What are your out-on-the-town options for a snowless-but-cold Salt Lake City weekend? More than can be contained within our Essentials section. ---

At the Living Planet Aquarium, the brand-new North American river otter exhibit opens this weekend, featuring three males born in captivity at the Long Island Aquarium. Check out the playful critters, and learn more about them and about reintroduction efforts.

Today (Jan. 13) marks the Grand Opening Celebration for the new Weller Book Works location in Trolley Square. New and used books will be available at 20 percent off list, with 30 percent off rare books. Tony Weller will offer "opening words" at 6:30 p.m., and refreshments and giveaways continue throughout the day.

The X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival continues today through Sunday, Jan. 15, at The Depot, with thrilling features capturing the excitement of skiing, snowboarding, surfing, skating and BMX. Tickets are only $8 per film, $15 for a day pass.

For a participatory, rather than cinematic, sports experience, the SLUG Games hit Brighton Resort on Saturday, Jan. 14. Dawn of the Shred offers amateur ski/snowboard competitions in men's and women's open, and men's and women's 17-and-under groups. Registration is free (but you'll need to provide your own lift ticket and equipment) beginning at 10 a.m.; hit the zombie-fied course.

The dance theater group MOMIX hits Park City's Eccles Center on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m. for Botanica, a performance by choreographer Moses Pendleton that captures the rhythm of the seasons. Tickets are still available at press time, $18 - $65.