Here’s our weekly round-up of events from August 6 – 12 on Mercer Island:
School Supplies Drive
Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10, During SJCC Open Hours
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Give kids the tools they need to succeed in the coming school year! Help fill the backpacks of students in need at Leschi Elementary School. Drop your donations off in boxes at the J. Items needed include: plastic folders with pockets, composition notebooks, 12-packs of no. 2 pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, 8-packs of washable markers (broad tips), dry erase markers, scissors, pencil holders (box or pouch), 3-ring binders, 12-packs of colored pencils, and mini bottles of hand sanitizer.
Kids’ Weeklong Asian Cooking Camp
Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Instill the passion of cooking in your child’s life through a weeklong cooking camp for ages 7 – 12. Learn to make eastern culinary delights, from handmade dumplings to longevity noodles, with Chef Kay. Sign up at kaycatering.com to reserve your spot.
Stories at Dragon Park
Tuesday, August 7, Noon – 12:30 pm
Deane’s Children’s Park, 5701 Island Crest Way
This family program is open to kids of all ages. Bring your lunch to the park and enjoy stories while you munch!
National Night Out 2018
Tuesday, August 7, 5 – 8 pm
City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street
Downtown Mercer Island residents are invited to join City officials and the Police Department for a free hot-dog cookout at City Hall, as well as other fun events, on the annual National Night Out. National Night Out is a community-police awareness-raising event held across the United States annually on the first Tuesday of August. The event is designed to increase crime prevention awareness, to generate support for family emergency preparedness and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and community partnerships. Island residents also encouraged to host an event in their own neighborhood – whether a block party or simply a backyard cookout.
Self-Publishing for Teen Writers
Tuesday, August 7, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Presented by Gerri Russell (author), this event is for tweens and teens. Are you interested in publishing your own book? What should you consider before you self-publish, and how do you prepare your manuscript for converting it to a document for Kindle, Nook, Apple, and Smashwords? Find out more at this workshop!
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, August 8 & Friday, August 10, 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].
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, August 8, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by Island Books’ staff or special guests.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, August 8, 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.
Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, August 8, 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.
Make a Little Rhythm
Thursday, August 9, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
For ages 3 and up, drop in and join beloved singer-songwriter Nancy Stewart in making musical instruments from recycled materials.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, August 9, 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]
Mercer Island Farmers Market Garden Party
Thursday, August 9, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave SE
The MIFM Garden Party is hosted by Aljoya in their beautiful outdoor garden patio and is for ages 21 and older (no pets allowed). Sip specialty made cocktails, eat delicious hors-d’oeuvres, listen to live jazz music, and meet other farmers market supporters! All proceeds go to support MIFM. Because space is limited, please RSVP by purchasing a ticket online, using the link below (tickets will also be available at the door).
Shakespeare in the Park:
The Merry Wives of Windsor & King Lear
Thursday – Sunday, August 9 – 12, See times for shows below
Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave SE
Seattle Shakespeare Company will be performing free shows in Luther Burbank Park, family-friendly and open to the public! Bring a blanket or a chair and come watch an all-ages friendly performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor or King Lear. Read descriptions of each show on their website.
The Merry Wives of Windsor:
- Thursday, August 9, 7 – 9 pm
- Sunday, August 12, 7 – 9 pm
King Lear:
- Friday, August 10, 7 – 9 pm
- Saturday, August 11, 7 – 9 pm
- Sunday, August 12, 2 – 4 pm
Mostly Music in the Park
Thursday, August 9, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue SE & SE 32nd Street
Mostly Music in the Park is Mercer Island Arts Council’s annual summer concert series in Mercerdale Park. Concerts feature various bands and artists from around the region performing a wide variety of music. This week’s featured group is The Mighty Dreadful, a bluegrass group!
The Lion King, Jr.
August 10 – 25 | Friday, 7 pm and Saturday, 11 am & 7 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Disney’s The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world. The African savannah comes to life on your stage with Simba, Rafiki, and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale presented by Youth Theatre Northwest.
Restoration Event
Saturday, August 11, 9 am – 1 pm
Mercerdale Hillside Park, 3009 77th Ave SE
Meet: corner of 76th Ave SE & SE 37nd Pl
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.
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, August 12, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street
The Mercer Island Farmers Market is open every Sunday from June – October. Say hello to your favorite vendors and kick the season off with us. Enjoy the sunshine and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as locally made food and drinks, artisan crafts, and fun activities for the whole family. Visit the website for weekly updates and special events.
