A Holiday Tradition: Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker

Downtown Boise is truly magical during the holiday season. Bundle up and stroll the streets of our vibrant city! Admire images of winter wonderlands, hand-painted onto storefront windows, marvel at the town’s 45-foot tall Colorado Blue Spruce tree strung with more than 5000 twinkling lights, shop for locally sourced gifts at one of many charming boutiques, or revisit childhood fun at The Grove Plaza’s very own outdoor ice skating rink.  The city is truly aglow with hundreds of lampposts wrapped in glistening lights, brightly lit wreaths hung throughout, and glittering snowflake swag strung across bustling intersections.  With the holiday season approaching, be sure to plan a special evening to take it all in. There is no better way to get into the spirit or experience the magic of the season. Visit The Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees to view magnificent holiday decorations, celebrate with neighbors at the Plaza’s tree lighting ceremony, enjoy fine-dining at one of the city’s hot spots, and partake in one of the season’s favorite traditions – The Nutcracker – performed by Ballet Idaho.  We are thrilled to feature this year’s production of The Nutcracker, a graceful retelling of the beloved, age-old tale, and Ballet Idaho sent us the following information about this special performance.  “Once again, Ballet Idaho will bring its resplendent confectionary holiday tradition that is The Nutcracker to Treasure Valley audiences, a longtime staple for many Boiseans in December. With enchanting choreography by Peter Anastos, magical and opulent sets by Christopher McCollum, and shimmering, breathtaking costumes by Margaret Mitchell, this production has been a local favorite for years.  Ballet Idaho will continue the cherished collaboration with the Boise Philharmonic to bring the lush sounds of Tchaikovsky’s score to life at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts. One of Ballet Idaho’s biggest shows, the production casts upward of 90 children from Ballet Idaho Academy and utilizes every Ballet Idaho company member and Ballet Idaho Trainee. From the moment the curtain opens at the vivid home of the Stahlbaums, through the snowy, winter woods under a full moon, to the saturated and glittery Land of Sweets, Ballet Idaho’s version of this timeless classic is not to be missed.”  Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker will run from December 6 through December 15. Tickets can be purchased at balletidaho.org

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Your Guide to Stress-Free Hosting Over the Holidays

Photo courtesy of Ziga Plahutar With the holidays nearing, hosting family and friends at your home can either be the highlight of your year or a daunting task. Regardless of the scale of your event, your culinary skills, or the size of your home, hosting can... and should be enjoyable! So here are a few tips to make the most of hosting this year.    Prepare. Hours feel like minutes on the day of any event. You can take 70% of the stress off your plate simply by creating a game plan and knocking things off your list days in advance.  One week before Gather a guest count, design your menu, outline your to-do list, tidy up the yard, replace light bulbs, and tackle those lingering tasks that you have been putting off for months. Your home doesn’t have to be perfect, but tackling these things will help you feel more at ease come guest arrival.  Two days before Deep clean your house, or better yet, hire a cleaning service. Make a thorough grocery list and get your shopping out of the way. Buy more than you think you need so you don’t risk an emergency trip an hour before the party.  One day before Prep as much food as possible beforehand. Cut the potatoes and veggies, refrigerate the casserole, and marinate the meat to establish a ‘plug and play’ system the day of. Set the table, pick out your outfit, and set out the flowers—you get the idea.    The menu is less important than the experience.  The funny thing about hosting is that the food is often the primary source of stress during the holidays; however, a happy host and a good ambiance have a far greater influence on the success of any event. Whether you’re a culinary aficionado or not, here are a few tips to prioritize simplicity in the kitchen.  Stick to your strengths. Choose dishes that you have successfully made before, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If cooking isn’t your forte, focus on the main dish and ask guests to bring sides. In most cases, people will reach out and offer to help—so let them!   Choose dishes that get better with time or are good served at room temperature. Coordinating the perfect timing for multiple dishes with guest arrival can be challenging, so put out some appetizers and drinks for the early birds, and select a menu that allows flexibility in timing.    Set the ambiance. The ambiance of your home is arguably the most important factor in a successful gathering. Besides ensuring tidiness, create a warm welcome by dimming the lights, lighting candles, and queuing up a dinner playlist. When music is on in the background, the energy of the party is in place before any guests arrive, ensuring there will never be an awkward silence (even for the early birds). Spotify has a ton of great playlists depending on the mood of your party.  Crafting a simple cocktail is an easy way to make a great first impression. Beer and wine is a no-fuss alternative, but always have something prepared and ensure to have non-alcoholic options. Depending on your group, prepare some table topics if the conversation needs a nudge.  Set the table with elegant place cards that have thought-provoking questions on the back. This not only sparks hours of engaging table talk but also relieves you of the pressure to steer the conversation. Here are some good ones: What’s one unpopular opinion you have? Lessons and blessings from the past year? If you could choose any invention for your house, what would it be? What tradition would you most want to pass on to your children? Enlist someone to take photos of the night. Everyone you love is in one room dressed up, and it is a perfect time to document how big the kids are getting and the individual families. While you are in the frenzy of hosting, you will most likely forget to take photos... and no matter the group, I'm sure you haven’t been able to get together as much as you’d like to. Even if it’s forced, everyone will be glad to have them!     

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Labor Day Happenings in Boise 2024

Labor Day is coming up on the first Monday of September, which falls on the 2nd of this year. This holiday honors the accomplishments of American workers and has its roots in the workers' rights movement of the late 19th century. Celebrate Labor Day in style with these events happening in the Boise area! Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic: The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is a beloved annual event held at Ann Morrison Park. From Wednesday, the 28th through Sunday, the 1st, vibrant hot air balloons fill the sky, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to see them both up close and in flight. This multi-day event is free for everyone, with special activities planned on certain days, including Kids Day on Wednesday, August 28th.   Photo courtesy of Unsplash Yoga on the Mountain: One of Boise’s signature attractions is the Boise River, a 102-mile-long tributary of the Snake River that is a beloved spot to float down, enjoy the scenery, and relax during the warmer months of the year. Before the summer season is officially over, make sure to squeeze in one more refreshing float down the Boise! The put-in for the Boise River float starts at Barber Park, located in SE Boise off Eckert Road (about 6 miles from downtown). For more information on floating the Boise River, check out this blog.   Photo courtesy of Unsplash Discount day at the Warhawk Museum: The Warhawk Museum is located in Nampa and contains aircraft from different wars, including World War 1 and 2, the Iraq War, and the Korean War among others. What makes this museum special is the collections of uniforms, photos, medals, gear, and written narratives about the wars donated by family members of local veterans. The Warhawk Museum is open on Labor Day and offers general admission for only $5. This activity is perfect for kids with plenty of vintage planes to ooo and ahh over, and for adults to learn more about our local and national history.   Photo courtesy of Unsplash The Kuna Stampede: One of the best things about summer is the warm nights perfect for camping. A last-minute camping trip doesn’t need to be a challenging endeavor, all it takes is packing your car with the essentials (tent, sleeping bag, food, etc.) and choosing a campsite near Boise. You can even make it a backyard camping trip for a fun and easy experience at home!   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock The Popout: Labor Day Party at Treefort: Boise’s top DJs and promoters are joining forces for an unforgettable event: The Popout, on Saturday, August 31st! This 18+ party is set to take over Treefort Music Hall, promising a night of non-stop music and energy. Whether you're looking to dance the night away or simply soak in the vibes, Treefort is the place to be this Labor Day.

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