Get a jump on Easter fun, Boise! April brings egg hunts, farmers markets, spring jazz

April can’t get here soon enough. Each month closer to consistent sunshine and warmth — yes, I’m here for it!

So hopefully we get some decent weather to take advantage of while enjoying all the outside fun that’s on the way.

Farmers markets kick off this month. Free up your Saturdays for the Boise Farmers Market (opening Saturday, April 1, no joke) and Capital City Public Market (opening April 15) to stock up on all your fresh fruits and veggies, as well as artisan goodies.

Also, visit the Nampa Farmers Market, which opens April 1 as well, and the Meridian Main Street Market on April 15. More markets to come in May.

If your kids are down to hang out with a big bunny, then jump on plenty of Easter-themed events. Zoo Boise’s Easter EGGstravaganza is April 8 and features candy, face painting and Easter bunny photo-ops, as well as other activities. Or check out the Easter Egg Hunt on The Blue, also on April 8, at Albertsons Stadium. Plus, Caldwell, Meridian and other Treasure Valley locations will have events.

In the mood to have some fun with some serious jazz music? The Gene Harris Jazz Festival Showcase Concert (April 6-7 at the Morrison Center) includes performances from the Boise State Jazz Orchestra, Gene Harris Superband and others.

And for those looking for something a tad more rowdy, the Professional Bull Riders will hit the Ford Idaho Center on April 7-8.

Note: Check with event websites or social media before attending. Events might be canceled or postponed after press deadline.

Easter

Easter Egg Hunt on the Blue: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8, Albertsons Stadium, 1400 Bronco Lane, Boise. Register at boisestate.edu/giving/event/easter-egg-hunt-on-the-blue.

Easter Egg Scramble: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Fenrich Field, Memorial Park, 619 Irving St., Caldwell. For ages 12 and younger. Free. 208-455-3060, cityofcaldwell.org.

Easter EGGstravaganza: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 8 (last admission at 4 p.m.), Zoo Boise, 355 Julia Davis Drive, Boise. Candy stations, animal enrichment, activities, photo-ops, face painting, vendors, more. $12 general, $9 children 3-11 and seniors, free for ages 2 and younger and Zoo Boise members. zooboise.org/event/easter-eggstravaganza-7.

Capital Community Egg Hunt: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8, Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian. With 150,000 stuffed eggs, two opportunities for egg hunts on each age-specific field (ages 0-12), a live show, food trucks, bubble soccer, jump houses, carnival swings, more. Free. capitalchurch.co/egghunt.

Kiwanis Club of Emmett Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8, Emmett City Park, 400 E. Main St. Divided hunt for ages 0-10 with eggs filled with candy and prizes Also, photo-ops, Easter Bunny, games, face painting, tattoos, and popcorn.

Spring EGGstravaganza: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. More than 20,000 thousand eggs, Easter Bunny, Homes of Idaho ‘cutest chick’ contest, children’s activities, spring market. Free. indiancreekplaza.com/spring-eggstravaganza.

Star Chamber Easter Eggstravaganza: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Hunters Creek Sports Park, 1500 N. Star Road, Star. Music, games, Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, booths, food, more. Free. staridaho.org/communication/page/eggstravaganza-hosted-star-chamber-commerce.

Farmers Markets

Boise Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 1 through Oct. 28, 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise. theboisefarmersmarket.com.

Nampa Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 1 through Oct. 28, Lloyd Square Park, 13th and Front streets. 208-412-3814, nampafarmersmarket.com.

Capital City Public Market: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, April 15 through Dec. 16, The Grove Plaza at 8th and Main streets, Boise. capitalcitypublicmarket.com.

Meridian Main Street Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 15 through Oct. 14, Meridian City Hall Plaza, 33 E. Broadway Ave. 208-918-3480, meridianmainstreetmarket.com.

Festivals/Fairs

Shoshone Falls After Dark: Thursdays-Sundays, April 27-30 and May 4-7, Shoshone Falls Park, 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade, Twin Falls. See the falls illuminated with lights choreographed by Midnight Productions Studios to pre-mixed, recorded music by Idaho DJ Eric Rhodes. $25-$35 per vehicle. visitsouthidaho.com/shoshone-falls-after-dark.

