Have you ever seen a special present… on a plant?
Friday. Ben Zabin began his career as a magic performer on sailboats where he wowed people with conventional methods. These days, he’s infused another one of his passions into a present: cannabis. Zabin’s touring “Smokus Pocus” present promises “jars of cannabis will appear, lamps may come to life, and hookahs will bend reality in a unique experience that brings stoned sorcery to life.”
Are his methods more outstanding while under the influence? Discover for yourself at The Oriental Theater at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at 4335 W. 44th Ave. in Denver. Tickets cost $30-$45 at theorientaltheater.com. — Tiney Ricciardi
Stand-away and professional Caroline Rhea plays Comedy Works South this trip. Caroline Rhea at Comedy Works South
Through Saturday. Stand-up Caroline Rhea may not be on the tip of everyone’s culture-war tongues at the moment, but that’s because her decades of work across TV projects (“Phineas and Ferb,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”), talk shows, and one-hour specials is so consistent that it’s easy to take for granted — especially in an industry extremely slathered with bro-dude podcasts whose goal is to raise hackles.
The flexible Rhea plays several shows at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village through Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets for the 21-and-up activities at 5345 Landmark Place are $26 at comedyworks.com. — John Wenzel
In the remaining picture, designer Steven Yazzie poses for a painting in his workshop in Denver on May 15, 2023. At right is a function of artificial intelligence. The A.I. generated image was created by Yazzie and Denver Post artist Aaron Ontiveroz using Midjourney, a program that converts normal speech prompts into pictures. AI is being tried, and you are the judge
Saturday. With its complimentary “The People vs. Artificial Intelligence” event at Buntport Theater on Saturday, January 27, Denver’s eccentric and civic-minded Warm Cookies of the Revolution will test AI. An interactive mock trial with a judge, attorneys, “witnesses and the jury (that’s you)” and lively discussion about AI promises and pitfalls takes place at the 3–5 p.m. gathering.
Free registration is required at warmcookiesoftherevolution for the 3–5 p.m. celebration at 717 Lipan Street. nonprofit. — John Wenzel
DJ Shadow’s most recent genius, performed in musical
The artwork for the fresh song “Action Adventure” by DJ Shadow.
Saturday. The 1996 album “Endtroducing” by DJ Shadow was a genre-crossing masterpiece with hip-hop beats, indie-minded samples, expert scratching, and soul foundations. On Saturday, January 27, the king makes his way back to Denver to perform at the Gothic Theatre, one of the city’s top music venues, in support of his newest album, “Action Adventure.”
Tickets for the 16-and-over performance at 8 p.m. with openers Holly cost $39.50 on axs.com. In Englewood, at 3263 S. Broadway, the performance is held. — John Wenzel
