5 Concerts To Do This Weekend in Boise

With a three-day weekend ahead, I’m in the mood for a special all-concert version of “5 Things To Do.” If you ARE looking for a wider variety of entertainment ideas, including camping options and Memorial Day services, check out this weekend guide.

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1. GET HAGGARD

You can get your electric twang on at the Riverside Hotel’s intimate Sapphire Room on Friday. The Mighty Red Melons, led by local musicians Andy Byron and Randy Meenach, will perform “A Special Tribute to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens.” It’s a timely concert after Haggard’s death last month. “We’re throwing in some old Johnny Paycheck, Bill Anderson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones and several others, too,” Byron tells me. “Dancing is expected.” Tickets: americanamusicseries.net.

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2. GO INDIE

Remember when indie-rock band Vampire Weekend performed at Neurolux in 2008? The trio’s bassist and backing vocalist, Chris Baio, will be back Saturday with his own perky electropop. Trivia: Yes, Chris is related to Scott — aka “Charles in Charge.” (Or Chachi, if you’re 1,000 years old.) Tickets: neurolux.com.

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3. FEEL LUCKY

Cooler-than-normal weather is forecast, which makes camping sound only semi-fun. Get outside close to home at “Songwriters in the Park,” which runs 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Sandy Point Amphitheater at Lucky Peak State Park. Performers will include Steve Eaton, Jon Klein, Randy Singer, Dan Costello and Jeremiah James. Harmonica enthusiasts need to see Singer. “I’m telling you this dude is the best harp player I’ve ever heard ...,” Eaton gushed in an email blast. Tickets: idahosongwriters.com.

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4. SHAKE IT

Also Sunday: Bluesy, stripped-down Americana artist Shakey Graves will dazzle at the Knitting Factory with fingerpicking and — if we’re lucky — his homemade suitcase drum. More fans are falling in love with this Texan. Why? He has it all: The alluring voice, the onstage charisma, the raw guitar skills — and now a backing band. He also has an episode of “Austin City Limits” under his belt. Tickets: bo.knittingfactory.com.

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5. CROSS A BRIDGE

On Memorial Day, fittingly, Memorial Stadium will toss its ball cap into the concert ring. Soul singer Leon Bridges headlines a Monday show that starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: summerfieldconcerts.com.

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Know about other fun stuff to do? Share in the comments. Want regular doses of Idaho entertainment news? Track me on Facebook or Twitter.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 11:28 AM with the headline "5 Concerts To Do This Weekend in Boise."