What to do in Colorado this week: A John Denver ballet in Aspen

DanceAspen’s summer headliner is a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll, and a little bit 1920s experimental Spanish-inspired orchestra. It’s also starting and ending a two-night run at the Wheeler Opera House Thursday and Friday.

We’ve also got the annual Dragon Boat Fest at Sloan’s Lake, a Pride festival in Aurora and so many shows in Boulder.

Aug. 27-Sept. 2

“Crescendo.” This four-part show begins with the North American premier of “A Boléro,” a high-energy duet set to French composer Maurice Ravel’s 1928 “Boléro” score that is landing outside of Oslo, Norway, for the first time. From there, the performance moves through a minimalist piece set to Dean Martin’s music and onto a theatrical mix of excerpts by choreographer Cayetano Soto.

For the final piece, the seven-person dance troupe will preview “Take Me Home,” an original work commissioned by the Wheeler Opera House set to John Denver’s music and performed with an onstage band. The full piece, a commemoration to the valley’s local music legacies, will anchor the upcoming winter season.

Tickets starting at $45; 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27-28; Wheeler Opera House, 320 East Hyman Ave., Aspen

Other events to consider

Dragon Boat Festival. The annual festival at Sloans Lake celebrates Colorado’s Asian communities. The event is anchored by daily dragon boat races on the lake, with two “Taste of Asia” food courts, live artist demonstrations, a kid-focused Dragonland area and performances across three stages. Free; Aug. 28-29; Sloan’s Lake Park, 4808 West Byron Pl., Denver
Pride in the Park. DJ sets and drag performances meet ballet folklorico and Aztec dancing during this collaboration between Latino Pride and Aurora Pride this weekend at Winged Melody Park. Free; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 29; Winged Melody Park, East 38th Pl., Aurora
Tulagi Festival. The festival formerly known as Boulder Roots is packing Pearl Street and its surrounding venues again, with more than 800 artists taking the stages. Catch headliners each night at the Bandshell and Boulder Theater, watch Street Wise artists make mural magic at One Boulder Plaza, or bring the kids to a family-friendly Dino Disco at Mountain Sun where kids 12 and under are free. $154; Aug. 27-30; Various locations in Boulder

Note: This is a curated list by the reporter to give readers a sense of arts and culture events happening across Colorado that they may not have otherwise known about. This is not meant to be an exhaustive account of things to do.