Cirque du Soleil hits town this week with Kooza. The premiere hits after press time here at MHM, but you know we’ll get you the full scoop ASAP. Cirque du Soleil is billing Kooza as a return to the origins of Cirque. As with all Cirque du Soleil productions, you can expect amazing acrobatics, phenomenal costumes, and an overall unique experience. I wouldn’t take my toddler, but anybody who can play on a soccer team or perform in a dance recital will definitely be awed by Cirque du Soleil. Tickets start at just under $40 for kids (for off-peak performances), and it’s definitely worth the splurge.

Also, a gentle reminder from the Mamas: If you’re planning to run the SkirtChaser 5k coming up on August 29, get yourself registered. Loyal MHM readers get a discount (read: procrastination fee waived, plus an additional discount)—simply enter code MHMC when registering online. Wear that sporty little running skirt, and show the world (or the city, anyway) that there is fitness after childbirth! The race starts at 5:00 (men start at 5:03—I’d like to see them try and catch the women!), and the block party afterward promises a happy hour-like atmosphere. Sounds like a date to me!

Summer Concerts
Friday, August 21
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Northfield Stapleton Summer Concert Series, Main Street at Northfield Stapleton, 49th and Quebec. Catch the Northfield Stapleton Summer Concert Series on first and third Fridays, through August. This week: Jakarta.

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Concerts on the Square at the Orchard, Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware Street, Westminster. This series still has a bit of life left (it runs through August 28). This week, Chris Daniels and the Kings play, in what has to be one of their last shows of the summer. They’ve been very busy!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Sounds of Southlands, Southlands Shopping District, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road. This week, enjoy the Motown sound of Soul School.

Sunday, August 23
6:30 pm: Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone at the Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe, Littleton. An oldie but a goody. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 3 – 12. Discounts available for members. Gates open at 5:00, show starts at 6:30

Wednesday, August 26

6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm): Swallow Hill’s Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 Forest Street, Denver. This week: The Olde Town Swing Band, with Amy Bobruk. The Shady Grove series will continue through September 2 (when they close with a big Wendy Woo extravaganza). Tickets are $10/adults, $2 kids 12 and under.

Summer Movie Programs
Friday, August 21, dusk: Flicks in the Square presents The Bucket List. Olde Town Square, 57th and Olde Wadsworth, Olde Town Arvada. Not the most family-friendly film, but it certainly could make for a great date night.
Friday, August 21, dusk: Movies at Founders’ Green, Founders Green Park, 29th Avenue and Roslyn Street, Stapleton. This week, cheer on Wall-E as he chases down Eva.
Friday, August 21, 8:00 pm: Kung Fu Panda,Highlands Ranch Film in the Park, Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Boulevard, Highlands Ranch.

Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do
Saturday, August 22, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Lafayette Peach Festival, South Public Road, Lafayette. Head up to Lafayette for zillions of fresh peaches, cobbler, pie, and even smoothies! Arts and crafts, antiques, and live entertainment round out the festival. One word: Yummmm!

Through September 20: Cirque du Soleil presents Kooza at the Big Top on the grounds of the Pepsi Center. Show times and ticket prices vary; check the website for complete details and ordering information.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, now through August 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Tebo Train Rides on the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. Let your little ones (10 and younger, please) hop on the train and get a little tour of the Pearl Street Mall—two whole blocks of it. Adults can ride with their child. Catch the train at the Wells Fargo Bank in the 1200 block of the Pearl Street Mall.

Theater and Music
Through November 14: Sleeping Beauty at the Heritage Square Music Hall, 18301 West Colfax Avenue, Golden (30) 279-7800. The classic story we all know and love, especially for children. Shows are on Saturdays at 1:30 pm. There are often 3:00 pm shows, but call to confirm. Ticket prices are $6.00 for children and adults, $5.00 for seniors (age 62 or over).

Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22: Cinderella, Mexican Style at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. 303-458-6446. This is the last weekend for this unique performance. Tickets are inexpensive ($6.00!), and shows are appropriate for children 3 years and older.

Through September 5: Annie at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. The Broadway musical you love. . . with dinner! Special matinees added for families, so you can bring the little ones and you can all leave singing “It’s a hard knock life. . .” Check the website for show times and ticket prices.

Farmers’ (and other) Markets

The Farmers’ Markets are organized by region, to improve your shopping experience.

Central:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com

Sunday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Stapleton, 29th and Roslyn, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market, 1500 Block of South Pearl Street, Denver.

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. City Park Esplanade Fresh Market, East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Tuesday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Denver Civic Center Outdoor Market and Café, Colfax and Broadway, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Wednesday, 9:00 am – 1:00. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

South:

Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market, Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch. www.denverfarmersmarket.com

Monday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Tamarac Square, Tamarac and Hampden, Denver. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.

North:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Northfield Stapelton, Northfield Stapleton Shopping Center, I-70 and Quebec. www.laughingdogfarms.net

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Boulder Farmer’s Market, Downtown Boulder on 13th Street between Canyon and Arapahoe 303-910-2236.

Sunday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Orchards Farmers’ Market, 144th Avenue and I-25. www.laughingdogfarms.net

Northwest:

Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 4260 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.

Southwest:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Metro Denver Farmers’ Market, Southwest Plaza SE Parking Lot, Wadsworth and Bowles, Littleton. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.

Wednesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton. www.denverfarmersmarket.com

East:
Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aurora Farmers’ Market, 333 N. Havana, in the Maya Sports Bar and Grill parking lot. www.denverfarmersmarket.com

Southeast:

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Lone Tree, Yosemite and Maximus. www.laughingdogfarms.net.

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net. Open Saturdays, 9:00 – 1:00 and Thursdays, 10:00 – 1:00.

Sunday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Parker Farmer’s Market, Northwest corner of Parker and Main Street, in the Crossroads Shopping Center. www.laughingdogfarms.net. Runs through October.

Thursday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net.

To be considered for inclusion in our weekly event picks, be sure to email Jennifer at jennifer@milehighmamas.com