Events

“Dracula”: Jan. 22-Feb. 7, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Fridays: 7 p.m. Saturdays: 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Tickets: $15/adults, $13/seniors, youth (18 and under). Opening Night Gala Performance: 7 p.m., Jan. 22; $17/adults, $15/seniors, youth. Discounted group rates are available. (206) 232-4145, ext. 109, www.youththeatre.org.

Island Books Readings: 2 p.m., Jan. 23, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. Island author Gloria Rand is featured in “Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook.” 1:30 p.m., Jan. 24: author Margaret D. McGee, “Haiku — The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in Three Lines.” (206) 232-6920, www.mercerislandbooks.com.

RSCDS Seattle Annual Burns’ Night Celebration: 7 p.m., Jan. 23, Mercer Island Congregational Church, 4545 Island Crest Way. $12/adults, $10/teens, $6/ages 7-12, and free/under 7. Celebration of the life of Robert Burns and being Scottish with dance, verse, ceremony, Scottish traditional food. Dances geared toward non-dancers with live music.

Classics on Films: “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990), 7 p.m., Jan. 30, Aljoya Theater, 2430 S.E. 76th. French film with subtitles. Presented by MI Arts Council, with MI Sister City Association. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989): 7 p.m., Feb. 6. Pick up a parking token at Aljoya front desk. (206) 275-7609, ejleithe@comcast.net. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

“Adventure Playhouse”: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturdays; 2:30 p.m., Sundays, through Feb. 7, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. An improvised adventure story where the audience creates the show with the actors; features live music, games, art. Tickets: $10. 1-800-838-3006, www.wingitpresents.com/tickets.

Giving From the Heart Breakfast: 7-8:30 a.m., Feb. 10, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. Reservations: (206) 275-7611.

Wine Tasting: 4-6 p.m., Friday evenings, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th St. Free. (206) 407-3016.

Classes

MIVAL Gallery classes: “Introduction to Photoshop Elements,” 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 21; Ron Reed, instructor; $35. “Painting Yupo”: 9:30-11 a.m., Jan. 22; Cheryl Hoople, instructor. “Beginners Acrylic and Acrylic Open”: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 27; Wednesday series, six sessions ($250); Sally Grant, instructor. Charlette Haugen: chhaugen@aol.com, (206) 282-1813.

Infant/Child/Adult CPR with AED: 7-9 p.m., Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. This is not a health care provider class. $15 by check or cash at event. Reservations: (206) 275-7607.

Interfaith Community Environmental Conference: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 30, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. Keynote speaker: The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Anglican Bishop to Indigenous Peoples of Canada. By preregistration only through www.communionwithcreation.org.

“How to Get Paid to Buy Your First Home”: 6-7 p.m., Feb. 3, March 3, Windermere Mercer Island, 2737 77th Ave. S.E. Presented by Diane Rae Jones, Windermere Real Estate. Free. (206) 232-0446, www.windermeremercerisland.com.

Beginning Fly-Tying Classes: 6:30-7:30 p.m., through Feb. 5, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Eight-session beginner class teaches how to tie flies to get fish biting. $45. Includes a manual and DVD. Bob: (206) 542-4623.

“Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living”: 7:15 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 9-March 16, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI). Speaker: Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, of the Chai Center of Greater Seattle. (206) 290-6301. www.myJLI.com.

Group Health Medicare Advantage Seminars: 10 a.m., Feb. 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Informational seminars on Group Health’s five HMO Medicare Advantage plans in East King County. Register at www.ghc.org/medicare/hmoSeminars.jhtml. (800) 446-8882, www.ghc.org.

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Japanese Flower-Arranging Winter Classes: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, through March 5, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. Instructor: Mitsuko Hakomori. $80. Shirley Hill: (425) 558-0889, shirleyhill@live.com.

Stroller Strides Class: 11:30 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays, Club Emerald, 3028 78th Ave. S.E. A nationally acclaimed program that allows moms to exercise with their babies. Dawn Minter: (425) 466-3737, www.strollerstrides.com.

Groups

Mercer Island Radio Operators: meeting, 7 p.m., Jan. 21, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. MIRO Chairman Dave Cook: (206) 230-0397. www.mirohams.org.

Little Cheer Basketball Clinic: 3-4:30 p.m., Jan. 26-27, Island Park Elementary School Gym, 5437 Island Crest Way. Mercer Island varsity cheerleaders will teach basketball cheers and a special dance. The kids will cheer with the squad at the basketball game on Saturday night, Jan. 30. For elementary ages and pre-K. $50 includes both clinic days, T-shirt, game admission. Jan: (206) 232-8122, jan@jadedogs.com.

Chamber Gallery Artist Reception: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 28, MI Chamber of Commerce, 7605 S.E. 27th St. Meet Yolanda Agress, Chilean-born oil painter, whose artwork is on display through Feb. 26. Refreshments served.

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 30, Pioneer Park, at Island Crest Way and S.E. 68th St.; remove non-native plants and plant native conifer trees. Clarke Beach: Feb. 13, remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. Sign up online www.earthcorps.org.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., Feb. 3, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Author and talk-show raconteur Robert W. Felix will discuss his expectation of a new ice age. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

Mercer Island Women’s Club: fundraiser luncheon, Feb. 8, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. Social: 11 a.m. Lunch: 12 p.m. Speakers: nationally known co-authors of “Better Because of You,” Cathy Haffner and Ginny Hutchinson, with Better Because Foundation. Benefits Women’s Club local charities. $21. RSVP by Jan. 30 to Stacy Deuel: (206) 230-4250, deuels27@msn.com, www.mercerislandwomensclub.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Talk Time: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 20, 27. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group, and learn more about American culture.

Children

Sing-Along with Caspar Babypants: 7 p.m., Jan. 25. Join Chris Ballew, lead singer of Seattle-based rock and roll band The United States of America. Ages 2-5 with adult.

Baby Rhyming Time: 10 a.m., Jan. 26. Introduce your baby to books and the library with rhymes, books, music and play. Ages 3-9 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Jan. 26. Stories, alphabet activities, music. Ages 3-5.

Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Jan. 27. Stories, rhymes, music, activities. Ages 12-24 months with caregiver.

Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Jan. 27. Stories, music, Early Literacy activities. Ages 2-3 with caregiver.

Teens

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Jan. 25. Hang out, do homework, play board games, chat. Ages 12 and up.

Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Jan. 25. Get help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the Boys & Girls Club for games, crafts and activities. Joan Calden, Ben Ramage: (206) 436-1947. www.mipositiveplace.org.

Parks & Recreation

Events take place at the Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV) unless otherwise noted.

8236 S.E. 24th St.

(206) 275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

Registration for winter programs, January through March, is now open. To sign up, go to www.myparksandrecreation.com or call (206) 275-7609.

Beginning Salsa Dancing: 7:45-8:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 17. Introduction to the rhythm and timing of the music, and the technique in leading and following. No partner needed. $50/5 weeks.

After-School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, through Jan. 25. Hands-on after-school programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Stories and snacks provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park.

Digital Photography: 6-9 p.m., Jan. 26. Age 16 and up. $42.

Beginning Bridge: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays, through Feb. 9. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. $74.

Family Valentine’s Dance: Feb. 12. Dancing, refreshments, photos, games and more. Ages 2-12. $16 per child and one family member; $5 each additional family member.