Here’s our weekly round-up of events from April 16 – 22 on Mercer Island:

Open House: Bright Horizons at Mercer Island
April 16 – 20 | 8 am – 5 pm
Bright Horizons at Mercer Island, 9555 SE 36th St

During their open house week, you can learn about the programs at Bright Horizons, explore their warm, welcoming classrooms, interact with their engaging teachers, and experience their innovative curriculum.
Learn more >>

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There Are No Rules! Debunking Common Fashion Myths
Monday, April 16th, 6:30 – 9 pm
c. michele interiors, 7605 SE 27th St

Do you feel bound by those pesky fashion rules we are bombarded with? Susie and Dina believe rules are made to be broken and all rules are open to interpretation. Join them as they talk through their least favorite rules and how to embrace them to up your fashion game!

This event will benefit the Island Friends Jr. Guild that supports the Psychiatric and Behavioral Medicine Unit at Children’s Hospital. They will have the best of Carlisle and Etcetera’s Spring and Summer Collections, along with wine and snacks. $10 suggested donation at the door. A percentage of sales resulting from the event will be donated to the Guild. All are welcome!
Learn more >>

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Spring Story Times at the Library
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Join the Mercer Island Children’s Librarian for stories, songs, rhymes, and fun in these 30-minute programs designed especially for you and your young child.

Tuesday April 17
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

Thursday April 19
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Learn more >>

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, April 18 & Friday, April 20, 9 – 10 am
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St

Join Mercer Island Parks & Recreation for Community Coffee Hour every Wednesday and Friday! This is a free program for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and families. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee in a fun and engaging atmosphere with people from the community.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by our staff or special guests.
Learn more >>

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art, and playing. Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is in English. Ages 5 years and younger with caregiver. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
Learn more >>

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Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, April 18, 5 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Purchase your wine by the glass from a rotating selection of wines. Each glass includes delicious appetizers served buffet-style. No need to purchase tickets for Wine Wednesday.
Learn more >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, April 19, 4 – 7 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

Drop by for an afternoon of board games, video games, playing pool or ping-pong, and hanging out. There’s a huge selection of games, and the staff is always up to taking on a new competitor. Games include: Codenames, Mission Red Planet, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Connect 4, Monopoly, and more. Free for ages 7 – 14.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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Israel Story Presents “Mixtape”:
The Stories Behind Israel’s Ultimate Playlist
Thursday, April 19, 6:30 pm happy hour, 7:30 pm show
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

This event is in celebration of Israel @ 70 for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day). With their unique blend of long-form radio-podcast storytelling, live music, and multimedia visuals, Israel’s “This American Life” returns as the country’s leading podcast and radio show celebrates the country’s 70th birthday milestone.

The brand new live show explores seven decades of local tunes on Israel’s musical journey, cranking up the volume on Israel’s most (and least) iconic songs, and unpacking the dramas, complexities, and social tensions behind the music. Join SJCC for an unforgettable evening of phenomenal live music, incredible visuals, and their surprising brand of Israel stories that has garnered fans worldwide. There will be desserts and coffee with the performers after the show.
Learn more >>

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Youth Theatre Northwest presents Chaos Theory 
Friday, April 20 & Saturday, April 21, 7 pm
Parish Hall Theatre at Emmanuel Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

Imagine attending a show that has no script and hasn’t been rehearsed. What can you expect? An evening of unrepentant comedy and gut-busting laughter. Youth Theatre’s improvisational comedy troupe Chaos Theory will take suggestions from the audience to create razor-sharp, hysterical moments of unforgettable theatre. Come ready to play and leave laughing. Best for ages 9+.
Learn more >>

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Mercer Island Bike Drive
Saturday, April 21, 9:30 am – 1 pm
Banner Bank, 2918 78th Ave SE

Yogabliss and Banner Bank are partnering to support The Village Bicycle Project as it aims to empower African communities by strengthening bicycle culture. VBP programs offer previously “loved” bicycles with hands-on maintenance training and bike tools for new owners. Women and girls, frequently marginalized in Africa, are given preference in VBP programs. With improved mobility and better access to jobs, schools, and healthcare, productivity increases withing the community. Bicycle recipients are happier, their health improves and the environmental impact is positive.
Learn more >>

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MIPA’s 52nd Annual Circus
Saturday, April 21, 10 am – 2 pm
Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd St

Hosted by the Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA), their annual Circus draws young families for a day of fun! All activities are appropriate for ages 2 – 8. Children will enjoy pony rides, live music, circus performers, face painting, a petting zoo, magic acts, a tumblebus, police car, fire truck, and many more carnival games and activities. A variety of food trucks will be there as well, such as Delfinos Pizza, The Ultimate Melt (grilled cheeses), Buns (burgers), Nibbles (soups/sandwiches), and Street Donuts.
Learn more >>

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Club Pilates Grand Opening Event
Saturday, April 21, 10 am
Club Pilates Mercer Island, 2601 76th Ave SE, Suite 103

Club Pilates Mercer Island will be hosting their grand opening and ribbon cutting event to celebrate their new location. There will be free Intro classes, along with 25% off apparel, a last chance for grand opening discounts, and Club Pilates & vendor giveaways.
Learn more >>

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Restoration Event
Saturday, April 21, 11 am – 1 pm
Wildwood Park, 7265 87th Ave SE
Meet: west entrance of park on 86th Ave SE

Each year, Mercer Island citizens donate hundreds of hours of their time to maintain the community’s parks and open spaces: picking up litter, planting trees, cutting down ivy, painting over graffiti, or repairing trails.
Learn more >>

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Bandanas to Badges: Songs & Stories of NW Workers
Saturday, April 21, 2 – 3 pm
Aljoya Mercer Island, 2430 76th Ave SE

Acoustic trio Trillium-239 shares stories and songs of working life in the Northwest, beginning with American settlement of the West and ending with modern high-tech industries. Thoughtful music selections and interesting historical tidbits reflect the evolution of these workers’ experiences. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library and Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, in partnership with Mercer Island Historical Society.
Learn more >>

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Cookbook Book Club: Chinese Soul Food
Saturday, April 21, 4 – 5:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Join Island Books for their next Cookbook Book Club dinner and meet author/chef Hsiao-Ching Chou! In case you’re new to this popular recurring Island Books event, their Cookbook Book Club meets regularly to explore different cuisines and cookbooks and taste the dishes they’ve made. A festive potluck meal, in other words, and Island Books will supply the drinks. Here are the step-by-step instructions for participating:

• Come into Island Books ahead of time to buy a copy of the featured cookbook or author.
• Check out the recipes inside, test them at home, and find a favorite dish to share.
• On the appointed evening, bring what you’ve made to Island Books.
• Eat, drink, and be merry!

Learn more >>

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Lauren & Friends: MIPC Concert
Saturday, April 21, 7 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE

Flutist Lauren Asimakoupoulos will perform as “Lauren & Friends” in a concert featuring Piano, Bass, Drums,.and more! The concert will be Saturday, April 21st at 7 pm in our church sanctuary, and the cost is free!
Learn more >>

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“Lemongrass & Chopsticks”: Pop-up Dinner
Saturday, April 21, 7 – 10 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Join The Cilantro Sisters on a culinary voyage through Southeast Asia with their special tribute to the regional cuisines and unique flavors that are the pride of the Indochinese peninsula.
Learn more >>