Top picks for A&E statewide: summer fun abounds, from circuses and film festivals to rodeos and music festivals.

• Author: Butler, Mary
• Position: BUTLER'S [choice]

PERFORMING ARTS

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

Cirque du Soleil brings its show to Denver, Aug. 20-Oct. 4, under a special "Grand Chapiteau" big top to be erected next to the Pepsi Center. Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, "a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world," and combines acrobatic performance and clowning. Tickets are $38.50-$215.

(www.cirquedusoliel.com)

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Boulder Fringe Festival

This unique 12-day event, Aug. 12-23, offers theatre, dance, circus art, cinema, spoken word, puppetry, workshops and storytelling from 70 artists at 14 venues throughout the already quirky city of Boulder.

(www.boulderfringe.com)

RODEO

Durango Pro Rodeo Series

Bulls, broncs and buckaroos populate the La Plata County Fairgrounds every Friday in June and Fridays and Saturday nights in July. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

(www.crossroadranchandrodeo.com)

Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series

Buy your rodeo tickets at the gate or dress the part and get your tickets at traditional Western wear retailer F.M. Light & Sons downtown Steamboat Springs before the show; Friday and Saturday nights at Romick Arena located in the town's Howelsen Hill Park Complex.

(www.steamboatprorodeo.com)

MUSIC

Grand Junction Country Jam & Rock Jam

Some of country music's biggest stars - including Pat Green, Jason Aldean and Clay Walker - perform in Grand Junction for Country Jam, June 25-28. Passes are $59 to $125; Grand Junction also hosts Rock Jam, Sept. 11-12, featuring Huey Lewis & The News, 38 Special and Los Lonely Boys. Passes are $49 to $69.

(http://countryjamgjco.countryjam.com and http://rockjamgjco.countryjam.com)

Colorado Music Festival

The Colorado Music Festival runs June 27-Aug. 7 at Boulder's Chautauqua Auditorium. Sundays feature chamber orchestra selections; Tuesdays, chamber and world music; and Thursdays and Fridays, festival orchestra.

(www.coloradomusicfest.org)

Mile High Music Festival

Featuring two days of diverse offerings from headliners The Fray, Widespread Panic and Tool, as well as Buddy Guy, India.Arie, Gomez, Matisyahu, Pepper and Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons, among others. The July 18-19 festival will be at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Tickets are $90 to $162.50.

(www.milehighmusicfestival.com)

RockyGrass

For bluegrass fans, the annual RockyGrass festival is akin to a pilgrimage to Mecca; July 24-26 at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons. This year features bluegrass legends Sam Bush, Earl Scruggs and Hot Rize. Tickets...