February events in Boise: Strip down for charity, see comics. Lots of laughs either way

We’ve all been subjected to the aisles overflowing with pink teddy bears, chocolates and red hearts — some stores displaying as early as December. My Lord, can we just ... slow ... down?

Well, no, because right on cue, Valentine’s Day is up in our faces. And if you are one to celebrate, it’s time to start thinking about those dinner reservations, cards, flowers, etc. — if you have not done so already. Or wait until V-Day morning and join the group of guys rummaging through the Albertsons flower section. No hate, just an observation.

For those looking for something a little less traditional, Zoo Boise is holding Woo at the Zoo on Saturday, Feb. 11. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about animal courtship and breeding behavior. The romantic night out includes dinner, dessert and chocolate. Wine can be purchased separately.

Or perhaps you wanna get a little bit naked? Step it up a notch and do it outside with a bunch of people. Calm down, it’s for charity. The Cupid’s Undie Run is also going down on Feb. 11. The mile-ish run “raises awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and fundraises for NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF),” according to a news release.

If you could not care less about the candy heart holiday, there are other events to jump-start your February. Laugh out loud with Jo Koy on Feb. 4 at Idaho Central Arena or get angry alongside Lewis Black on Feb. 9 at The Egyptian Theatre.

Need a country music fix? Old Dominion will roll through ExtraMile Arena on Feb. 24.

And if you haven’t taken that much-needed road trip to McCall to check out the snow sculptures at the Winter Carnival, get going. The last day is Sunday, Feb. 5.

Note: Check with event websites or social media before attending. Events might be canceled or postponed after press deadline because of the pandemic, or might have new rules in place regarding masks and proof of vaccination.

Valentine’s Day

Cupid’s Undie Run: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Tom Grainey’s, 109 S. 6th St., Boise. One-mile(ish) fun run to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation. $45. Price jumps to $50 a week before the run. cupids.org/cupids-undie-run.

Woo at the Zoo: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Zoo Boise, 355 Julia Davis Drive. Dinner, dessert, drinks, chocolate, and learn all the intimate secrets of exotic animal dating and mating. Wine will be available for purchase. $60. Registration required: 208-608-7680, zooboise.org.

Festivals/Fairs

McCall Winter Carnival: Continues through Sunday, Feb. 5, McCall. Snow sculptures, Children’s Torchlight Parade, music, food, Idaho Dog Sled Challenge, snowbike races, fireworks, more. Some events have been canceled this year. Details at visitmccall.org/events/winter-carnival.

Music

Sunset Sessions: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, Feb 4 through March 25, The High Peak Hangout, 3rd floor, Pioneer Lodge, Bogus Basin, Boise. Lounge and dancing atmosphere featuring DJ sets spinning tunes that range from hip-hop classics to energetic dance music. bogusbasin.org/event/sunset-sessions.

Performance Arts

Ballet Idaho “Anthology”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Feb. 9-10; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Special Events Center, Boise State University. $36 and $46. balletidaho.org/anthology.

Shen Yun: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $80-$164. Ticketmaster.

Specialty/Trade Shows

Idaho Dream Wedding Expo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. More than 100 vendors providing wedding ideas, resources, products, and services. $8 general, free for children 12 and younger. IdahoDreamWedding.com.

Spectator Sports

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

▪ vs. Tulsa Oilers, Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11

▪ vs. Maine Mariners, Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Friday-Saturday, Feb. 24-25

Boise State Broncos women’s basketball: ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise. $5-$20. 208-426-4737, broncosports.com.

▪ Thursday, Feb. 9: vs. New Mexico, 6:30 p.m.

▪ Saturday, Feb. 11: vs UNLV, 2 p.m.

▪ Saturday, Feb. 18: vs. Utah State, 2 p.m.

Boise State Broncos men’s basketball: ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise. $20-$30. 208-426-4737, broncosports.com.

▪ Saturday, Feb. 11: vs. Wyoming, 6 p.m.

