360 Aug. 18, 2016

CASCADE DAYS IN CONCRETE This Weekend, Page 3 Skagit Valley Herald Thursday August 18, 2016

OUT & ABOUT PAGES 4-5 Eagle Haven series welcomes Whiskey Fever ON STAGE PAGE 8

Comedian Margaret Cho plays the Skagit Valley Casino this weekend

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK story of the Prodigal Son. “The Angry Birds Upcoming “Power Rangers Movie”: You’ll know Megaforce: The Comwhy the birds are so mad DVD releases plete Season”: The after seeing “The Angry AUG. 23 Birds Movie.” They’ve Rangers have only one n The Huntsman Winbeen saddled with a thin hope to stop Prince Vekar. ter’s War story, juvenile writing “The Vampire n The Nice Guys and a look that might be Diaries: The Complete n Ratchet and Clank great for flying through Seventh Season”: n The Man Who Knew the air but otherwise Some characters will Infinity looks a little creepy. bounce back while n Maggie’s Plan The flying havoc that n Wiener-Dog others won’t after saying n Clown mimics the popular farewell to Elena Gilbert. n As Vs Evil Season 1 video game comes after “Almost Holy”: Pasn Brooklyn Nine-Nine: a group of seagoing tor fights child homeSeason Three green pigs pays a visit lessness by stealing n Castle: Season 8 to the quiet bird comstreet children. n Elementary: Season 4 munity. The only dis“Sundown”: Spring n DC’s Legends of ruption is Red (Jason break goes bad for two Tomorrow: Season 1 Sudeikis), a bird with friends who get inn Narcos: Season 1 anger management volved with gangsters. n NCIS: Season 13 issues, who believes the “11 Minutes”: A n Roots pigs are up to no good. series of events unfolds n Scandal: Season 5 “Angry Birds” is loaded over an 11-minute span. n Superstore: Season One with so many problems “Frontline: Business n The Duel it would be easy to get of Disaster”: Documenn The Strain: Season 2 mad about wasting your n The Walking Dead, tary on how rebuilding time at the movie. The Season 6 efforts have left some only saving grace is that — Tribune News Service communities in chaos. it should keep anyone “A Cinderella Story: under the age of 6 enterIf the Shoe Fits”: tained. Of course, you can Modern take on the classic tale stardo the same thing with the video game. ring Sofia Carson.

“Gotham: The Complete Second “Shimmer and Shine: Welcome Season”: The TV series set during the to Zahramay Falls”: Visit the magiyears before Batman starts fighting crime cal home of twin genies-in-training. is one of the best adaptations of comic “The Adventures of Buckaroo book characters to screen. Its dark look Banzai”: This is the first time the ‘80s and even darker tone make it a compelmovie has been available on Blu-ray. ling weekly adventure.

“The Affair: Season Two”: Series What makes the show so good is offers different views on a couple’s that the villains are even more interrelationship. esting than the heroes.

“Microwave Massacre”: Horror Robin Lord Taylor steals every scene film about a man who disposes of his as the Penguin. This season gives him a dead wife’s body using the microwave. chance to go from a broken man to the “American Experience: The Boys heartless killer that he plays so well. of ‘36”: Story of the American rowing Equally as interesting are Cory team that triumphed in Nazi Germany.

Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/ “Session 9”: Abandoned mental The Riddler and Camren Bicondova hospital gets five new visitors. as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Even the addition of BD Wong as Hugo Strange AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD added more levels to the insanity.

“Me Before You”: Young woman This is a unique take on the Batman (Emilia Clarke) falls for the paralyzed story and that alone makes it worthy man she’s been hired to accompany. of your time.

“Money Monster”: Irate investor “God’s Not Dead 2”: A teacher takes over a cable money show and (Melissa Joan Hart) must defend her threatens to set off a massive explosion. actions in court.

“Love & Friendship”: Film based on “Shooting the Prodigal”: A young the Jane Austen novella “Lady Susan.”

