360 April 11, 2013 by Skagit Publishing

A garden’s healing power

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Skagit Valley Herald Thursday April 11, 2013

Reviews

Tulip Festival

At the Movies

Music: Brad Paisley, Kurt Vile Video Games: “Tiger Woods: PGA ...”

Times, dates and places for all things tulips in the Skagit Valley

Jackie Robinson bio captures the essence of his odyssey

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E2 - Thursday, April 11, 2013

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Howdy Kids: Saturday Afternoon Western Roundup”: If you grew up in the 1950s, then this is a three-DVD set you have to own. It’s a fun trip back to Saturdays when heroes — who rode horses, flew planes and even got around in a jeep — ruled the television airwaves. There are 25 episodes of live-action programming originally designed to entertain children. Included are episodes of “The Lone Ranger,” “The Range Rider,” “The Rifleman,” “The Adventures Of Rick O’Shay,” “Fury,” “The Roy Rogers Show,” “Annie Oakley,” “The Adventures Of Kit Carson,” “The Adventures Of Champion,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Sergeant Preston Of the Yukon,” “Sky King,” “Red Ryder” and “Buffalo Bill Jr.” Everyone will have their favorites, but two of the standouts are “Sky King” — who battled bad guys using an airplane — and “Sergeant Preston Of the Yukon” — whose companion was King, a dog billed as a husky but was really an Alaskan Malamute. Even if you didn’t grow up in the ’50s, these live-action shows are still fun to watch. “Boss: Season 2”: The second season of this political and human drama featuring Kelsey Grammer as Chicago Mayor Tom Kane steps up the intensity of the first season. Grammer’s first year was good enough to earn him a Golden Globe. The second season comes with an even stronger performance from Grammer, who portrays a politician battling to hold his career together despite having a debilitating brain disease. It helped that new actors added to this pot boiler, including Sanaa Lathan, Jonathan Groff and Tip “T.I.” Harris, playing characters who replenish Kane’s inner circle that was devastated in the first season. “Hyde Park on Hudson”: Bill Murray portrays President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War”: Richard Basehart narrates this four-DVD set that covers from 194575. “Into The Cold”: Documentary follows two men as they retrace and commemorate Robert E. Peary’s successful expedition to the North Pole. “Gabriel Iglesias: Aloha Fluffy”: Gabriel Iglesias comedy special filmed in Hawaii. “Best of Latino Laugh Festival”:

YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Upcoming movie releases Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subject to change: APRIL 16 Django Unchained - Anchor Bay

This Weekend / Page 5

APRIL 23 Broken City - Fox Gangster Squad - Warner A Haunted House - Universal APRIL 26 The Impossible - Lionsgate/ Summit APRIL 30 The Guilt Trip - Paramount Not Fade Away - Paramount MAY 7 Jack Reacher - Paramount Mama - Universal MAY 14 Back to 1942 - Well Go USA Cloud Atlas - Warner A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III - Lionsgate Texas Chainsaw 3D - Lionsgate n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Cheech Marin hosts the comedy special starring Greg Giraldo, Pablo Francisco, Jeff Valdez and others. “Planet Ocean”: Josh Duhamel narrates this look at the ocean. “Love Free or Die”: Documentary challenges the belief that homosexuality is in direct conflict with faith. “Family Ties: The Sixth Season”: Family comedy starring Michael J. Fox. “Wow Wow Wubbzy: Best of Walden”: Includes episodes “Mr. Cool” and “Walden on the Beach.” “Rainforest Rescue”: Features two episodes of “Wild Kratts.” “Deadball”: Juvenile delinquent agrees to join the baseball team in a battle to the death against the psycho butcher girls. “LUV”: Common stars in the comingof-age story. “Oklahoma City Dolls”: TV series about female factory workers who start their own semipro football team. “We Are Eqypt: The Story Behind the Revolution”: Documentary follows key Eqyptian politicians during the time before the 2011 uprising. “Woochi: The Demon Slayer”: Fantasy film based on a Korean folk tale that broke Korean box office records in 2009. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

Next up Friday at the Spring Film Series at the Anacortes Public Library: “The Hunt for Red October”

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Music, Game Reviews..................6-7 On Stage, Tuning Up................10-11 Tulip Festival Schedule...........12-13 Get Involved, Hot Tickets............. 14 At the Lincoln Theatre.................. 17 Movie Listings, Mini-Reviews...... 17 Out & About.............................18-19

Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com

ON THE COVER

Roland McPhaden and Shoshauna Mohlman are featured in META Performing Arts’ production of “The Secret Garden,” opening Friday at the Lincoln Theatre. Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

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Thursday, April 11,2013 - E3

