Here’s our weekly round-up of events from July 30 – August 5 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.
PTA Reflections Exhibition of MIHS Student Photography
Monday, July 30 – Saturday, September 1, During library hours
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
The Mercer Island PTA Reflections Committee is excited to announce the Mercer Island High School Students’ Photography Exhibition, “Within Reach,” to be held at Mercer Island Library throughout August. This exhibition exemplifies the talent of Mercer Island students, and they hope it will serve to inspire other young people to embrace their creativity.
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
Stories at Dragon Park
Tuesday, July 31, 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!
Create & Record Sound Effects for Movies Workshop
Tuesday, July 31, 4 – 5:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Presented by STYLE: Songwriting Through Youth Literature Education, this event is for tweens and teens. Creating sound and audio is one of the most important pieces in setting the final mood and perspective for audiences of movies, TV, video games, radio, and other visual performances. Learn to build and record sounds for your own project using a mobile recording studio.
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, August 1 & Friday, August 3, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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.
Ben Malcolmson, Author of Walk On
Wednesday, August 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Ben Malcomson, longtime assistant to Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll, will discuss his new book, Walk On: From Pee Wee Dropout to the NFL Sidelines–My Unlikely Story of Football, Purpose, and Following an Amazing God, a compelling account of perseverance and hope. With a humble spirit dedicated to consistent acts of discipleship, Ben Malcolmson is an authentic voice for the power of simple obedience and trust, for what can happen when a believer allows God to work in a life. Walk On is the result of God using his faithful people to work in the lives of others.
Challenging Conversations
Thursday, August 2, 11 – 11:45 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
This event is for adults. Develop a toolkit of skills to employ when discussing difficult topics or differences of opinion. Marcia McReynolds, co-manager of City of Bellevue’s Neighbor Mediation Program, teaches you techniques for creating connections and building community at home, work and in your neighborhood. Light refreshments served at 10:30am.
Summer Movies: Cars 3
Thursday, August 2, 1 – 3 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
This family program is for ages 5 and older. Enjoy fun, family movies! This week, the movie is Cars 3. Registration is not required, but space is limited.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, August 2, 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, August 2, 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 Joy Mills Band, a country/Americana group!
Shakespeare in the Park: King Lear
Thursday – Sunday, August 2 – 5, 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 King Lear.
An aging monarch’s last act could destroy his kingdom. After ruling for many years, Lear decides to divide his lands and wealth between his daughters. Overestimating their love and loyalty, Lear finds everything that defined him as a king ripped from his hands. Only after wandering purposeless and tossed about in a storm of pain and madness, the once mighty ruler begins to discover his own humanity.
Seafair Weekend – Boeing Seafair Airshow
Friday, August 3rd – Sunday, August 5th, 8 am – 6 pm
Various locations on Mercer Island
Dubbed as an unofficial Seattle holiday, Seafair Weekend culminates with one of the most impressive air shows in the country: the Boeing Seafair Air Show. Don’t miss your favorite aircraft flying high in the sky over Genesee Park and Lake Washington during Seafair Weekend. Attendees won’t mistake the familiar roar of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels ripping through the air as they return for yet another heart-pounding performance in our great city. The best spots to watch on Mercer Island: Landings on 60th Ave, Park on the Lid, Groveland Park, I-90 floating bridge!
Learn more >>
First Friday Art Walk
Friday, August 3
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
“WABI SABI – Celebrating Uniqueness”
Friday, August 3, 5 – 8 pm
Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts, 7605 SE 27th St, #105
This month’s First Friday Art Walk on Mercer Island at Clarke + Clarke (with bubbly and bonbons) will feature new works by Jan Tervonen and selected vintage global ceramics. Jan Tervonen is one of our recent discoveries and will be featured in a one person show in April/May 2019. The gallery selected a few pieces of her current collection to present along with their selected vintage to modern ceramics and their ongoing summer artists show. Come see Jan’s art along with other beautiful pieces this Friday.
TENACIOUS, curated by Deborah Kapoor
Friday, August 3, 5 – 8 pm
SZ Gallery, 2441 76th Ave SE, #160
TENACIOUS, curated by Deborah Kapoor, is a group show of contemporary artists featuring interpretations of perseverance related to the feminine. Works encompass a range of materiality including painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, glass, fiber, cut paper, drawing, collage, embroidery, mixed media, bronze casting, and video installation. Stop by for enlightening art pieces and engaging conversation, along with complimentary refreshments and seasonal bites. As a special treat, two tickets to the Seattle Art Fair will be raffled off during the reception.
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, August 5, 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.
Songs on Canvas: Song Recital and Painting Exhibition
Sunday, August 5, 3:30 pm
Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way
Come see a musical performance by the students of the German Vocal Arts Institute alongside a painting exhibition and live painting creation by Sissy Altom. You will hear works ranging from Schubert to Lehar, touching romantic art songs, ensemble selections from Mozart’s Magic Flute, and favorite operetta highlights. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Artwork is available for purchase at the event.
