- The Eastside Insider
- Posts
- Lunar New Year Celebration, Guided Hikes, Improv Class, And Too Many Craft Workshops To List!
Lunar New Year Celebration, Guided Hikes, Improv Class, And Too Many Craft Workshops To List!
What Everyone’s Doing This Week (Spoiler: It’s Awesome) 👀
Mike Surprenant
January 22, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
✨ Skip the Seattle traffic and the headache of downtown parking—there’s a whole world of fun happening right here on the Eastside! Whether you're into bites, brews, beats, or browsing, this side of the lake serves it all with less stress and more charm. Go local, stay playful, and make the most of your weekend, without ever hitting I-5. Now let’s dig in…
Table of Contents
Live Music 🎶
Thursday
Goose Ridge - Jarrett Renshaw 5pm
Friday
prohibition Cellars - Laurel Canyon Legacy 6:30pm
Bayernmoor Cellars - Kurt Lindsay 4pm
Synne Cellars - Madrona 5pm
Northwest Spirits - Rocci Medawar 6pm
The Lime - Weird Science 9pm
Bake’s Place - Joel Astley 8pm
Remlinger Farms - Stillwater Hill 6pm
Wine Me Up - Nick Mardon 8pm
Vino Bella Wine Bar - BNB 7:30pm
Saturday
Chelan Ridge Winery - Tyler McGinnis 5pm
Chelan Ridge Winery - Sarah Brunner 3pm
The Lime - Hair Nation 9pm
Pub 85 - The Brian Nay Band 8pm
Vino Bella Wine Bar - Echos of Epic 7pm
Capri Cellars - David Mills 6pm
Weekend Fix 🥳
Thursday Jan 22nd 43°/31° 🌤️
🌸 Winter White Wonderland: Floral Fun at Tinte Cellars!
Sip, snip, and style your way into winter with this blooming good time! This event combines wine and whimsy as you craft your very own chic Winter White centerpiece with all supplies (and sass) included. Whether you're a floral newbie or a seasoned petal pro, this guided floral soirée at a new venue is set to be a blossoming hit. Bonus: wine and snacks are available to keep the creativity—and corks—flowing!
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM check-in, 6:15–8:00 PM floral instruction
📍 Location: Tinte Cellars, 19495 144th Ave NE #A110, Woodinville, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🌼 Don’t leaf yourself out—grab your seat and get blooming!
🌟 Discover Encaustic Art: Wax On, Art Off!
Get fired up (literally) for this molten art experience! Artist Gregg Goolsby is melting minds and hearts with his ancient-meets-modern encaustic painting demo. You'll get to witness history, technique, and some sizzling creativity all in one go. Whether you're a seasoned painter or a curious art fan, this is your hot ticket to waxy wonder!
🕒 Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Location: Blakely Hall, 2550 Northeast Park Drive, Issaquah, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🔥 Come for the wax, stay for the wow!
📸 Wildlife Photo Walk: Snap, Stroll, Repeat!
Calling all shutterbugs and bird nerds! This photo walk is your golden opportunity to wander through nature with camera in hand and wildlife in sight. Led by nature pros from Kenmore Camera and Eastside Audubon, it’s part photography, part nature walk, and all kinds of awesome. Get ready to capture beauty in the wild—no filter needed!
🕒 Time: 8:00 AM
📍 Location: Juanita Bay Park, 2201 Market Street, Kirkland, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🦅 Lace up those boots and charge your camera—nature's ready for its close-up!
🎭 Fun with Improv for 50+: LOLs & Life Lessons!
Think you’re too old for improv? Think again! This 8-week comedy-infused course brings laughter, creativity, and maybe even some jazz hands to the over-50 crowd. Through silly games and shared giggles, you’ll boost memory, make friends, and maybe even take the stage at a student showcase. It’s the most fun you can have without a script!
🕒 Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
😂 Come play, laugh, and unleash your inner scene-stealer!
Friday Jan 23rd 46°/28° 🌤️
🎤 Comedy Night at Wohlfert's: Sip Happens!
If laughter is the best medicine, this comedy tour is your prescription with a chaser! Top-notch comedians will be slinging punchlines at Wohlfert Craft Distilling—where the spirits are high and the drinks are strong. Get ready to giggle, guffaw, and maybe snort-laugh your way through an evening of hilarity.
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wohlfert Craft Distilling, 17326 Snohomish Avenue, Snohomish, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🍹 Don’t miss your shot—grab a drink and catch the laughs live!