▪ Sunday, Feb. 19: vs. UNLV, 7 p.m.

▪ Wednesday, Feb. 22: vs. New Mexico, 8:30 p.m.

▪ Tuesday, Feb. 28: vs. San Diego State, 7 p.m.

Theater

“Bluey’s Big Play”: 6 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 15-16, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $29.75-$158.25. Ticketmaster.

Feb. 1

Asphalt Buffet: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $20 general, $25 preferred. eventbrite.com.

“Facing Fear” screening: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. Sequel to Bill Bennett’s highly acclaimed film on intuition, “PGS – Intuition is your Personal Guidance System.” Q&A with director Bill Bennett and one of the cast members to follow. $20. egyptiantheatre.net.

Feb. 2

Ben Kemper Storytelling: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise. Ben Kemper, a Boise native storyteller, will present stories on the theme “The Wonders and the Terrors of Love.”All ages. Free.

John Craigie: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. $25-$30. egyptiantheatre.net. Special guest: Madeline Hawthorne.

Sam Tru and The Kindness: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $20 general, $25 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Feb. 3

Front Street Fights: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. Boise native Ricky Steele returns to Front Street Fights for the fourth time to compete against Andres “the Punisher” Ponce. $25-$50. Ticketmaster.

Smooth Avenue: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $24 general, $28 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Kai Wachi: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $23.50 general, $50-$60 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: Hairitage, Bubl Wrap, Lite Headed.

Radio Boise Benefit Concert: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. Featuring Grateful: A Tribute Band. $25. eventbrite.com. $30 at the door.

Feb. 4

SoulPatch: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $20 general, $25 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Debauchery: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. Featuring Ivy Rose, DJ Ricochet, Trackstarz, Rhythmic Friction, Den of Sin, and Just Some Clown. $15. TicketWeb.

Jo Koy: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $49.50-$99.50. idahocentralarena.com.

Feb. 7

The Cabin Readings & Conversations w/Amor Towles: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $24.75-$52.25. Ticketmaster.

Kitchen Dwellers: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $20 general, $50-$60 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guest: Lindsay Lou.

Feb. 8

ComedySportz: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $15. eventbrite.com.

Feb. 9

Lewis Black: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. $35-$55. egyptiantheatre.net.

Feb. 10

Polly O’Keary and The Rhythm Method: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $20 general, $25 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. Proceeds benefit the Idaho Chapter Sierra Club’s work. $18. egyptiantheatre.net.

Quasi: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $18. TicketWeb. $20 at the door. Opening: Yuvees.

Feb. 11

Interfaith Sanctuary’s Homeless Art Collective grand opening: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 6464 W. State St., Boise. Artists will be present to discuss their paintings, jewelry, photography, and more. Meet the artists and purchase handmade local art pieces and jewelry. Also, Betsy’s Cookie Co. pop-up bake shop. interfaithsanctuary.org.

Dancehall Days: An Evening of Fleetwood Mac: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $35 general, $40 preferred. eventbrite.com.

Fooz Fighters: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. Foo Fighters tribute band. $18 general, $45-$55 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: Mylo Bybee, Town of Trees.

Feb. 12

Stars of Steinway: 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Dunkley Music, 3410 N. Eagle Road, Meridian. Russian pianist Rustem Hayroudinoff in recital. $15 suggested donation at the door. 208-869-5001, starsofsteinway.com.

Feb. 17

The American Duo: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, Morrison Center recital hall, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Del Parkinson and Jeff Shumway will perform a Rachmaninoff retrospective recital in honor of the composer’s 150th birthday. $10 at the door.

Feb. 21

Step Afrika: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $22.25-$42.25. Ticketmaster.

Feb. 24

Old Dominion: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise. $32-$72. Ticketmaster.

Feb. 25

Boise Phil ”Sorcerer’s Apprentice”: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 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.

Feb. 26

The Black Jacket Symphony: 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. Presents Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” plus a full set of greatest hits. $25 and $35. ICTickets.