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Why is the championship of South America being played in the U.S., with Caribbean and North American teams as entrants? Best not ask for logic; just enjoy the fact that Austin gets to be a host for one of the world’s great soccer tournaments. There’s no Brazil or Argentina on offer here, but we do get to see four intriguing underdogs playing their group stage finales: Jamaica-Venezuela on Sunday, and Costa Rica-Paraguay on Tuesday. Looking for someone to root for? Show some love for Venezuela’s Dani Pereira and Costa Rica’s Julio Cascante: both key starters for Austin FC when they’re not representing their countries. – Nick Barbaro

Austin got picked as a host for one of the top soccer tournaments in the world, and we drew four interesting outsiders. Sunday it’s Jamaica against Venezuela, and Tuesday is Costa Rica against Paraguay.

Nothing says freedom quite like blowing up the White House: There’s a reason the 1996 blockbuster continues to make the pop culture rounds. The cast is stacked – Will Smith (who reinvented what it meant to be an action star in the Nineties), Jeff Goldblum (my first white-boy crush, though The Lost World: Jurassic Park had me believing this man was an extra light-skinned Black dude), Vivica A. Fox (the undeniable, the iconic), Bill Pullman, Dennis Quaid, and Harry Connick Jr. The one-liners are one-lining. The action is nonstop from about the 15-minute mark. This is definitely a good one to bask in the nostalgia of while sipping a Tito’s Mule and stuffing yourself silly on the Alamo menu. – Cy White

The classic jazz quintet – sax, trumpet, piano, bass, drums – remains cemented in the mind of the wider world, and for good reason. But there’s nothing like a good chordless jazz trio. As pioneered by the peerless Sonny Rollins, the setup of a lone instrument incapable of chords over a traditional rhythm section features its arbiters working without a net, the lead player solely responsible for melodic development and unconstrained by harmonic structure. Veteran CenTex saxophonist Jerry Espinoza, joined by bassist Liam Odell and drummer Joshua Berry, builds on the foundation Rollins planted, folding modern noise into the sound of freedom. – Michael Toland

When Shelley King and Carolyn Wonderland combine forces, magic seems to follow. Exceptional roots and blues artists in their own right, their shows together over the past few years weld the guitar firebrands in mutual support, especially when Wonderland’s scorching signature blues licks lean into King’s soulful vocals and songwriting. After five years touring with John Mayall, Wonderland returned with 2021’s blistering Tempting Fate, while King’s Madam Mystic, released last year, balances deeply cutting folk with funk-laced grooves. James McMurtry and Bonnie Whitmore & the Sad Girls hold down the late-night slots. – Doug Freeman

Do you remember where you were when you heard the unconscionable clarity of Whitney Houston’s voice when she sang the most iconic two syllables in pop music (“And I…”)? I don’t remember where I was, but I remember what happened. At my big age of about 6 years old, I was absolutely in love with Whitney Houston. Those two notes rang out of the tiny car speakers of my dad’s white Chevrolet Caprice. There was the moment of silence, then the most powerful voice ever conceived proclaimed “I am” on a remake (that I didn’t know was a remake at the time) about love lost but never forgotten. That feeling when a shiver takes hold of your spine and won’t let go for long minutes: That’s what happened to me. Some 32 years later, the song still holds my nervous system captive. It was only a matter of time before Paramount’s ode to 50 years of classic film viewings got to Whitney. – Cy White

The original plan series creator Stephen Hillenburg intended was that the adventures of lovable rectangular & jaundiced sea sponge SpongeBob would conclude with this mega-movie event. Unfortunately, corporate greed demanded the sponge be wrung out for everything he’s got, so we’re still getting nautical nonsense well into 2024. However, only a real bubble-blowing baby would skip the chance to see what continues to be the gold standard of cartoon big-screen leaps. You can try to hide, but don’t think we don’t know how to weeeeeeeeed you out. I’m a goofy goober, yeah … you’re a goofy goober, yeah …: – 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

Mamma mia: Did you know the game we call bingo originated in Italy? Descended from the Italian lotto game, bingo has been delighting young and old – okay, mostly old – since the 1500s. Enjoy boffo bingo from your friends at Bat City Bingo, who bring free “beano” to patios all over town, every Tuesday at North Loop bar & kitchen Double Trouble. Advisable drink pairings with your bingo card: for the sober, a hot choc, and for the spirited, an Aperol Spritz. Foodwise, I mean, a taco goes with everything – this writer suggests the vegan picadillo. – James Scott

Do you enjoy contemplating the deep questions that come with being human? Join conversations facilitated by Asenath Avinash based on Buddhist books from great teachers to explore these questions and meditate. Drop-ins welcome; no registration required.

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

Top off your TuezGayz with this Diamond Dior Davenport-hosted drag show featuring top-notch performances.

Art! Oh, I love it. But sadly, when I open my pockets, moths fly out. Good news for me and all my broke friends: Every Tuesday, the Blanton opens its doors to all visitors free of charge. Why, unburdened by the weight of an empty wallet, Austinites can mull the strange world of contemporary womanhood in “Unbreakable: Feminist Visions from the Gilberto Cárdenas and Dolores Garcia Collection.” Or walk beneath the silver and mesh sculptures of Marie Watt’s “Sky Dances Light.” Or explore the past through its artistic pieces in “The Floating World: Masterpieces of Edo Japan.” Or enjoy any of the many, MANY other exhibitions available on this day: all for free. – James Scott