Stargazers Theatre and Event Center offers more than 140 concerts and 100 non-concert events each year. Along with national and international acts, Stargazers often showcases the amazingly talented performers that live, work and play along the Front Range.

This recently restored, dome-shaped theater, which is located just one and a half miles east of downtown Colorado Springs, has been voted Best Live Music Venue by Gazette readers in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.The more 20 public or private events scheduled for July, including our Summer Fun Free Friday Concerts, featuring local artists Tribe, Jim Adam & John Stilwagon, Tony Exum Jr and Suga and the Showtime Band. But for this column, we chose to spotlight three unique national touring shows.”THE AMAZING ACROCATS”7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, and Wednesday, July 18Tickets: $15.00, $12 children 12 and under; $16, $13 day of showMaster Trainer, Samantha Martin returns to Stargazers for a two night engagement with her troupe of delightful bewhiskered furry friends, The Amazing Acrocats. This show is remarkable- remarkable because these purr-formers are …. well, you know….house cats!The Amazing Acrocats are all “rescue” cats and under Samantha’s careful direction have learned to ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, turn on lights, walk tight ropes, jump through hoops, play instruments and much more. If you have problems just getting your cat to come in when you call it, you will be amazed at the tasks that these cats happily perform. These family friendly shows combine spectacle with animal education and raising awareness that yes, cats can be trained. THE NITTY GRITTY BAND7 p.m. July 19Tickets: $25, $30 day of the showThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which are the forerunners of an entire movement in American Roots music and Country Rock, are coming to Stargazers! These iconic Grammy Hall of Famers continue to add to their fan base and their continued popularity proves that their acoustic traditional style of country rock and roots music is just as relevant today as in 1966, when the band first formed.RAY WYLIE HUBBARD8 p.m. July 21Tickets: $20, $25 day of showRay Wylie Hubbard, who writes and performs a blend of country, blues and folk, is often referred to these days as “an elder statesmen of the Texas music scene.’’ After all, this is the guy that wrote “Up Against the Wall You Red Neck Mother.” Along with hosting a radio show called “Roots and Branches” out of New Braunsfel, Texas, which showcases new and established Americana artists, Hubbard hangs out with some pretty notable folks, like Willie Nelson. This very candid, rough-around-the-edges songwriter sums up his life philosophy by stating, “On the days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, I have a good day.” Pretty straightforward, just like his work.