🐎 Lunar New Year Bash: Gallop into the Year of the Horse!
Celebrate Lunar New Year with cultural flair, tasty bites, and hoof-stomping fun! From elegant fan dancing to live calligraphy and interactive games, this event has more sparkle than a dragon parade. There’s food to sample, lucky raffles to enter, and photo ops that’ll have you grinning like it's your zodiac year. It’s festive, family-friendly, and fabulously free-spirited!
🕒 Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Main Plaza & Lobby, 425 Urban Plaza, Kirkland, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🎉 Come for the culture, stay for the community (and maybe win a prize)!
❄️ Family Friday: Winter Wonderland Magic!
Brace yourself for cookies, crafts, and cold-weather games that'll melt your heart! This frosty fun night includes winter-themed projects, indoor play, and hoops to shoot—no snow boots required. Hosted by the cool cats of Issaquah’s Youth Advisory Board, it’s perfect for families with kids who love to play, create, and sugar up. Warning: may cause spontaneous giggling!
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Issaquah Community Center, 301 Rainier Blvd S, Issaquah, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
☃️ Bundle up the kiddos and bring your best cookie-decorating game!
🥾 Guided Hike for Seniors: Trail Tales & Scenic Strolls!
This one’s for the nature-loving seniors looking for a walk on the mild side! Explore flood-impacted areas with experienced guidance, light elevation, and good company. No scrambling required—just comfy shoes and curiosity. It’s the perfect combo of outdoor adventure and local learning, all wrapped in a senior-friendly stroll.
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Issaquah Senior Center, 75 N.E. Creek Way, Issaquah, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🌲 Breathe in that fresh air and hike your way into a great day!
Saturday Jan 24th 45°/32° 🌤️
🌀 Mindful Mandalas: Art with a Side of Zen!
Ready to relax, doodle, and get a little artsy with your inner peace? This mandala workshop invites you into a cozy coffee shop for a meditative art-making moment. No experience? No problem. It’s all about soothing patterns, focused creativity, and leaving with a handmade piece that’s totally you. Bonus: caffeine and calm in one place—yes, please!
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Evergreen Blendz Coffee, 11811 NE 128th Street #D, Kirkland, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
☕ Come curious, leave chill—with your own zen-inspired masterpiece!
🎙️ Stand-Up Comedy at Sama Cellars: Sip Happens, Again!
Get ready for a night of punchlines and pinot with Gabey Lucas headlining a comedy night so good, you might laugh wine out your nose. With backup laughs from Benny Jensen and the option to level up your snack game with a fancy charcuterie box, this isn’t just a comedy show—it’s a vibe. Come early, grab a glass, and settle in for humor with a side of cheese. (Just try not to snort-laugh at the olives.)
🕒 Time: Doors at 6:30 PM, Show at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Sama Cellars, 7425 166th Ave NE #C110, Redmond, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🍷 This isn’t just stand-up—it’s a sit-down and sip-up good time!
💡 Mosaic Lamp Workshop: Shine Bright Like a Turkish Lamp!
Spark your creativity in this vibrant DIY experience where you'll make your own mosaic lamp—no genie required! Choose from dazzling colors and lamp styles (and maybe even upgrade your glow game) while learning step-by-step from friendly instructors. Whether you bring a buddy or come solo, this hands-on art adventure guarantees laughs, glass, and lots of sparkle.
🕒 Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Mosaic Art Studio, 12091 124th Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🪄 Come for the lamp, leave lit—figuratively and literally!
🃏 Maximum Card Show: Shuffle, Deal, Repeat!
Calling all collectors, card sharks, and hobbyists of trading card games—this is your cardboard kingdom! Whether you're on the hunt for rare finds or just geeking out over the new releases, this show delivers all the collectible thrills without the gatekeeping. It's like Vegas, but with trading cards and way fewer Elvis impersonators.
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Seattle Marriott Bellevue, 200 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🔥 Bring your binders, your wallet, and your collector spirit—this one’s a slam dunk!
⛏️ Coal Mining at Cougar Mountain: Dig into the Past!
Coal might not be glamorous, but the history sure is gritty and fascinating! Unearth 100 years of local mining tales, mules and men, and how Seattle went from coal town to seaport powerhouse. Hosted by the Newcastle Historical Society, this cozy indoor talk is full of old-school cool (and no need for a hard hat).
🕒 Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Lewis Creek Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🏔️ Dig up some fun facts and impress your friends with your newfound mountain knowledge!
🎭 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: Family Drama, Served Hilariously Hot!
