Mosaic MI: Live Music
COMMUNITY
Join Islander Abby Karp for Mosaic MI, a monthly showcase where local songwriters share their work and connect with the community.
LIVE MUSIC — RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD, EVERY MONTH
There's something remarkable about watching someone share a song they've written. It doesn't have to be perfect. Often it's the imperfections — the nerves, the shaky voice, the breath before they begin — that make the moment so human and so memorable. That's the heart of Mosaic MI, a songwriter-focused gathering I founded in 2023 in downtown Mercer Island, held on the first Thursday of every month from 7-9 pm at Aljoya Senior Living.
Mosaic isn't an open mic. It's not a traditional songwriting circle. It lives somewhere between the two — more intimate, more connected. Equal parts performance space and listening space. A place where musicians and non-musicians show up to be moved, to be present, and to support each other. You might call it a witnessing space for people daring to be seen.
Come As You Are
You don't need to be a performer to belong here. One of Mosaic's most beautiful qualities is how it honors the listener just as much as the artist. If you've ever sat in a room while someone shared something from the edge of their courage, you already know the gift of simply being there.
"You don't have to play to belong. Just being in the room can be the most powerful part."
What to Expect
Think living room, not open mic night. You'll find people at every stage of their music or songwriting journey —seasoned performers and first-timers alike. There's laughter, a few nerves, and always a surprise or two. It's free to attend, with food, warmth, and an unspoken permission in the air to try, to listen, to connect.
Sometimes you'll hear something that sparks your own creativity. Sometimes you'll simply leave feeling more human. Honestly? That's more than enough. In a world that feels increasingly divided and loud, Mosaic offers something rare: a chance to slow down and connect through something real.
Find us here and sign up for our monthly email reminders. Or follow along on Instagram and Facebook. We're not meant to go it alone — and music reminds us of that.
Mosaic MI is powered by Shunpike and made possible by our generous sponsors: Aljoya Mercer Island, Mercer Island Community Fund, KBCS 91.3, Barrels Wine Bar, and Bread Winner.
The next Mosaic MI will be held at Aljoya on April 2nd at 7pm.
About the Author
Abby Karp is a singer-songwriter, bread-baker extraordinaire, and founder of Mosaic MI. Since moving to Seattle in 2012, she has become a fixture in the local music scene, performing regularly at venues and festivals including Northwest Folklife, Tumbleweed, Tucson Folk Festival, and Haystack Music Fest. In 2023, with deep gratitude for the community that gave her her start, Abby launched Mosaic MI—a vibrant gathering on Lake Washington where musicians share their talents in a welcoming, inspiring space.