Jewish filmmaker tries to help a Baptist — Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee preacher make a movie based on the

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

TUNING UP / Page 9

The Holmes Shea Band plays the Edison Inn on Saturday night

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 Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Out & About ........................................... 4-5 Hot Tickets .................................................7 On Stage ......................................................8 Tuning Up ...................................................9 Travel .........................................................10 Music Reviews..........................................11 Get Involved..............................................12 At the Lincoln...........................................13 Movies..................................................14-15

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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THIS WEEKENDin the area CASCADE DAYS The annual Cascade Days will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21, in downtown Concrete. Saturday kicks off with a parade at 11 a.m., followed by a car show, chain saw carving, fireman’s muster, car bash and log show. The day ends with a duck race on Main Street.

Sunday starts at 10 a.m. with Dump Runs, followed by eating contests, ice carving, button drawing and more.

The Upper Skagit Library Foundation Used Book Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 45770 Main St., Concrete.

The Dump Run, a dash through a 3K obstacle course with mud, will take place at 10 a.m. and noon Sunday, starting at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street. If enough people register, a third run will be added for 1 p.m.

Registration is $30, and includes a T-shirt. Add $5 on the day of the event.

360-853-7867 or cascadedays.com.

MARK FISCHER PHOTOGRAPHY

Daddy’s Gotta Girlfriend

SKAGIT WOODSTOCK CONCERT AND BENEFIT Help “Rock out Cancer” from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20, at Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millett Road, Mount Vernon. Enjoy live music with beer gardens, a classic car show, food and craft vendors. Bands scheduled to perform include Daddy’s Gotta Girlfriend (pictured), The Unknown, Cheap Therapy, Bucula, and Never Cry. All proceeds benefit Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation to help those battling cancer. $10 (kids under 12 free). Facebook. com/Skagit-Woodstock-Music-Festival.

”PROPS AND PONIES” MUSTANG-MUSTANG SHOW See both Ford Mustang cars and North American P-51 Mustang planes from around the region on display and enjoy an array of flights Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1920, at Skagit Regional Airport, 15053 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. n Props, Ponies & Popping Corks: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Flyers Brewhouse. Enjoy music and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free admission. n Mustang-Mustang show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Check out 100 Ford Mustangs of all vintages, and aircraft of all types and vintages in the skies. $10 adults, $5 children, $8 members. Register your Ford Mustang for $70. 360-4245151 or heritageflight.org.

“KIDS IN NATURE: FAMILIES OUTDOORS”

Skagit Valley Herald file photos

Bring the kids for an afternoon of play, discovery and exploration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Pomona Grange Park, 5585 Old Highway 99 N., Burlington.

Friday Creek Habitat Stewards, Skagit Conservation District, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, SCEA and other local partners invite families to take a walk in the woods, explore the ecology of Friday Creek, discover stream life, go on a nature scavenger hunt, build a fairy house village, make a bagel bird feeder, play games and more more. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch. Preregistration requested by today, Aug. 18: Contact Kristi Carpenter at 360-428-4313 or email kristi@skagitcd.org.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT & ABOUT ART ART EXHIBIT: “Into the Woods”: i.e. gallery presents the works of David Hall, Juliet Shen and Mike Scott through Sept. 17 at i.e., 5800 Cains Court, Edison.

The quiet renewal found in the forest and woods has become Hall, Shen and Scott’s subject matter for the photography, monoprints, bowls and vessels on display.

The gallery is open Fridays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. 360-4883458 or ieedison.com.

ARTIST EXHIBITION: Smith & Vallee Gallery presents “Bob’s Boats,” an exhibition of new works by renowned assemblage artist R. Allen Jensen, through Aug. 30, at 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. The exhibition features a series of collages, sculptures and the full size “H.M.S. JollyBob” (His Mortal Ship JollyBob). The gallery is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mondays through Fridays. Free admission. 360-766-6230 or smithandvallee.com.

ARTIST EXHIBITION: View an art exhibition by Ora Mae Peterson titled “Flirting with the Whirlpool,” through Aug. 31, at ACME Creative, 705 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Peterson’s display includes paintings, textiles and sculptures. Gallery is open 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday. Free. 360-399-6333 or acmecreative.com.

