BEST BETS >> WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND AROUND DENVER

Team Mexico swept the top awards at 2024’s International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, returning Jan. 20-29 this year. AARON DODDS — PROVIDED BY ISSC

Expert comic improviser Ben Schwartz, who also voices Sonic the Hedgehog, will visit Denver’s Buell Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 19. PROVIDED BY COMEDY WORKS ENTERTAINMENT

Alyssa Fox (Elphaba), left, and Carrie St. Louis (Glinda) in the 2015 touring production of “Wicked” at the Buell Theatre. PROVIDED BY THE DCPA

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Jon Chandler, right, performs with Ernie Martinez as the two take part in the 30th annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering on Jan. 20, 2019, in Golden. HELEN H. RICHARDSON — THE DENVER POST

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By John Wenzel

jwenzel@denverpost.com

The world’s best snow sculptures

Monday-Jan. 29: See snow artists at the free International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge. The 34th event brings the best snow-sculpting teams from around the globe as they carve 12-foot tall, 25-ton blocks of snow by hand. Last year’s was Team Mexico, which swept with a gold medal, the Artist’s Choice, and People’s Choice awards.

While the event begins on Monday, Jan. 20, the busiest times will be Friday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 26, and timed entry reservations will be required on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost for a timed entry, but availability is limited. Sign up at gobreck.com/issc.

Sonic is even funnier in person

Sunday: Despite being the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog in the recent, billion-dollar movie franchise of the same name, Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”) remains a comedic improviser at heart. The 43-year-old actor returns to Denver on Sunday, Jan. 19, for his biggest Colorado show yet with Ben Schwartz and Friends.

The road-tested lineup features suggestion-based improvisers from the L.A. comedy scene in a hilarious, wide-ranging yet surprisingly tight show (if past visits are any indication). 7 p.m. Sunday at the Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. in Denver. Tickets: $52-$144 via axs.com. Note: While the show is all-ages, expect some adult humor.

Broadway songs, far off Broadway

Saturday: This weekend promises fun for fans of Broadway musicals — minus the cost of a Broadway ticket. On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Broadway Rave returns with a show at downtown’s Marquis Theater, encouraging music lovers to sing and dance along to “the best in showtunes and musical theatre.”

That’s not allowed at actual Broadway performances, so you can blow off steam to songs from “Hairspray,” “Six,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Hamilton,” Wicked” and many more. Also: “We’ll have surprise guests from some of your favorite Broadway stars!” producers wrote. 9 p.m. Saturday at 2009 Larimer St. in Denver. 18-and-up. Tickets: $27.50-$40 at livenation.com.

Cowboy culture in Golden

Friday-Saturday: Also celebrating its 34th anniversary is Golden’s Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which is “carrying forward generations of cowboy heritage, traditions, and entertainment,” as organizers put it. The art form borne of campfire stories and cattle-drive ballads welcomes a bevy of award-winning performers such as 3 Trails West, Valerie Beard, Patty Clayton, Doug Figgs, Emmy winner Peggy Malone, and the family-friendly The Russellers, among many others.

It’s not just poetry: Western singers and old-fashioned yodelers will also be in attendance at the gathering, which takes place across various matinee and nighttime shows on Friday, Jan. 17 (with a free, 5-6 p.m. open mic) and Saturday, Jan. 18. All events at the Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave. in Golden. Under 18 is allowed with a parent or guardian. Tickets: $25-$35 via 720-638-5597 or buffalorosegolden.com.