360 April 21, 2016

‘Elvis & Nixon’: A wickedly funny slice of strange history

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MCINTYRE HALL WELCOMES LANEY JONES & THE SPIRITS This Weekend, Page 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday April 21, 2016

TUNING UP Pearl Django plays the Conway Muse on Saturday night

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ON STAGE

Cantabile Chamber Choir & guests perform “Earth Songs” on Saturday

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Ip Man 3”: There guests start dying one by one.

Upcoming are two elements of a “Fifty Shades of martial arts movie necmovie releases Black”: Comedy essary for it to be enter Following is a partial about a college student taining: strong fight schedule of coming DVD who must deal with a scenes and an engaging releases. Dates are subwealthy businessman’s star. “Ip Man 3” has ject to change: sexual practices. both, plus an additional “Daniel Tosh: People APRIL 24 pleasant surprise.

Guardians of the Galaxy Pleaser”: Irreverent The latest film in Captain America: comedy from the standthe action series has The Winter Soldier up comedian.

Ip Man (Donnie Yen) Thor 2: The Dark World “Haven: The Final pulled into a battle Season”: All secrets of APRIL 26 between a local school the little town will be Ride Along 2 and a crooked propKrampus revealed. erty developer (Mike Son of Saul “Norm of the North”: Tyson). It’s a traditional Jane Got a Gun Polar Bear heads to story of greed vs. good.

Burning Bodhi New York to stop conBacktrack Donnie Yen has struction in his backHot in Cleveland: already shown in two yard.

Season 6 previous films in the Royal Pains: Season 7 “The Human Face of series, based on the true Big Data”: Look at the story of the Wing Chun MAY 3 digital trail everyone is Joy Kung Fu master who creating.

The 5th Wave mentored Bruce Lee, “Bloody WednesThe Choice that the quiet power day”: Inspired by the Remember he brings to the role A Royal Night Out true story of a Southern makes him engaging.

Anesthesia California mass murHyena Road Unlike Jackie Chan, derer.

400 Days who uses comedy and “Love Is a Verb”: Glassland some martial arts gimLook at social moven Tribune News Service mickry to make his ment of Sufi-inspired films so popular, Yen is Sunni Muslims that a peaceful presence on began in Turkey. screen.

“Antonia’s Line”: Strong-willed “Silicon Valley: The Complete Sec- Antonia returns to her hometown ond Season”: This examination of the after World War II. heart of the high-tech world features “Lamb”: An 11-year-old girl tries to the biting and offbeat humor of Mike help a depressed man.

Judge and Alec Berg. It manages to “Albert — Up, Up and Away”: not only be funny but make the geek Young boy is determined to atone for world of computers make sense. a big mistake he makes.

“Veep: The Complete Fourth SeaThe second season picks up with son”: Julia Louis-Dreyfus continues the Pied Piper team — Erlich, Jared, to mine the comedy of politics.

Dinesh and Gilfoyle — thinking they “Dominion Creek”: First Western to have made it big. That success begins be shot in Ireland. to wobble when the competition goes “Little House on the Prairie: Seathrough some changes. It’s about the son Nine”: This is the final season of high-tech world, but all who work in a the family drama. white collar job can see a lot of their “The Lady in the Van”: Eccencompany in the stories. tric elderly woman (Maggie Smith) T.J. Miller and Martin Starr are the temporarily parks her van in a man’s wiring that holds this comedy circuit driveway. board together.

“A Dog Named Gucci”: Story of “The Revenant”: Story of the one dog who changed a law.

American West starring Oscar win“Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The ners actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Story of the National Lampoon”: director Alejandro Inarritu.

“And Then There Were None”: Lat- Documentary on the creation and cult status of the comedy magazine. est adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel about a dinner party where the n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

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

Tuning Up / Page 9

The Fabulous Roof Shakers perform on Saturday night at H2O in Anacortes

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Out & About................................... 4-5 Tulip Festival Events..........................6 On Stage, Tuning Up...................... 8-9 Travel................................................10 Hot Tickets.......................................11 Get Involved.....................................12 At the Lincoln...................................13 Movies........................................ 14-15 Music Reviews..................................15 COVER: Laney Jones & The Spirits Darin Back / darinbackphoto.com

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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? Contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

THIS WEEKENDin the area Laney Jones & The Spirits

“PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ: A NIGHT ON BROADWAY” The Oak Harbor High School choirs will present a dessert and appetizer show at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St., Oak Harbor. $12. Reservations: ohhschoirs@gmail. com. Information: 360-2795800.

DO THE BLOOM The second annual “Do the Bloom” Color Run 5K for all ages gets underway at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. Runners are dusted with colorful powder throughout the race. Friendly dogs welcome. Registration: $30; kids’ 1-mile fun run, $10. active.com.

Laney Jones & The Spirits bring their high-spirited acoustic music to Skagit County when the band performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.

Raised on an exotic animal farm in Mount Dora, Florida, Laney Jones sings tales of love and adventure with a voice that has been described as “a mix of lemon, molasses, gin and gunpowder,” mellifluous and smooth but brimming with passion, according to a news release. Her live performance

highlights her multi-instrumental prowess on banjo, ukulele, tenor guitar and harmonica.

Since releasing her first studio album “Golden Road” in 2013, she has traveled far from the orange groves and marshes of her home, graduating from Berklee College of Music and playing festival stages at Grey Fox, Shakori Hills, String Break, Lancaster Roots and Blues and numerous others.

Reserved seating $20, box seats $30. mcintyrehall.org

SALMON HABITAT RESTORATION Join Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) to help restore native riparian plants in the Skagit and Samish watersheds. These plants provide shade and cover for salmon and leaf litter for aquatic insects, which in turn provide food for salmon. These riparian zones also improve water quality by controlling erosion and filtering pollutants. The next event — Earth Day Planting and Celebration at Bowman Bay, Deception Pass State Park — will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23. 360-336-0172 or sfeg@skagitfisheries.org.

TRAIL BUILDERS Mount Vernon Trail Builders seeks volunteers to help with trail building and maintenance from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 23, at Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon. Lunch, snacks, tools and training are provided. 360336-6215 or mountvernon trailbuilders.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

OUT & ABOUT ART ART IN BLOOM: The Anacortes Arts Festival presents the third annual “Art in Bloom” Fine Art Exhibition continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through April 15-23 at the Depot Arts and Community Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. The show features painting, photography, sculpture, glass, wood and mixed media artwork from 30 regional fine artists. Free. anacortesarts festival.com. 360-293-6211.

FUNK FISHING EXHIBIT: The exhibit “Wallie Funk’s Fishing Photos” continues through May 22 at the Anacortes Maritime Heritage Center, 703 R Ave., Anacortes. Drawn from the Anacortes Museum’s new book by Funk, “Pictures of the Past,” the images capture vintage scenes from his experience on a local commercial fishing fleet, an Alaskan-bound purse seiner and a season on a salmon fishing boat. The center is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to this exhibit is free. A guided tour of the W.T. Preston steamboat for $3-$5. 360293-1915.

“IN THIS WORLD”: View an exhibit of two master oil painters, William E. Elston and Ann Duffy, through Sunday, May 15, at i.e., 5800 Cains Court, Edison. i.e. is open from 11 to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. Free. 360488-3458 or ieedison.com.

GALLERY SHOW: “From the Forest”, which includes a collection of art made with fungi and bones from local woodlands, continues through April 24 at Gallery Cygnus, 109

Commercial, La Conner.

Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Free. 360-708-4787 or gallerycygnus.com.

GLASS AND METAL

PRINTS, COLLAGE, SCULPTURE: Artist Trust Fellowship recipient Phoebe Toland presents a conglomeration of her wood block prints, collage, reconstruction and sculptures through April 30 at ACME Creative Space, 705 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday.

360-453-7663.

ARTIST EXHIBITION: View Anacortes artist Anne Schreivogl’s paintings through April 27 at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Free. 360-293-8988 or lincolntheatre.org.

EDISON STUDIO TOUR: Tour the private studios of many of Edison’s artists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Maps will be available in town businesses. Meet the artists, see their work and buy at studio level pricing. Look for yellow balloons at each studio. Free. edisoneye@ wavecable.com.

“Warping the Bubble,” a show of collaborative works by Rik Allen and Lanny Bergner, continues through May 1 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Allen and Bergner combine their mediums — blown glass and wire mesh — to create unique geometric and organic forms.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

360-766-6230 or smithandvallee.com. Pictured: “Pyrotoothis Cranchia”

SPRING ART SHOW: The River Gallery’s annual Spring Art Show continues through May 1 at 19313 Landing Road, Mount Vernon. The show features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and glass art by local and regional artists.

Artists include Sallie Lynn Davis, Vojtech Rada, Margaret C. Arnett, Jacqui Beck, Coizie Bettinger, Brooke Borcherding, Jennifer Bowman, Cynthia Richardson, Dedrian Clark, Ellen Dale, Chris Duke, Charlotte Decker, Renate Trapkowski, Pien Ellis, Dian Wilson, Nancy

Fulton, Robert Gigliotti, Gary Giovane, Rita Hornbeck, Stephen Hunter, Gerald Johnson, Maggi Mason, Esther McLatchy, Louise Mango, Donna Nevitt, Rolf Oversvee, Suzanne Powers, Lavone Newell-Reim, Sharon Stapleton, Beth McGurren, Lynn Zimmerman, Peter Welty, Gail Thein, Christine Troyer, Peggy Olson and Linda Henley.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 360-4664524 or rivergallerywa. com.