ON STAGE

Roland McPhaden and Shoshauna Mohlman

Despair, joy in ‘The Secret Garden’ META Performing Arts stages musical at Lincoln Theatre Burnett, with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, “The Secret Garden” tells the story of 11-yearAs the song goes, there’s “no people like old Mary Lennox, who was orphaned in show people,” and Tuesday night at the Lin- India and is returned to Yorkshire, Engcoln Theatre was ample proof of that. land, to live with her Uncle Archibald The cast and crew of “The Secret Garand his young son Colin early in the 20th den” were in a near-frenzy that is normal of century. productions that open in three days time: Archibald is disconsolate and bitter from lights being aimed, sets being built, props his own family losses and is therefore keenand loudspeakers being positioned, and a ly protective of Colin. But with the help of cast that numbers about 30 reaching higher Mary — along with numerous wonders and and higher as they run through arpeggios as new friends, and a nearby garden — the part of their vocal warmup. sick and sad learn to live again. META Performing Arts has the stage More than two dozen songs are part of this week, as the musical “The Secret the journey, and Broadway legend Mandy Garden” opens Friday, April 12, part of Pantinkin was one of many actors to play an 11-show run through April 28. Melissa the role of Archibald. The play won the McPhaden directs, and music and vocal 1991 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musidirection is by Jennifer Ceresa. cal, Best Featured Actress in a Musical and Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Best Scenic Design. Skagit Valley Herald staff @360_SVH

TOP: David Lorente (from left), Karen Pollack, Chloe Forsyth and Abe Nurkiewicz are featured in META Performing Arts’ production of “The Secret Garden,” which opens Friday at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. RIGHT: Scott Linson (from left), Shoshauna Mohlman and Stephen Leigh Jones. Photos by Craig Parrish Skagit Valley Herald

‘The Secret Garden’ Where: Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. When: Opens at 7 p.m. Friday, April 12, with performances April 13-14, 18-21 and 25-28. Tickets: $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or www.lincolntheatre. org. “Pay as you can” on April 25, with tickets available at the door only.

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E4 - Thursday, April 11, 2013

MOVIES

For Oscar-winning director, a break to work on the Olympics leads to a revamped ‘Trance’ By JOHN HORN Los Angeles Times

LONDON — From the rooftop where he was filming a scene for his art heist film “Trance” in September 2011, British director Danny Boyle surveyed the construction cranes stretching across the east London skyline, finishing work for the capital’s upcoming Summer Olympics. Boyle, best known as the man behind the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire,” pointed out the neighborhood where athletes would stay, the sites of new sports facilities and the location of the opening ceremony. It was not idle boosterism, for as soon as he wrapped principal photography on “Trance,” Boyle would put the movie down like a baby on an epic nap. He and his creative team would then go off to stage the launch of the 2012 Summer Games — a creative celebration of British history, including a parachuting queen of England, a tribute to the National Health Service and an eclectic playlist with songs by the Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd and Arctic Monkeys. “We tucked (the film) up in bed and said, ‘Night, night,’” Boyle said. When he returned to “Trance” about half a year later, though, he was surprised that he scarcely recognized what he had left in the crib. Given that

the movie — about a robber with a brain injury who can’t remember where he stashed a stolen masterpiece — is principally concerned with memory, it was a fitting twist. “At first I thought, I’ll never forget it — the way you do when you finish filming: You remember everything,” Boyle said recently while visiting Los Angeles. “But by the time we got back to the movie, I had forgotten it. The first time we watched it, after we regrouped after the Olympics, it was bizarre — I didn’t know what was coming next. I didn’t know that was possible.” That unfamiliarity proved to be a blessing, because “Trance” is rather complicated. The hiatus helped Boyle see not only where the movie wasn’t lucid but also where it was too obvious. And perhaps most important, he discovered that it needed a new ending. Soon after “Trance” begins, a seemingly lilywhite auctioneer named Simon (James McAvoy) is revealed to be the inside man in the robbery of a Goya. Struck on the head during the heist, Simon can’t recollect for ringleader Franck (Vincent Cassel) and his gang of thieves where he hid the canvas. Franck decides that hypnotist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) could jog Simon’s

Director Danny Boyle (from left), James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel are shown during filming of the movie, “Trance.” Fox Searchlight Pictures via MCT

memory, and it turns out that Simon is susceptible to trances. What Elizabeth uncovers in her sessions with Simon may have less to do with the painting’s whereabouts than her subject’s suppressed personal history. Boyle, 56, had been ruminating on “Trance” for nearly 20 years; soon after he made the crime thriller “Shallow Grave” in 1994, screenwriter Joe Ahearne sent the director his “Trance” screenplay. Oddly, Ahearne didn’t want Boyle behind the camera — he was hoping for his encouragement. But Boyle wasn’t sure Ahearne, who hadn’t directed anything at the time, was ready for such a complex tale. “It’s quite difficult to do this,” Boyle told Ahearne. Ahearne ultimately made the script into a television movie in 2001. But the screenplay’s central conceit and title lodged deep in Boyle’s mind. Boyle said he was smitten