LIVE PAINTING SHOW: Acrylic painter Will Brown turns the coffeehouse into an

artist’s studio from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Aug. 18, at North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. 360707-2683 or northcovecoffee.com.

WHIDBEY ISLAND STUDIO TOUR: The Whidbey Working Artists Summer Open Studio Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28, at 37 artist studios and galleries. Pick up a tour catalog at participating studios and local businesses or download from whidbeyworkingartists.com.

LA CONNER QUILT AND TEXTILE MUSEUM: Varied exhibits and classes are available to the public at 703 S. Second St., La Conner.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and ages 11 and under. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org. n Exhibit: “Colonial Revival Quilts,” through Aug. 28. n Exhibit: “That’s How We Felt!,” through Aug. 28. n Exhibit: “Beauty of Japan” and “Images of Japan,” through Oct. 2.

SKAGIT COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: The museum hosts several new exhibits this summer, and is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner. Admission: adults $5, seniors $4, families $10. 360466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/museum. n “Voces Del Valle: Voices Of The Val-

WHISKEY FEVER AT EAGLE HAVEN WINERY

RUSSELL CHANDLER

Whiskey Fever will appear at the Eagle Haven Winery Summer Series at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. Food by Billy’s Café. $10, $8 for wine club members, includes 20 percent off your first bottle of wine. Children under 12 free. Reserved tables available.

360-856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com.

ley”: through Sept. 25: Latinos recount stories of their community in Skagit County from 1940 to recent history.

Learn what Latinos brought to the valley: their celebrations, gathering places, traditions and community leaders as well as the Braceros Program, La Guadalupe Club, Cine Rio, and Mexico Cafe. n “Cast and Count”: The History of Voting: through Nov. 13: On loan from the Secretary of State’s Office of Elections, the exhibit tells the story of voting in Washington state.

CAR SHOWS FALL CAR SHOWDOWN: The fourth annual Fall Car Showdown will take place during “Garage Sale, Antiques and More” from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 W. Taylor St., Mount Vernon. The

first 50 registered cars will receive a commemorative dash plaque, and all participants will receive a certificate of recognition. Car registration from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m.; awards announced at 2 p.m.

No registration fee.

Parking, $3; admission, $3. skagitcounty.net/ fairgrounds.

A CLASSIC CAR CRUISE IN: San Juan Lanes Bar & Grill will host a classic car event from 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2, at 2821 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Free admission. 360-293-5185 or sanjuanlanes.com.

FAIRS NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIR: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 15-20, Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front St., Lynden.

Gate tickets $7-12, carnival wristbands $33. nwwafair.com.

FESTIVALS BUMBERSHOOT: Seattle’s annual music and arts festival is set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 2-4, at the Seattle Center.

Enjoy music, visual and performing arts, dance, films, comedy, arts and crafts, poetry and literary arts, children’s activities, food, beer gardens and more. bumbershoot.com.

SKAGIT RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL: Celebrate the Skagit River and the return of the salmon from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge Waterfront Park, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Includes youth activities, artisans, recreational and educational booths, food booths, raptor shows, face painters, and performances

by Caspar Babypants and The Paperboys.

Free. 360-336-0172 or skagitriverfest.org.

MUSIC LA CONNER LIVE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 1 to 4 p.m.

Sundays at Gilkey Square, corner of Morris Avenue and First Street, La Conner.

Free. 360-395-8540 or laconnerlive.com. n Aug. 21: Brian Lee & The Orbiters. n Aug. 28: The Naughty Blokes. n Sept. 4: Janie Cribbs and the T Rust Band.

RIVERWALK CONCERT SERIES: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays on the Riverwalk in downtown Mount Vernon. n Aug. 18: Polecat.

n Aug. 25: Stacey Jones Band. n Sept. 1: Jazz Underground.

BURLINGTON SUMMER NIGHTS: Enjoy market goods and local music from 7 to 9 p.m.

