Memorial Day is on the way out, which means Houston is settling into its annual season of activities that involve either a nice air-conditioned space or the genuine possibility of heat stroke. You feel a deep need for cold beverages, cool waterways, and dark theaters if you dare to step outdoors at all. Fortunately, this week offers sharks, aliens, contemporary dance, strange little films, unruly art history, ceramic fire rituals, and an entire event dedicated to appreciating the swampy ecosystem that keeps trying to reclaim this city, and maybe we should let it.

Monday, 05/25

Screening: JAWS | 7:15 PM

River Oaks Theater | 2009 W Gray St

It’s not too late! Get up in there and snag tickets to a screening of Jaws to get a glimpse of that oh so famous shark.

Tuesday, 05/26

Dance: Spring Repertoire | 7:00 PM (also on Wednesday)

MATCH | 3400 Main St

You can dance if you want to. You can leave your friends behind, but your friends don’t dance, and if they don’t dance, you can go see City Ballet of Houston’s Spring Repertoire Concert.

Wednesday, 05/27

(ᵕ ó ᴗ ò)

Thursday, 05/28

Panel Discussion: Unruly Lines: The Legacy of the Hairy Who | 7:00 PM

Menil Drawing Institute | 1412 W. Main St

Stop by the Drawing Institute as they gather a panel to talk about the Hairy Who, a Chicago-based artist group active during the 1960s. The panel will consist of Edouard Kopp, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Dan Nadel, and Sarah Welch. Think of all that could occur when you put together such minds!

Friday, 05/29

Film festival: Extremely Shorts | 8:00 PM (and also on Saturday)

Aurora Picture Show | 5601A Navigation Blvd

It’s that time of year again. Aurora brings back its annual showcase of contemporary short films of no more than 3 minutes, jurying submissions from all around the world. Will it be adventurous? Yup! Will it be weird? Almost definitely. Will they all be short? That’s what they claim.

Saturday, 05/30

Nature stuff: Tributary | 9:00 AM

Armand Bayou | 8500 Bay Area Blvd

Tributary is an annual event hosted by Bayou City Waterkeeper that is all about reconnecting with the waterways that make the Greater Houston Area the swampy, beautiful wetland that it is. Hike around, kayak, do a guided activity, or learn more about Armand Bayou and BCWK. There’s allllll kinds of fun and good stuff to do.

Opening: Sanctuary for Salvage | 3:00 PM

Craft Center | 4848 Main St

Swing by the garden at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft as they unleash the exhibition Sanctuary for Salvage by Jeff Forster. The artist will mount a site-specific installation that echoes the process of firing clay, and he’ll be doing a live firing in an outdoor kiln.

Sunday, 05/31

Screening: Close Encounters of the Third Kind | 2:30 PM

River Oaks Theater | 2009 W Gray St

Close out your weekend with a nice chill screening of Close Encounters. If you haven’t seen it on the big screen, it’s definitely worth a visit.

The Hidden Agenda: Swamp Appreciation