as much by the genre — he’s moved from zombie tales to Bollywood to biographical drama — as by the fact that its protagonist was not a man. “I have two daughters who are in their 20s now, and I had never made a movie where the woman was the absolute engine of the movie,” Boyle said. “And I loved that challenge, because I make boys movies, really.” After a screenplay overhaul by frequent Boyle collaborator John Hodge (“Trainspotting,” “Shallow Grave,” “The Beach,” “A Life Less Ordinary”), Boyle had a script he was ready to film (Ahearne, who came up with the original plot, shares screenplay credit). But how could Boyle possibly make a movie and stage the opening ceremony at the same time? Boyle said that when he took the Olympics job in summer 2010, a friend warned that he would “go mad if you don’t do anything else” during the two

years of preparation for the Summer Games. So like an athlete who doesn’t want to overtrain for a race, the filmmaker carved out two hiatuses within his Olympic schedule. During the first, he directed a critically lauded stage production of “Frankenstein” in London in February 2011. After focusing on the Olympics over the spring and summer, he filmed “Trance” later that year. “Frankenstein” and “Trance” were supposed to be simple breaks from the endless stream of Olympic committee meetings, but Boyle came to realize they served a deeper creative purpose. Boyle has a predilection for memorably distressing scenes: Ewan McGregor’s toilet bowl-diving junkie in “Trainspotting”; a child being blinded in “Slumdog”; and James Franco’s character severing his arm, trapped by a falling rock,

as a hiker in “127 Hours.” With several explicit images, including one of torture and another of a gunshot victim, “Trance” served as Boyle’s R-rated holiday from the G-rated Summer Games. “When you’re doing something that is family friendly, national pride, for everyone — no swearing, nothing too dark, it has to be accessible for everyone — you realize that ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Trance’ are the evil twin sisters of the Olympic opening ceremony,” Boyle said. “They are the dark side — they are where you have to go to replenish your spirit.” It appears to have worked in reverse too. Boyle said the experiences of “Frankenstein” and “Trance” made him more artistically inspired to work on the Olympics, a job he considers a tremendous national honor. “You kind of go dry, really. The execution is so laborious,” Boyle said of Olympic procedures.

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Thursday, April 11,2013 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area SKAGIT JAZZ NIGHT The third annual event will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, at Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Enjoy performances by the Anacortes Middle School JazzBots; Anacortes High School, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon and SedroWoolley high school jazz bands; Skagit Valley College Jazz Ensemble and the debut of the A’Town Big Band. $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit the public school jazz programs of Skagit County. isimensen@ asd103.org.

ANACORTES SPRING WINE FESTIVAL The fifth annual event is set for noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Port of Anacortes Event Center, 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Enjoy wine and food tasting and more. $40 advance, $45 at the door, includes wine and food tasting, keepsake glass and live entertainment. Designated driver ticket: $20 advance, $25 at the door, includes food and entertainment. 360-293-7911 or www.anacortes.org.

WHIDBEY MARATHON AND FUN/RUN WALK The 5K Fun

Spring film series 7 p.m. Fridays, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Oscar nominee Nick Alphin introduce the films and offer his insights about each one. Free. 360-2931910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org. Next up: Friday, April 12: “Hunt for Red October”: Based on the Tom Clancy novel, this hightech thriller stars Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill and James Earl Jones. A Soviet Navy captain (Connery) intends to defect with an experimental stealth submarine that is capable of silently entering American waters and launching a surprise attack. CIA operative Jack Ryan (Baldwin) deduces the captain’s intentions and assists him in countering the Soviet fleet as it tries to prevent the captain’s defection and the loss of the strategic technology to the U.S. Winner of one Oscar.

Run/Walk will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at North Whidbey Middle School, 67 NE Izett St., Oak Harbor. Day-of-event registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Registration: $30 day of race. n A free expo with a variety of health and fitness vendors will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at North Whidbey Middle School. Registrations will be accepted at the expo for the marathon and half marathon races, set for Sunday, April 14. n The Whidbey Marathon will begin at 7:15 a.m. Sunday, April 14, starting from Deception State Park at Pass Lake and finishing at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. Shuttles will transport runners from Windjammer Park and other downtown locations to the starting line beginning at 5:45 a.m. Registration: $115. n The Half Marathon Run will start at 8:15 a.m., followed by the Half Marathon Walk, beginning and ending at Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor. Registration: $95. The last day to register for the marathon or half marathon is at the expo on Saturday, April 13. www.whidbeyislandmarathon.com.

