If you’re staying in Boise for Spring Break, there happens to be a little festival coming up that transforms this town into a celebration of the arts for five days! This festival is the one and only Treefort, of course.
This is Treefort Music Fest’s eleventh year, and it is sure to be a treat. With over 500 artists and bands performing at local venues, this five-day festival will take place from Wednesday, March 20 to Sunday, March 24. Be sure to check out this year’s lineup which includes some big names, but some would argue Treefort’s main draws are the hundreds of artists you’ve likely never heard of, sprinkled throughout bars, coffee shops and traditional venues across Boise throughout the festival.
If the music scene isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry—there are many other smaller “Forts” guaranteed to offer something you’d be interested in. Check out Yogafort, Artfort, Podfort, Hackfort, Storyfort, Foodfort, Alefort, Filmfort, Comedyfort, Dragfort, Skatefort and Kidfort.
Each fort offers something unique. The lineup of awesome things at Treefort are too long to list, so explore the Treefort app (seriously, it’s really good) that lets you “favorite” artists or events you’re interested in, and puts them on your own personal calendar so you won’t miss a thing. There’s even a feature that recognizes gaps in your schedule and suggests things going on at the time.
Here is what’s going on at each Fort this year:
Yogafort
Yogafort is three days of classes and live music from Wednesday, March 20 – Saturday, March 23. If you need a place to relax and connect through movement during the festival, consider checking it out.
Artfort
Experience and celebrate fine arts, performing arts and immersive experiences at various locations throughout Treefort at Artfort, including a live mural painting at Julia Davis Park. Artfort is free and open to the public but keep in mind that some installations may be located in venues that require a pass.
Kick off your Treefort experience by meeting alumni artists and immerse yourself in the extraordinary setting of The Stein Luminary and The Blue Galleries at the Start with Art Treefort Kick-Off Mixer at the Stein Luminary on March 20 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Podfort
For all of your podcast fans out there, Podfort is here! Featuring a number of different podcast programs that present different topics, perspectives and stories, Podfort can be fond at the Boise Centre and The Egyptian Theater with different events planned from Thursday, March 21 through Sunday, March 24.
Be sure to check out Get a (Student) Life podcast, which will be featured in Podfort’s line-up on March 24 at Boise Centre East from 1 – 1:45 p.m. in Room 420b. Listen to students share their stories live. This event is free and open to the public.
Hackfort
Learn, connect and engage with all aspects of technology and tech culture at Hackfort (March 21-23, at Boise Centre East). A few Boise State mentions:
Go see Kacey Wheeler, Boise State cybersecurity alum, grad student and winner of 2023’s Hackfort Tech Challenge present “How to Crack a Password,” 4 – 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
Whether you have an idea you’re ready to launch or want to join up with other startups, go check out Hackfort Tech Challenge pitch competition, hosted by Venture College from 10 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23.
And finally, Boise State Esports will host a Hackfort Smash Bros. Tournament featuring DJ Dave the Fave (Boise State COBE alum) from 5 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 in the Boise State Esports Arena on Capitol and Front.
Storyfort
For the writers, readers and storytellers out there, Storyfort offers a huge line-up of authors and storytellers, featuring panels, workshops, readings and storytelling.
Be sure to check out everything Boise State, including the BFA and MFA in Creative Writing Showcases along with a number of featured Boise State alums and employees, including Tomas Baiza, Anika Bennett, Lyd Havens, Alan Heathcock, Heidi Kraay, Leta Harris Neustaedter, and Grace Ward.Â
Don’t forget to go learn all about Voces Internship of Idaho, a non-profit co-founded by Boise State alum Ximena Bustillo that has had a number of Boise State student recipients.
Foodfort
This year’s Foodfort will celebrate Boise’s local food networks and offer multi-course meals, small plates and food talks with chefs. For those that enjoy delicious food, you can’t do any better than this.
Alefort
For Treefort attendees that are aged 21+, be sure to check out Alefort. This year you will find beers from 50+ local, regional and international breweries. This is your chance to enjoy tasty beverages alongside all the music, comedy and films Treefort has to offer.
Filmfort
And for all you movie buffs, Filmfort is a three-day festival that offers film screenings, panels and workshops. Plus, there are plenty of chances to show support for Boise State!
Both Local Gems #1 and Local Gems #2 blocks feature Boise State alum filmmakers. Filmfort will also include feature-length film Stockton to Tablerock, directed by Elliot Norton and funded by Boise State University’s Idaho Film Collection. Zoe Kelly, the lead actor in this film, is also an alum of the Theatre Arts program. And finally, two other known alums from the Boise State film program will be showing their films. Be sure to check out Ella Smith’s Gotta Get Away and Ryan Uria’s The Parking Date.
Comedyfort
Get all your laughs and giggles out during Comedyfort. There’ll be standup comedians performing from all over the country, including both emerging and established acts.
You can catch Comedyfort shows at Boise Centre (all ages) and Mad Swede Brew Hall (all ages), and The Egyptian Theatre (all ages). All Comedyfort events require a 1-day or 5-day Festival Pass or an Individual Show Ticket.
Dragfort
Visit Dragfort for the chance to experience Boise’s drag culture, including parties, performances and, more generally, a safe space for personal expression. This is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ community and culture as well as a place where allies are welcome.
Whether you want to be in drag or watch the drag queens do their thing, Dragfort should be something on your list to check out.
Skatefort
Are you interested in skateboarding or part of the skateboarding community here in Boise? Be sure to check out Skatefort (March 23), where the Boise Skateboard Association and Boise’s Park and Recreation are inviting people to come skate while listening to amazing music.
Kidfort
Kidfort (sometimes referred to as Freefort) is free for kids under 12 years old, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult with a Treefort pass. From lie performances to workshops and hands-on activities,
Kidfort has something to offer the younger Treeforters each day of the festival!
So, which forts are you going to try out this year? Be sure to snag your tickets soon!