ART AT MoNA: Two exhibitions continue through June 12 at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday and Monday. Free admission. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

“Beyond Aztlán: Mexican and Chicana/o Artists in the Pacific Northwest”: Spanning the last six decades, this exhibition assembles a diversity of works by Chicana/o and

Mexican artists that reside or formerly resided in the Pacific Northwest. Some were born in Mexico and moved to this region at different points in their lives. Others, born in the U.S., migrated from other states.

Artists include Cecilia Alvarez, Alfredo Arreguin, Arturo Artorez, Paul Berger, Mark Calderón, Daniel Carrillo, Daniel DeSiga, Alma Gómez, Boyer Gonzales, Jr., Jesús Guillén, Fulgencio Lazo, Jesús Mena, George Rodríguez, José Luis Rodríguez Guerra and Rubén Trejo. Curated by Lauro H. Flores.

Robert Flynn: Art From the Permanent Collection: Born in 1930, Flynn worked in the Seattle area for 17 years and then another 40 years on the island of Kauai, where he still creates art. A sculptor, painter and printmaker, he is self-trained but taught art at Broadway Junior College and at a night school.

Skagit Valley College Latino/a students will serve as tour leads from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 24.

APPLIQUÉ AND EMBELLISHMENT: View three exhibits showcasing different quilting techniques at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner.

“A Magical Journey of Hand Appliqué” by Kathy McNeil and “Clothing: Art & Embellishment” by Anita Luvera Mayer continues through June 19.

“La Conner in Bloom 2016: Flights of Fancy” continues through May 1.

The show features small fabric and textile artworks created by various local artists. Many of the works have been donated by the artists and are offered

for sale to benefit the museum.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during April. Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-4664288 or laconnerquilts.org.

RICHARD NICOL EXHIBITION: The Skagit Valley College Art Gallery features Richard Nicol’s “photographic canvases” from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, through Thursday, May 12, at the main entryway of the Gary Knutzen Cardinal Center, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Free. 4167623 or svcnews.org.

CAMANO STUDIO TOUR: The 18th annual Camano Island Studio Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 6-8, and Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at locations around Camano Island and Stanwood. Check out artwork in a wide variety of media offered by some 50 juried artists in their studios and four galleries.

Pick up a self-guided tour map at local merchants or at camanostudiotour.com.

Free. 425-263-2813.

NEW BOOK: Author Jason Dorsey will display his book, “I Remember Fishing with Dad,” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 6-8, and Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at the Sunnyshore Studio, 2803 SE Camano Drive, Camano Island. Jason wrote the book and partnered with his dad, Camano Island artist Jack Dorsey, for illustrations. The studio is part of the Camano Island Studio Tour. Free.

317-209-6768 or sunny shorestudio.wordpress. com.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT & ABOUT SPRING OPEN HOUSE: Check out a variety of handcrafted items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30-May 1, at Studio Outback, 801 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley.

360-854-7873.

INTERACTIVE ART EXHIBITION: “What Would You Do To Set Them Free?” compiles handwritten and typed letters and a birdcage by visual artist Betty Bastai from May 16-23 at The Faded Cover Bookstore, 105 S. First St., La Conner. Bastai chronicles her correspondence with novelist, filmmaker and zen buddhist priest Ruth Ozeki with a mixed style that includes prose, free verse poetry and quotes from “Dante’s Inferno” and Dōgen Zenji, a Japanese Buddhist priest. The Faded Cover is open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Free admission. 360-399-1673 or thefadedcover.com.

LECTURES AND TALKS ENERGY CROSSROADS FORUM: Join a community discussion about energy resources and remedies at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 27, at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Deliberations will encompass the transition to a clean energy economy instead of an expansion of fossil fuel development and traffic through communities in Skagit County.

Free. 360-336-8955.

MUSIC “PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ: A Night On Broadway”: The Oak Harbor High School choirs will present a dessert and appetizer show at 6:30

p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St., Oak Harbor. $12. Reservations: ohhschoirs@gmail.com.

Information: 360-2795800.

EARTH SONGS: The Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests celebrate Earth Day, featuring music celebrating our natural world with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon.

Local environmentalist Pete Hasse will speak on “A History of Earth Day” at 6:45 p.m. $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families at the door.

360-424-1822.

“FLY ME TO THE MOON”: The Skagit Community Band will perform its annual jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, at La Conner Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Brodniak Hall on the Anacortes High School campus, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. SCB will play classical swing and jazz tunes and feature guest trombone soloist Rob Queisser. Free, donations accepted. 360-466-4409 or skagitcommunityband. org.

MORE FUN “VALLEY GIRLS”: A special exhibit highlighting some of the women who called Skagit County home continues through June 20 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner. Learn about Nell Quackenbush Wheelock and her sister Kate Quackenbush Glover, pioneer telephone com-

712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Tickets $25 or $12 students, $15 presale.

Proceeds benefit a Nepal safe house for trafficking survivors. Following the movie, there will be a fair trade Mother’s Day sale, featuring products made by survivors. friendsof wpcnepal.org.

MOVIE SERIES Enjoy Shakespeare-inspired movies at 7 p.m.

Fridays at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes. April 22: “10 Things I Hate About You” (pictured): The modern take on “Taming of the Shrew” stars Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Rated PG-13; April 29: “Shakespeare in Love”: The 1998 film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck and Judi Dench. Winner of seven Academy Awards. Rated R. pany owners; Louisa Ann Conner, founder of La Conner and instrumental in helping establish one of the first Catholic churches in town; Vi Hilbert, respected elder of the Upper Skagit Tribe; Lucinda Davis, pioneer roadhouse owner; and Harriet Wade Rowley, Skagit County’s first pioneer nurse and hospital owner. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $5 adults, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/museum.

ISLAND HOSPITAL AUCTION: “Swing Under the Wings,” Island Hospital’s 13th annual Gala of Hope Auction, will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 23, at the Heritage Flight Museum, 15053 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. Proceeds will benefit patient programs, services and equipment.

Heartstrings’ “Raise the Paddle” auction item will be dedicated to funding four needed fetal heart monitors. Tickets $150.

360-299-4201 or island hospitalfoundation.org.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT: 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday, April 29, Skagit Valley College, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Activities and a discussion with a panel of experts will highlight “sexual violence, raise awareness and support survivors.” The event will be followed by a march down College Way to Riverside Drive to hand out flyers. 360-416-7958.

“SOLD”: A film about Lakshmi, a girl who was sold to the “Happiness House” in Kolkata, India, provides a call to end child sexual exploitation and trafficking domestically and internationally.

The event will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Lincoln Theatre,

WOMEN’S EXPO: The eighth annual Women’s Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

The event will include a variety of exhibitors with products and services especially for women, a fashion show, fitness, dancing and cooking demos, educational presentations, raffle prizes, beauty tips, a martini bar and lunch available for purchase. Swedish Hospital will offer mobile mammograms by appointment.

Free admission. 360-3870222 or camanocenter.org.

GEM SHOW: The Everett Rock & Gem Club’s 63rd annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30-May 1, at the Everett Community College Walt Price Student Fitness Center, 2206 Tower St., Everett. Check out displays of crystals and minerals, beads and pearls, fossils, exotic shells, stone artwork and handcrafted silver jewelry.

See demonstrations of gemstone faceting, bead making, wire wrapping, silversmithing, stone shaping, carving and polishing techniques, dealers of rough and polished stones, fossils, gemstones and equipment, as well as free gemstone identification. Silent auction, door

prizes and refreshments.

Free admission. 425-2320809 or everettrockclub. com.

CULTURAL IMMERSION: The Anacortes Sister Cities Association will host a presentation by four Anacortes High School exchange students at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. The students from Spain, Norway, Finland and Germany will share their personal experiences visiting Anacortes. Come before the presentation to visit with the students and enjoy pizza, garlic bread at 6 p.m. for a $5 donation. Anacortessistercities. com.

ART FESTIVAL, AUCTION: Lincoln LYNX Supporters will host the 15th annual Art Festival and Art Auction from 5:45 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Lincoln School auditorium, 1005 S. 11th St., Mount Vernon. The evening will include a silent auction, live auction with emcee Mike Yeoman, live music, kids’ raffle and activities along with student art on display. Proceeds support Lincoln’s student field trips, enrichment materials and other student activities. 360-610-6926 or pamspot67@yahoo.com.

SOCK HOP: The event featuring music

by Kentucky Rain and appearances by professional Elvis tribute artists will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Enjoy a free dance lesson at 6:30 p.m. and purchase a ’50s “diner-style” menu by Adin.

Fifties attire encouraged. $20. 360-387-0222.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

Schedule April 21-28

33rd ANNUAL SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL

POSTER SIGNING April 24: Tulip Festival poster artist Sandy Haight will sign 2016 Festival posters and offer other artwork from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon.

DISPLAY GARDENS April 21-28: Check out display gardens filled with blooming tulips and more: RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Flowers, bulbs, gifts and more. $5, $4 military with ID, free for ages 5 and younger. No pets. 360-424-8531.

Azusa Farm and Gardens, 14904 Highway 20, Mount Vernon: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Display gardens, plants, flowers, art and more.

360-424-1580.

Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Gardens, greenhouses, plants, art and more. 360466-3821.

Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Peter Johnson Road, Mount Vernon: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Gardens, plants, gifts, cafe and more.

360-424-6760.

WSU Discovery Garden, 16650 Highway 536, Mount Vernon: Dawn to dusk daily. Gardens showcasing plants that do well in the Pacific Northwest. Docents are on hand to answer gardening questions on the weekends.

SANDY HAIGHT: WATERCOLORS April 21-28: Sandy Haight, the official artist for the 2016 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, will be featured from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Haight is presenting a new body of floral watercolors to welcome tulip season, and has a collection of up-close abstract florals in addition to more traditional floral images. Additional artists on display include Randy Dana, Lorna Libert, Melissa Jander, Leo Osborne and the Fidalgo Island Quilters Group. 360-293-6938 or scottmilo. com.

MASTER GARDENER ‘STEP-ON’ GUIDES Have a WSU Skagit County Master Gardener act as your tour guide to the Skagit Valley. WSU Research Center, 16650 state Route 536, Mount Vernon. For reservations: tonitulip@comcast.net.

KIWANIS ANNUAL SALMON BARBECUE April 21-24: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. Alder grilled salmon with baked potato, coleslaw, garlic bread, beverages and dessert. Two serving sizes are offered: $15 and $12. Visa/MC accepted. Groups of 15 or more, call for reservations: 360-4287028 or kiwanisbbq.com.

PETTING ZOO April 23-24: The “Beaks, Noses, and Bills” 4-H Club Petting Farm from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 13391 Avon Allen Rd., Mount Vernon.

Visit rabbits, chicks, goats, ponies, ducks, and baby pigs. $5 donation.

360-202-5023.

ART BASH April 21-28: Skagit Artists Together hosts its monthlong show featuring 20 local artists and a broad range of fine art and photography from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the upstairs gallery at The Farmhouse Restaurant, 13724 La ConnerWhitney Road, Mount Vernon. Free.

360-466-0382 or skagitart.com.

ART IN A PICKLE BARN April 21-28: Azusa Farm & Gardens, 14904 Highway 20, Mount Vernon. The 25th annual Skagit Art Association show features 25 award-winning art in a variety of media, including paintings, glass, photography and more. Free. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 360-424-1580 or skagitart.org.

ART AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE April 21-28: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Members of the Stanwood Camano Arts Guild offer a variety of original artworks and demonstrations at the historic 1888 schoolhouse at Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Free. 360-466-3821 or stanwoodarts.com.

For a complete listing of events, maps and directions, visit tulipfestival.org

ART IN BLOOM April 21-23: the Anacortes Arts Festival presents the third annual “Art in Bloom” Fine Art Exhibition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Depot Arts and Community Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. The invitational show features painting, photography, sculpture, glass, wood and mixed media artwork from 30 regional fine artists. Free. anacorte sartsfestival.com. 360-293-6211.

DO THE BLOOM April 23: “Do the Bloom” Color Run 5k for all ages, 10 a.m., Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes.

Proceeds benefit public art projects. Runners are dusted with colorful powder throughout the race.

Friendly dogs welcome. $10 to $30. To register, go to anacortes artsfestival.com. 360-293-6211.

SPRING ART SHOW April 21-24, 27-28: Featured artists and new artists create collectible art in the annual Spring Art Show at the River Gallery, 19313 Landing Road (off of Dodge Valley Road), Mount Vernon. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 360-466-4524 or river gallerywa.com.

DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON ART WALK April 21-28: Check out original artworks on display along Fairhaven Avenue in downtown Burlington.

Tour brochures are available at the Visitor Information Center, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave. Free. 360-7570994.

ANACORTES QUILT WALK April 21-28: Hours vary. See a wide variety of traditional, contemporary, modern, and art quilts on display in downtown Anacortes businesses during regular shop hours. Maps available at participating merchants and the Anacortes Visitors Center. Free. 360-2023410 or fidalgoislandquilters.com.

TULIP FESTIVAL CONCERT April 23–24: “Earth Songs: Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon; 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Camano Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road. Camano Island. Adults $15, students $8. 425-312-4565.

TULIP CHARM PRINCESS PARTY April 24: Meet Cinderella and Prince Charming brought to life by Enchanting Events at either 1 p.m. or 2:15 p.m. at the Cascade Mall Community Room, 201 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. Children will enjoy the famous duo, get a tulip cookie and juice, be read a story, get an etiquette lesson, and have a chance to dance. Parents must stay. $10 per child, parents free.

360-428-5959.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM April 21-28: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Toddler Tuesday, at 550 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. Activities for ages 10 and younger. $6.25, free for members and ages younger than 1. 360-757-8888.

HISTORIC MUSEUM April 21-28: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner. Featured exhibit: “Valley Girls - Notable Women of the Skagit.” $5 adults, $4 seniors and ages 6-12; $10 families. Free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/museum.

HERITAGE FLIGHT MUSEUM April 21-23, 26-28: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 15053 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. Check out flyable World War II, Korea and Vietnam era aircraft, flight memorabilia and artifacts. $8 adults, $5 children, free for ages 5 and younger. 360-424-5151 or heritageflight.org.

MUSEUM of NORTHWEST ART April 21-28: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 121 S. First St., La Conner. The museum’s collections include contemporary art from across the Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and British Columbia. Free admission. 360466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

Thursday, April 21, 2016 - E7

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Netflix is out-HBOing HBO in exclusive shows – so far

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — Look out, HBO. Netflix produced more original programming than cable’s premium-network leader last year, according to numbers provided by the two rivals. The Internet video service isn’t slowing down, either, even if it risks losing subscribers to price increases that will help pay for more exclusive shows.

Since its push into original shows kicked off in earnest with the 2013 debut of “House of Cards,” Netflix has hit the fastforward button. Last year, it put out 450 hours of original programming, compared to 401 from Time Warner’s HBO. This year, both companies say they expect to release roughly 600 hours of original material.

HBO, of course, is the network Netflix CEO Reed Hastings set out to emulate when his service began charting a course away

from streaming TV reruns and previously released movies.

Netflix is aiming to put itself into “an entirely different and supreme league” from its rivals, says Tom Numan, a former TV network and studio executive who now lectures at UCLA’s graduate school of theater, film and television. The company’s goal, he says, is to become the first global network for original shows and movies. With Netflix available in 190 countries, Hastings expects Netflix to surpass 100 million subscribers next year.

Amazon.com, Hulu and other services are scrambling to catch up with their own moves into original programming. Although its own original slate is only a quarter the size of Netflix’s, Amazon.com can boast that its shows won more Emmy awards last year than its rival.

Netflix is counting on a vast library of original programming to help keep subscribers on board as it faces tougher compe-

tition. Amazon, for instance, just started offering its streamingvideo service for $9 a month; previously, you had to sign up for the company’s $100-a-year Prime service, which includes free shipping from its e-commerce site and other goodies.

Amazon is undercutting Netflix’s $10 monthly price for its most popular video-streaming plan, as is Hulu, which charges $8. HBO charges $15 per month for a video-streaming service it launched last year to compete against Netflix.

Netflix will test the loyalty of its long-time subscribers next month when it starts to hike its prices 25 percent, following a two-year freeze that kept rates at $8 per month. The increase will hit 17 million to 22 million U.S. subscribers, based on analyst estimates.

Original programming doesn’t come cheap. The Los Gatos, California, company ended March with $12.3 billion committed to

Internet streaming rights, nearly double the $5.6 billion it spend at the end of 2012. Netflix hasn’t disclosed how much of that spending has gone toward original series and exclusive movies, but the percentage has been steadily increasing.

The cost of licensing and overseas expansion has whittled Netflix’s profit margins. In its first-quarter results released Monday, the company said it earned $28 million, or 6 cents per share, on revenue of nearly $2 billion. Investors, though, are far more focused on the company’s subscriber growth. So far, the company has delivered. Netflix picked up an additional 6.74 million customers in the first quarter to boost its worldwide audience to 81.5 million subscribers — up from 33 million before the first season of “House of Cards.”

But Netflix’s stock price dropped nearly 8 percent in extended trading Monday after the company predicted it would

only add 2.5 million subscribers in the second quarter, including a gain of 500,000 customers in the U.S. The conservative forecast reflected the anticipated loss of some longtime subscribers due to the price increase.

There’s a worrisome history here. In 2011, subscribers fled when Netflix split off its DVDby-mail operation from its burgeoning streaming business, a shift that hiked prices as much as 60 percent for some subscribers.

Netflix lost 3 percent of its U.S. subscribers at the time. A similar reaction to next month’s price increase might cost it 510,000 to 660,000 subscribers in the second quarter.

Analysts think a repeat is unlikely. “I don’t think you are going to see a lot of people bailing out and running for the exits,” said Rosenblatt Securities analyst Martin Pyykkonen — largely because Netflix now has so many shows you can’t find anywhere else.

