BEST BETS >>

Things to do around Denver this weekend

Have you ever seen a magic show … on weed?

Friday: Ben Zabin began his career as a magician performing on cruise ships where he wowed audiences with traditional tricks. These days, he’s infused another one of his passions into a show: cannabis. Zabin’s touring “Smokus Pocus” show promises “jars of cannabis will appear, lighters will come to life, and bongs will bend reality in a unique experience that brings stoned sorcery to life.”

Are his tricks more impressive while under the influence? See for yourself at The Oriental Theater at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at 4335 W. 44th Ave. in Den

ver. Tickets cost $30-$45 at theorientaltheater.com. — Tiney Ricciardi

Caroline Rhea at Comedy Works South

Through Saturday: Standup Caroline Rhea may not be on the tip of everyone’s culture-war tongues at the moment, but that’s because her decades-long 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 increasingly slathered with bro-dude podcasts whose goal is to raise hackles.

The versatile Rhea plays multiple shows at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village through Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets for the 21-and-up events at 5345

Landmark Place are $26 at comedyworks.com. — John Wenzel

AI is on trial, and you’re the jury

Saturday: Denver’s quirky and civic-minded Warm Cookies of the Revolution is putting AI on trial Saturday, Jan. 27, with its free “The People vs. Artificial Intelligence” event at Buntport Theater. The 3-5 p.m. gathering is an interactive

mock trial featuring a judge, “lawyers,” witnesses and the jury (that’s you) and lively discussion about AI promises and pitfalls.

The 3-5 p.m. event at 717 Lipan St. is free, but RSVP at warmcookiesoftherevolution.org. — John Wenzel

DJ Shadow’s latest masterpiece, in concert

Saturday: DJ Shadow’s 1996 album “Endtroducing” was a landmark that crossed genres, from its hip hop beats to indie-minded samples, expert scratching, and soul underpinnings. The master returns to Denver for a concert on Saturday, Jan 27, at the Gothic Theatre (also one of Denver’s best music venues) to promote new LP, “Action Adventure.” Tickets for the 16-and-over show at 8 p.m., with opener Holly, are $39.50 via axs. com. The show takes place at 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood. — John Wenzel

PROVIDED BY SMOKUS POCUS After a residency at Planet 13 in Las Vegas, magician Ben Zabin brings his cannabis-themed Smokus Pocus show to Denver on Jan. 26.

PHOTO AND AI ILLUSTRATION BY AARON ONTIVEROZ — THE DENVER POST In the left image, artist Steven Yazzie poses for a portrait in his studio in Denver on May 15. At right is a work of artificial intelligence. The Ai-generated image was created by Yazzie and Denver Post photographer Aaron Ontiveroz using Midjourney, a platform that converts natural language prompts into images.

PROVIDED BY SHORE FIRE MEDIA The cover art for DJ Shadow’s new album “Action Adventure.”

PROVIDED BY COMEDY WORKS Stand-up and actor Caroline Rhea plays Comedy Works South this weekend.