BEST BETS >> THINGS TO DO AROUND DENVER THIS WEEKEND

This “vertical ballet” is part of Cirque du Soleil’s new show, “Echo,” playing Denver through Aug. 17. PROVIDED BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

In Greeley, WeldWerks is selling kegs to customers for the first time ever, a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people with home bars. PROVIDED BY WELDWERKS

A young visitor to Butterfly Pavilion enjoys one of its outdoor events in Westminster in this undated promotional image. KELLY ZAMECKI, PROVIDED BY BUTTERFLY PAVILION

MCA Denver’s B-Side Music Fridays are cocktail-friendly shows on the museum’s roof. PROVIDED BY MCA DENVER

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By John Wenzel

jwenzel@denverpost.com

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Echo’

Saturday-Aug. 17: The sprawling lot outside Ball Arena will again host the familiar Cirque du Soleil Big Top as it rises for its latest touring, neo-circus extravaganza. This time it’s called “Echo,” and focuses on high-flying acrobatics as much as artistic choreography and stagecraft. That includes feathery aerial work, bungee jumping, flying props, live music, juggling, animal costumes and mind-bending physical feats.

Loosely based around a young woman’s journey of connection and discovery, the show — Cirque’s first original since the pandemic — runs Saturday, July 12, through Aug. 17 at Ball Arena’s 4Runner West Lot, at Fifth and Walnut streets. Performances take place Wednesday-Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Saturdays also offer a noon show).

Tickets: Starting at $54-$243, with VIP upgrades available. All ages. cirquedusoleil.com/echo

WeldWerks goes to the dogs

Saturday: If you’re headed to the Juicy Summer Music Market at Weldwerks Brewing Co. on Saturday, July 12, you’ll get a true taste of the dog days of summer. That’s because the 10-year-old brewery’s community event, which features live music, local wares, and craft beer, has a canine component this year in Big Bones Canine Rescue’s on-site adoptions.

Between beer releases — this year’s include Strawberry Guava Green Tea, Nectaron Extra Extra Juicy Bits, and Flipped-turned Upside Down — you can check out adoptable puppies and adult dogs from 4-7 p.m., and even “leave with your new best friend.” It takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at 508 Eighth Ave. in Greeley. Free admission. All ages. (21 and up for alcohol purchases.) Call 970-460-6345 or visit weldwerks.com.

Butterfly Pavilion’s buzzy 30th

Saturday-Sunday: To celebrate three decades of invertebrate goodness, Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion will hold a two-day Insectival — or festival of insects — on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13. The 30th Anniversary Bug Bash, as they’re calling it, includes meet-and-greets with tarantulas, beetles and other critters, plus live music and entertainment, food vendors, a “buzzing beer garden,” kids activities (face painting, games and crafts) and cockroach races (yeah, we know).

It takes place 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 6252 W. 104th Ave. in Westminster. All ages. Tickets: $22.45 for adults, $18.45 for children ($12.45 for kids 2-12), and $20.45 for seniors. Call 303-469-5441 or visit butterflies.org for more information.

B-side Music Fridays

Friday: It’s easy to feel cool simply stepping into the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, but if you really want to boost your credibility (and have an enjoyable evening), check out MCA Denver’s B-Side Music Fridays, which returned with regular live performances last month.

The series, which takes place on the roof of the downtown institution, offers views, drinks and sweet sounds, with the Friday, July 11, session featuring Denver jazz-rap explorers iies. (pronounced “eyes”) and chilled-out R&B singer/opener Los Lady. The series, programmed by Demetria Gallegos, continues through Aug. 15.

Shows run 7 to 9 p.m. at 1485 Delgany St. in Denver; tickets are $22.28. Call 303-298-7554 or visit mcadenver.org and eventbrite.com for more information.