Redmond Builds Half the World’s Satellites? + Improv Show & Dog Park Picks

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!📰 Redmond Quietly Powers More Than Half the Satellites in OrbitSo a few days ago, NASA wrapped up the Artemis II mission, sending a crew around the Moon for the first time since Apollo and bringing them back after about 10 days. That’s the headline… but here’s the part most people miss. Redmond is now the leading satellite hub in the world, with local companies producing over half of the satellites currently in orbit. And with projects like Project Kuiper and Starlink based here, that number could hit 75 percent soon. Kinda wild this is all happening right here.🎭 Student Improv Show: Cabin Blowout There’s a student improv show happening Sunday, April 19 from 7:00 to 8:15 PM at Adair Cabin in Anderson Park. This is Eastside Improv’s “goodbye” show for the cabin, so it’s kind of a last chance to see a performance in that space. The cast is made up of newer performers, and they run everything off audience suggestions, so it’s different every time. It’s also family-friendly, so you can bring kids without worrying about it getting weird. Show up a little early to grab a good seat.🎲 MTG Secrets of Strixhaven Prerelease If you’re into Magic, there’s a prerelease event Saturday, April 18 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Uncle’s Games in Redmond Town Center. You get a prerelease pack with six booster packs, a promo card, and a spin-down die, then build a deck on the spot using only what you open. Everyone’s on equal footing, which is what makes these fun. It’s part competition, part hangout. If you haven’t played in a while, this is a pretty easy way to jump back in.🐾 Wine & Girl Scout Cookie Tasting (Yes, Really) There’s a dog-friendly wine and cookie tasting Friday, April 17 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Pickles Playland in Kirkland. It’s exactly what it sounds like, wine pairings, Girl Scout cookies, and a bunch of dogs running around while people hang out. It’s 21+ only, and your dog needs to be cool with other dogs and people. This is one of those events where you mostly go for the vibe. Make sure you reserve a spot before showing up.⚽ Fútbol for All Speaker Series There’s a free talk on Wednesday, April 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Redmond Senior & Community Center about the history of soccer in the Northwest. Two local experts are walking through how the game’s grown here and what’s changed since the last time the World Cup was in the U.S. They’re doing light snacks and even some prize drawings, so it’s not just a lecture. If you’re even a little curious about soccer, this is easy to drop into.📚 Mystery Book Club: The Botanist’s Assistant There’s a mystery book club meeting Wednesday, April 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Brick & Mortar Books. This month they’re talking about The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend, and it leans toward that cozy mystery vibe. It’s open to anyone, so you don’t have to be a regular or anything like that. They keep it pretty low-key and conversational. If you’ve been meaning to get out and meet people without it feeling forced, this is a solid option.🎵 Music, Memory & Meaning Workshop There’s a music-based workshop Friday, April 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at the Redmond Library focused on using music for creativity and reflection. A board-certified music therapist leads the session, mixing guided listening, storytelling, and writing prompts. It’s designed for adults 55 and older, and you don’t need any musical background to participate. It’s more about connection and expression than performance. If you know someone in that age group, this could be a great fit.🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.From 1934 to 1976, thousands of spectators lined the Sammamish River to watch speed BOAT races. How many turns did the 13-mile course have?A) 12 turns B) 28 turns C) 63 turns D) 107 turnsAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill So here’s one that keeps popping up in conversations… apparently there’s a World Cup viewing beer garden being planned somewhere near Marymoor for summer 2026. We’re hearing outdoor screens, rotating food trucks, fire pits, the whole setup, and possibly turning it into a permanent spot if it takes off. The thing is, none of that has been officially confirmed yet, and no one’s saying exactly who’s behind it. So the question is… where exactly would they even put something like this?If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ We're looking for your pick Redmond. We want to know what you think is the best dog park in Redmond. Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best dog park in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond.🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is C – 63 turnsBefore Seafair, the Sammamish Slough Race was the event. Boats were hitting 80 to 100 mph on a course with 63 turns, dodging logs and bridge pilings the whole way. At its peak, around 40,000 people showed up to watch from the riverbanks. It all ended in 1976 after a boat jumped the bank and injured a University of Washington pole vaulter, which is a very specific way for something like that to end.