E8 Thursday, April 21, 2016

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area April 21-May 1

TUNING UP Playing at area venues April 21-28 LOOKING AHEAD SATURDAY.30

CANTABILE CHAMBER CHOIR

SATURDAY.23 EARTH SONGS Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests celebrate Earth Day with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul”, 7:30 to 9 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Local environmentalist Pete Hasse will speak about “A History of Earth Day” at 6:45 p.m. $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families. 360-424-1822.

CASCADE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR STUDENTS Thursday.21

Saturday.23

Sunday.24

THEATER

THEATER

OPERA

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcoming-shows/ 65-the-drowsy-chaperone

COMEDY

“221 Inc.” with Alex Elkin and friends: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $5. 360-445-3000.

MAGIC

Caleb Sigmon Live! The Illusionist: 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Prices vary. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

Friday.22 THEATER

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcomingshows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

MUSIC

Thursday, April 21, 2016 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Laney Jones & The Spirits: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20$30. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcomingshows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

MUSIC

Earth Songs: Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests celebrate Earth Day with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul”, 7:30 to 9 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon.

Local environmentalist Pete Hasse will speak about “A History of Earth Day” at 6:45 p.m. $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families. 360424-1822.

VARIETY

Fourth annual Drag Night: Skagit Valley College Rainbow Alliance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, free for ages 9 and younger (show includes mature content). 360416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Met Live: Roberto Devereaux (Donizetti), 1 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Prices vary. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

MUSIC

Langley Ukulele Ensemble: 2:30 p.m., Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. $10-$20. 360-739-1528 or rcob.brownpaper tickets.com.

VARIETY

“Whidbey Has Talent”: Presentation Division (grades K-5), 2 p.m,; Junior Division (grades 6-8), 4 p.m.; Senior Division (grades 9-12), 6:30 p.m., Oak Harbor High School, 1 Wildcat Way, Oak Harbor. Tickets: $5, valid for the entire day. Buy tickets at The Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor, whidbeyplayhouse.com or at the door. 360-679-2237.

MUSIC “Celebrating in Song”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25, $14 seniors, students and military. 360416-7727, ext.

2, or mcintyre hall.org.

“Sousa, and All That Jazz!”: North Cascades Concert Band, with guest saxophonist Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Ridlington, U.S. Marine Band, 3 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes.

Free. Donations accepted. nccband.org.

OPERA Met Live: Elektra (Strauss), 9:55 a.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Prices vary. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org.

SUNDAY.1

MUSIC “Celebrating in Song”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25, $14 seniors, students and military. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.21 Jesse RS, The Sean Keck Project: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Black Mountain, Marissa Nadler: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $15. 360-778-1067.

SATURDAY.23 THE FABULOUS ROOF SHAKERS 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover.

425-737-5144 or 360629-6500.

SATURDAY.23 PEARL DJANGO 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000.

Whiskey Fever: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Black Mountain, Marissa Nadler: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $15. 360-778-1067.

Cannon and the Lion of Judah: 6 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., SedroWoolley. 360-982-2649.

Christian Casolary Trio: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360392-3100 or hotelbell wether.com.

Midlife Crisis: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge Main Stage, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888-2888883. or swinomish casinoandlodge.com.

Friday.22 Prozac Mountain Boys: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Defenestrator (album release): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360-7781067.

Autumn Divers: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

J.P. Falcon Grady: 8 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Court, Bow. Free. 360-766-6330.

Levi Burkle: 8 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

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

Good Vibrations: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon.

Members and signed-in guests only. 360-8488882.

Kristie Devries: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Julianne Thoma: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Nick Anthony and Friends: 8-11 p.m., Evelyn’s Tavern, 12667 Highway 9, Clear Lake.

360-399-1321.

Saturday.23 Pearl Django (gypsy jazz): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000.

Stardrums & Lady Keys (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15. 360-4453000.

Nowhere Near Nashville: 9 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $7. 425-7375144 or 360-629-6500.

Marcel & Nakos: 9:30 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-293-2544.

The Fabulous Roof Shakers: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360755-3956.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

The Walrus: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Tuesday.26

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

Ann ‘N Dean: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon.

Members and signed-in guests only. 360-8488882.

Nuages Jazz: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Julianne Thoma: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Thieves of Eden, Powerhitter, Stereo Creeps: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360-778-1067.

Midlife Crisis: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge Main Stage, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888-2888883. or swinomish casinoandlodge.com.

Sunday.24 Filé Gumbo, with Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Alicia Dauber Quintet: 4:30 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.

360-392-3100 or hotel bellwether.com.

Steve Rudy Trio: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Wednesday.27 Fidalgo Swing: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Key Nyata, ILLFIGHTYOU, Nules Davis and Tre Ross: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $9-$12. 360-778-1067.

Thursday.28 Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover.

425-737-5144 or 360629-6500.

Levi Burkle: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

The Woolley Breeches: 6 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-9822649.

William Pint and Felicia Dale (modern): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

E8 Thursday, April 21, 2016

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area April 21-May 1

TUNING UP Playing at area venues April 21-28 LOOKING AHEAD SATURDAY.30

CANTABILE CHAMBER CHOIR

SATURDAY.23 EARTH SONGS Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests celebrate Earth Day with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul”, 7:30 to 9 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Local environmentalist Pete Hasse will speak about “A History of Earth Day” at 6:45 p.m. $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families. 360-424-1822.

CASCADE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR STUDENTS Thursday.21

Saturday.23

Sunday.24

THEATER

THEATER

OPERA

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcoming-shows/ 65-the-drowsy-chaperone

COMEDY

“221 Inc.” with Alex Elkin and friends: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $5. 360-445-3000.

MAGIC

Caleb Sigmon Live! The Illusionist: 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Prices vary. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

Friday.22 THEATER

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcomingshows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

MUSIC

Thursday, April 21, 2016 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Laney Jones & The Spirits: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20$30. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8-upcomingshows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

MUSIC

Earth Songs: Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests celebrate Earth Day with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul”, 7:30 to 9 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon.

Local environmentalist Pete Hasse will speak about “A History of Earth Day” at 6:45 p.m. $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families. 360424-1822.

VARIETY

Fourth annual Drag Night: Skagit Valley College Rainbow Alliance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, free for ages 9 and younger (show includes mature content). 360416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Met Live: Roberto Devereaux (Donizetti), 1 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Prices vary. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

MUSIC

Langley Ukulele Ensemble: 2:30 p.m., Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. $10-$20. 360-739-1528 or rcob.brownpaper tickets.com.

VARIETY

“Whidbey Has Talent”: Presentation Division (grades K-5), 2 p.m,; Junior Division (grades 6-8), 4 p.m.; Senior Division (grades 9-12), 6:30 p.m., Oak Harbor High School, 1 Wildcat Way, Oak Harbor. Tickets: $5, valid for the entire day. Buy tickets at The Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor, whidbeyplayhouse.com or at the door. 360-679-2237.

MUSIC “Celebrating in Song”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25, $14 seniors, students and military. 360416-7727, ext.

2, or mcintyre hall.org.

“Sousa, and All That Jazz!”: North Cascades Concert Band, with guest saxophonist Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Ridlington, U.S. Marine Band, 3 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes.

Free. Donations accepted. nccband.org.

OPERA Met Live: Elektra (Strauss), 9:55 a.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Prices vary. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org.

SUNDAY.1

MUSIC “Celebrating in Song”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25, $14 seniors, students and military. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.21 Jesse RS, The Sean Keck Project: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Black Mountain, Marissa Nadler: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $15. 360-778-1067.

SATURDAY.23 THE FABULOUS ROOF SHAKERS 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover.

425-737-5144 or 360629-6500.

SATURDAY.23 PEARL DJANGO 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000.

Whiskey Fever: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Black Mountain, Marissa Nadler: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $15. 360-778-1067.

Cannon and the Lion of Judah: 6 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., SedroWoolley. 360-982-2649.

Christian Casolary Trio: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360392-3100 or hotelbell wether.com.

Midlife Crisis: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge Main Stage, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888-2888883. or swinomish casinoandlodge.com.

Friday.22 Prozac Mountain Boys: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Defenestrator (album release): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360-7781067.

Autumn Divers: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

J.P. Falcon Grady: 8 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Court, Bow. Free. 360-766-6330.

Levi Burkle: 8 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

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

Good Vibrations: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon.

Members and signed-in guests only. 360-8488882.

Kristie Devries: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Julianne Thoma: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Nick Anthony and Friends: 8-11 p.m., Evelyn’s Tavern, 12667 Highway 9, Clear Lake.

360-399-1321.

Saturday.23 Pearl Django (gypsy jazz): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000.

Stardrums & Lady Keys (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15. 360-4453000.

Nowhere Near Nashville: 9 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $7. 425-7375144 or 360-629-6500.

Marcel & Nakos: 9:30 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-293-2544.

The Fabulous Roof Shakers: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360755-3956.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

The Walrus: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Tuesday.26

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

Ann ‘N Dean: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon.

Members and signed-in guests only. 360-8488882.

Nuages Jazz: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

Julianne Thoma: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Thieves of Eden, Powerhitter, Stereo Creeps: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360-778-1067.

