A surprising number of cultures have stories in which a deserving young woman is identified when she slips her foot into a shoe, slipper or sandal, but for Americans the definitive version is "Cinderella."

Although Disney’s iconic animated film may be the best-known version of "Cinderella," these days the story has been presented as a Broadway musical, an opera and in numerous films and television shows.

Ballet Hawaii, in collaboration with the Washington Ballet, is presenting the beloved story next weekend as a ballet.

The ballet has all the familiar components: Cinderella — sweet, dutiful and oppressed — the wicked stepmother, two nasty stepsisters, the benevolent fairy godmother, the helpful mice, a pumpkin coach, a handsome prince and a gorgeous ball. The whole story is choreographed by Washington Ballet artistic director Septime Webre and performed to Sergei Prokofiev’s score.

Maki Onuki, the star of Ballet Hawaii’s 2012 production of "Alice (in Wonderland)," stars as Cinderella. Sona Kharatian dances as the fairy godmother, and Jared Nelson is the prince. Luis R. Torres and Derek Daniels give the show a "boys will be girls" twist as the stepsisters.

Kids will be enchanted by the dancers, the costumes and the sets. Folks who follow ballet will want to see it for Webre’s notable choreography as well.

Unleash family creativity or hear a story in lounge

After walking around the sprawling grounds of the Hono­lulu Museum of Art’s Spal­ding House, families can recharge and create their own art in the family lounge.

Museum educator Seng Pheng­sa­vath said the area is a place where keiki and their parents can relax and work together on self-directed art projects at the lounge’s Creation Station. Instructions are available for making lotus flowers by gluing together paper petals and creating fishhooks out of yarn and card stock.

Other art supplies are also available, as are books and toys with creative themes.

The lounge hosts an hourlong storytelling session at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

The Spalding House family lounge is open during museum hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, free on the first Wednesday of each month; free for children 17 and under.

Contest seeks photos of sustainable fishing

A good fish story can score a few bragging rights with your buddies, but what’s a good fish photo worth? If you enter the 2013 Sanctuary Classic, it could be worth up to $1,000 in scholarships.

The nationwide contest, sponsored by environmental and sportfishing organizations, is seeking photos that promote marine recreational and sustainable fishing practices among families.

"This is a great opportunity for families to go out fishing together and experience the bounty that Hawaii’s ocean has to offer, while strengthening the culture of sustainable fishing," Jason Philibotte of the Hawaii Fish Trust for Conservation International, a sponsoring organization, said in a statement.

Photos should show examples of youth and family fishing, or conservation practices within a marine sanctuary.

For Hawaii, that would mean the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, comprising the waters off the north shore of Kauai, the northern tip and southeast side of Oahu, the south shores of Molokai and Maui including Lanai, and the northwest side of Hawaii island. Almost all of these waters are open to recreational fishing.

Weekly prizes of $100, based on online voting, will be awarded until Labor Day, and at the end of the summer, four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to the top photos. Participants are required to follow best-practice fishing guidelines and adhere to federal and local law.

Entry to the contest is free. For information and to submit photos, visit sanctuaryclassic.org.

Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser