Here’s our weekly round-up of events from December 5 – 11 on Mercer Island:
Fun by the Fireside Sing-Along Show
Tuesday, December 6, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
It might be cold outside but here’s your chance to pretend you’re enjoying hot cocoa and cozy up to an imaginary fire while singing and dancing along to memorable tunes about fall and winter. Family program, all ages welcome. Presented by Elephant Umbrella, (Mike Gervais and Lisa Taylor). Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library. No registration but space is limited.
Play and Learn 
Wednesday, December 7, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing.
Meet the ‘Senior Nomads’
Thursday, December 8, 7 – 8:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
If you have any interest in travel, you’ll want to hear from the Nomads and check out their book, Your Keys Our Home. It shares tales of living full-time in Airbnbs in over 50 countries and tells stories from the road about delightful people all around the globe.
From the barber’s chair in Dublin and the dentist’s chair in Split, to a wild motorcycle ride in Athens, a peek behind the Soviet curtain in Transnistria and the demise of a chicken for dinner in Marrakech, the Nomads found the world to be just one big neighborhood. More than just a series of charming anecdotes, the book also shares tips on how to find your next Airbnb, how to get where you want to go, and suggests frugal ways to enjoy a new city just as the locals do.
Learn more >>
YTN presents The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales!
December 9 – 18; Friday (Opening only), 7 pm; Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm.
Parish Hall Theatre at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Youth Theatre Northwest closes out the year with a unique and delightful performance. Our upcoming production brings magical and hilarious characters life from the Caldecott honored book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. This spirited production showcases the talents of our junior actors (ages 7-10) and aims to introduce the youngest audience members to the magic and creativity of live theatre.
MIVAL Jr. Holiday Workshop for Kids
Saturday, December 10, 1 – 3 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Here come the holidays, along with a chance for kids to add their personalized, artistic touch. Join this fun workshop run by talented artists from the Mercer Island Visual Arts League, with the support of Mercer Island High School students. In just two hours, kids K-8 will create a personal holiday gift or cards for friends and family. Pre-registration required. Registration closes December 5th.
Learn more >>
Island Youth Ballet presents: “Excerpts from the Nutcracker”
Saturday, December 10, 1 pm & 5 pm | Sunday December 11, 1 pm & 5 pm
Saturday, December 16, 7 pm | Sunday, December 18, 7 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Island Youth’s Ballet “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” has become a cherished Mercer Island tradition and must-see for all who wish to experience the holiday magic of one of ballet’s most cherished classics. Whether this is a family tradition or you are experiencing it for the first time, this holiday offering will delight your spirit and imagination. Beautiful costumes, theatrical lighting and sets, and spirited dancing transport you to magical places where mice and soldiers battle, snowflakes dance, and a beautiful sugar plum fairy reigns.
Parents Night Out Holiday Party with Santa
Saturday, December 10, 5 – 10 pm
Mercer Island Community & Events Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
A perfect time for parents to finish up holiday shopping or attend a holiday party while your kids have a great time with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department staff! We’ll have refreshments, crafts, a holiday movie, and more! Santa and his elves will make an appearance for photos! Reservations required.
“O Magnum Mysterium” Holiday Concert at MIPC
Saturday, December 10, 7 – 9 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
The Mercer Island Presbyterian Church welcomes the Bellevue Chamber Chorus, performing music of the season in a special “O Magnum Mysterium” Christmas concert.
MIPC website >>
Island Sound presents “Candyland!”
Saturday, December 10, 7 pm | Sunday, December 11, 2 pm and 7 pm
Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd St
Mercer Island girls’ choirs, Prep (2nd through 4th graders), Island Girls (4th through 6th graders), and Island Sound (7th through 12th graders) will delight audiences with these festive performances.
Learn more >>
Navidad! Christmas Music from New and Old Spain
Saturday, December 10, 7:30 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Avenue SE
Colonial Latin America’s unique melting pot of Italian, Spanish, African, Portuguese, and native traditions led to the creation of the Christmas Villancico. This vivacious, rhythmic, and rustic form retells the Christmas story through the characteristic sounds of guitar, harp, harpsichord, and strings with a quartet of voices. Experience a rich tapestry of works from Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain in this unique holiday program. The program includes the US premieres of works by Guatemalan composer Rafael Castellanos (ca. 1721-1791) and Spanish composer Fabián Garcia Pacheco (1725-1808).
Learn more >>
The Dickens Carolers
Sunday, December 11, 1:30 – 2:15 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
For over 35 years, The Dickens Carolers has been a local holiday tradition. Your holiday favorites, both traditional and contemporary, are sung in beautiful four-part harmony. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
Sephardic Delicacies: Yaprak Dolmas & Cheesy Fritters
Sunday, December 11, 2 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Add a Mediterranean culinary twist to this year’s Hanukkah line-up. Instead of latkes, make mouth-watering cheesy potato fritters and yaprak dolmas with Seattle’s Rachel Almeleh, author of “A Legacy of Sephardic, Mediterranean, and American Recipes.”
Learn more >>