Fridays at the Burlington Visitor Center, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave. Free admission. 360757-0994 or burlington-chamber.com. n Aug. 19: Jody Taylor Band. n Aug. 26: Small Medium at Large.

BLUES AND BREWS THURSDAYS: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, through October, at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. $5. 360-363-8400 or marysvillewa.gov. n Aug: 18: Highway 9 Blues Band.

PORT OF ANACORTES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 6 to 8 p.m. at Seafarers Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes. Free. portofanacortes.com. n Friday, Aug. 19: Rabbit Wilde. n Friday, Aug. 26: The Naughty Blokes.

HEART OF ANACORTES OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES: Heart of Anacortes, Fourth St. and O Ave., Anacortes. The concerts, scheduled to start at 6 p.m., will be cancelled in the case of rain. 360-293-3515 or theheartofanacortes. com. n Saturday, Aug. 20: Broken Banjo. n Saturday: Scary Monster & the Super Creeps.

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OUT & ABOUT STANWOOD SUMMER CONCERTS BLOCK PARTY: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Free. ci.stanwood.wa.us. n Aug. 20: Chris Eger Band, 271st St., Stanwood, by the Stanwood police station. n Sept. 10: Blues Playground, 270th St., Stanwood, across from the Stanwood Café.

SUNDAY JAZZ: The Hotel Bellwether’s Lighthouse Bar & Grill presents music on the Waterfront Terrace from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free admission. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com. n Aug. 21: Rane Nogales Trio. n Aug. 28: Alicia Dauber Quintet.

TUESDAY JAZZ: The Hotel Bellwether’s Lighthouse Bar & Grill presents live music from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free admission. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com. n Aug. 23: Steve Rudy Trio. n Aug. 30: Chad Petersen Trio.

WEDNESDAY ACOUSTIC: The Hotel Bellwether’s Lighthouse Bar & Grill presents live music from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.

Free admission. 360392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com. n Aug. 24: Wayne Hayton. n Aug. 31: Adrian Clarke.

THURSDAY BLUES, BREWS AND BBQ: The Hotel Bellwether’s Lighthouse Bar & Grill presents music from 6

to 9 p.m. at 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free admission. 360-3923100 or hotelbellwether. com. n Aug. 18: Chris Eger Band. n Aug. 25: Gin Creek.

DIXIE JAZZ AT THE CAMANO CENTER: Julian MacDonogh, Miles Black and a six-piece Louis Armstrong tribute band will perform from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $20, students free with i.d. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

OAK HARBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL: The annual event will take place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 2-4, in downtown Oak Harbor.

Penguin Prison will headline the festival at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Enjoy music by more than 30 bands on two main stages, along with children’s activities, arts and crafts booths, food vendors and more. Free admission. oakharborfestival.com.

MORE FUN FILL THE BOOT: Burlington firefighters will volunteer their time to collect for their annual “Fill the Boot” fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19, at the intersection of George Hopper Road and S. Burlington Blvd. All donations from passing motorists will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. MDA provides services for families affected by muscle disease and funds critical research

STARLIGHT OUTDOOR CINEMA

Celebrate summer nights with movies under the stars starting at dusk Fridays, through Aug. 26, at Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St, Mount Vernon. Free. Next up: “Minions” (PG), Aug. 19.

to find treatments and diseases.

CONCRETE MUSEUM SUMMER EXHIBITS: The Concrete Heritage Museum, 7380 Thompson Ave., Concrete, features a variety of exhibits showing early life in and around Concrete, including logging history, a bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, concrete production, regional dam construction, outdoor machinery and more. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 24. 360853-8347 or concreteheritagemuseum.org.

DATE AND PAINT PARTY: Join art enthusiasts from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26, at Copia … on the Boulevard, 1174 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. Includes easy instruction, use of art materials, and your masterpiece on a 16x20 canvas. Food, wine or espresso beverages served.

SENIOR DAY IN THE PARK: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, Aug.

18, Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington. Enjoy music

by Marcia Kester, free information about how to lead a healthy senior lifestyle and a dance performance by Rosie’s Cloggers. The first 500 seniors will receive a free sack lunch and tote bag. 360-755-0102.

