The logical architecture of the molecular structure known as DNA was elucidated in 1953 by Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick. Apparently, upon realizing what they had discovered, the two headed right for the pub at 10 in the morning, telling the barkeep, “We have discovered the secret of life.”

But it took more than two decades of patient, frustrating, difficult work in underfunded and poorly equipped laboratories around the world before DNA began to reveal its secrets.

Crop Walk

The annual Crop Walk, the 20th for Martha’s Vineyard, will be held on Oct. 24, beginning at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven.

For more information, call Mary-Jean Miner, 508-696-8589.

TOUCH-ME-NOT. By Cynthia Riggs. Minotaur Books, $24.99.

All original plays, all written, directed and performed by Vineyarders, make up Island Theatre Workshop’s next program, Pick of the Crop.

The program alternates, with Just One Look (written by Taffy McCarthy, directed by Kaf Warman) and H.O.P.E. (written and directed by Allison Carr) on Thursdays and Saturdays and Envia (written by Kelly DuMar and directed by Lee Fierro), Separation Tango (written and directed by Wayne Greenwell) and Closure (written by GR Russell, directed by Lee Fierro) on Fridays and Sundays.

Art and Dementia

Art and Dementia is a free six-week program of making and looking at art for people with dementia and their caregivers. Classes begin on Oct. 20 and run on successive Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Preregistration is required and space is limited.

For information and to register call Mary Holmes at 508-862-1933 or mholmes2@partners.org.

Insight Meditation

The Insight Meditation Community (IMC) of Martha’s Vineyard is beginning again after a one-year absence.

Sessions will be held at the Unitarian Universalist’s Memorial Chapel on Main street in Vineyard Haven (one block from the Vineyard Haven Public Library towards West Chop) on Saturday afternoons from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Shame fills the long silences in Samson and Delilah, a rare feature film from an Aboriginal filmmaker from Australia. Warwick Thornton’s directorial debut won the prestigious Camera d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival; French actress Isabelle Adjani, who was on the jury, described it as “the best love film we’ve seen for many a year.”

On Your Mark, Get Set, Eat and Drink

It was Ecclesiastes who said eat, drink and be merry. And who are we to disagree with such a wise scribe. Much better is to take the advice and head over to any or all of the events in store Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16 at the 4th annual Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival.

Around the World in Three Hours

Ethnic studies week is approaching but no worries; there won’t be a test in the traditional sense. Instead, the test will be how much good food and fun you can enjoy during one evening.

The event is a benefit for Adult and Community Education of MV (ACE MV). It takes place at the Performing Arts Center of the high school on Friday, Oct. 15. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. That’s just three hours to pack in a smorgasbord of talent.

Shakespeare on Strings

Reflections of Shakespeare, a concert of music, poetry and dance, will be presented by Boston’s Row Twelve Chamber Music Ensemble free to the public on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center.

The performance is a gift from Row Twelve to the Island community, and supported in part by the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council in collaboration with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and by MPRI, in memory of Robert Hansen.