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E6 - Thursday, April 11, 2013

REVIEWS MUSIC CDS Compiled from news services

Brad Paisley

in “How ‘Bout You?” as Jeff Cease’s inventive hard-rock guitar solo ricochets off the “Wheelhouse” pounding drums of bandmate Craig Wright. Producer Jay Joyce pushes Church’s voice The title of Brad up in the mix, and the singer’s interaction Paisley’s new album, with the crowd is emphasized throughout. “Wheelhouse,” could Church constantly encourages his rowdy imply the country audience, exhorting them to bellow the chomusic star is sticking rus of “Drink in My Hand” and “Jack Danwith what he does best. Indeed, the 17-song iels.” Even when he plays a solo acoustic album — the first in which he’s listed as sole version of “Sinners Like Me,” he tells everyproducer — presents several songs extendone, “It’s just going to be us, so sing loud.” ing his reputation for clever, sometimes comic, twists on love (“Death of a Married n Michael McCall, for The Associated Press Man”), modern life (“Beat This Summer”) and sentimental romanticism (“I Can’t Jake Bugg Change the World”). “Jake Bugg” But Paisley also has a history of taking chances, and that’s never been truer than Jake Bugg’s unique on his new album. The song “Accidental discerning tone, with Racist” opens with a guy being confronted intelligent songwritby a Starbucks clerk for wearing a Lynyrd ing, makes it hard to Skynyrd shirt that features a Confederate believe this English flag. The lyrics go on to explore the tension musician is only 19. between “Southern pride and Southern Bugg’s lyrics are wise beyond his years, blame,” complete with a rap break by LL and most of the songs on his 14-track, selfCool J. titled debut average out under three min“Southern Comfort Zone” similarly utes. He keeps them short, sweet and to the confronts the regionalism that leads some point. Southerners — and many current country The album was released in Europe last singers — to boast about life in the rural year to critical and commercial success. It South. Paisley loves where he’s from, he has an indie alternative sound jelled with sings, but acknowledges that seeing the moments of rock ‘n’ roll. At times Bugg, a world has opened his mind to the perspecBrit Award nominee, echoes Bob Dylan, tive of others in a positive way. one of his musical influences. Yes, Paisley knows what he does well. But “Lightning Bolt” is a witty jaunt, while “Wheelhouse” proves he’s not content with “Simple as This” is an epic country love playing it safe. song. “Seen It All” is a sad tale about a night out gone wrong, and “Note to Self” is n Michael McCall, for The Associated Press heartwarming. “Two Fingers” is a singalong anthem Eric Church with lyrics like, “So I hold two fingers up to “Caught in the Act” yesterday, light a cigarette and smoke it all away.” On the heels of Eric It’s clever. It’s all very clever. Church’s first millionn Reetu Rupal, Associated Press selling album, “Chief,” and after achieving his first pair of No. 1 James Blake hits in the last two years, the country music “Overgrown” rebel takes the unusual step of releasing a 17-song concert album, “Caught in the Act.” If you weren’t conThe move points out that Church is selling vinced of his talent by out arenas not on the number of top hits he James Blake’s debut has, but on his reputation as a macho guy album, his sophomore who likes to party — and put on an exciting release, “Overgrown,” live show. will do the trick. “I like my country rocking,” Church sings The London-born singer-songwriter-

producer returns with an album that shines a light on his 2011 self-titled dubstep debut, which earned him a Mercury Prize nomination. “Overgrown” is a collection of songs that will break ground in electro soul, and Blake does so impressively in a 40-minute run. The lead single, the soulful “Retrograde,” is as much fragile as it is powerful. It’s the ultimate chill-out tune filled with a feeling that does exactly what the song says: “Ignore everybody else, we’re alone now,” he sings with a hint of refined auto-tune. The new material reflects and focuses on Blake’s growth in confidence and songwriting, and his approach is audacious. He spent time with rapper Kanye West and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon last year, and it seems their musical prowess has rubbed off on the 24-year-old singer. “Overgrown” has a new direction as Blake shifts from creating songs with various sounds to songs with storytelling and depth. Wu Tang Clan’s RZA is featured on the hip-hop-flavored “Take a Fall for Me,” and Brian Eno donates his talents on the rhythmic “Digital Lion.” But neither guest takes away from the emotion of Blake’s vocals. n Bianca Roach, Associated Press

Kurt Vile

“Wakin on a Pretty Daze”

move in slow motion, and he sings like he’s having a personal conversation. But for all the deliberation, there’s an edge. Pointing to his arrival, he reminds the detractors “there was a time in my life when they said I was all talk.” “Shame Chamber” is about “feeling bad in the best way a man can.” And on “KV Crimes,” he gets downright anthemic, punching out the line, “I think I’m ready to claim what’s mine.” n Jake O’Connell, Associated Press

Tyler, the Creator “Wolf”