Midlife Crisis: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge Main Stage, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888-2888883. or swinomish casinoandlodge.com.

Sunday.24 Filé Gumbo, with Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Alicia Dauber Quintet: 4:30 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.

360-392-3100 or hotel bellwether.com.

Steve Rudy Trio: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Wednesday.27 Fidalgo Swing: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Key Nyata, ILLFIGHTYOU, Nules Davis and Tre Ross: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $9-$12. 360-778-1067.

Thursday.28 Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover.

425-737-5144 or 360629-6500.

Levi Burkle: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

The Woolley Breeches: 6 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-9822649.

William Pint and Felicia Dale (modern): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E10 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

TRAVEL FAMILY TRAVEL FIVE

Five hot eco-friendly travel spots around the world

By LYNN O’ROURKE HAYES The Dallas Morning News

Earth Day provides an annual reminder of our abundant natural resources. Here are five ways to appreciate this beautiful planet: 1. Camp under the stars. Keep your carbon footprint low by setting up your tent somewhere close to home. Plan your family menu with a focus on locally grown or raised selections and stop by a farmer’s market to shop.

Teach the kids what

it means to “take only pictures and leave only footprints.” Bring reusable utensils and containers and leave the campsite better than you found it.

While exploring, discuss the importance of staying on marked trails to protect fragile ecosystems. americasstateparks.org; nps.gov 2. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California.

Introduce your youngsters to the rare ocean sunfish, the secret lives of seahorses, and the magical beauty of stingrays, jellyfish, penguins and sea otters.

Housed in a converted cannery, the esteemed aquarium is one of the few places to exhibit both bluefin and yellowfin tuna.

Your family will also see one of the few living kelp forests on exhibit where divers hand-feed sharks and other fish. Ask about the organization’s Sea Watch program that helps consumers and businesses make informed choices for healthy oceans. montereybayaquarium. org 3. Discover Belize.

This Central America gem offers 87 distinct kinds of ecosystems, making ecotourism the lifeblood of its economy. Along with 150 identified species of mammals are rain forests, Mayan temples, the world’s second longest barrier reef and an abundance of ecolodges educating travelers about the fragility of its ecosystem.

Stay at the Lodge at

Chaa Creek for early morning bird-watching tours, to visit the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, and for medicine trail tours where you’ll learn about the native plants that provide globally significant remedies. chaacreek.com; travelbelize.org 4. Leaping Lamb Farm, Alsea, Oregon. Trade your technology for the chance to help with morning chores on this charming 64-acre farm in Oregon’s Coast Range. Craft a leisurely family breakfast in your own cozy cabin, including eggs your crew collected. Later, find your way to the orchard to pick apples, pears or plums or wander off to forage for mushrooms. Lend a hand in the greenhouse and garden or learn about raising lamb and Heritage turkeys.

Brush the horses and bottle-feed the baby goat before hiking and biking on neighboring trails. leapinglambfarm.com 5. The Road to Hana, Hawaii. Surf crashing on the rugged coastline, bamboo forests and stunning waterfalls make this iconic roadway a destination in itself. Offering a stark contrast to the resort-filled beaches on other parts of the island, you’ll find an unblemished, lush landscape oozing with remnants of the old Hawaiian culture.

The 52-mile trip over winding roads and through the rain forest requires the driver’s full attention. Yet,

Web Buzz

Local travel

Name: onthegrid.city What it does: The website gives you an intimate view of a city as portrayed by local artists, photographers, designers, stylists, filmmakers, Web developers and more.

What’s hot: Despite the name, this is a neighborhood guide, not just a city guide.

The focus on local restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, sweet shops, lodging, health and fitness, art and culture, tech and more is a refreshing take on traditional guidebooks.

You don’t want to miss these three sections: “All Places,” a dropdown menu that allows you to filter the “note cards” to access the information you want; the map (look for the foldout map icon to the right of “All Places”), with pins that indicate where each destination is located; and the creators’ website links.

I was as interested in exploring the creators’ work as I was the hot spots in each location. New cities launch weekly.

What’s not: I wanted to be able to build my own list based on the recommendations. If there was a “favorite” function or list-building tool, I couldn’t find it.

CULTURAL IMMERSION: The Anacortes Sister Cities Association will host a presentation by four Anacortes High School exchange students at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. The students from Spain, Norway, Finland and Germany will share their personal experiences visiting Anacortes.

Come before the presentation to visit with the students and enjoy pizza, garlic bread at 6 p.m. for a $5 donation. Anacortessistercities.com.

n Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times

stops along the way for picture taking, hiking, picnicking on the beach and tasting the famous banana or mango bread make it worth the effort. Consider spending the night in Hana to avoid rushing through the spectacular scenery. gohawaii.com/maui; hanamaui.com n Lynn O’Rourke Hayes is the editor of FamilyTravel. com. Email her at lohayes@ familytravel.com.

INCREDIBLE INDIA: A people and places presentation with Carol Sullivan from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at the Mount Vernon City Library, Mount Vernon. 360-336-6209 or mountvernonwa.gov/library.

SALMON DINNER SAIL: Join the Schooner Zodiac, a classic 1920s sailing yacht, for a three-hour excursion from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, June 10-Sept. 2, departing from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $79 adults, $59 children. For reservations, contact 206-719-7622 or schoonerzodiac.com.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 8 and older (adult supervision required for ages 17 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information or to register, call 360-336-6215.

ESCORTED TOURS: The Whatcom County Tour Program offers a variety of day trips and longer tours, with most trips departing from and returning to the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St., Bellingham. For information or to register: 360-733-4030, ext. 1015, or wccoa. org/index.php/Tours.

ESCORTED TOURS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., has these trips planned: South Dakota, Sept. 4-10; Legendary Waterways of Europe, Budapest to Amsterdam, Oct. 12-27. For brochures and information, call 360-279-4580.

STATE VISITOR CALL CENTER: The Washington Tourism Alliance’s ExperienceWA Call Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 1-800-544-1800 or tourisminfo@watourismalliance.com. Staff members assist travelers who have questions, refer them to specific destination marketing organizations and other travel resources across the state for more detailed information, and take orders for the Washington State Visitors Guide.

PASSPORT FAIR: Anacortes Public Library will host a Passport Fair for first-time applicants from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Six agents will be on hand to accept completed applications and assist with application and processing. Appointments are not required. Applications are available at the library or at travel.state.gov. For passport information: 1-877-487-2778 or travel.state.gov.

Thursday, April 21, 2016 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS PATTI LUPONE: April 23, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

OZ NOY WITH DAVE WECKL AND JIMMY HASLIP: April 26-27, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

MELISSA MANCHESTER: April 29-30, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

JOEY DEFRANCESCO QUARTET: May 3-4, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO: May 10-11, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

SELENA GOMEZ: May 13, KeyArena, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE: May 13-14, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

THE WHO: May 15, KeyArena, Seattle. thewho. com.

BEYONCÉ: May 18, CenturyLink Field, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

SPYRO GYRA: May 19-22, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

LLOYD JONES: May 28, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

ARTURO SANDOVAL: May 26-29, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

PAUL SIMON: May 28-29, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

“PAINT YOUR WAGON”: June 2-25, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle. 206-6251900 or 5thavenue.org.

BOB DYLAN & HIS BAND: with Mavis Staples: June 4-5, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com.

LATIN LINEUP COMEDY NIGHT: June 10-11, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

SLIPKNOT: with Marilyn Manson, Of Mice & Men: June 11, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

TEARS FOR FEARS: June 17, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

CHICAGO: June 18, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

JUSTIN HAYWARD (Moody Blues): featuring IGN’s Mike Dawes: June 24, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

PARADISO FESTIVAL: June 24-25, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 425-2481572 or livenation.com.

BILLY JOEL May 20, Safeco Field, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DON HENLEY: July 19-20, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

STING & PETER GABRIEL: July 21, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

THE RIPPINGTONS: July 21-24, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

LEE ANN WOMACK: July 22-23, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

BOSTON: July 1, WAMU Theatre, Seattle. 800-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

DEAD & COMPANY: July 23, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

LYLE LOVETT AND HIS LARGE BAND: July 2, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

ALBERT LEE: with Kate Taylor: July 24, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon.

360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

GOO GOO DOLLS WITH COLLECTIVE SOUL AND TRIBE SOCIETY: July 9, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

ROB ZOMBIE, KORN: July 27, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR: July 9, Xfinity Arena, Everett. 866-332-8499 or livenation.com.

PHISH: July 15-16, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

29TH WINTHROP R&B FESTIVAL: July 15-17, 19190 Highway 20, Winthrop. 509-997-3837 or tickettomato.com.

WATERSHED FESTIVAL: with Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Keith Urban and more: July 29-31, Aug. 5-7, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. watershedfest.com.

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE FESTIVAL OF JAZZ: JONATHAN BUTLER AND GERALD ALBRIGHT, BOBBY CALDWELL, MELLIE MCKAY AND MORE: July 30, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

WINE COUNTRY BLUES FESTIVAL: ROBERT CRAY BAND, MAVIS STAPLES, JAMES HUNTER SIX AND SHEMEKIA COPELAND: July 31, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE: Aug. 5 and 6, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or ticketmaster. com.