Home and Garden

Treasure Valley Orchid Society’s Show and Sale: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 16, Hilton Garden Inn, 7699 W. Spectrum St., Boise. Plants and supplies, Saturday classes on orchid care, history and native Idaho orchids. Also, raffle and door prizes. $5 general, free for children younger than 12. treasurevalleyorchidsociety.org.

Music

Stars of Steinway w/Fei-Fei and Steven Lin: 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., Boise; and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Dunkley Music, 3410 N. Eagle Road, Meridian. Celebrate Rachmaninoff’s 150th birthday. $15 suggested donation at the door. starsofsteinway.com.

Gene Harris Jazz Festival Showcase Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, April 6-7, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Showcase Ensembles (7 to 8 p.m.), Boise State Jazz Orchestra (8 to 8:30 p.m.), and Gene Harris Superband (8:45 to 10 p.m.). $16.25 general, $3.75 children and non-BSU students. Ticketmaster. Free tickets for BSU faculty, staff, and students with valid ID at the Morrison Center Ticket office (in person only).

Frankie’s Falsetto: Tribute show for Frankie Valli featuring Mark Maynard.

▪ 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $37 general, $42 preferred. eventbrite.com.

▪ 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16, John Brandt Performing Arts Theater, Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. $24-$37.75. ICTickets.

Specialty/Trade Shows

Idaho Artistry in Wood Wood and Gourd Art Show: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 1; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise. Opportunity for artists working in wood and gourds to participate in judged competition and display their work to the public. The event will include special displays, live demonstrators, sale of wood and gourd art objects, raffles, auctions, and a banquet. $5 admission, free for children 12 and younger. Cost of entering work in the show is $3 per piece if registered in advance or $5 at on-site registration (1 to 6 p.m. March 31). Details at idahoartistryinwood. org.

Gem State Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 1; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. Pop culture event that brings all fandoms together — from comic books, movies, celebrity guests, video games, cosplay, toys, games, anime, live entertainment, more. $15 for Saturday, $10 for Sunday, $25 both days, at eventbrite.com. $20, $15 and $35 at the door. Free for ages 12 and younger with an adult. gemstatecomiccon.com.

Idaho Horse Expo: 8 a.m. Friday-Sunday, April 7-9, Ford Idaho Center Arena, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. Features trainers and clinicians from across the state and nation, the latest in products ranging from jewelry to arena equipment, entertainment, industry-related seminars, youth activities, and competitions from youth roping, to trail events and even jousting. $15 general, free for ages 12 and younger, at fordidahocenter.com. idahohorseexpo.com.

Spectator Sports

Idaho Steelheads hockey: 7:10 p.m., Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $19-$45. idahocentralarena.com.

▪ vs. Kansas City Mavericks, Saturday, April 1 (also March 29 and 31)

▪ vs. Utah Grizzlies, Wednesday, April 5, and Friday, April 7

Idaho Horsemen: Professional indoor football. Ford Idaho Center Arena, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $12-$35. fordidahocenter.com. gohorsemen.com.

▪ Sunday, April 2: vs. Las Vegas Kings, 5 p.m.

▪ Saturday, April 15: vs. Cali Gold, 7 p.m.

▪ Thursday, April 20: vs. Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks, 7 p.m.

PBR Nampa Invitational: 7:45 p.m. Friday, April 7; and 6:45 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $15-$110. fordidahocenter.com.

Theater

“Macbeth”: 7:30 p.m. April 7-8, 13-15 and 20-21; and 2 p.m. April 16 and 22, Danny Peterson Theatre, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Presented by Boise State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Creative Writing. $20. Ticketmaster.

“Pretty Woman: The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20; 8 p.m. Friday, April 21; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 22; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $45-$99. Ticketmaster.

April 1

Boise Phil ”Altered Landscape”: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $31.93-$96.59. Students w/ID are half off in advance or $15 at the door. 208-344-7849, boisephil.org.

Drew Lynch: 6:30 (sold out) and 10 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $32.50. TicketWeb.

Vocalocity: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. Additional performance on March 31. $25 general, $30 preferred. eventbrite.com.

April 2

Stef and The Groove: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $25 general, $30 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Black Belt Eagle Scout: 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $15. TicketWeb. $18 at the door.

