School may be back in session, but those looking to treat their families to some fun performances and outdoor activities will have some good chances to do so this week in the Kansas City area.

At the Sprint Center, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will present eight performances of their “Built to Amaze” showcase between Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets start at $15 for upper-level seats and range up to $89 for “circus celebrity” seating levels. Visit sprintcenter.com for show times and to purchase tickets.

If you want an atmosphere of circus fun but prefer a cheap, outdoor and interactive experience, the Power & Light District is hosting Sprint Family Fun Days Under the Big Top this Saturday.

The free circus-themed event includes an exotic animal petting zoo, face painting, mask-making, an obstacle course and other kid fun. Animal costumes are encouraged (for the kids, at least), and the Stone Lion Puppet Theater will present “It’s A Jungle Out There!” at 11:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.

Admission is free, and tickets to carnival events can be purchased at the booth at Walnut and 14th streets. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Blue Man Group

Another exciting entertainment option for this week is the Blue Man Group, the genre-defying ensemble that presents a mix of theater, comedy, experimental music and multimedia performance.

The Blue Man Group will hold nightly 8 p.m. performances at Starlight Theater between Tuesday and Sunday.

Tickets run from $10 for back row seats to $135 for those in the very front. Visit kcstarlight.com to purchase.

Ren Fest

From now through Oct. 13, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine.

The Annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival will be open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 13 in Bonner Springs.

The Bonner Springs institution includes stage acts such as fencing, fire juggling, comedy, magic, hypnosis and music, with roving characters playing the parts of everyone from Mother Goose to Smudge the Beggar.

A medieval marketplace includes artisans, food and drink, and games and rides of all varieties.

Advance tickets cost $17.95 for adults and $10.45 for children ages 5 through 12. Visit kcrenfest.com for more details.

Dancefestopia

Before I tell you about Dancefestopia, the awesomely named festival at Berkley Riverfront Park on Friday and Saturday, I must warn you that the videos, logos and colors on dancefestopia.com are rather conspicuous.

I accidentally left it up on my computer screen at work, and now all my colleagues keep teasing me about taking “molly” (whoever that is) and asking whether I prefer fiber optic whips or more traditional phenyl oxalate-based glowsticks.

If any of this makes sense to you, you might very well enjoy checking out the epic event featuring electronic, dance and DJ performers like R3hab, Flux Pavilion, Keys N Krates and Dvbbs.

Two-day tickets cost $124, with VIP and camping passes available. It’s not cheap, but given that music will be performed virtually non-stop, it’s not a bad deal for rave, dance and electronic music enthusiasts.

KC Symphony, other music

The Kansas City Symphony kicks off its 2014-2015 season with a special program featuring Joyce DiDonato singing Ravel’s Sheherazade along with performances of Strauss’ “Morgen” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. For tickets, visit kcsymphony.org.

Fans of jazz, world and easy-listening music will enjoy the pairing of songwriter Barclay Martin with singer Shay Estes at the Broadway Jazz Club (3601 Broadway) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

And anyone nostalgic for the glory days of grunge should visit The Riot Room (4048 Broadway) on Saturday for the return of ’90s-era standouts Mudhoney, with guest opener Folkicide.

Alamo Drafthouse

Cinemaphiles should check out the Alamo Drafthouse schedule for September, where films including “The Godfather” parts I and II (today), “Labyrinth” (Monday), “Singin’ in the Rain” (Sunday) and “Back to the Future” (Sept. 23) will be playing throughout the month.

Another great thing about the Alamo: It serves good food and even better beer throughout each film. Check it out at drafthouse.com/kansas-city.

— Lucas Wetzel is a writer and editor from Kansas City, Mo. Know of an upcoming event in Kansas City you’d like to see featured in Kansas City Connection? Email us about it at kcconnection@ljworld.com.