Before you listen to Tyler, the Creator’s third album, “Wolf,” keep this in mind: The rapper lives to offend. “Wolf” has enough slurs against gays to keep GLAAD busy for the next year, and he is an equal opportunity offender, doling out insults against women and others. Much like his breakthrough album, 2011’s “Goblin,” Tyler continues to rap with no filter, but in trying to be overly brash, he ends up detracting and distracting from what overall is a pretty good album. When the 22-year-old isn’t dropping f-bombs, he often reflects on his childhood and his ascension from being a “dweeb” to becoming famous. That’s when he’s most compelling. On “Pig,” he tells a story about an often bullied kid who decides to carry a gun, willing to shoot the ones that constantly picked on him. Tyler is lyrically strong on the Pharrellassisted “IFHY,” confessing his hatred toward a particular female who hurt his feelings. On “Rusty,” with Domo Genesis and Earl Sweatshirt, he addresses his critics by sarcastically asking them why they believe he hates gays. “Look at that article that says my subject matter is wrong, saying I hate gays even though Frank is on 10 of my songs,” he raps, noting his Odd Future band mate is Frank Ocean, who revealed last year that his first love was a man. But that still doesn’t stop him from dropping gay slurs, in that song and others. Tyler shows that he is a talented lyricist on an album that is well-produced and can be very entertaining — if you don’t mind the vitriol that accompanies it.

The latest release from guitarist-songwriter Kurt Vile is a 69-minute double LP of lengthy, languid meditations on the everyday and beyond. The songs unwind slowly, their charms leaving imprints on the way back around. The glorious, understated opener, “Waking on a Pretty Day,” sets the tone: a nearly 10-minute soundtrack for that moment when you wake up and realize it’s going to be beautiful outside. Lost in a morning haze, Vile lets on: “To be frank, I’m fried, but I don’t mind.” “Too Hard” is another thing of beauty, as he ponders fatherhood, promises not to smoke too much and sings about taking “hold of the hand that ain’t his, but it is.” Rooted in a sort of 1970s rock sprawl, Vile stretches out where his forebears might have flexed, opting instead for the rustic flair of a Neil Young or John Fahey. At times his guitar lines seem to levitate, or n Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press

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Thursday, April 11,2013 - E7

REVIEWS VIDEO GAMES Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service

‘Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14’

‘Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel’

The beautiful weather arrived in Washington, D.C., just in time for Masters week. Sure, the PGA Tour season kicked off months ago, but the world at large only starts paying attention when Augusta’s flowers bloom and the season’s first major comes around. So it makes sense that EA Sports would release its annual rite of golf passage a few weeks beforehand so golf gamers can enjoy tearing Augusta National apart virtually before Tiger and the pros do it on the real thing. While some editions of the video-game franchise have lacked spark and inventiveness, this year’s game has updates and features that make it a worthwhile buy indeed. On the surface, the ability to play all four major tournaments feels like a massive accomplishment and a ridiculous one at the same time. But gamers should overlook that and focus more on the Legends of the Majors mode. Here, you take a time warp back to the game’s infancy and slowly progress forward in time, playing on classic courses with wooden clubs and sepia-toned footage. The lengthy mode gives you a feel for the advancements the game has made and is a better history lesson on golf than you would find watching a typical weekend broadcast on TV. The Career mode returns as well, and, thankfully, the game finally gives women a chance to participate in the game via the LPGA Tour. Unfortunately, the Career mode still ramps your skills up too quickly and gets you winning or placing in the top three in almost every tournament before you even finish your rookie season. But this year the franchise is scoring birdies instead of pars and bogeys. Impressive visuals and the trip through the lore should compel gamers to tee it up with Tiger, Jack, Arnie and all the rest.

As I breach the seemingly 700th door and traverse yet another town devoid of a single citizen, my eyes roll back just as they do when my wife turns on one of those “Real Housewives” shows. Like those Bravo shows, “The Devil’s Cartel” lacks purpose and meaning, and I say this with sadness since the first two games were releases I looked forward to. The third title in this franchise is stripped of all that made the original games great shooting experiences. With the foul-mouthed witticisms of the lead characters gone, the cupboard of thrilling set pieces barren and the tension of a meaningful story lost in the Mexican desert, we’re left with little to remark upon with fondness. Nothing illustrates this better than the laziness of naming your two main characters Alpha and Bravo. Whether you play the game cooperatively with another person or alongside the AI, no real challenge comes your way. Enemy foes occasionally show spritely flanking moves, but mostly they fail to notice you sneaking around corners and peppering them with bullets from mere feet away. The enjoyable “back-to-back” shootouts don’t exist, and without those and a game-play system that delivers an impending fear of death, the game is an exercise in walking around and casually shooting anything that moves.

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Genre: Sports Publisher: EA Sports ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Genre: Shooter Publisher: EA Games ESRB Rating: M, for Mature Grade: 2 stars

n Follow Chris Campbell at twitter.com/ campbler or email him at game_on_games@ mac.com.

