Basque Block bites, grocery price battle, lightning-fed fire watch, Zoo improv comedy, bat watching, and more. 
Happy Friday, Boise. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Boise Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Basque bites 🍷
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Grocery showdown 🛒
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Lightening strikes ⛈️
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Basque Block beckons: Boise’s Basque Block is gearing up for its highly anticipated Jaialdi festival from July 29 to August 3, featuring pintxos, farm-sports competitions, and frosty kalimotxos — learn what’s in store.
Grocery price showdown: Looking for cheaper groceries? WinCo topped the list of the most affordable shops at $74.78 for 25 staples, while Fred Meyer rang up $100.88 — check out the full rundown.
Lightning strikes spark wildfires: Boise’s National Interagency Fire Center now uses near-real-time lightning and satellite feeds to catch post-storm fires weeks after remote lightning events — read the full story.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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Libraries overhaul ends amid federal cuts
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State revenue is falling below projections
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Conservation meets improv comedy at Zoo Boise
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Celebrate sisterhood and baseball at Girl Scout Night
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Shop local gems and goodies at Boise Flea
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, Meriwether Cider House turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—Sunshine Spice Bakery & Café is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, Overland Bar hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Bolt action: Hunting for bold florals, buttery satins, or that perfect canvas for your next DIY masterpiece? The Quilt Crossing stocks bolts of fabric so good you’ll actually look forward to hemming, quilting, or just petting every. single. yard.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
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📆 Boise happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎥 A Minecraft Movie @ The Egyptian Theatre | Friday (6/27) at 11:30 am – Dive into a cubic wonderland where Jason Momoa trades garbage cans for pickaxes alongside Jack Black’s expert crafter, Steve. Expect blocky thrills, sneaky zombies, and heartwarming lessons about creativity IRL. Morning cartoons have nothing on this pixelated adventure.
🎪 Opening BBQ & Free Flying Trapeze Show @ Circus Vision | Friday (6/27) at 6 pm – Fire up your appetite for smokin’ BBQ, good vibes, and community celebration at Circus Vision’s grand debut. Test your courage with $5 trapeze flights, dive into lawn games, and meet the team behind this new local hotspot. Whether you’re here to munch, mingle, or soar, it’s a night guaranteed to take off!
🦇 Bat Night @ Lucky Peak State Park | Friday (6/27) at 8:30 pm – Ditch the daylight and track Idaho’s “enigmatic sky puppies” with bat detectors, ranger-led talks, and a 20-minute after-sunset flight viewing. Bring a red-light headlamp and your sense of adventure—entry is $7 per vehicle (free with a State Parks Passport). Educational, family-friendly, and fang-tastic, this is one night you’ll want to go batty for.
This weekend
🤠 Family Friendly Smokestack Jack’s Western Experience @ Watson’s Mystery Cafe | Saturday (6/28) at 2 pm – Saddle up for a rootin’-tootin’ good time at Watson’s Mystery Café & Spirits, featuring gold panning, melodrama shootouts, and old-time photo ops. Doors open at 2 pm with the live show kicking off at 2:30 pm—ears sensitive to blank gunshots? Pack earplugs. Between Dusty’s Gold Panning and tasty grub options, this is one family hoedown you won’t forget.
🌈 Pigs on the Wing: A Tribute to Pink Floyd @ Treefort Music Hall | Saturday (6/28) at 7 pm – Get ready to journey through Pink Floyd’s greatest hits live and loud. Doors swing open at 7 pm so you can claim your perfect spot before the show ignites at 8 pm. With tickets ranging from $39 GA to $128 table packages, every Floyd fanatic’s covered. All ages welcome—bring your crew and let the psychedelic vibes wash over you.
⚾ Girl Scout Night With The Boise Hawks @ Memorial Stadium | Saturday (6/28) at 7:05 pm – Scouts, don your vests and grab your mitts for a night of sisterhood under the stadium lights. A lucky Girl Scout gets the honor of the first pitch, followed by raffles sure to score you big prizes. Troops and families, rally by 7:05 pm—only 80 spots and tickets vanish at game time. Batter up for baseball, badges, and major fun!
✨ Stargazing @ Spring Shores Marina | Saturday (6/28) at 9 pm – Trade screens for stars at Spring Shores’ “Blacktop Observatory,” where park interpreters kick off the night on the patio with constellation tales. Then head to the west parking lot’s telescope zone until 11 pm to glimpse planets, nebulae, and beyond. Pack lawn chairs (and your own scope, if you’ve got one) and remember: $7 park entry per vehicle (free with an Idaho State Parks Passport). Rain or heavy clouds cancel—so keep your fingers crossed for clear skies!
🍩 Sweets N Speed Meet! @ Country Donuts | Sunday (6/29) at 9 am – Cars, coffee, and glazed goodness collide at this low-key Sunday morning car meet. All makes and models are welcome, so cruise in early, grab a donut, and geek out over rides with fellow auto enthusiasts.
🧙 Summer Wizard Encounter @ Boise Depot | Sunday (6/29) at 12 pm – The Depot transforms into a spellbinding world where you can snap photos with your favorite wizards, snag a free seed kit for the kiddos, and snack on goodies from Kona Ice and Linda’s Kitchen. Free tours, face painting, and magic? You’re not going to want to apparate past this one.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/27 Zoo’s Line is it Anyway @ Zoo Boise – 7 pm
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6/27 Tophouse and more @ Treefort Music Hall – 7 pm
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6/27 Esmé Patterson and more @ Shrine Social Club – 7 pm
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6/27 Den of Sin Presents: Judgement Night 4 @ The Balcony Club – 7 pm
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6/28 Billy Blues Band @ Sandbar Patio Bar & Grill – 6 pm
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6/28 Green Acre Grass @ Green Acres Boise – 6 pm
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6/28 Pigs on the Wing @ Treefort Music Hall – 7 pm
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6/28 Andy Frasco & the U.N. and more @ Shrine Social Club – 7 pm
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6/28 Seamus & the Dregs and more @ Vista Bar – 8 pm
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6/28 Dizgo @ Shrine Social Club – 11 pm
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6/29 Modest Mouse @ Idaho Botanical Garden – 7 pm
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6/29 Kurt Vile and the Violators @ Knitting Factory – 8 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Boise edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Mackenzie Johnson (Boise Premier Real Estate) – 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Built in 1940 | 3349 sqft
Corner charisma meets clinker brick cool at Lemp and 22nd, where archways wink and original hardwood floors strut their stuff. The living room’s gas fireplace is ready for sock-footed lounging, while the backyard stages a full-blown staycation with a koi pond, outdoor kitchen, and a fire feature that’s one s’more away from legendary status.
Walk-in closets for every bedroom mean no one’s fighting over hanger space, and the remodeled primary suite’s soaker tub is basically a spa with better privacy. Toss in a detached office, a heated shop, and a true two-car garage—plus Hyde Park and Elm Grove Park just a pedal or stroll away—and this place is flexing serious Boise bragging rights.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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