Wednesday-April 4. Everyday people and objects become fantastical in “Cirque Dreams Illumination” at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The show’s setting is a normal-seeming cityscape — until it fills with marvels, from crazy street tricks to awesome acrobatics. It’s all set to an eclectic original soundtrack of jazz, pop and more. A mix of Broadway-style staging and circus feats, “Illumination” is the 14th production from the Cirque Dreams troupe. 7 p.m. Tuesday-April 3, 2 p.m. April 3-4. Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis Streets. Tickets are $20-$55. Buy tickets online at denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.
Friday-Sunday. The Denver Coliseum will turn into a giant dirtbike course when the American Motorcyclist Association Arenacross Series roars into town. Truckloads of dirt get loaded into the building to create a twisting course of death-defying turns and soaring jumps — with the audience up close and personal. This weekend is the championship round of the three-month series, with two nights of racing to go before crowning the winner. Arrive early on Saturday for the Monster Energy Track Party, free with a valid ticket and an empty Monster can. Then, on Sunday, local amateurs take to their bikes on the professional track. 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday. Track party 5-6 p.m. Saturday. Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St.; 720-865-2475. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 2 to 12. Add $2 to prices for day-of-show ticket purchases. Buy advance tickets at ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Saturday-Sunday. Hop to the Downtown Aquarium for an undersea Easter celebration: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The Aquarium hosts a special holiday buffet, complete with a kid-sized setup so little ones can help themselves. After breakfast, get a picture with the Easter Bunny, hunt for Easter eggs, do some crafting and watch special animal presentations. If that’s not enough, the breakfast nets you 50 percent off admission to the aquarium. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will also be available April 3. 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St.; 303-561-4450. Tickets are $14.99 for adults, $7.99 for kids ages 3 to 12. Children age 2 and younger are free with an adult ticket. Call to make reservations.
Saturday-Sunday. It’s the last weekend to catch the “Tropical Odyssey” exhibit at the Butterfly Pavilion. Travel to the South American rainforest to learn about the butterfly farms that produce some of the Pavilion’s most spectacular species, including Blue Morpho, Owl and Longwing butterflies. The hands-on exhibit also explores butterfly metamorphosis and how sustainable businesses, like butterfly farms, help save rainforests. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster; 303-469-5441. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors age 65 and older, $5.50 for kids ages 2 to 12. For more information, visit butterflies.org.
Saturday-July 10. Go deep into Sherwood Forest in Heritage Square Music Hall’s new children’s show, “Robin Hood.” Youngsters are invited to help tell the tale of Robin, the English vigilante and expert archer, and his band of Merry Men. Flash photography is allowed at the one-hour performances, so parents are encouraged to snap a couple pictures of their little ones onstage. 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, with 3 p.m. performances on select dates — call to confirm. Heritage Square Music Hall, 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden; 303-279-7800. Tickets are $6 for kids and adults, $5 for seniors age 62 and older. Call to make reservations.
-Kathleeen St. John. Photo: Carol Rosegg
Author: Mile High Mamas