SUMMER POETRY: Georgia Johnson and Jessica Gigot will read their prose from 7 to 8 p.m. today, Aug. 18, at i.e. Gallery, 5800 Cains Court, Edison. Johnson is a poet and culinary arts instructor with the La Conner School District Food Program.

Gigot is a poet and farmer in Bow. Free.

360-941-8196.

FILM FESTIVAL: 5Point will showcase short films of the best new sports adventure stories Aug. 25-27 at various venues in Bellingham. Thursday’s films start at 6:30 p.m., Friday continues with a kickoff party featuring live music at 5 p.m. and films from 7 to 10 p.m.,

and Saturday features events and showings from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. Daytime community events also include live music, food and performances. 5pointfilm.org/bellingham.

MOONLIGHT IN MARGARITAVILLE: The Rotary Club of La Conner’s 10th annual auction to benefit education and literacy will take place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner. This year’s auction honors Dave Hedlin of Hedlin Family Farms. $90. 360420-5503 or harvestinghopeauction.org.

90TH ANNIVERSARY MOVIE SERIES: The Lincoln Theatre presents monthly movies to celebrate its 90th anniversary on selected Saturdays, through December, at 1712 S. First St., Mount Vernon.

All films will be priced according to the year of release. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. n Aug. 20: 5 p.m.:

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, $2. n Sept. 3: 5 p.m.: “Jaws”, $3.

FAIRHAVEN OUTDOOR CINEMA: The Bellingham summer outdoor movie series runs Saturday evenings, through Aug. 27, at the Fairhaven Village Green, 1207 10th St., Bellingham. Times for seating and entertainment vary, and the movies start at dusk.

Bring a blanket – chairs are not allowed on the grass. $5 admission; 5 and under are free. fairhavenoutdoorcinema.com. n Aug. 20: 6:15 p.m.: “Casablanca.” n Aug. 27: 6:15 p.m.: “The Princess Bride.”

2016 ROOFTOP CINEMA: Pickford Cinemas presents a third season showing films from the fifth story of the Parkade Garage, 1300 Commercial St., Bellingham. Evenings start at 7 p.m. with live music and entertainment, a beer garden and food trucks. Free. 360738-0735 or pickfordfilmcenter.org. n Friday, Aug. 19: “West Side Story,” featuring show tunes karaoke hosted by Glitt3r Lyfe.

MOVIES IN THE PARK: Bring the whole family for a free movie under the stars at dusk at Church Creek Park, 272nd St. NW, Stanwood. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy popcorn and concessions. 360-629-2181 or ci.stanwood.wa.us. n Aug. 25: “Toy Story.” n Sept. 8: “The Goonies.”

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Toby Keith, on everything from politics to Swift-ian economics Chicago Tribune

Last month, 23 years after Toby Keith landed his first hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” one of the biggest country songs of the 1990s, he released its unofficial sequel, “A Few More Cowboys.” Keith, 55, was wrapping up production on an as-yet-unscheduled new album, and “I just grabbed the first thing that sounded like a hit,” he says.

Keith, who has had 20 No. 1 hits, is equally known for rowdy, barroom staples (“Red Solo Cup”) and patriotic anthems (“Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue”).

He’s tough to figure: He’s a politically outspoken firebrand (his Iraq Warera public feud with the Dixie Chicks is the stuff of legend) beloved by many Republicans, who might be surprised to know he’s an independent.

He’s also ridiculously rich, with earnings that Fortune magazine estimates at half-billion dollars (an early investment in Taylor Swift’s label didn’t hurt). But Keith, born and raised in Oklahoma, isn’t immune to the vicissitudes of the record industry. His last album, “35 MPH Town,” only sold

well, not really, really well, and he recently downsized his label.

In a recent interview, Keith talked party politics and Swift-ian economics.

The following is an edited transcript of that conversation: Q: The new single is really topical.

A: Timingwise it is, but it’s a little bit all over the place. People only want to hear what they want to hear about it. The first line says, “If the White House was in Texas, we could get a straighter answer.” The second says, “If they’d let us smoke what we want to smoke, there’d be a lot less cancer.” It depends which side of the fence you’re on.

