An R-rated Cirque? The horror!
Thursday-April 23. What in the name of French acrobats is Paranormal Cirque? Ever since Cirque du Soleil defined the neo-circus genre, with its lack of animals and focus on choreography and story, it’s gotten crowded with alternate-universe versions of its big-budget whimsy.
Paranormal Cirque feels like something different: an R-rated, horror-focused show that sells its sex, magic and thrills up front. Cirque Italia’s “Black Unit,” as it’s called, will bring the touring show to Aurora’s Town Center, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., for multiple shows Thursday, April 13, through Sunday, April 16, followed by a stop at the parking lot of Denver Premium Outlets April 20-23 (13801 Grant St. in Thornton).
All shows are 17-and-up, or under 17 with a guardian (no one under 13 admitted). Tickets: $10-$50 by calling 914-704-8572 or visiting paranormalcirque.com/tickets.
Getting to the point in Aspen
Monday-April 16. A built-in feature of film shorts is their forced focus. How to tell a visual story, narrative or nonfiction in just a few minutes? It’s a wonderful antidote to the 2 1/2-hour bloat at the cineplex and one of Colorado’s best-known film features.
The 32nd Aspen Shortsfest, an Academy Award-qualifying event, includes another swath of international shorts selected by a jury and in competition for some of the world’s most prestigious short-film awards. From Colorado native Allison Volk’s dark comedy “All Choked Up” to the Congolese sci-fi of “Malika,” the fest will offer 11 programs with 79 short films from 33 countries — 74 of them premieres.
Screenings, panels and conversations take place Monday, April 10, through Sunday, April 16, at the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave. in Aspen. Tickets: $20 per shorts program or $320 festival pass at aspenfilm.org/our-festivals/shortsfest.
Scottish for a day (or more)
Saturday-Sunday. Whether or not you’ve got Scottish heritage, you can join in the celebration this weekend as Colorado Tartan Day returns with a full lineup of free and family-friendly offerings.
The Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9, events at Boulder County Fairgrounds include the Renaissance Fair-style Scots Living History, live Celtic and Highland music and entertainment, and the usual beer, food and themed vendors.
The event runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont. Free admission. coloradotartanday.com
The Paper Fashion Show
Thursday. The nonprofit One Club for Creativity Denver returns with its 17-year-old Paper Fashion Show on Thursday, April 13, featuring various paper designs worn by models and representing the work of 45 designers, from high schoolers to participants in their 70s.
The show returns with the goal of networking metro area creatives of all stripes, coordinated by Kelly Spicers, at 5:30 p.m., with the cocktail hour leading into the 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets: $25-$135. With DJ Simone Says and emcee Ya Girl Cedes. Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit Downtown Aurora Visual Arts.
Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. in Denver. paperfashionshow.com
