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Picture this, Reader: A freshly 14-year-old James opening birthday gifts in the middle of Peter Piper Pizza. (Even though I KNOW there is a location in Austin, in case you’re unaware, PPP is an arcade/pizza eatery similar to ye olde Chuck E. Cheese.) My best friend at the time gets me the hottest two-disc DVD any teen could want: eight-Oscar-winner Amadeus. His reasoning? “I saw it and I thought you might like it.” Guess what? I love Amadeus. A beautiful tale of terminal hater-ation, the film lays out Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life story through narration by contemporary composer Salieri – played by a red-hot F. Murray Abraham delivering side-eyes that’d melt the flesh off a lesser adversary. But gleeful giggling Mozart as played by Tom Hulce can’t be taken down by a mere look. His great weakness is an all-timer: daddy issues. – James Scott

It often feels like the fate of a short film after festival season is ignominious anonymity at the whim of some streaming platform’s algorithm. Luckily, Utah’s Sundance Film Festival is giving these short but sweet delights more time on the big screen. The touring selection of seven miniature wonders includes three award-winners from this year’s festival: Spanish class war satire “The Masterpiece” (Short Film Grand Jury Prize), Japanese interspecies rom-com “Pisko the Crab Child in Love” (Special Jury Prize for Directing), and sexy insect comedy “Bug Diner” (Jury Award: Animation).: – Richard Whittaker

You might say, “Wait, how can any movie that has Natalie Portman fighting herself as a mirror alien have a book version that’s better?” I might respond, “Sounds like you haven’t read Jeff VanderMeer’s mind-bending Southern Reach Trilogy!” BookPeople’s reading group focused on bringing attention to literary materials mined for film adaptations turns their sights to this eco-sci-fi thriller this month: Do the descriptions of Area X outclass cinematic depiction? Do the frightening transformations by the all-women investigative crew give better goosebumps on the page or onscreen? One thing’s for ding-dang sure: You’ll have to crack open the book to be sure. – 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

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

A delightful night of dance starts with an intro to authentic Argentine tango (no experience or partner needed) with Gustavo Simplis, and continues with two hours of social dancing with DJ G.

Got a sweet tooth for drag? Craving a little competition? Where better to satisfy both indulgences than at Lady Grackle’s competition drag show, the Grackle Games. Started in 2022, this is the fifth cycle of contestants to come through the fab factory: eager and talented drag performers who’ll go head to head in creative challenges before head judges Ritzy Bitz and Evah Destruction. This year’s contestants include Y’Vonne D’Amour, Owen Alimony, Yolanti Pussy, Stella Thrush, Sinful Purchase, Munster Mash, Prada Hill-Dlux, Munekita, Ms. Foxxy, MK Ultra, Miss Malibu Imported, Meonya Pussy, Lilith Azazel, Isis Crysis, and Gator Gorr.– James Scott

Bring your acoustic and showcase your best original songs or old classics.

No one is saying that traditional bingo is boring, but if you enjoy the bluer forms of (verbal) intercourse – and many do – Butt Stuff Bingo could be just right for you. BSB is an interactive game-show themed contest, but instead of grandma rules, with only one winner per contest, Butt Stuff gives multiple contestants the chance to win “novelty” prizes – dildos? – from “specialty” stores. Each night features an “adult re-imagined parody” of classic works like I Love Lucy, Dirty Dancing, or The Smurfs. – Brant Bingamon