5 things to do this weekend in Boise: Try a new restaurant, run off-leash, crush BYU

Concerts, spectator sports and snow gear lead the entertainment calendar this weekend. If you’re looking for things to do — indoors or out — you’ll find plenty.

1. Watch sports

Brrr! Bundled-up Bronco fans will rally at Albertsons Stadium, but indoor hockey and motorcycle action sounds pretty good right now, too ... .

▪ The puck drops twice as the Idaho Steelheads welcome the Rapid City Rush on Friday and Saturday at Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd. in Boise. Start times are 7:10 p.m. Grab seats for $19-$45 at Ticketmaster.

▪ Motorcycles will fill the Ford Idaho Center arena in Nampa for Endurocross on Saturday. Engines rev up at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30, $40 and $45 at fordidahocenter.com.

▪ BYU is in town, which means the Cougars must be crushed. Boise State (6-2, 5-0 Mountain West) battles BYU (4-5) at 5 p.m. Saturday at Albertsons Stadium. Tickets are $75-$99 general, $50-$65 junior, at broncosports.com. With no future matchups scheduled, this is the last time the regional foes will meet for this rivalry game — possibly ever?

2. Hit the Swap

It’s time to gear up! The 71st annual Ski Swap takes over Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., all weekend. Organizers say it’s the largest of its kind in the Northwest — with more than 20,000 items. Pay $5 and start shopping from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Kids 17 and younger get in free. Adults who bring a canned food donation Sunday get in free. Sellers can check in goods from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Expect crowds on Friday and Saturday; Sundays normally are mellower.

3. See a concert

▪ Charlie Purr: 8 p.m. Friday, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $17 at Eventbrite, $20 at the door. Opening: Two Runner.

▪ The Fab Four — Beatles tribute: 8 p.m. Friday, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. $34.50, $49.50 and $69.50. Ticketmaster.

▪ Sammy Rae & The Friends: 8 p.m. Friday, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $25 general, $65-$75 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Opening: Yam Haus.

▪ Smokey Brights and The Weather Machine: 8 p.m. Saturday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $12. TicketWeb. $15 at the door. Opening: Low-Fi.

▪ Os Mutantes: 8 p.m. Sunday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $25. TicketWeb. $30 at the door. Opening: Claude Fontaine.

4. Run the dogs

Who let the dogs out? Boise Parks and Rec. This week, the city launched its seasonal off-leash program for dogs at Ann Morrison Park and Optimist Youth Sports Complex. Pooches get to run wild through winter — until Feb. 28. “All areas of the two parks are available for off-leash use from sunrise to sunset, with the exception of Boise River Greenbelt paths, parking lots, roads and playgrounds,” according to a media release. “At Ann Morrison Park, Together Treasure Valley Dog Island will remain open throughout the winter, but users should note that the seasonal draw down of water in the ponds surrounding the island is underway. Signs will be posted at the park warning users of the potential for unsafe ice as temperatures drop. Please be careful and keep your pet away from the banks.” Yo, don’t forget to scoop the poop.

5. Try a new restaurant

If you’re from East Idaho, you’ve probably heard of Papa Kelsey’s Subs & Salads. The local brand has been around for decades. But never in the Treasure Valley — until now. Papa Kelsey’s opened its first restaurant in the Boise area this week at 5956 N. Linder Road in Meridian. The menu features oven-baked sub sandwiches (“gooey, melty, cheesy,” franchise co-owner Dan Young says), along with pizza, salads and soups. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and closed Sundays.