5 things to do this weekend in Boise (and Emmett?): Rock out, bug out, relive the ’80s

1. Watch golf

First, the good news. The Albertsons Boise Open continues now through Aug. 21 at Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W. Hillcrest Drive, with an athletic mix of up-and-comers and PGA Tour veterans. Now, the bad news: It’s sold out — with the exception of Sunday. (But tickets are only 10 bucks that day!) Why the big sellout? Probably because of the after-golf concerts: Midland (Aug. 18), Billy Idol (Aug. 19) and Train (Aug. 20). Information: albertsonsboiseopen.com.

2. Go to 10 concerts

No Boise Open tickets? No sweat. There are tons of other concerts this weekend — highlighted by an ‘80s and ‘90s hair-metal marathon Saturday in Emmett.

Maren Morris: 7 p.m. Friday, Outlaw Field, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise. $70. Ticketmaster. Opening: The Lone Bellow.

Lost Dog Street Band: 8 p.m. Aug. 19, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $25. Ticketmaster.

Steve Earle and The Dukes: 8 p.m. Aug. 19, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. $29.50-$45. egyptiantheatre.net. Special guests: The Whitmore Sisters.

Backstreet Boys: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $54.50-$299.50. fordidahocenter.com.

Warrant/Lita Ford: 6 p.m. (doors) Aug. 20, Stoney’s Road House, 1050 Cascade Road, Emmett. $52.50-$62.50. stoneysroadhouse.com. Opening: Kip Winger (acoustic).

Fitz & The Tantrums/Andy Grammer: 7 p.m. Aug. 20, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $46-$76. fordidahocenter.com. Opening: Breland.

Polyphia: 8 p.m. Aug. 20, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $23 general ($25 door), $55-$65 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: Unprocessed, Death Tour.

X-Fest Rockzilla Tour: Featuring Papa Roach and Falling in Reverse with special guests Hollywood Undead and Bad Wolves. 6 p.m. Aug. 21, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $35-$75. fordidahocenter.com.

Giovannie & The Hired Guns: 8 p.m. Aug. 21, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15, eventbrite.com. $20 at the door.

The Devil Wears Prada: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $22.50 general ($25 door), $55-$65 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: Stray From the Path, Dying Wish.

Sammy Hagar and The Circle performed at the Albertsons Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club in 2021.
Sammy Hagar and The Circle performed at the Albertsons Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club in 2021.

3. Bug out

If insects are your thing, it’s hard to beat Bug Day on Aug. 20 at the Idaho Botanical Garden. The creepy, crawly event will have the place buzzing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include hands-on learning experiences, live music from Patrick Dansereau, buggy interactive exhibits, local food and drink vendors, plus a VW bug car show. Itsy Bitsy, a 20-foot-long dancing praying mantis, will cruise the grounds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available on-site for $12 general, $8 garden member or youths 4-12. Bug Day is free for ages 3 and younger. Information and advance tickets: idahobotanicalgarden.org.

4. Check out hot rides

Nothing against the VW Beetle car show at the Botanical Garden, but if you want to see serious rides, head to Westside Drive In, 1113 E. Parkcenter Blvd., on Aug. 20. That’s where you’ll find the third annual Don’s Supreme Auto Show & Shine. Benefiting the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, it will have competitive divisions from the 1930s to the present. (It’s $20 to enter your vehicle.) The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public.

5. See outdoor theater

Idaho Shakespeare Festival is putting on “Little Shop of Horrors” during August. It’s the penultimate play being presented by the company this summer. Show time is 8 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 20 (preceded by a 6:30 p.m. mini-concert each night), and at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 (no mini-concert). The ISF Amphitheater is at 5657 Warm Springs Ave. in Boise. Tickets are $40-$61 Fridays-Saturdays, $34-$49 Sundays. Any night, it’s $25 for students with valid ID. To check for ticket availability, call (208) 336-9221 or visit idahoshakespeare.org.