Look Good, Feel Better

The American Cancer Society, Maggie’s Salon and the Breast Cancer Support Group are hosting a free Look Good, Feel Better event on Wednesday, May 5, at the Vineyard Haven Public Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

A similar event last May for women who have been recently diagnosed with cancer was very well received by the 16 participants. This year’s event also brings each participant a top of the line cosmetics gift bag, demonstrations with makeup and hair accessories, including wigs, scarves and caps.

The Oak Bluffs Public Library, in conjunction with the annual celebration of Della Hardman Day on Saturday, July 31, is sponsoring a photography contest to select 14 images featuring Martha’s Vineyard that reflect Della Hardman’s legacy theme — “savor the moment.” The winning entries will be published in the 2011 Oak Bluffs Public Library Calendar.

With its water-themed issue on the stands, National Geographic will continue to focus on this most precious resource on Martha’s Vineyard this weekend with the launch of the new book Written in Water: Messages of Hope for Earth’s Most Precious Resource and the premiere of its film Shark Eden. Events on Saturday and Sunday bring world-renowned authors, activists, filmmakers and musicians together for a festival called Water Is Life, cosponsored by the Island nonprofit group World Waterway.

The Vineyard Playhouse will hold open auditions for a new play by MJ Bruder Munafo, My Mom Is Trying To Ruin My Life, based on the book by Kate Feiffer. The playhouse is also preparing to audition for the summer production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by MJ Bruder Munafo.

On Wednesday, May 5, any time from 4 to 6 p.m., actors can arrive at the playhouse prepared to read a short scene from the play to be provided at the audition.

Playhouse Jester

Alex the Jester will perform at the Vineyard Playhouse on Saturday, May 1, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 a person.

The first show will be appropriate for audiences as young as four and the second show, at 2 p.m., will be geared more for teens, adults and kids nine and up. All shows feature mind-bending sight gags, amazing stunts and are inspired by the rich tradition of the medieval fool.

Vineyard BellyDance and Revue will perform on Friday, May 7, at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.

The troupe of seven dancers will show a variety of dance styles from the Middle East, and works by numerous choreographers. Guest performers will offer live drumming and jazz singing, salsa, ballroom dancing and the Brazilian art of capoeira.

The troupe includes dancers Suzanna Nickerson, Amy Fournier, Sheila Rayyan, Jamie O’Gorman, Betsy Smith, Rhonda Backus and Pat Szucs. Carol Loud and Sarah Nevin will be providing live music.