Third Thursday Features Native Vocalist

The Mercer Island Arts Council has some special musical events planned for their Third Thursday Art Walks on Mercer Island, throughout the summer.

In their second art walk of the year, on June 16th, not only are Mercer Island businesses sponsoring art at their sites, they‘ve also funded a concert by Stephanie Porter and her band from 7-8 p.m. in front of the US Bank building, weather permitting.

Porter, who works as the business manager at 77Central  apartments on Mercer Island, has performed at numerous festivals and special events. A longtime figure in the Northwest jazz scene, Porter, a Seattle native, has worked with over 50 groups as a freelance vocalist and is often spotlighted as a featured or guest artist. She has worked in some of the top venues in the region. There will also be a strolling guitar player outside of Bennetts Pure Food Bistro from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

There will be a drawing following the concert for a gift basket from participating Mercer Island businesses, including Bennetts Pure Food Bistro, Continental Travel, Six Walls and What to Wear, among others.

"Each (art walk) participant is given a flyer that they can have stamped at each business they visit," said Sara Liberty-Laylin, Mercer Island Arts Council member. "At the end of the walk, they can put their completed flyer in a box and we'll draw out one of them at 8 p.m. for the gift basket."

The Mercer Island Arts Council will be partnering with Mostly Music in the Park and featuring the Mach One Jazz Orchestra for their Third Thursday art walk on July 21st, and the final art walk on August 18 will feature Erich Parce, the choir director for the Congregational Church on Mercer Island and his wife Jenny Knapp, the cantor for St Monica Catholic Church on Mercer Island.