CULTURE CLUB: Aug. 11, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

WARPED TOUR ‘16: Aug. 12, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

JACKSON BROWNE: Aug. 12 and 13, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

360-445-6221

Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm Fri/Sat 9am-9pm Sun 9am-6pm 18729 Fir Island Road Suite C Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 From I-5, Take Exit 221 & Head West to Conway In The Conway Red Barn

www.221inc.com

GUNS N’ ROSES: Aug 12, CenturyLink Field, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

Sept. 2, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

DEMI LOVATO, NICK JONAS: Aug. 21, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND: Sept. 2-4, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. davematthewsband.com.

PAIN IN THE GRASS 2016: Aug. 21, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

COUNTING CROWS AND ROB THOMAS: Sept. 3, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

GWEN STEPHANI WITH SPECIAL GUEST EVE: Aug. 24, KeyArena, Seattle.

800-745-3000. livenation. com

CHRIS ISAAK: Sept. 4, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

THE GIPSY TWINS: Aug. 25, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

STEVE MILLER BAND: Aug. 26-27, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER: Aug. 28, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

DURAN DURAN: Sept. 1, Xfinity Arena, Everett. 866332-8499 or livenation. com.

SNOOP DOGG AND WIZ KHALIFA — THE HIGH ROAD SUMMER TOUR: Sept. 2, White River Amphitheater, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS:

RAY MONTAGNE: Sept.

5, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES: Sept. 9, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

BONNIE RAITT: Sept.

16, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

DEF LEPPARD: with REO Speedwagon, Tesla: Oct. 1, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

MAROON 5: Oct. 11, KeyArena, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

JETHRO TULL: Oct. 28, Moore Theatre, Seattle.

877-784-4849 or live nation.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E12 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

GET INVOLVED ART ANACORTES CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce is designing 4x4 Fidalgo Island collectible cards to be given away to locals and visiting guests. The cards will be distributed with businesses, hotels and the Visitor Information Center. Artists from the 98221 zip code may submit two-dimensional images — paintings, drawings, computer drawn art, pen and ink, pencil, photography, etc. — to the chamber via email for approval by Friday, April 29. Subjects requested: the Great Blue Heron, working waterfront (Dakota Creek), music or nightlife, weather, Deception Pass Bridge, kayaking, food or drink, or recreational boating. 360293-3832 or marketing@ anacortes.org.

STUDIO EVENT: Studio Outback will host its spring open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at 801 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley. The selections feature handcrafted items from multiple local artists, jewelry, cloth baskets, yard art, soap and more. 360-854-7873.

CALL FOR FIBER ARTS: The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum is accepting entries through June 30 for the 2016 Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The juried and judged exhibit is open to quilters and fiber artists of all levels. For entry guidelines: 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

ART CLASSES BURLINGTON ART CLASSES: Burlington Parks and Recreation will offer these art classes for kids at the Burlington

Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave. For information or to register: 360-755-9649 or burli ngtonwa.gov/recreation.

Manga and Anime Drawing: 4 to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays, May 3-24. Kids ages 8 to 13 will draw and ink their own version of subject matter. Class will explore the use of comic strip panels, perspective, speed lines and the understanding of light and shadow. $45, includes all supplies and portfolio.

Register by April 26.

Colored Pencil Techniques: 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Wednesdays, May 4-25.

Ages 7 to 12 will work on drawing skills, color blending and illustration ideas in a journal they get to keep. $50, plus $20 supply fee.

Register by April 26.

FAMILY ART DAYS AT MoNA: The Museum of Northwest Art offers Family Art Days each month at MoNA, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Sessions are open to ages 5 and older at all skill levels and include guided walk-throughs of MoNA exhibitions. $5 per family, free for members.

Limited enrollment. Preregistration is required.

360-466-4446 or mona museum.org. Next up: Memory Boxes: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 28. Using painting and drawing techniques, with added collage, found object and mixed media supplies, create a unique memory box to store special items or give as a gift.

SILK PAINTING — ART & YOUR SPIRIT: A silk painting workshop, a simple art form and used as a medium to enhance your life experience, will be held from Friday to Sunday, May 13-15, at the Treacy Levine Center, 24880 Brotherhood Road, Mount

Vernon. 360-445-5061 or treacylevine.org.

AUDITIONS “LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL”: Sunday and Monday, May 22-23, Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. Auditions by appointment will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; open auditions will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Several parts are available for female and male actors ranging in age from young teens to 70 years old. Come prepared to sing a 16-bar solo and perform a short memorized monologue.

The production will run Sept. 9-Oct. 2. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

DANCE THURSDAY DANCE: Dance to The Skippers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information, contact Gisela at 360-4245696.

MOVING MEDITATIONS: The Dances of Universal Peace will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at the Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 500 W. Section St., Mount Vernon.

Dances include live music and singing with a focus on a particular sacred phrase, inspired by spiritual traditions from around the world, including Christian, Jewish, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist and others. No experience necessary. Dances are taught to the group each time. Donation requested, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. 360-629-9190.

MUSIC TIME FOR FIDDLERS: The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth

Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland. St. Free; donations accepted.

360-630-1156.

SKAGIT VALLEY MUSIC CLUB: The club welcomes performers (intermediate and above), listeners and guests to join the fun at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Vasa Hall, 1805 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. Come and sing, play the club’s piano or organ, play your own instrument or just enjoy a variety of music — ’20s to ’70s classical, popular, western and gospel. Free. 360-428-4228.

B.Y.O.U. (Bring Your Own Ukulele): Beginner/intermediate ukulele jam from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 27, North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. Learn to play and jam with other local ukulele players. Free. 360-421-6842.

DRUM CIRCLE: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today, April 21, Center for Spiritual Living, 1508 N. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Bring your drum or borrow one. Handicapped accessible. Free.

Freewill offering accepted.

360-305-7559.

RECREATION 2016 TREK FOR TREASURE: United General Fitness Center announces a one-of-a-kind hiking adventure from June 3 to Aug. 26. Hike six trails throughout Skagit County and the surrounding area.

Your team of two or more people have two weeks to complete each hike, at your own pace and convenience.

Hidden at the end of each hike is a treasure chest with a riddle inside. Complete all six hikes, solve the riddles, and locate the lost treasure. Optional kickoff meetings take place at 6

p.m. Wednesday, May 25; 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28; or 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at the Fitness Center, 2015 Hospital Drive, SedroWoolley. Early registration before May 25. Team fee of $55 and up, depending on team composition. 360854-0247 or trekfor treasure.org.

EARTH DAY AT THE STATE PARKS: Many western Washington state parks will host Earth Day events on Friday, April 22.

No Discover Pass will be required. For full schedules, visit parks.state.wa.us/ calendar. Klindell 4/13/16 April 22: 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Larrabee State Park, Bellingham. Cache In, Trash Out Geocache Event invites volunteers to help pull invasive ivy from the park. Bring gloves.

April 23: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bowman Bay, Deception Pass State Park, Anacortes. Planting and celebrations.

April 22-23: Dawn to dusk, Rockport State Park, Rockport. Various events all day, including a bird hike, a peek into the lives of nocturnal wildlife, activities for Junior Rangers, a how-to on dealing with bears and a fitness hike.

AAUW CROQUET TOURNAMENT: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, Skagit Valley College, 2727 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Men, women, teen and children divisions. $10 adult, $5 kids.

Register at 360-416-7044 or at 9 a.m. the day of event.

HEALTHY HIKES : Park staff or guests lead participants on the 3-mile Evergreen Trail from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, April 23 and 30, Rockport State Park, 51095 Highway 20, Rockport. Participants who hike 100 miles in the park during 2016 will earn

a hand-carved walking stick made by Don Smith, artist and senior park aide.

Free, but a Discover Pass is required. 360-853-8461 or rockport@parks.wa.gov.

FREE PARK ADMISSION: In honor of Earth Day, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer free admission to all state parks on Friday, April 22.

The Discover Pass will not be required to enter state parks, but still will be required to access lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. parks.wa.gov.

INTRO TO GEOCACHING: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St., Mount Vernon. Get an overview of how to get started, equipment needs, different types of caches and how to log a find. After the presentation, head outside to hunt for hidden caches. Bring your smartphone or hand-held GPS (not required). Dress for weather, shoes for easy trail walking. All ages; 12 and younger, bring a parent. Free. 360-336-6209.

WORKSHOPS GEMS FAIR: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Western Washington University campus in Bellingham. The GEMS (girls in engineering, math, and science) Fair is a free, family-friendly event showcasing groups around campus and Bellingham that have ties to the STEM community. Learn about careers in STEM fields, enjoy demos, take home prizes and more. Free admission.

360-650-3308 or wwu.edu/ ee/youth/gems/bellinghamfair.shtm.

Thursday, April 21, 2016 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

AT THE LINCOLN

Caleb Sigmon debuts his new show, bringing new tricks and illusions to accompany the storyline of his life. $15 adults; $10 ages 12 and under accompanied by an adult; $35 family.

‘This Changes Everything’

7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22

Filmed over 211 shoot days in nine countries and five continents over four years, “This Changes Everything” is an attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change. Inspired by Naomi Klein’s nonfiction bestseller, the film presents seven portraits of communities on the front lines, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands. $10 general; $9 seniors, students and active military; $8 members; $7 ages 12 and under.

