The 32nd annual celebration of the arts in Mercer Island schools is between 5:30 and 9 p.m., March 29-30, at Mercer Island High School. This two-evening event features visual arts displays by every K-5 student, IMS and MIHS art students as well as band, orchestra, choir and dramatic performances. This fundraiser benefits the district’s fine arts programs. More information and tickets are available at www.mifineartsed.org.

Wednesday | 23

“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”: 7-8:30 p.m., March 23-24, Island Park Elementary, 5437 Island Crest Way. Island Park’s fifth grade class presents two evening performances. Tickets: $5 per adult, $3 per child, free for preschool children. www.misd.k12.wa.us/schools/ip.

Israel 360 lecture: “The American-Israeli Relationship: Where is the Obama Administration Taking It?”, 7-9 p.m., March 23, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Rescheduled from Feb. 24. Tickets will be honored for the new date. Contact: Roni Antebi, (206) 388-0832, ronia@sjcc.org.

Thursday | 24

MI Senior Golf Program Kick-off & Information Meeting: 9 a.m., March 24, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Co-ed program for 9 and 18 hole golfers ages 55 and up. April 3 through October. Sponsor: MI Parks and Recreation. Sign up at the CCMV on or after March 23. (206) 275-7609.

Northwest Watercolor Society 71st Open International Exhibition Reception and Award Presentation: 6-8 p.m., March 24, Mercer View Gallery, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Meet the artists.  Over $11,000 in cash and merchandise prizes will be awarded to winning artists. Exhibition: March 21-May 13. The exhibition showcases paintings by international artists. Attendees will experience the finest expressions and artistry techniques of water medium on paper.

Turn the Page: 6-8:45 p.m., March 24, Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 E. Mercer Way. Rivy Poupko Kletenik will present “A Different View from Sinai: A Women’s Perspective at the Seder.” Dinner/program: $25. Supporter: $72. (206) 232-8555, www.h-nt.org, www.JewishInSeattle.org.

“Race to Nowhere”: 7-9 p.m., March 24, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. “Race to Nowhere” is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. Contact: Kim Lawson, (206) 388-0829, klawson@sjcc.org.

Friday | 25

Shumba Youth Marimba Ensemble Concert: 7 p.m., March 25-26, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Concert of African marimba. Directed by cultural artist Sheree Seretse. Tickets: $15, adults. $13: youth and seniors. (206) 232-4145, ext. 109, www.youththeatre.org.

Doors to the Soul Sensory Awakening Ritual: 7-9 p.m., March 25, Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way. Experience a mindfulness ritual. Led by BodyMind Energetics Institute. Co-sponsor: WomanSpirit Center. Meditative music, open to all. $60. Groups: $50. Students: $40. (425) 641-1527, womanspiritalive@aol.com.

Classics on Film: “Babette’s Feast” (Gabriel Axel, 1987 Denmark, 102 min.), 7:30-9:30 p.m., March 25, Aljoya Theatre, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Look at the role of food in the film, with commentary provided by Lance Rhoades, Mercer Island Arts Council Classics on Film program director.

Saturday | 26

Mercer Island Spring Recycling Collection Event: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., March 26, Mercer Island Boat Launch, 3600 East Mercer Way. Only certain recyclables are accepted, and a fee will be charged to recycle televisions and computer monitors. Suggested donations: nonperishable food items for the city’s Department of Youth and Family Services Food Pantry, or a cash contribution. For a complete list of accepted and restricted items and applicable fees, see the event flyer at www.mercergov.org.

Parents Night Out Fundraiser: 6:30-9:30 p.m., March 26, Mercer island Martial Arts, 2630 77th Ave. S.E., Suite 106-108. Drop your children off for pizza and a movie and enjoy the night out. All proceeds will be donated to The Mockingbird Society, helping foster youth. info@mercerislandmartialarts.com.

Sunday | 27

All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., March 27, April 3, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. This annual fundraiser is hosted, prepared and serviced by Boy Scout Troop 457 members. Pancakes, ham, fruit salad, juice, coffee and tea are served.

Red Cross Babysitter Training: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., March 27, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way.  Babysitter training and infant/CPR with first aid. Attendance both days is required. Ages 11-15. SJCC Members: $100. Non-members: $115. Contact: Youth and Family Program Manager Matthew Korch, (206) 388-0830, mattk@sjcc.org.