What do you get when you mix Chekhov, a washed-up movie star, her dramatic siblings, and one very attractive boy toy? A riotous rollercoaster of dysfunction and absurdity! This Tony Award-winning comedy throws modern-day neuroses into a blender with literary flair—and hits purée. Expect laughs, existential dread, and maybe a little interpretive dance.
🕒 Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: SecondStory Repertory, 7325 166th Ave NE Ste F250, Redmond, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🎟️ The family may be falling apart—but the audience will be falling over laughing!
🐍 Snake Buddies: Clay, Coils, and Cool Creations!
Roll, squish, and glaze your way to creating your very own snake-inspired clay masterpiece! Whether you're sculpting a wiggly pencil holder or a sassy countertop buddy, this chill pottery workshop is perfect for kids and grown-ups alike. No experience needed—just bring your inner reptile and a readiness to play with mud.
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Eastside Pottery, 1809 130th Ave NE #124, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🎨 Slide into this creative experience—no snakes were harmed in the making of this art!
🧹 Keep Bellevue Beautiful: Bridle Trails Cleanup Blitz!
It’s time to clean up and glow up—your street, that is! Join the movement to give Bellevue a sparkle as part of the “26 in ‘26” cleanup series. No need to bring a cape—just a can-do attitude and some comfy gloves. Come solo or roll deep with friends for a morning of feel-good neighborhood beautifying.
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Westminster Church, 13646 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🧼 Scrub in, suit up, and leave the trails better than you found ‘em!
🎬 76 Days Adrift + Q&A: Sea You at the Movies!
What do you get when a man, a whale, and the Atlantic Ocean walk into a survival tale? An edge-of-your-seat documentary with waves of emotion and one seriously gripping true story. Watch the dramatic account of Steven Callahan’s 76-day drift at sea—then hear even more behind-the-scenes survival scoop from the film’s producer in a special post-show Q&A.
🕒 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: North Bend Movie Theatre, 125 Bendigo Blvd N, North Bend, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🌊 Bring tissues, snacks, and your curiosity—this one's a voyage into human spirit!
Sunday Jan 25th 44°/40° 🌧️
🧘♀️ Declutter Your Mind with Meditation: Inner Peace, No Assembly Required!
Feeling mentally messy? Time to clean house—inside your head. This free Heartfulness meditation session offers a serene pause from the chaos, helping you reconnect with your inner calm through guided techniques and yogic transmission (fancy, right?). No fees, no pressure, just good vibes and deep breaths.
🕒 Time: 8:30 AM
📍 Location: Northwest Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th Street, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🫶 Come sit, breathe, and zen out—you’ve earned it!
🥋 Women’s Self-Defense Workshop: Kick Fear to the Curb!
Ladies, it’s time to tap into your inner warrior (and maybe throw a few). This free Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu intro class packs a punch with practical techniques from the acclaimed Women Empowered program. No experience necessary—just register, show up, and get empowered in a safe, fun, and supportive space.
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: NAK2 Muay Thai, 1680 NW Mall St STE 3, Issaquah, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
💪 Learn to protect yourself with confidence, grace, and a killer armbar!
🕵️ Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery—Now Playing!
Murder, mystery, and more mustaches than you can shake a magnifying glass at! This hilarious whodunnit from Ken Ludwig pits Holmes and Watson against a murderous hound and a cast of characters (all played by five actors—yes, really). It’s got disguises, danger, and deerstalker drama running from now until February 22, Wednesday to Sunday.
🕒 Time: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
🔎 It’s elementary—grab a ticket and solve this laugh-out-loud mystery!
✂️ Craftelligence: Pop-Up Card Workshop—FREE!
Who says paper can’t surprise you? Learn the magic of 3D cards at this FREE pop-up workshop where you'll fold, cut, and create wow-worthy greetings. With materials provided and no experience needed, it’s the perfect afternoon of crafting whether you’re 9 or 99. Bonus: pop-up puns highly encouraged.
🕒 Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: BelRed Arts Studio, 1615 133rd Pl NE, Bellevue, WA
🔗 More Info: HERE ✅
📬 Pop in, get crafty, and leave with something that literally stands out!
Trivia 🤔
Kirkland’s oldest waterfront park, often packed in the summer, was established in 1922. What is it called?
Last Weeks Question and Answer:
Which popular hiking destination near Issaquah offers panoramic views of Mount Rainier on clear days? Poo Poo Point
How'd you like the newsletter today?Your feedback helps us make the best newsletter possible. |
