Highlights

LOOK » Night of endings on ABC. “;Extreme Makeover, Home Edition”; and “;Desperate Housewives”; air their season finales tonight. If you need a “;housewife”; fix, log on to www.bakespace.com for recipes and kitchen tips from Bree, Gabrielle, Lynette and Susan.

LISTEN » “;Me + Yr Daughter,”; by Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (www.myspace.com/natalieportmansshavedhead)

DO » Mystery author Dean James, aka Jimmie Ruth Evans and aka Honor Hartman, leads a free writing workshop, “;The Lighter Side of (Writing) Murder,”; 2 p.m. at Kaneohe Public Library. Call 233-5676. James has co-authored the Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery Series, Trailer Park Mystery Series and the Bridge Club Mystery Series.

Sri Lankan performance masks exhibited

Continuing at the East-West Center Gallery is “;Myths & Magic: Mask Dance from Sri Lanka,”; a collection of masks, puppets and costumes from the country.

Dramatic ritual, ribald comedy and the presence of demons, animals and royalty characterize the performances, which convey traditional values and contemporary concerns. Performances using the masks take place in sites where people convene, such as marketplaces, village centers and private courtyards.

Three performance styles are highlighted in the exhibit: “;Tovil,”; an exorcist ritual mask dance; “;Kolam,”; secular masked drama; and “;Rudaka,”; a puppet performance.

The spiritual animism that drives the performances reflect Buddhist and European imagery. Buddhism was a major cultural force in Sri Lanka by the fourth century, and Europe began establishing colonies in the country beginning in 1505 with the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and British.

“;Myths & Magic”; continues through June 14. The gallery is located in the East-West Center. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Call 944-7584 or visit arts.EastWestCenter.org.

Other highlights

» Paintings by cancer patients from various Honolulu hospitals will be on view at Kapolei Hale Courtyard through Thursday. Catch them weekdays when the county building is open for business. Call 768-6622.

» The Eyes of Hawaii Photography Club members are showing their latest work at the Hawaii State Library through June 4. Photos are on display in the lobby and reading room next to the Hawaii and Pacific section. Call 586-3520.

» Catch a docent-led gallery tour at the Contemporary Museum at Makiki Heights, offered 1:30 p.m. daily except Monday. The museum's docent volunteers undergo a seven-month training to lead discussions of current exhibits. The current show is “;20 Going on 21: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Looking to the Future: An Exhibition of Hawaii Artists,”; which runs through June 21. There's no need to make reservations unless you're with a big group. Tours are free, but admission to the museum is $6. Call 526-1322.

Note: Third Thursdays are free community days at the museum.