90th Anniversary Celebration

7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23

As part of the Lincoln’s 90th anniversary, the theater will show two classic movies for the eraappropriate price of 35 cents in its “Best Films by Decade” monthly series (with admission prices of the era) throughout 2016.

“Steamboat Bill Jr.”: In this silent comedy, college boy William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton) reunites with his boat captain father in a Mississippi River town. Though he’s flummoxed by Willie’s citified appearance, the elder Canfield seems to have found an ally to help him compete with fellow riverboat owner John James King (Tom

‘Roberto Devereaux’ 1 p.m. Sunday, April 24

The final opera in Donizetti’s “Tudor trilogy” focuses on the older Queen Elizabeth I, who is forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves. $23 adults; $19 seniors; $16 students with $2 off for Lincoln members. n The Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St., downtown Mount Vernon. lincolntheatre.org

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McGuire). Willie finds himself falling for King’s daughter, Mary (Marion Byron), but he has more pressing concerns when the weather turns bad and his father in arrested.

The film is punctuated

by Keaton’s single most famous stunt: He stands in the street, making his way through the destruction from a cyclone, when an entire building facade collapses onto him. The open attic window fits neatly around Keaton’s body as it falls. Keaton performed the stunt with a two-ton building facade and no trickery.

“One Week”: The story involves two newlyweds, Keaton and Sybil Seely, who receive a build-ityourself house as a wedding gift. The house can be built, supposedly, in “one week.” A rejected suitor secretly re-numbers packing crates, and the movie recounts Keaton’s struggle to assemble the house. He finds he has built his house on the wrong site and must move it. The movie reaches its climax when the house becomes stuck on railroad tracks. Keaton and Seely try to move it out of the way of a train, which passes on the neighboring track. As the couple look relieved, the house is demolished by a train coming the other way.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E14 - Thursday, April 21, 2016

MOVIES NEW THIS WEEK

MINI-REVIEWS

‘Elvis & Nixon’ a whip-smart slice of strange history

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

By RICHARD ROEPER Chicago Sun-Times

It was one of the most bizarre Oval Office meetings in the history of the country.

Check that. I’m gonna go ahead and lay claim to it as THE most bizarre Oval Office meeting ever.

Your votes otherwise are welcome.

The year was 1970. The era of Vietnam, the counterculture, hippies, rebellious rock ‘n’ roll, campus protests, “women’s lib,” the emergence of marijuana and LSD. President Richard Nixon, the squarest of the squares, hunched over and simmering with resentment and insecurity even as he occupies the highest office in the land, agrees to a meeting with Elvis Presley, who was still one of the biggest stars in the world but was in his fullon “King” phase: heavily sprayed hair, muttonchop sideburns, gold-rimmed sunglasses, black cape, unbuttoned shirt, velvet bell bottoms, oversized gold necklace, a bejeweled belt buckle worthy of a heavyweight champion, and an obsession with karate, guns and law enforcement.

Perhaps the only thing the two men had in common was a shared feeling the country was going to hell in a handbasket.

“Elvis & Nixon” is one of the most entertaining

movies I’ve seen this year — a whip-smart slice of strange history bolstered by pitch-perfect periodpiece references, two excellent, offbeat performances and a brisk sense of pacing.

It’s the next best thing to having been a fly on the wall when the REAL Elvis/Nixon meeting took place.

Michael Shannon is hilarious as Elvis because the actor never once tries to BE hilarious. His Elvis is fully aware of the effect he has when he walks into a room or takes the stage in Vegas; he’s been arguably the most famous entertainer in the world for a decade and a half.

He’s also a bit bonkers.

Elvis gets so agitated watching the news on the wall of TVs at Graceland, he takes out a gun and fires away at the screens until there’s nothing but silence.

After a quick jaunt to Los Angeles to recruit the services of his childhood friend and former righthand man Jerry Schilling (Alex Pettyfer), Elvis wings his way to Washington, D.C., where he shows up uninvited at the White House and attempts to deliver a handwritten letter to Nixon, in which he voices his concern over the drug problem in America and requests a meeting with the president so he can volunteer his services as an undercover agent in the Bureau of Narcotics.

Again: This really

Bleecker Street via AP

Michael Shannon (left) portrays Elvis Presley and Kevin Spacey portrays President Richard Nixon in a scene from “Elvis & Nixon.” happened.

Colin Hanks and Evan Peters are excellent as Egil “Bud” Krogh and Dwight Chapin, respectively, two White House aides tasked with convincing the president he should actually meet with “this rock and roller,” as Nixon calls him, because it would be good for Nixon’s image with the young and with women, most of whom basically loathe him, according to the research. (Krogh and Chapin come across as likable, somewhat Stooge-like figures in “Elvis & Nixon.“ In real life, both served time for their roles in the Watergate scandal.)

Kevin Spacey, already spending a lot of time in a faux Oval Office as Frank Underwood in “House of Cards,“ seems like almost too easy a choice to play Nixon, but there’s nothing wrong with casting greatness, and Spacey doesn’t disappoint.

Like Shannon, Spacey doesn’t look all that much like the famous historical figure he’s portraying, nor does he attempt to do a full-on comedic imitation.

The work is subtler, slyer, more brilliant than mere impersonation. With every casual expletive, every hand gesture dismissing an underling, every roll of the eyes, Spacey builds one of the best Nixons ever captured onscreen.

It’s a comedy of setbacks and errors until Elvis is finally ushered into the Oval Office to meet with Nixon. Once it’s just the two of them in the room, it’s pure magic, with Elvis helping himself to the president’s personal M&Ms and Dr Pepper, and Nixon placating this court jester so he can get an autograph for his daughter.

Until Elvis starts stating his case in earnest, and Nixon finds himself nodding rapidly in agreement and thinking: “Maybe I SHOULD give this Elvis fellow a badge.“ My complaints with “Elvis & Nixon“ are minor.

The story is told mainly from the viewpoint of the Presley camp; Nixon is absent from the proceedings for considerable chunks of time. Also, every time we took a detour into a subplot about Jerry’s torn loyalties between his friend Elvis and his girlfriend back home, I was tapping my toes and waiting for the Elvis/Nixon story to kick back into gear.

“Elvis & Nixon“ has only a very few slow moments. For the bulk of the ride, it’s a wickedly funny interpretation of one of the great confounding moments in American pop culture and political history.

87 minutes. Rated R (for some language). HHH½

“A Hologram for the King” — The great Tom Hanks is in prime form as an American salesman in Saudi Arabia trying to secure an IT contract from the king.

Writer-director Tom Tykwer skillfully presents a series of fantastical scenes in a way that has us thinking, “Sure, that could happen.” This is quite simply a beautiful film to behold. Drama, R, 97 minutes. HHH½ “A Perfect Day” — In the Balkans of the mid-1990s, humanitarian aid workers are met with ludicrous roadblocks to their effort to save a village’s water well.

Benicio Del Toro leads the terrific cast of this searing, rough-edged black comedy. Drama, R, 106 minutes.

HHH½ “Barbershop: The Next Cut” — Almost everything clicks in the new story about the regulars at a Chicago barbershop, thanks in no small part to the wonderful performances from the deep cast including Ice Cube, Common, Regina Hall and Cedric the Entertainer. Not only is it one of the funniest movies in recent years, it’s a poignant and timely drama about neighborhood crime. Comedy, PG-13, 112 minutes. HHH½ “Criminal” — Playing a sociopath imprinted with the memories of a dead CIA agent, Kevin Costner hurls himself into the role with gusto, while Gary Oldman is terrible as the CIA’s irrational London chief. Their varied acting styles provide a measure of entertainment in this lurid, stupid, loony and unintentionally laughable thriller. Action thriller, R, 113 minutes. H “Eddie the Eagle” — Taron Egerton gives a winning performance as an irritatingly upbeat underdog determined to make the British Olympics as a ski jumper and training under a washed-up ski bum (Hugh Jackman). Like “Rudy,” it’s an unapologetically sentimental, undeniably inspirational story. Sports biography, PG-13, 105 minutes. HHH “Eye in the Sky” — The acting by Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and others is world-class in this timely and tense, but sometimes heavy-handed drama set in the modern world of drone warfare. Mirren plays a British colonel whose attempt to take out terrorists is stymied by bureaucrats -- and a little girl near the target. Drama, R, 104 minutes. HHH “Green Room” — In a jagged-edge gem of a horror film, four millennials in a hardcore punk band find themselves cut off from the civilized world and pursued by killers led by a white supremacist club owner (Patrick Stewart). This is one smart chiller. Horror, R, 95 minutes. HHH½ “Miles Ahead” — As director of a highly fictionalized version of the Miles Davis legend, Don Cheadle boldly goes for broke with mixed results. Alternately provocative, wickedly funny, repulsive, magnetic and mesmerizing in the title role, Cheadle the actor gives a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar nomination. Music biography, R, 100 minutes. HHH “The Boss” — Melissa McCarthy’s comedy about a paroled business mogul is a dreadful viewing experience, from the awkward and unconvincing setup to the desperate performances to the depressingly unfunny slapstick scenes to the conflicts and resolutions you can see a mile away. Comedy, R, 99 minutes. H “The Bronze” — Melissa Rauch of “The Big Bang Theory” stars as a 2004 Olympic medal winner, a thoroughly unlikable brat convinced she’s still a celebrity in her Ohio hometown. This is one of those comedies that could have been a brilliant short film on “Funny or Die” or “Saturday Night Live,” but wears out its welcome as a feature-length film. Comedy, R, 100 minutes. HH