Please recycle this newspaper

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E8 - Thursday, April 11, 2013

TRAVEL

For Kyoto with kids, mix fun with antiquities By ADAM GELLER AP National Writer

KYOTO, Japan — Rocks to the left of us, rocks to the right. With the Hozu River rushing in between, our oarsman swung the boat hard, threading the boulders as water splashed overboard — and on to my 10-year-old daughter’s lap. You never know how kids will react to new experiences, but not to worry. “Daddy,” my daughter said, beaming as we headed for more rapids, “this must be the best summer ever!” Any parent who has charted a family vacation hopes for that kind of reaction. But when my wife and I made plans to take our son and daughter to Kyoto, I had a few doubts. Kyoto is one of the highlights of any trip to Japan, an ancient and fascinating city, packed with temples and shrines, a place to savor refined culture. But can it be kid- and family-friendly? Most definitely, especially if you take advantage of the variety Kyoto has to offer, hop on the city’s easy-to-use bus system, and keep your eyes open for some of its surprising travel bargains. Here’s a checklist for enjoying Japan’s ancient capital in ways that you and your kids will enjoy. Tour of tastes: You could spend months visiting temples and shrines in Kyoto. But to kids, they can start to blur. So put some space in between them. Kyoto is best explored on foot, leaving lots of opportunities for stopping off at interesting destinations along the way to antiquity. One of our favorite stops was the Nishiki-koji market, a short bus ride from downtown, where Kyotoites

stocks their refrigerators and kitchen cupboards. Nishiki is a long, narrow street, covered by an arcade and lined with shops selling all sorts of snackable delicacies, like just-baked rice crackers, sashimi on skewers, and croquettes filled with chocolate, as well as wares like chopsticks and gourmet cutlery. It’s as interesting to browse here as to eat, and many places give out samples of their edible wares. Meet a samuari: Visit the Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (movie village) and you may well see crews filming a samurai flick or television drama. The “village” designed to look like the Japan of yore is fun to wander, offering the chance to meet actors in period costume who are happy to pose for photos. There’s also a theater on site, where

live-action ninja shows are staged. Ride the rapids: We built a day around the 10-mile ride down the Hozu, starting with a short train ride just outside the city and ending in the lovely neighborhood of Arashiyama. Guides pole fiberglass boats seating about 20 people through a deep gorge, where my 8-year-old son spotted turtles, snakes, deer and numerous water birds. Ask your hotel or at the excellent tourist information office inside Kyoto station (tell them you want to go on the Hozu-gawa Kudari) to help you call ahead for a reservation, which is recommended but not required. Tickets cost 3,900 yen ($42) for adults and 2,500 yen ($27) for children older than 3 (credit cards not accepted). Soak up culture: Bathing is an almost religious

ritual in Japan and can be the centerpiece of a memorable vacation experience. Kyoto is not known for the hot springs that dot much of Japan, but it has a few. We stopped at Sagano OnsenTenzan no Yu, a hot spring spa minutes from Arashiyama on a charming one-car train. A cheaper and more plentiful destination is one of the city’s “super sentos,” public baths with multiple tubs. The tourist office can provide a sheet in English listing these. In either, you wash thoroughly at bathing stations before entering multiple soaking pools, both indoors and out. Get festive: Kyoto hosts many festivals throughout the year. When we visited in August, the city was celebrating the weeks around the Tanabata festival with lights, including computer-

ets of glutinous rice flour, filled with red bean paste or fruit preserves, dusted with sugar or cinnamon. We also enjoyed an outing to Fushimi Inari, a shrine known for its gates, which are said to number in the thousands. The shrine’s main buildings are worth a visit and sit within a minute or two of a train station, but you could spend hours here climbing the forested hill behind the shrine, on paths that lead up through the bright red gates to ancillary shrines, with refreshment TOP: A visitor to the stops along the way. Fushimi Inari shrine in What to eat: Japan is one Kyoto, Japan, climbs of the world’s great food steps through the countries. But while Kyoto shrine’s gates. LEFT: An oarsman pilots is known for ultra-expensive an excursion boat down and delicate kaiseki cuisine, the Hozu River, just there’s lots more that kids outside Kyoto, as he will love and that you can points out sights to his afford. passengers. Try a restaurant specialAdam Geller / AP izing in okonomiyaki, sort of a dinner pancake, usuanimated projections on the ally cooked on a grill at wall of the city’s castle and your table, and filled with the launching of thousands meat, vegetables or seafood of lighted blue plastic balls of your choice. These are down the Horigawa, a narcasual and reasonably priced row waterway not far from places, often popular with downtown. students. In May, the Aoi Matsuri, Chances are your kids will held at a pair of shrines, fea- also like yakitori, a selection tures a procession of people of chicken and vegetables, in ancient Japanese court usually sprinkled with salt costumes. In October, the or brushed with a soy-based Jidai Matsuri centers around sauce, and grilled on bama parade that highlights boo skewers. various periods in Japanese And don’t forget ramen, history. the steaming bowls of Make a pilgrimmage: noodles, with toppings like When you’re ready to visit roast pork, in your choice of temples and shrines, the broth. We arrived in Kyoto challenge is choosing which late our first night and ones. Kiyomizu temple ended up on a floor devoted should be on any itinerary. to ramen places in a departYes, it’s choked with tourists, ment store straddling the but worth the trip. train station. Most ramen The walk uphill to the places also serve gyoza, fried temple is lined with shops, dumplings that are hard to many giving out samples of resist. the local sweet called “nama Any kid visiting Japan in yatsuhashi,” delicious pock- warmer months will quickly