2011 Mercer Island Youth Employment and Volunteer Fair: 12-4 p.m., March 27, MI Boys & Girls Club PEAK, 4120 86th Ave. The fair is coordinated by Cheryl Manriquez, City of Mercer Island Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS) employment coordinator, with the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club and Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce. Multiple employment and volunteer opportunities will be available for youth. Prospective employers can sign up for a table at the fair to share job openings or volunteer opportunities. Contact Manriquez: (206) 275-7869.

The Jewish Touch: National Yiddish Theatre, 4 p.m., March 27, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Zalmen Mlotek’s “Magical World of Yiddish Song” with special guest Daniella Rabbani. Contact: Roni Antebi, (206) 388-0832, ronia@sjcc.org.

Tuesday | 29

MIHS Fine Arts Showcase: 5:30-9 p.m., March 29-30, MIHS Gym/Commons, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. www.mifineartsed.org.

Thursday | 31

Island Books Book Club: 7:30 p.m., March 31, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. “The Imperfectionists,” by Tom Rachman. Set against the backdrop of Rome, Tom Rachman’s wry, vibrant debut follows the lives of the reporters, editors and executives of an international English language newspaper as they struggle to keep it and themselves afloat.

Upcoming

Local Author Event with Aida Kouyoumjian: 6:30-7:30 p.m., April 5, Bellevue Club, 11200 S.E. 6th Street, Bellevue. Mercer Island resident Aida Kouyoumjian will talk about her book: “Between the Two Rivers.” 688-3384, memberevents@bellevueclub.com.

Probus Club of Mercer Island meeting: 10:30 a.m., April 6, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Michael Lyman, principal and owner of The Lyman Group, financial planners. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

Parklane Gallery Artist Reception: 6-8 p.m., April 8, 130 Park Lane, Kirkland. Presenting glass masterworks of Island artist Jason Gamrath, now through May 1. www.jasongamrathglass.com.

“Jews, Genetics, and the DNA Shoah Project”: 7:30 p.m., April 11, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Doors open at 7 p.m. The JGSWS library and WiFi are available. Speaker: Matthew Kaplan will present research findings from studies of Jewish genetics and Jewish population history. The DNA Shoah Project is a unique humanitarian effort to reunite survivors of the Holocaust. Free: JGSWS members. $5: non-members. www.jgsws.org.

Island Books Sister City Benefit: Reading with Maggie Bennett, 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 14, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. “Windy Stories: Storytelling Traditions From The Salmon River Idaho.”

Breakfast of Champions: 7-8:30 a.m., April 26, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd Street. Parking available in student lots and on the street. www.mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com.

Events | Ongoing

Northwest Harvest Food Drive: ongoing through March 27, New Hope International Church, 9170 S.E. 64th St. Bring nonperishable food items to NHIC main lobby. The last donation day is Sunday, March 27. Contact: Lee Rich, (425) 970-33323.

Mercer Island Film and Social Group for Teens: 7-11 p.m., Saturdays, Johnson residence home theater on Mercer Island. The Johnsons are forming a social film group for teens and seeks up to seven members (ages 16–19). Local, professional filmmakers will come once a month. Refreshments included. Contact: Allen Johnson, allen3@allenjohnsonjr.com.

VOICE & SVP Registration: through 3 p.m., April 11. This summer, the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services will offer two youth volunteer programs: Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) and Summer Volunteer Program (SVP). Contact: Tambi Cork, tambi.cork@mercergov.org, (206) 275-7755.

Classes | Ongoing

Stroller Strides: 9:45-10:45 a.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. (425) 306-2275, melonycable@strollerstrides.net.

Library

Adults

Saturday Matinee Film: “Central Station,” 1 p.m., March 26.

Great Singers: Maria Callas Three-Part Series, 7 p.m., March 28, April 4 and 11. Lecture series on three great opera singers of the 20th century: Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas. Presented by Norm Hollingshead, who will illustrate his commentary with recorded musical excerpts from his own collection of recordings.

One-on-One Computer Assistance: A KCLS volunteer instructor can give you one-on-one instruction. Please make an appointment: (206) 236-3537.

Children & Families

Wonderful Ones Story Times: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, March 23, 30. Ages 12-24 months with adult.

Terrific Twos Story Times: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, March 23, 30. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Baby and Me Story Times: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, March 29. Ages 3-12 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, March 29. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Chinese Story Times: 10:30 a.m., Saturdays, through March 26. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Pajamarama Story Time: 7 p.m., March 28. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Teens

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, through March 28. Hang out, do homework, play board games or just chat. Ages 12 and older.

Online Teen Readers: Read and comment on book reviews from local teens. Submit your own book reviews; if your review is chosen as a featured review, receive a coupon for free ice cream. http://blogs.kcls.org/onlineteenreaders.