Bumpin Uglies: 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $17. eventbrite.com. $20 at the door. Opening: Kyle Smith.

Sabrina Carpenter: 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $33 general, $73 VIP. Ticketmaster.

April 4

National Geographic Live: Improbable Ascent: 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from paraclimber Maureen Beck, who learned how to rock climb one-handed through trial and error. $21.50 and $24.50. Ticketmaster.

Girl Named Tom: 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $20 and $25. Ticketmaster. Opening: Marielle Kraft.

April 5

Songwriters in the Round: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. Featuring Casey Shelden, Andrew Chappell, and Dave Nudo. $20 general, $25 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Ron Sexsmith: 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $30. eventbrite.com. $35 at the door.

April 6

Emilie-Claire Barlow: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $35 general, $40 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Michigander: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15. TicketWeb. Opening: Abby Holliday.

April 7

Blues Directors: 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $24 general, $28 preferred. eventbrite.com. Special guest: Two Wound Up Trio.

Paul Wall and Lil Flip: 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $39 general, $99-$125 reserved balcony. TicketWeb.

Don’t Fake The Funk: 8 p.m. Friday, April 7, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. Featuring Zackey Force Funk, DJ Mike Moses, and The Magnificent DJ Xclusive. $10. eventbrite.com.

Tejon Street Corner Thieves/Them Coulee Boys: 8 p.m. Friday, April 7, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15. eventbrite.com. $18 at the door.

April 8

Tom Russell: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $40 general, $45 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Moontricks: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 8, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $20. eventbrite.com. $25 at the door.

April 9

Humbird: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 9, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $25 general, $28 preferred. eventbrite.com.

April 13

Dizzy Wright: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $18 first 100 tickets sold, $23 after, $43 VIP. Ticketmaster.

April 14

Triple Album Release: 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St., Garden City. Lindsey Hunt, Steve Fulton and Dustin Morris all releasing albums on the same night. $15 at huntfultonmorris.eventbrite.com. $20 at the door.

April 15

Come Play With Us Dinner and Auction: 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, Boise Centre East, 195 S. Capitol Blvd. Featured speaker is former Capital High, Arizona State, and NFL quarterback Jake Plummer. Fundraiser for the Idaho Youth Sports Commission. $85, with table and premium sponsorships available. 208-703-2997, iyscauction.com.

“Ladies of the Evening”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St., Garden City. Presented by LipsInc!, Idaho’s professional female impersonation troupe. $20. lipsincladiesoftheevening.eventbrite.com.

April 22

Chelsea Handler: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $39.50-$99.50. idahocentralarena.com.

April 23

Stars of Steinway w/Simone Pedroni: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23, Dunkley Music, 3410 N. Eagle Road, Meridian. $15 suggested donation at the door. starsofsteinway.com.

Kane Brown: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 23, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $40.50-$90.50. fordidahocenter.com. Special guest: Dustin Lynch, Locash.

April 25

Elton Dan and the Rocket Band: 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. Tribute to Elton John. $25-$90. Ticketmaster. All price levels will increase $3 on the day of show.

April 28

Hippie Sabotage: 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $25 first 100 tickets sold, $29.50 after ($35 door), $59.50 VIP. Ticketmaster.

April 29

Boise Towne Square Stance x Track Shark: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 29, Boise Towne Square mall, 350 N. Milwaukee St. Car show will feature 12 cars inside the mall during business hours, along with another 150 cars in the parking lot. Also, 15 product vendors including vinyl shops, detail shops, car dealers, axe throwing and more, as well as a charity raffle for The Idaho Food Bank. Free for spectators. tickets.thefoat.com/SharkFest2021.

April 30

Joyful: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, April 30, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. A celebration of children, art, and music for Child Abuse Awareness Month and to raise funds for the Women’s and Children’s Alliance of Boise. Featuring auctions, raffles, and music throughout the Sandbar and Bar 365, and special concert that evening (7 p.m.) featuring Steve Eaton and Friends in the Sapphire Room. Also, face painting, the opportunity to watch artists at work, and mini ponies in the parking lot for kids. Concert is $35 general, $40 preferred, at eventbrite.com. sapphiresocietyboise.com/events.