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, April 11,2013 - E9

TRAVEL learn to spot banners touting kaki kori, or shaved ice, doused in a choice of fruit syrups and topped with condensed milk. Where to stay: It can be challenging for a family to travel in a country where accommodations are frequently priced by the person, and Kyoto has no lack of exquisite, but expensive lodgings. But there are bargains, especially if you’re willing to make do without luxuries. Some of the streets just north of Kyoto’s train station are home to small inns, some of which offer good deals. We found a bargain at Ryokan Ginkaku, a spare but well-kept lodge popular with Japanese tour groups, where a Japanese-style room with four futons cost 8,700 yen ($94) a night in August. The only catch for the rate was that you had to provide your own towel or rent one at the desk. Nearby, the Hana Hostel has small, but inexpensive private rooms, as well as dormitory rooms. Japan has also seen a proliferation of budget hotels in recent years. One of the biggest chains is Toyoko Inn, which has multiple locations in Kyoto, and where a “twin room” (in Japan,

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A vendor mans a stand selling a wide variety of pickled vegetables in the Nishiki-koji market arcade in Kyoto. that means a room with two small double beds), cost less than 10,000 yen ($108). The chain does not charge extra for children of elementary school age, and rates often include breakfast. To look for deals, consider using an online search engine. One that works well in Asia is agoda.com. Getting around: Kyoto is built on a grid that is easy to figure, and has a subway system that will get you quickly to some attractions. But the key to exploring is using city buses. Routes are numbered and color-coded, and each stop is clearly announced, so even visitors unfamiliar with the Japanese language can manage. A single bus ride costs 220

Local travel SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and

Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 12 and older (adult supervision required for ages 18 and younger). For information or to register, call 360-336-6215. Next up: Bellevue Botanical Garden and Washington Park Arboretum: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 19, departing from and returning to Hillcrest Park, Mount Vernon. Enjoy a docentled tour of the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands. After a no-host lunch, check out the seasonal flora and fauna of the arboretum’s 230 acres on the shores of Lake Washington. Both tours include walking up to one mile and uneven surfaces. $61-$63. Register by April 12. “NEPAL: A GLIMPSE INTO ANOTHER WORLD”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Hilary Walker maps out her recent

yen ($2.40) for adults and about half that for children. But for 500 yen ($5.40), you can buy a card entitling you to unlimited rides for a day. And when we were there, the city was waiving fares for kids. You can buy cards and get a route map at the bus office, immediately outside Kyoto Station. When to go: Kyoto has a reputation for stifling heat and humidity in the summer and we can vouch for it. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures that make sightseeing more comfortable, along with cherry blossoms in spring and beautiful foliage in the fall in the mountains around the city, which are filled with Japanese maples.

five-week journey through the streets and mountains of Nepal in this photo travelogue. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org. ART BUS TOUR: “The Masters” and Nicolai Fechin, Sunday, April 28. The Skagit County Historical Museum will lead a bus tour from the Farmhouse Restaurant in Mount Vernon to the Seattle Art Museum to see the exhibits “Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Gainsborough: The Treasures of Kenwood House, London” and “European Masters: Their Treasures of Seattle.” Afterward the bus will take a short ride to the Frye Museum to view the art of Nicolai Fechin. $50 covers bus ride, admission, box lunch and other refreshments. Register by April 21: 360-466-3365. GALAPAGOS TRIP: The Oak Harbor Senior Center is organizing an Oct. 15-28 trip to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu. Open to all adults. Space is limited; contact Pat Gardner at 360-279-4582 or pgardner@ oakharbor.org.

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E10 Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thursday, April 11, 2013 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area April 11-18

TUNING UP Playing at area venues April 11-18

Thursday.11

SATURDAY.13

MUSIC

MIA VERMILLION 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

Daniil Trifonov (piano): 7:30 p.m., Western Washington University Performing Arts Center Concert Hall, Bellingham. $15-$35. Postconcert “Meet the Artist” reception, $15. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.www.wwu.edu.

THURSDAYSUNDAY.11-14 THURSDAY.18

THEATER

“The Producers”: musical comedy, Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Festival seating, $10. 360-416-7727, ext. 2. “Legally Blonde, the Musical”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or www.act theatre.com. “True West”: 7:30 p.m., Bellingham Theatre Guild, 1600 H St., Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-733-1811. “Cinderella (Cendrillon)” (performed in French with English captions): Western Washington University’s Opera Studio, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, room 16, Bellingham. $10-$16. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Friday.12 MUSIC

“Skagit Jazz Night”: Skagit County public school jazz bands, 6 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. $5. isimensen@asd103.org. 22nd annual Northwest Guitar Festival: April 12-14, Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. Concerts, master classes and more. Registration: $120; one-day pass Friday or Saturday, $55; individual concerts, $15. 360-650-6146 or www. tickets.wwu.edu.