Thursday, April 21, 2016 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC REVIEWS

MOVIES AT AREA THEATERS

OAK HARBOR CINEMAS April 22-28 The Huntsman: Winter’s War (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:15, 4:00, 6:50, 9:20; ANACORTES CINEMAS Sunday-Thursday: 1:15, 4:00, 6:50 April 22-28 The Huntsman: Winter’s War (PG-13): The Jungle Book (PG): Friday-Saturday: Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:40, 9:15; 1:30, 3:50, 6:30, 8:50; Sunday: 12:00, 3:50, 6:30; Monday-Thursday: 1:30, Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:40 The Jungle Book (PG): Friday-Saturday: 3:50, 6:30 God’s Not Dead 2 (PG): Friday-Satur1:10, 3:45, 6:30, 9:00; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:40, 9:15; Sundayday: 1:10, 3:45, 6:30 The Lady in the Van (PG-13): Friday-Sat- Thursday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:40 urday: 1:20, 3:55, 6:50, 9:20; Sun: 6:50; On the Waterfront (1954) presented

by TCM: Sunday: 2:00 Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:55, 6:50 360-279-2226 On the Waterfront (1954) presented

by TCM: Sunday: 2:00 STANWOOD CINEMAS 360-293-7000 April 22-28 The Huntsman: Winter’s War (PG-13): CONCRETE THEATER 12:55, 3:45, 6:35, 9:15 April 21-24 The Jungle Book in 3D (PG): 3:55, Fully Charged: Thursday: 5:30 p.m.

6:30, 9:00 Batman v Superman (PG-13): Friday: The Jungle Book (PG): 1:05, 3:40, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m.: 6:25, 8:55 Sunday: 5 p.m.

The Boss (R): Friday-Saturday: 1:15, 3:50, 6:40, 9:10; Sunday: 1:15, 6:40, BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN 9:10; Monday-Thursday: 1:15, 3:50, Oak Harbor 6:40, 9:10 April 22-24 God’s Not Dead 2 (PG): 12:45, 3:35, The Jungle Book (PG) and Zootopia 6:30, 9:20 (PG): First movie starts at 8:30 p.m.

Zootopia (PG): 1:25 360-675-5667 On the Waterfront (1954) presented

by TCM: Sunday: 2:00 CASCADE MALL THEATERS 360-629-0514 Burlington For showings: 888-AMC-4FUN (888-262-4386)

“The Choice” — This love story starring Teresa Palmer (a winning presence) and Benjamin Walker (never hitting his stride) is classic Nicholas Sparks, and by that I mean it’s a mediocre, well-photographed, undeniably heart-tugging, annoyingly manipulative and dramatically predictable star-crossed romance. Romance, PG-13, 110 minutes.

HH “The Jungle Book” — Thanks to director Jon Favreau’s visionary guidance and some of the most impressive blends of live action and CGI we’ve yet seen, “The Jungle Book” is a beautifully rendered, visually arresting take on Rudyard Kipling’s oft-filmed tales.

Adventure, PG, 105 minutes. HHH½ “The Night Before” — Joseph GordonLevitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie play longtime friends who get into all sorts of misadventures on one crazy Christmas Eve of self-discovery. At times, it’s really funny.

More often, it’s “shocking” for the sake of shock value, gross for the sake of being gross, and stupid-goofy without much of a payoff. Comedy, R, 101 minutes. HH “Triple 9” — If you’re in the right frame of mind for a lurid, blood-soaked B-movie with an A-list cast including Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson and Kate Winslet, “Triple 9” is just the ticket. Go with the flow and maybe you’ll be entertained as I was, even as you acknowledge this thing is fabulous trash. Crime action, R, 115 minutes. HHH½

“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” — The essential truth and overall tone of Kim Barker’s terrific war memoir shine through, thanks in large part to Tina Fey’s winning performance as a smart, well-intentioned and initially naive reporter, who plunges into an Afghanistan assignment with great gusto and a resolve to change the world. Comedy drama, R, 111 minutes. HHH “Youth” — A retired composer (Michael Caine) goes on his annual retreat to a mysterious Swiss Alps resort to get away from it all, but the world keeps coming to him.

Director Paolo Sorrentino, a serious talent with a grand vision, has created a stylized and eccentric film filled with strange little subplots and surprises. Drama, R, 118 minutes. HHH½ “Zoolander 2” — Ben Stiller’s shallow and grating male model character reunites with best friend Hansel (Owen Wilson) to help solve some pop star murders. Celebrity cameos abound, but with few exceptions, their visual sight gags or one-liners fall flat with a resounding thud. Comedy, PG-13, 100 minutes. H½ “Zootopia” — In an all-animal world, a rabbit rookie cop (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) suspects a sly fox (Jason Bateman) in a missing-mammals case. Brimming with gorgeous visuals and terrific one-liners, this is one of my favorite animated movies, period. Animated adventure, PG, 108 minutes.

HHHH

PARQUET COURTS, “Human Performance” — Texas-born, Brooklynbased indie foursome “Parquet Courts” have maintained a busy schedule since debuting with the cassetteonly “American Specialities” in 2011, releasing five studio albums and two EPs (though two were recorded under the band’s alter-ego name, Parkay Quarts). The punk spirit that animates the work of songwriters Andrew Savage and Austin Brown (and Sean Yeaton, who steps up with “Human Performance’s” excellent ode to dislocation “I Was Just Here”) dictates that the band refuses to sit still creatively, and they’ve worked to evolve rather than settle in on the Velvet Undergroundto-Pavement continuum that’s their ragged, jagged comfort zone.

But after the tough-to-listen-to, mostly instrumental EP “Monastic Living,” “Human Performance” is all about playing to the band’s strengths, and lightening up a bit. The opening “Dust” is a jittery, droll disquisition on housekeeping laced with dry wit, and the fabulous “Berlin Got Blurry” is a travelogue rife with offhand profundities (“Nothing lasts, but everything lingers”) boosted by garage-rock organ and winningly creepy, spy-music guitar licks. Their best album yet. n Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

SAM BEAM & JESCA HOOP, “Love Letter for Fire” — These two are cut from the same cloth — two folkie souls with similar paths and predilections.

Both were raised religious (Beam, Christian; Hoop, Mormon). Both have had long, complex relationships with Mother Nature (Hoop’s a California girl who tried on wilderness survival for a minute; it’s one of Beam’s favorite songwriting subjects). And both are outstanding collaborators, as is beautifully demonstrated on “Love Letter.”

Their harmonizing, interweaving vocals are magically subtle.

Beam announced their full record and tour intentions by dropping “Every Songbird Says,” a gauzy tune that teased the power in their entwined voices. “Welcome to Feeling,” the opener, delicately introduces the LP’s concept, but “One Way to Pray” heightens the theme with bits of Americana and old country. “We Two Are a Moon” smacks of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel’s She & Him — it’s a little weird.

And though there’s no shortage of

pleasant music and vibes here, memorable, distinct tracks are lacking. Don’t expect the pop vibes Beam channeled with the incredible 2011 Iron & Wine LP, “Kiss Each Other Clean.” Instead, it’s all campfire kitsch fueled by naturalist, New Age spiritualism. n Bill Chenevert, The Philadelphia Inquirer

STURGILL SIMPSON, “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” — Sturgill Simpson’s breakthrough 2014 album “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” was impressively eclectic in its attempt to redefine country.

For his follow-up, “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” Simpson takes a completely different approach, narrowing his musical palette to old-school country mixed with classic soul and his lyrics to a song cycle of advice for his 2-year-old son.

The opener, “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog),” sets the stage as Simpson declares, “Hello, my son, welcome to Earth” over a piano accompaniment and swelling strings that sound like country from the ’50s, and then takes a right turn into a joyous soul romp.

Simpson’s advice starts simply. In “Keep It Between the Lines,” Brooklyn’s Dap-Kings lay down a soulful groove, while Simpson rolls out some rules for his son from his own life (“Don’t turn mailboxes into baseballs, don’t get busted selling at 17”) and then some broader encouragement (“Most thoughts deserve two or three more”).

The advice gets more complex, as Simpson thinks of his son growing older. On the first single “Brace for Impact (Live a Little),” he advises, “Make sure you give a little before you go to the great unknown in the sky” over a grinding blues groove that suggests the best way to live a little.

However, his cover of Nirvana’s “In Bloom” has the biggest impact. Simpson strips the song down to an acoustic ballad essentially, letting the weight of Kurt Cobain’s lyrics — about bandwagon-jumping fans not understanding his message — hit hard. But Simpson twists the song’s meaning by adding his own line — “He don’t know what it means to love someone” — to turn the complaint into even more advice.

Simpson may have seen “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” as a personal album, but it will likely be dramatically more public than his last one. n Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

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