background of many shots.
“My dog was eating them in the backyard. They were in the trash can. They were deafening,” Birney said during the
post-screening Q&A. “Some days, it was just like screams outside … It was just something I was fascinated with.”
Having “OBEX” in black and white gave it an otherworldly feel and allowed the dream sequences to make your skin crawl, almost as if cicadas had been let loose in the theater.
When asked about the choice, Birney said, “A big part of it was those early Mac computer games that I grew up playing were on black and white monitors … The special effects we were going to do, they’re way more forgivable if you’re black and white.”
The first half of “OBEX” was excellent, but once Conor entered the game to retrieve Sandy, it started to feel like a different movie entirely. This is likely because “OBEX” was written and filmed in two different installments.
“We just outlined 20 scenes for the first half of the movie, shot that in September of [20]22, edited that for
months and months trying to figure out the second half,” Birney explained. “[We] came up with that [second half of the film] in April of [20]23, wrote a script … and then filmed that in September of [20]23.”
While both halves of the movie are enjoyable, they unfortunately didn’t blend well and caused some lost momentum. Despite that, “OBEX” was still an excellent watch.
According to Variety, independent film distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired the rights to “OBEX” and plans to bring it to theaters later this year.
Pete Ohs, the sole crew member of “OBEX”, had another film in Filmfort. “The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick” played on Saturday, March 28 at the Idaho Film Society.
Despite the slightly choppy feel. “OBEX” created a world that is impossible not to be immersed in. You won’t want to miss it once it comes to the big screen.
Tortoise & Hare
Written and directed by Marcellyn Fisher, an up-and-coming filmmaker from Lewiston, Idaho attending the University of Idaho, “Tortoise & Hare” is a twist on the classic Aesop fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare”.
Shown as part of the “Local Gems” short film showcase at The Flicks, featuring short films made by Idahoans or those with Idaho roots, “Tortoise & Hare” immediately hooked the audience with its creative opening in classic fairytale fashion.
Starting off in a page turning storybook and transitioning to a bar, we are introduced to Tortoise (Thomas Pearson) and Snail (Zach Haas). Tortoise is insistent that he can win his footrace with Hare (Luke McGreevy), who has been humiliating Tortoise for ages.
When the race finally commences, things take a surprising turn. Fed up with Hare’s cocky attitude and taunting, Tortoise makes sure he’s the one to win the race — and every race after that.
This twist on a children’s classic feels vaguely nostalgic, yet innovative and invites the audience into a humorous dreamscape where even animals have dark impulses.
The 10-minute short film has a glowy dream-like feel, thanks to a special lens filter used during filming.
This short film creates a world that viewers can’t help but find themselves encapsulated in.
“Tortoise & Hare” features actors dressed in fun costumes to help them embody the characters they play. Snail sports a headband with snail eyes and a stylish sweater vest, Hare rocks fuzzy leg warmers and a red tracksuit and Tortoise is painted green in true tortoise fashion.
The performances given by Haas, Pearson and McGreevy are engaging and they easily brought the characters to life. You can almost believe that Hare truly got what he deserved.
What’s next for “Tortoise & Hare”?
The short film is heading to the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) next, a film festival located in Seattle, Washington.
Keep an eye on Marcellyn Fisher as he continues his film journey. Watch the trailer for “Tortoise & Hare” on Fisher’s Instagram, @marcellynfilms.
The Girlies
Looking for a short film that feels like girlhood embodied? Look no further!
Directed and written by Natalie Couture, “The Girlies” is a 9-minute short following three girls, played by Hannah Fay Foligno, Alexis Adams and Natalie Couture herself.
It’s vibrant appearance, fun costumes and goofy storyline, “The Girlies”
perfectly exemplifies its tagline: “Antics! Estrogen! Escapades!”.
Ginger (Foligno), Clementine (Adams) and Rosie (Couture) get locked out of their apartment, forcing them to face the unexpected. There are plenty of laughable moments from start to finish, and you can’t help but root for these girls. There is almost a complete lack of dialogue from the characters in the film, save for one hilarious moment that broke the fourth wall of the world the film is set in. Instead, dialogue is played on intertitles which are commonly used in silent films, or delivered by the narrator.
Although, “The Girlies” is anything but silent. The music, done by Martín De Lima, was upbeat and helped the audience immerse themselves into the girlies world.
The contrast between the vivid mid1900s look and the modern humor made “The Girlies” a truly entertaining watch. Filmfort is a door-opening experience, giving aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to show their work to local cinephiles and other filmmakers from around the country.
THE FLICKS YOGAFORT TREELINE TREEFORT STORYTELLERS FILMFORT CYCLOPS REMI WOLF ALEFORT BOISE SOFI TUKKER LOCAL MAMMOTH WRISTBAND THIRTEEN DRAGFORT SKATEFORT
OUR BEST GUESS
THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS
CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 19
MAR 21 - APR 19
JUST SAY YES FOR ONCE. YOU WON’T REGRET IT.
SYDNEY SMITH
REDOWNLOAD HINGE THIS WEEK.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 18
START COACHING ON ARCADE GAMES.
PISCES
FEB 19 - MAR 20
SPLURGE ON SOMETHING TODAY.
ARIES
MARCH 21 - APR 19
JUST SAY YES FOR ONCE. YOU WON’T REGRET IT.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 20
HOLDING A GRUDGES? AT LEAST YOU’RE CONSISTENT!
MAY 21 - JUN 20
POST A SLIGHTLY TARGETED INSTAGRAM STORY TODAY. GEMINI
CANCER
JUN 21 - JUL 22
GET THAT HAIRCUT YOU’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT.
LEO
JUL 23 - AUG 22
TEXT YOUR SITUATIONSHIP — WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
VIRGO
AUG 23 - SEPT 22
CHECK WHAT’S PLAYING AT THE FLICKS.
LIBRA
SEPT 23 - OCT 22
MAKE A DRAMATIC EXIT TODAY.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOV 21
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD ... ACTUALLY, PLAY LESS.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 22 - DEC 21
POWER YOUR PHONE OFF AND GO TOUCH GRASS.
