Here’s our weekly round-up of events from July 16 – 22 on Mercer Island:
Where’s Waldo? Community Event
Friday, July 6 – Tuesday, July 31
At participating locations on Mercer Island
Waldo, the iconic children’s book character, is back again this summer, and Island Books and other Mercer Island merchants are celebrating! Throughout the month of July, look for businesses on Mercer Island with the “Shop Local–Find Waldo” sticker on their windows. Hidden somewhere within them you’ll find a hidden Waldo or his friend Wenda. When you do, get your passport stamped for proof. Three stamps earn you a button and a discount coupon; a stamp from every participating business enters you in a drawing for the grand prize at the end of the month! Local institutions on the Waldo hunting trail include: Island Books, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, Banner Bank, Pagliacci Pizza, and Island Treats.
The Reading Magic Show
Monday, July 16, 7 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Presented by Jeff Evans, this event is for ages 5 and older. Every book is a magic book, but only when you read it! Jeff Evans’ career in magic began from a book of coin tricks he read when he was twelve years old. Discover the amazing things that happen when you open a book and read!
Stories at Dragon Park
Tuesday, July 17, 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!
Ukulele Start-Up Music Workshop
Tuesday, July 17, 3:30 – 5 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Everybody loves the ukulele, but how do you play it? Learn how by starting with the basics, like how to tune it and hold it, and soon you will be playing easy chords. Ukuleles provided, or bring your own. This event is presented by Wes Weddell, musician and performer.
Ned Wolf, Author of the Nandia Trilogy
Tuesday, July 17, 6:30 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Join author Ned Wolf at Island Books for an intriguing look into the creation of the Nandia Trilogy. The evening’s talk, followed by a book signing, will expand upon the author’s perspective about what blocks and nurtures creative intuition.
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, July 18 & Friday, July 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].
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, July 18, 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, July 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.
Pilates in the Park
Wednesday, July 18, 11 am – Noon
Mercerdale Park, 77th Ave SE & SE 34th Street
Join Club Pilates Mercer Island for a free community Mat Pilates class. Karen Swift will show you how to do restorative stretches and challenging pilates moves that build core strength, flexibility, endurance, and better mind-body balance. Bring your own mat or beach towel and join in on the fun.
Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, July 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.
Solarize Mercer Island Educational Workshop
Wednesday, July 18, 6:30 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Building on the success of the 2014 residential solar campaign, which led to almost 50 new installations, the City of Mercer Island is partnering with the citizens’ group Sustainable Mercer Island and the local non-profit Spark Northwest to work with a pre-selected, qualified solar installer. Attend a free workshop to learn more and qualify for a FREE site assessment of your roof’s potential. Please register in advance at this partner website. Workshop dates are listed on the website. You can also look for our outreach booths this summer at the Farmers Market.
Pop Music Science Workshop
Thursday, July 19, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Presented by KidsQuest Children’s Museum, this event is for ages 3 – 4 with an adult. Explore music and movement by playing with bubbles! Join in a bubble story time, complete with bubble popping songs, a bubble wrap stomping station, and even create your own bubble wand. Registration is not required, but space is limited.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, July 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]
Mostly Music in the Park
Thursday, July 19, 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 Rumba Kings, a Mediterranean/Latina group!
A Walk with David Williams
Thursday, July 19, 7 – 8:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Island Books has invited one of their favorite itinerant writers to lead a journey through our own backyard. Join Island Books as David Williams takes us on a guided tour of our Mercer Island environs! David is the author of Seattle Walks. More than a guidebook, it’s a study of the history, geology, and beauty, both architectural and natural, of our local metropolis.
Meet at the store for some preliminary remarks and then embark on a ramble 30 minutes in duration, give or take. This should be a fairly easy stroll well within the capabilities of most walkers, from young to old. They’ll loop back to Island Books and toast to a successful return with a cold beverage. And all the ticketed participants will take home a copy of Seattle Walks! Make sure to sign up early for this ticketed event.
College Essay Writing Drop-In Writing Lab
Thursday, July 19, 2 – 4 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Even if you could not attend the workshops in June, you can stop by the library for feedback, tips, and writing help on your college essays. Mercer Island High School teachers and counselors will be on hand, as well as Collegewise staff.
Shakespeare in the Park: The Merry Wives of Windsor & King Lear
Thursday – Sunday, July 19 – 22, 7 pm
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.
King Lear:
- Thursday, July 19, 7 – 9 pm
- Sunday, July 22, 7 – 9 pm
The Merry Wives of Windsor:
- Friday, July 20, 7 – 9 pm
- Saturday, July 21, 7 – 9 pm
KnitLit: A Crafter Book Group
Friday, July 20, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Discuss books and share your knitting, crocheting, or crafting techniques with others. This month’s book is Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig. All experience levels welcome.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 29
7 pm on Fridays & Saturdays, 11 am on Wednesdays – Sundays (excluding Fridays)
Emmanuel Episcopal Church Courtyard, 4400 86th Ave SE or Rotary Park, 4350 88th Ave SE
Youth Theatre Northwest is excited to launch its 35th summer season with a theatrical adaptation of the classic children’s picture book by Kevin Henkes. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, as adapted by Kevin Kling, brings the rambunctious and lovable mouse Lilly to vibrant life. Directed by Rachel Carlson, the production is delightfully staged outdoors, transforming the courtyard of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Rotary Park into a magical world where mice dance, go to school, anguish over siblings, and even accessorize.
Since the performances are outdoors, audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket or fold-up chair and a basket of delicious goodies for this unique outdoor production. Please see the website or our My MI Summer Fun Guide for more details on the location for each date.
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, July 22, 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.
To Market, To Market with Asia Citro
Sunday, July 22, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street (MI Farmer’s Market)
Island Books’ outdoor summer of fun continues with a special visit from author Asia Citro, who will be joining Island Books at their booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. Once you read one book in the series you’ll definitely want to read them all, so Island Books is offering a special deal on the bundle–the brand-new fifth book will be free! Not only will you and your kids get to meet the author and take home signed books, you’ll be able to engage with a hands-on science experiment: Rescuing a baby animal to take home! (No care or feeding required.)