THEATER

SUNDAY.14 SUSAN PASCAL QUARTET 2 to 3 p.m., Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 30, or www.jazzatthelibrary.com.

Saturday.13 MUSIC

22nd annual Northwest Guitar Festival: Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. Concerts, master classes and more. Registration: $120; one-day pass, $55; individual concerts, $15. 360-6506146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

THEATER

“The Secret Garden” (musical): META Performing Arts, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-3368955 or www.lincolntheatre.org. “The Producers”: musical comedy, Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $10$40. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyre hall.org. “Legally Blonde, the Musical”: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or www.act theatre.com. “Cinderella (Cendrillon)” (performed in French with English captions): Western Washington University’s Opera Studio, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, room 16, Bellingham. $10-$16. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu. “True West”: 7:30 p.m., Bellingham Theatre Guild, 1600 H St., Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-733-1811 or www.bellinghamtheatre guild.com.

Trish Hatley: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360588-1720.

“LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL” Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or www.acttheatre.com. Check individual listings for times.

Sunday.14

Monday.15

MUSIC

VARIETY

22nd annual Northwest Guitar Festival: Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. Concerts, master classes and more. Individual concerts, $15. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu. Jazz At The Library: Susan Pascal Quartet, 2 to 3 p.m., Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 30, or www.jazzatthelibrary.com.

THEATER

“The Secret Garden” (musical): META Performing Arts, 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. All seats half off; regular price $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or www. lincolntheatre.org. “The Producers”: musical comedy, Theater Arts Guild, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $10-$40. 360416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org. “Legally Blonde, the Musical”: 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or www.act theatre.com. “True West”: 2 p.m., Bellingham Theatre Guild, 1600 H St., Bellingham. $8-$12. 360733-1811 or www.bellinghamtheatreguild. com. “Cinderella (Cendrillon)” (performed in French with English captions): Western Washington University’s Opera Studio, 2 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, room 16, Bellingham. $10-$16. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu

FRIDAY.12

THURSDAY.11

“Vaudevillingham”: Bellingham Circus Guild: 7 and 9 p.m., Cirque Lab, 1401 Sixth St., Bellingham. $5-$10 suggested donation at the door. www.bellinghamcircusguild.com.

Tuesday.16

Steve Rudy (piano): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

SATURDAY.13 MARK DUFRESNE BLUES BAND 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $12 cover. 360-445-3000.

Sardines: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330. Scary Monster: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Mount Vernon High School jazz bands: 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $6. Proceeds benefit the MVHS Jazz Program. 360-336-8955 or www.lincolntheatre.org. Betty Desire: 9 p.m. to midnight, 1st Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $3 cover. 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelledinnertheatre.com.

Thursday.18 THEATER

“The Secret Garden” (musical): META Performing Arts, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-3368955 or www.lincolntheatre.org. “Legally Blonde, the Musical”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or www.act theatre.com. Concrete High School Jazz Band: 6 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. Music, silent auction and snacks. $10, $5 students. 360-941-0403 or www.concretetheatre.com.

Scott Pemberton Trio: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10 cover. 360445-3000.

Paul Klein (piano): 8 to 10 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360766-6266.

Lane Fernando: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Varsity Inn, 112 N. Cherry St., Burlington. No cover. 360-755-0165.

Don Mailloux (folk, rock): 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Leatherheads Pub & Eatery, 10209 270th St. NW, Stanwood. No cover. 360629-5555.

The CYNICS, The DTs, Brother James and the Soul-Vation: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5-$6. 360-778-1067.

SATURDAY.13

MUSIC

VARIETY

Randy Hamilton: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-4226411.

Randy Hamilton: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Kimball Conant and the Fugitives: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360588-1720.

Br’er Rabbit: 7 p.m., Birdsview Brewing Co., 38302 Highway 20, Birdsview. 360-826-3406 or www.birdsviewbrew ingcompany.com.

Mia Vermillion (blues, jazz): 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991037.

Jasmine Greene: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Ben Starner: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

SUNDAY.14 Knut Bell & The Blue Collars: 5 to 9 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

Mark DuFresne Blues Band: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $12 cover. 360-445-3000. Staxx Brothers, MOsley WOtta, Dead Reckon: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. Free. 360-778-1067.

WEDNESDAY.17 Gary B’s Church of the Blues (blues, classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-2263.

The Quiet Ones, Marty Marquis, Sarah in the Wild: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

Marcia Kester: 6 to 8 p.m., Anacortes Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 249, 901 Seventh St., Anacortes. No cover. 360-757-9687.

THURSDAY.18 Spoonshine Duo: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

Jerri Lee Mercer (jazz, theater classics): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-3543600.