JUNE 14-17

FIREKNIFE DANCE

Dancers come from as far afield as the Cook Islands, Samoa and Florida to take part in one of the three separate age group competitions. Those ages 6-11 are known as tamaiti, 12- to 17 year-olds are known as talavou, and those older than 17 are the toa, or warriors.

The fireknife dance was invented by Letuli Olo Misilagi when he was asked to perform the Samoan knife dance in San Francisco. There he combined his knife dancing routine, a traditional prewar ritual designed to psyche up Polynesian warriors, with fire-eating and baton twirling, which he had observed while in San Francisco. The combination led to the birth of the new medium.

Wednesday to Friday 7:45 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Polynesian Cultural Center. $8, $6 under 12.

JULY

CALGARY STAMPEDE

Calgary, Alberta, hosts one of the world's greatest rodeos every year at Stampede Park, attracting more than a million visitors. The event mixes the thrills of a high-stakes professional rodeo with a host of family activities and entertainment, providing 10 days packed with fun.

Late 19th-century agricultural fairs began to highlight the rodeo as the center of events, which grew in popularity in the 1920s, thanks to the efforts of cowboy-entrepreneur Guy Wiedeck. Big prize money brings professional cowboys, with bucking bronco and bull-riding events, steer wrestling, calf roping and other events showcasing their skills. The chuckwagon races have evolved into high-speed thrill rides. The Stampede Parade on the first day is one of the biggest highlights. www.calgarystampede.com

AUGUST

SUMMER X-GAMES

The annual Summer X-Games explodes in Los Angeles. More than 300 of the world's best alternative sports athletes compete for medals and close to $1 million in cash prizes. Skateboarding, BMX competitions, sport climbing, Moto X and wakeboarding, currently one of the fastest-growing sports, where competitors jump the wakes of the boats towing them while performing flip, spin and grab tricks. All day, all month, Staples Center.