Q: Are audiences responding to it when you play it live?

A: No question. It’s probably the biggest first-listen impact song I’ve had since “Red Solo Cup.” It’s really difficult to get a song up the chart since the music industry has changed so much. The only country format we have anymore is where they play, like, the ‘90s and 2000s hits. They don’t really have a new market for rock or country. It’s really changed.

Q: Rock and country

both seem to be suffering right now.

A: Yeah, I think hip-hop just took over, and if you don’t want to go make an album of that, you’ve gotta have a really, really, really special record to bust through the mass. I’m not gonna go do that stuff, but I’ve had a great run. I don’t care one way or the other.

And people say, “Oh, yeah you do,” but I know what a hit sounds like. I’ve had a lot of success at picking singles.

Q: Do your fans think you’re more to the right than you are?

A: Oh, they know I’m right of center. They know I’m in the middle, which makes you right of where the center is today. Twenty years ago, where I’m at would have been in the middle. It’s pretty much just a sparring match all the time. I just sit back and laugh. It’s almost like we subconsciously mess with them, you know what I mean?

Q: So you could write a huge hit like that, but it wouldn’t feel right.

A: I couldn’t say — I could try, I guess, but it wouldn’t feel right. I don’t write those kind of songs.

Q: It’s human nature to want to put people in boxes.

A: Right. I was a Democrat my whole life. They kind of disowned me when I started supporting the troops, then I went and registered Independent. I’ve never been a registered Republican.

It just keeps people off balance. They don’t know what to think. They see you hanging out with Willie Nelson or Sammy Hagar, they go, “What the hell are these people thinking?” They don’t know you. They just want to label you.

Q: You played a party for the RNC. How was it?

A: It was just a paid party for the sponsors, just a private party for 1,200 people. When I start catching s— about it, I just say, “Look, I’m not a registered Republican, and they paid me a buttload of money to play this thing.

And if the other side calls, I’ll go play theirs for that much, too.”

Q: Would you lose fans if you played the DNC? A: No! I wouldn’t lose fans.

Cascade Days 2016 cascadedays.com

ence. I can’t believe there’s 300 million Americans in this country, and we’ve got these two as our final two.

It’s absolutely crazy.

Q: (2011 anti-import hit) “Made in America” would be at home at a Trump rally. Are you prepared for (that possibility)?

A: I don’t care who adopts it. I hear all these people fussing and fighting over who can play their music politically.

Anybody who wants to play my music, I just say play it. I don’t care.

Q: You mentioned Sammy Hagar. You two seem very similar, both (good time) party musicians who’ve quietly built

empires. I’m not sure if you’re close ...

A: Oh, we’re really close.

We’re best friends. I’ve known him about 14 or 15 years, we’re really tight.

We’ve recorded together, we jam down in Mexico a lot. My people don’t care that he’s my buddy, but his people care that he’s mine.

It’s that political hate that they got going on.

Q: If you never made another album and never got another royalty of your own, could you live off Taylor Swift money?

A: Yeah. Oh, yeah. No question. I own a piece of the label she’s on. If I just took the royalties I had off of that, I wouldn’t have to do anything else. A bunch of people could live off that.

FREE SUMMER

CONCERT SERIES Aug. 19, Fri. Rabbit Wilde Aug. 26, Fri. The Naughty Blokes

“STuCk” in Concrete August 20-21

CONCRETE, WA

Q: I’d never ask anybody who they’re voting for, but if you want to make any news …

A: This election, I don’t think it makes a differ-

VINCE BUCCI / INVISION VIA AP

Toby Keith performs during the American Country Countdown Awards on May 1 in Inglewood, Calif.

PORT OF ANACORTES

Friday Evenings • 6:00 - 8:00 PM

1497458

By ALLISON STEWART

portofanacortes.org • events@portofanacortes.com • 360-293-3134

1481894

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS BAND OF HORSES: Aug. 18, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-7844849 or livenation.com.

