Here’s our weekly round-up of events from January 29 – February 4 on Mercer Island:
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 programs designed especially for you and your young child.
Tuesday, January 29
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Wednesday, January 30
Play & Learn (ages 5 and younger) – 10:30 am – Noon
Thursday, January 31
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Art Talk: The Gothic Cathedral with Art Historian Rebecca Albiani
Tuesday, January 29, 7 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
Explore the Gothic style of 12th and 13th century France with noted art historian and lecturer Rebecca Albiani. In developing this style, builders strove for even greater height and transparency. Seamless amalgams of architecture, sculpture, and glass, the great French Gothic cathedrals attempted to recreate heaven on earth. This program is presented in partnership with the Mercer Island Sister City Association. Enjoy refreshments provided by MISCA following the talk. Admission is $15.
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, January 30 & Friday, February 1, 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 or tea while catching up with old acquaintances or meeting new friends.
For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, January 30, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones to enjoy popular picture books read by Island Books’ staff or special guests.
Wine Wednesdays at Caruccio’s
Wednesday, January 30, 5 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
When you purchase your wine by the glass or bottle from our rotating selection of wines, you may enjoy an aperitivo-style buffet on our 21 foot curved countertop.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, January 31, 4 – 7 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
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 High School Winter Play “Metamorphoses”
Thursday, January 31 – February 9, times vary
MIHS Performing Arts Center,
Join Mercer Island High School Drama for its winter play, Metamorphoses, by Mary Zimmerman. Aphrodite, Zeus, Orpheus, Eurydice, Midas and other famous mythological characters are meeting onstage to share their stories in this modern adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Set in and around a large pool of water onstage, this beautiful play reflects the persistence of humanity in the face of inevitable change. This show is recommended for audiences 13 years and older. Presale tickets are $10, and $15 at the door. Seniors 65-plus are $5. Tickets can be purchased from members of the cast or online.
Open Book Club : Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Thursday, January 31, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
In January, our Open Book Club will read and discuss Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is the smart, warm, and uplifting story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes the only way to survive is to open your heart. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase your book here in the store you’ll get a 10% discount.
Youth Theatre Northwest presents Mary Poppins Jr.
Friday, February 1 – February 3, times vary
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Don’t miss the Youth Theatre Northwest’s production of Mary Poppins, Jr., a musical based on the stories of P.L Travers and the Walt Disney film and directed by Kate Swenson. The Banks children of Cherry Tree Lane are out of control and their parents are desperate to find a new nanny. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their door, the family finds that she’s the answer to their problems, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins will take everyone on a magical, memorable, musical adventure where “anything can happen if you let it.” Best suited for kids, age 5+.
First Friday Art Walk
Friday, February 1
Come out for Mercer Island’s First Friday Art Walk. Art galleries on Mercer Island will be hosting their art walk events on the first Friday of the month (and some have free wine!). Clarke + Clarke, MIVAL Gallery, and SZ Gallery will be participating.
Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
7605 SE 27th St, Suite 105
Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
MIVAL Gallery
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
Avellino Building, 2836 78th Ave SE
Classics on Film : A Little Game
Friday, February 1, 7:30 pm
Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave SE
The Classics on Film series, sponsored by the Arts Council, celebrates the amazing variety of chess-themed cinema with the film, A Little Game. Film historian Lance Rhoades will introduce and lead a Q&A following the film. All screenings are free and open to the public.
Artist Pop-Up : Northwest Artists in Action Guild
Saturday, February 2, 11 am – 3 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Discover the artistic process at a demonstration by the Northwest Artists in Action Guild, a group of fine artists specializing in media such as oil painting, watercolor, and pastel. See the artists “in action,” and don’t miss their exhibit at the Mercer Island Gallery, on view until February 22.
PJ Story Time with Terina Beckwick Black & Nancy Stewart
Saturday, February 2, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books,3014 78th Ave SE
This month’s storyteller is Terina Beckwith Black. Terina loves books, children, and sharing information. She has a Masters in Library and Information Science and worked as a children’s librarian in the Seattle Public Libraries. Geared especially for children over three; refreshments will be served. And don’t miss our special guest opener, musician and singer Nancy Stewart!
Unorthodox Live: Featuring Dan Savage
Saturday, February 2, Happy Hour at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm
SJCC, 3801 E Mercer Way
“Unorthodox” is the world’s leading Jewish podcast—but you don’t have to be Jewish to love it! Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz of Tablet Magazine, each episode features fascinating guests (one Jewish, one gentile), “News of the Jews,” and so much more. Join us for a live recording for Valentine’s Day, featuring Seattle-based sex advice columnist, podcaster, and public speaker Dan Savage and other surprising special guests for an “unorthodox” discussion of Jewish sex, matchmaking, and more.
Free Mercer Island Lacrosse Clinic
Sunday, February 3, 12 – 1 pm
Mercer Island High School Stadium, 9100 SE 42nd St
If you have never tried lacrosse, come join the fun! MILC wants to get a Warrior WARP stick in your hands, yours to keep for joining the clinic! Existing MILC players, bring a friend new to lacrosse and you both get a stick. Open to boys in Kindergarten – 4th grade and live on Mercer island.
If you have questions, email [email protected].
Reading with Rover
Sunday, February 3, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog in a welcoming environment. Reading with Rover is a community-based literacy program working with schools and libraries throughout the greater Seattle area. Space is limited and there will be a sign-up sheet at the door.
Talk Time
Monday, February 4, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Improve your speaking and listening skills in this conversation group for English language learners. Learn more about American culture and meet people from around the world. Walk-ins welcome.
