5 things to do this weekend: new Boise restaurant, concerts, comedy shows (one sold out)

It’s a surprisingly happening weekend for mid-December in Boise.

There are plenty of things to do, whether it’s heading to a concert or checking out a new restaurant. Comedians — both touring and local — will be out in force, too.

Here are highlights on the entertainment calendar.

1. Laugh your head off

▪ Christopher Titus is “Carrying Monsters” — extremely funny ones. The veteran stand-up comic is back in town at 8 p.m. Friday at the Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St. Tickets are $30-$50 at TicketWeb.

▪ If you’re a fan of Brian Posehn, you might be familiar with Seattle stand-up comedian Derek Sheen. The two have toured together. Sheen — “a cuddly mess of insecurities and a gifted, one-of-a-kind storyteller” — will headline at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday at Watson’s Mystery Cafe & Spirits, 8001 W. Fairview Ave. Tickets: $20 general, $25 VIP, at watsonsmysterycafe.com.

▪ The Improv Comedy Toy Drive for Foster Kids is sold out Friday at Recycled Minds Comedy, 121 E. 34th St., in Garden City. But you can still donate at boisecomedy.square.site. Or wait 24 hours and check out the Christmas Comedy Show at 8 p.m. Saturday, a “special improv comedy show featuring award-winning performers and storytellers.” Tickets are $5-$12 at recycledmindscomedy.com/shows.

▪ Wanna get in on the act yourself? Join the Idaho Pun Slam at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Lounge at the End of the Universe, 2417 Bank Drive in Boise. Open to competitors 18 and older, it’s a wordplay competition where you’ll get to “tell your best (and worst) dad jokes on stage. Come draw your topic before the show (at 6 p.m.) and write 2 minutes’ worth of puns on your given topic.” Tickets are $10 in advance at loungeboise.com, or $15 at the door.

2. Celebrate with Stigers

It’s a huge weekend downtown for internationally known Boise jazz singer Curtis Stigers.

▪ First, Stigers and his band will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St. Tickets are $40-$60 at egyptiantheatre.net.

▪ Then Stigers and his wife, Jodi, will co-host the 17th annual Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday — also at the Egyptian. Shining a light on local musicians and performers, the variety show raises money for Interfaith Sanctuary, a Boise homeless shelter. Tickets are $35 at egyptiantheatre.net.

3. See a concert

Other live-music options include multiple holiday shows — plus the less festive but always gritty singer-guitarist Jerry Joseph, and jams from guitar whiz Scott Pemberton.

▪ Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawai’i: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jewett Auditorium, The College of Idaho, Caldwell. $20, $30, $40 general, $15, $20, $25 children. 208-717-5368, caldwellfinearts.org.

▪ Scott Pemberton O Theory: 8 p.m. Friday, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St. $12 at eventbrite.com. $15 at the door.

▪ A Shenandoah Christmas: 8 p.m. Friday, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St. $47.50-$72.40. egyptiantheatre.net. Opening: Andy Byron.

▪ Serenata Orchestra’s Christmas Sing Along Play Along: Fundraiser for the Katy Benoit Scholarship Fund. 5 p.m. Saturday, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St. Donations accepted at the door.

▪ Jerry Joseph: 8 p.m. Saturday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St. $10. TicketWeb. Opening: The Dimpker Brothers.

▪ A Christmas to Remember: Tributes to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s greatest hits mixed with several country Christmas duets featuring Karen Hester, performing as Dolly Parton, and Mark Hinds as Kenny Rogers. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. $24-$37.75. ICTickets.

4. Feast at a new restaurant

If shawarma, kabobs, tabouli and hummus make your mouth water, there’s a new Boise restaurant to try. Sal’s Howdaj will celebrate its grand opening Saturday at 7100 W. Fairview Ave. Calling itself an “authentic Middle Eastern restaurant,” Sal’s serves traditional dishes such as baba ghanoush, chicken shawarma, falafel and lots of other olive-oil-drizzled options. Sal’s hours will be noon to 9 p.m. daily.

5. Do a holiday classic

This is the last weekend for Ballet Idaho’s annual performances of “The Nutcracker.” You’ll “enjoy the playful charm of the mice, the magical transformation of The Nutcracker Prince, and the dreamlike adventure that takes Clara to The Land of Sweets,” according to the dance company. “Children from the Ballet Idaho Academy will enliven the stage with our professional company members, (and) live musical accompaniment will be provided by The Boise Phil and Opera Idaho’s children choruses.” Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, at the Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane. Tickets are $44, $59 and $83 at balletidaho.org/thenutcracker.