Manufactured Superstars at a Skylab pre-party in Sept. Photo from MySpace.

Like some sort of fantasy superhero comic — Batman meets Superman! — two of Denver’s night life big shots are joining forces to celebrate spring.

On Friday, Beta (1909 Blake St.) hosts “In Bloom V: Let There Be Light� as well as Manufactured Superstars’ “The Circus Strikes Back,� two annual parties combined to create one super-party. Presented by Image Magazine, “In Bloom� is a fashion show — but not the usual 10-minute parade of stick figures.

Instead, the show ties into the Superstars’ circus theme with crazy body paint, props and the requisite “Greatest Show on Earth� attitude.

“It’s not meant to be a little, quaint fashion show,� says Greg Bloom, Image Magazine’s publisher.

Models — assembled from three open calls at clubs around town — will wear clothes from local boutiques Cool Waves, Square 1 and Swank while the music thumps, courtesy of DJ Brian Howe.

When the show’s over, though, the night’s just begun. There will still be sets by DJ team Manufactured Superstars, Orangepeelmoses, Terry Church and more to come. Plus, “there will be a total of 60 or 70 people there keeping the theme going all night,� says Bloom, of painted and costumed revelers who will roam about the club.

It’s the second year in a row Bloom has partnered with Brad Roulier — an owner of Beta and Beatport.com, and one of the Manufactured Superstars — to produce the giant event. For Bloom, it’s a natural pairing.

“Between the two of us we’ve done just about everything there is to do here in Denver,� he says. “He’s the biggest promoter to come out of Denver, ever, with all he’s accomplished with Beatport. We complement each other well because of our placement in the industry.�

The doors open under Beta’s big top at 9 p.m. on Friday. It’s ladies’ night, so women get in free. And so does anyone dressed in a circus outfit. For the rest, advance tickets are $10 at groovetickets.com.

– BIRTHDAY BALLOONS –

Keep your pens in your pockets and watch where you’re pointing your forks while attending Kevin Larson’s sixth annual Birthday Bash on Saturday. The night’s theme is “Twisted,� and accordingly, it’s a night of ‘balloon couture’ at the Curtis Hotel (1405 Curtis St.).

Models will be tied into original outfits made entirely of balloons, and they’d probably like to stay that way while they’re in public. So don’t gesticulate too wildly, and focus instead on the Corner Office’s typically eclectic prix fixe menu (think chicken tikka masala next to mushroom ravioli). Or enjoy one of the drink specials before hitting the dance floor with DJs Brian Howe, Devo and MLE.

The 21-and-older shindig starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Curtis. Special room rates are available if you mention you’re with Kevin Larson’s party, so don’t fear if you have a little too much fun.

Tickets are $21.50 for general admission and $35 for VIP. Buy tickets online at blacktie.colorado.com.

– WEST WEEKEND –

Denver is Kanye West’s kind of town this weekend. The rapper performs at the Pepsi Center on Sunday with Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D., but it already feels like he’s been here for days. Maybe his ego is just that huge — or it’s the big buzz surrounding the show.

Last night, Monarck and 24K held a pre-party for West’s “Glow in the Dark� tour. On Friday, West’s pal and fellow Grammy winner Rhymefest visits Vinyl (1082 Broadway).

Rhymefest (real name: Che Smith) honed his skills on Chicago’s South Side, writing about the everyday struggles of regular folk. Then he won a Grammy in 2004 for co-writing “Jesus Walks� with West, and off he took.

Friday’s show also features the Strange Fruit Project and resident DJs MU$A, Soundssupreme and Lowkey. Advance tickets are $10 and are available at groovetickets.com. The show’s open to guests age 18 and older. Doors open at 9 p.m.

– Kathleen St. John

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