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Childhood trauma-monger Don Bluth struck again with this soul-crushing tale of the immigrant struggle masquerading as a kid’s movie. I mean, check out this adorable animal story! Who are we kidding, this is one of the classic Nineties cartoons that radicalized a generation, as it deals with the manipulation of an immigrant mouse family by literal fat cats ruling the city through intimidation and voter fraud. Family-friendly fun for all. But seriously, for a tearjerker with gorgeous animation, it doesn’t get much better than this. Besides, there are worse things than having “Somewhere Out There” stuck in your head for weeks. Bring a hanky and prepare for a serious post-movie talk with your children. – Cat McCarrey

Running till August 16, Xavier Alvarado’s solo exhibition at 2324 Gallery features one of the most enduring themes in art: love. Raised in Texas “with deep Trinidadian roots,” as he notes on his website, Alvarado has collaborated with big names like Austin FC and Louis Vuitton, and his work spans multiple different media from painting to installation. With both new and old pieces in the show, Alvarado emphasizes “the transformative power of sharing in relationships and communities,” the exhibition text reads. Alvarado says this body of work “represents the heart’s capacity to connect, give, and enrich others” and “invites reflection on how sharing shapes our experiences of love and deepens our understanding of the heart.”– Lina Fisher

Theatregoers will feel the earth move as one of Austin’s foremost theatre companies closes its 2023-24 season with this Tony Award-winning musical that follows King’s early career and includes classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Natural Woman.”

The first of two Summer Stock Austin productions this summer (stay tuned for Guys & Dolls on August 2), Disney’s The Little Mermaid revives Hans Christian Anderson’s enduring tale of a sea-maiden who dreams of life on land and enlivens it with standout music and lyrics by Disney Renaissance dream team Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. High school and college students make up the cast, but don’t confuse their youth with amateurishness: With 20 years under its belt, Summer Stock Austin knows how to put on a helluva show. – Kimberley Jones

Trumpeter Bob Meyer (1941-2013) not only established himself as a top-flight player in Beto & the Fairlanes, among other outfits, he also spent decades working the other side of the aisle with the Austin Federation of Musicians, the City of Austin (as the first official music liaison), and UT-Austin (as director of Jazz Studies). He also led the Concept Orchestra, a contemporary big band that upheld tradition without being shackled to it. CO mainstays Elias Haslanger (sax), Michael Mordecai (trombone), John Mills (sax), and Mike Sailors (trumpet) lead the cast for this tribute performance to their leader’s melodic and swinging compositions. – Michael Toland

The tale of a conservative town that overreacts to a tragedy by banning dancing might seem a little, um, familiar in theme right now. Authority taking drastic measures and fostering extreme fear is as relevant as ever. Resist and bask in a bit of hope with an upbeat musical full of rocking Eighties tunes (thanks, Kenny Loggins). We are holding out for a hero, and Footloose: The Musical might be the one we need. Besides, a free show under the starry Texas sky? Almost paradise indeed. – Cat McCarrey

Tsui Hark. John Woo. Wong Kar-wai. Certainly there are Hong Kong New Wave filmmakers who made bigger waves in America. But don’t sleep on Ann Hui (Song of the Exile, A Simple Life), whose body of work is notable for its longevity, its centering of women, and social commitment. Screening as part of Seaport Selects – the Drafthouse’s ongoing intro to world cinema program – the newly restored in 4K July Rhapsody (2002) follows a professor of Chinese literature’s midlife reckoning with his abandoned youthful ambitions and a student who challenges his status quo. – Kimberley Jones

The group Mashable called “Austin’s answer to The Roots,” Magna Carda brings Monks Jazz alive on a Wednesday evening. The mellow grooves of the duo of Megz and Dougie Do instantly turned me into a fan. Coming from the school of J Dilla, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu – the entire Soulquarians outfit – their brand of hip-hop endears itself in such an emotional way. It’s less about the feeling of going back to childhood (or late teen years); it’s about connecting with a band who understands the need for musicality in music. Can’t make it out? You can still experience the midweek cool of this incredible hip-hop power duo by purchasing a virtual listening room ticket via Monks’ website. – Cy White

Winner of Grackle Games cycle four, Queen Fantasia brings her onstage skills every other Wednesday. A writer, an actor, and a proven songstress, the Queen pulls together an ensemble cast of Malibu Imported, Eileen Dover, and Maxine LaQueene for her original musical Behind the Cubicle. This production – which has its last performance this Wednesday – follows “the stories of women in the workplace trying to stay strong, motivated, and feminine in their uniquely country way,” according to the Queen herself. – James Scott

Hoo-wee! Does anything feel better than a dip in the pool during a hot Texas summer? While some among us may be privileged to own private watering holes, most of us get to enjoy the great Austin PARD’s work at the 44 public aquatic facilities to choose from this summer. You’ve got regional, neighborhood, and community pools; a wading pool; splash pads; and the crown jewel: Barton Springs. Check austintexas.gov/pools-splashpads for up-to-date info on which pools are open, what their entry fee is, and whether you have what it takes to be a public pool lifeguard. Now, outta the way if you don’t wanna get wet: I’m gonna do a cannonball! – James Scott

Hosted by Carlton Wilcoxson and Angelina Martin, and featuring the best local and national comics every Wednesday.

Art and … math? Not as improbable as it may seem, especially when seen through the veil of fantasy. And that’s exactly what artist/gallerist/therapist Deanna Miesch does. Compiling works inspired by 1800s mathematician Edwin A. Abbott’s imaginary world of Flatland (with touches of fellow mathematician Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland, of course), Miesch presents reality with a fanciful twist. Her visuals show our world, blurred or tilted a little askew. It’s easy to see portals to another world in every line and angle. What dimensions will you discover? – Cat McCarrey