The city of Mercer Island has a full schedule of arts events to entertain the public this summer. Along with its summer concert series, Mostly Music in the Park, it recently announced the lineups for Movies and Shakespeare in the Park.
Movies in the Park
The city will show “Moana” at sundown, or about 9:15 p.m., on July 28, and “A Wrinkle in Time” at about 8:35 p.m. on Aug. 18.
The free family movies are shown on a giant inflatable screen in Mercerdale Park. Moviegoers should bring blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights. Movies are cancelled during inclement weather, so call the Community and Event Center at 206-275-7609 to confirm showings on bad weather days.
Activities and crafts related to the movie will begin an hour before showtime. See www.mercergov.org/MIevents for more.
Shakespeare in the Park
This year’s Shakespeare in the Park program, presented by Wooden O and sponsored by the Mercer Island Arts Council, will feature “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” directed by Corey McDaniel, and “King Lear,” directed by George Mount.
With open seating and an outdoor setting, Wooden O brings the Shakespeare plays to life, engaging audiences of all ages. It celebrates its 25th year at Luther Burbank Park this summer.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor” will run at at 2 p.m. on July 14 (as part of Summer Celebration) and 7 p.m. on July 13, July 20, July 21, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 12 at the Luther Burbank Park Ampitheatre.
You can see “King Lear” at 7 p.m. on July 15, July 19, July 22, July 27, July 28, Aug. 2, Aug. 3, Aug. 4, Aug. 5, Aug. 10 and Aug. 11.
There will be a special double performance on Aug. 12 with both shows in one day, “King Lear” at 2 p.m. and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at 7 p.m.
For more, see www.seattleshakespeare.org/woodeno.
Mostly Music
The Mostly Music in the Park concert series brings people of all ages together to enjoy live music on summer evenings.
Concerts feature various bands and artists from around the region, performing a wide variety of music. The first five concerts will be held on Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. The final concert will be held on Friday, Aug. 24. It will start at 5 p.m. with a food truck rodeo, and the concert will begin at 6 p.m.
The free concert series is organized by volunteers on the city’s Arts Council. All concerts will be held at Mercerdale Park in downtown Mercer Island, and are sponsored by Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA).
If you would like to support the concerts to ensure they continue, please consider making a donation. Donations can be sent to: City of Mercer Island, Mostly Music in the Park, 2040 84th Ave. SE.
The series kicks off with Mediterranean/Latina group The Rumba Kings on July 19, followed by the jazzy and funkaelic Scott Lindenmuth Group on July 26.
Country/Americana group Joy Mills Band takes the stage on Aug. 2, followed by bluegrass group The Mighty Dreadful on Aug. 9.
The series wraps up with Ethan Keller Group, a contemporary rock band, on Aug. 16 and The Infinity Project, a Journey tribute band, on Aug. 24.
See www.mercergov.org for more.