On Nov. 3 from 6–10 p.m., the Mercer Island Band Boosters will host a “Band Together” celebration of the Mercer Island Band Program, which provides music education and instruction to grades 5-12.

“California Dreaming” is an adults-only celebration and fundraiser at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center and is open to the public.

Guests will enjoy a night of food-truck-inspired fare and signature cocktails, dancing to live jazz music by Happy Orchestra (www.happyorchestra.com), and bidding on fun items.

This year the band will be travelling to Pasadena, Calif., in December to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day 2019. The band will be representing the Pacific Northwest region of the country and they have spent countless hours in preparation.

Special guest and 2010 Mercer Island High School graduate Julia Zook, will speak at the event. Zook was part of the Mercer Island band drum line (since fourth grade). She is currently stationed in Norfolk, Va., and flies the MH-60 Sierra Helicopter for the U.S. Navy. Zook will share her story of how she believes that the Mercer Island band program is directly connected to what she does now as a Navy pilot for a nine-helicopter squadron (the largest in the world) and her passion for life.

All proceeds of Band Together go to benefit the Mercer Island School District band program, including providing scholarships so every student who would like to participate in band is able to do so.

For more information or to donate go online to https://misbb.wordpress.com/.