With the recent emergence of the sun after the wettest winter in Seattle history, Islanders can start looking forward to summer weather and activities.
The city of Mercer Island has a few events planned to complement the anticipated Summer Celebration on July 9-10, recently announcing the lineups for Movies in the Park, Shakespeare in the Park and Mostly Music in the Park (the park being Mercerdale, with a few exceptions).
The movies in the park will be “Wreck-It Ralph” at sundown, or about 9:20 p.m., on July 23 and “The Good Dinosaur” at about 8:34 p.m. on Aug. 20.
The free family movies, sponsored by JayMarc Homes, 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 Mercer Island Community and Event Center at 206-275-7609 to confirm showings on bad weather days.
“‘The Good Dinosaur’ has some special cinematography that will look fabulous on a giant screen, and will seem quite magical being outdoors while watching it under the stars,” said Amber Britton, the city’s art and special events recreation coordinator. “‘Wreck-it Ralph’ has a great message about being selfless and what it means to be a true friend, through fun video game nostalgia that should appeal to the parents who grew up in the 1980s.”
Activities and crafts related to the movie will begin an hour before show time. Check www.mercergov.org/MIevents for more movie details.
This year’s Shakespeare in the Park program, presented by Wooden O and sponsored by the Mercer Island Arts Council, will feature “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Hamlet.”
In the former, directed by Mary Machala, the “idealistic resolve of four young men gets tested by four young ladies who show up at their doorstep,” according to the city’s synopsis.
The latter, directed by George Mount, is considered Shakespeare’s masterpiece. In the play, “a young man comes home to a much changed world” after receiving news of his father’s death.
“Love’s Labour’s Lost” will run at 7 p.m. on July 7, July 8, July 14, July 15, July 16, July 24 and Aug. 4 at the Luther Burbank Park ampitheatre. The July 24 show is a special double performance that allows you to see both shows in one day, “Hamlet” at 2 p.m. and “Love’s Labour’s” at 7 p.m. See “Hamlet” at 7 p.m. on July 17, July 21, July 22, July 23, July 28, July 29, July 30, Aug. 5, Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.
There will be special Summer Celebration performances of both shows: “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at 2 p.m. on July 9 and “Hamlet” at 2 p.m. on July 10.
Mostly Music in the Park, the Arts Council’s annual summer concert series, features various bands and artists from around the region performing a wide variety of music in July and August. Concerts are held on Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Mercerdale Park.
The program kicks off on July 21 with the rock and soul blend group, Ben Rice Trio, and continues on July 28 with the Latin music of Coco Loco. Aug. 4’s show features the Afro-World fusion stylings of Maya Soleil followed by Jazz Underground, a contemporary big band jazz group, on Aug. 11. The series concludes on Aug. 18 with Cajun/Zydeco band Swamp Soul.
In addition, the Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle will perform at 5 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the Luther Burbank Park amphitheatre.
Mostly Music is sponsored by JayMarc Homes, the law offices of William D. Hochberg, New Seasons Market, Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), Mercer Island Chiropractic, Mercer Island FC and Smith Brothers Farms.
Donations for Mostly Music can be sent to: City of Mercer Island, Mostly Music in the Park, 2040 84th Ave. SE. For more, see www.mercergov.org/ArtsCouncil.