GAITHER VOCAL BAND: Aug. 18, Northwest Washington Fair, Grandstand, Lynden. nwwafair.com.

O’CONNOR BAND: Aug. 18-21, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

LOVERBOY: Aug. 19, Northwest Washington Fair, Grandstand, Lynden. nwwafair.com.

LORD HURON AND TRAMPLED BY TURTLES: Aug. 19, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-7844849 or stgpresents.org.

ROCK AGAINST THE TPP RALLY AND CONCERT: Aug. 19, The Showbox, Seattle. 888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

JOSH TURNER: Aug. 20, Northwest Washington Fair, Grandstand, Lynden. nwwafair.com.

THE CHRIS MITCHELL EXPERIENCE: Aug. 20, Benaroya Hall, Seattle.

866-833-4747 or seattlesymphony.org.

FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS: Aug. 20, Marymoor Park, Redmond, 888-929-7849 or axs.com.

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

KISW PAIN IN THE GRASS 2016: Aug. 21, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

JEFF BECK: Aug. 21, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle. 206-548-2500 or zoo. org/zootunes.

BETHEL MUSIC TOUR: Aug. 21, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-7844849 or stgpresents.org.

LEE RITENOUR AND DAVE GRUSIN: Aug. 2328, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

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DURAN DURAN Sept. 1, Xfinity Arena, Everett. 866-332-8499 or LiveNation.com.

TERS: Aug. 23-24, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle.

206-548-2500 or zoo.org/ zootunes.

GWEN STEFANI: Aug. 24, KeyArena, Seattle. 800745-3000. livenation.com.

ERIC ANDRE LIVE!: The Showbox, Seattle.

888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

THE GIPSY TWINS: Aug. 25, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

RIFF RAFF: Aug. 25, The Showbox, Seattle.

888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

ZAKK WYLDE: Aug. 26, The Showbox SODO, Seattle. 888-929-7849 axs. com or stubhub.com.

PARQUET COURTS: The Showbox SODO, Seattle. 888-929-7849 axs. com or stubhub.com.

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

I LOVE THE 90S: Aug. 27, Marymoor Park, Redmond, 888-929-7849 axs. com or stubhub.com.

DRIVE LIKE JEHU: Aug. 27, The Showbox, Seattle.

888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

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

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

PAT BENATAR, NEIL GIRALDO: Aug. 29, Evergreen State Fair, Grand-

stand, Monroe. 800-5143849 or evergreenfair.org.

HUNTER HAYES: Aug. 30, Evergreen State Fair, Grandstand, Monroe. 800-5143849 or evergreenfair.org.

JA RULE AND ASHANTI: Aug. 30, The Showbox, Seattle. 888-929-7849 axs. com or stubhub.com.

OTIS TAYLOR: Aug. 3031, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

SKY, ROSS FROM MORCHEEBA: Aug. 31, The Showbox, Seattle.

888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

THEORY OF A DEAD MAN: Aug. 31, Evergreen State Fair, Grandstand, Monroe. 800-514-3849 or evergreenfair.org.

OLD DOMINION WITH LOCASH: Sept. 1, Evergreen State Fair, Grandstand, Monroe. 800-5143849 or evergreenfair.org.

DURAN DURAN: Sept.

1, Xfinity Arena, Everett.

866-332-8499 or livenation.com.

NEED TO BREATHE: Sept. 1, Marymoor Park, Redmond, 888-929-7849 axs.com or stubhub.com.

KEIKO MATSUI: Sept.

1-4, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

JEREMY CAMP AND MERCYME: Sept. 2, Evergreen State Fair, Grandstand, Monroe. 800-5143849 or evergreenfair.org.

— For complete listings, visit goskagit.com and click on “Entertainment”

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E8 - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area Aug. 18-25 Thursday.18 THEATER “Hairspray”: 7:30 p.m., Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

MUSIC Polecat: 6 p.m., Riverwalk in downtown Mount Vernon. Free. 360-4246237 or mountvernonchamber.com.

Chris Eger Band: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free admission. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Friday.19 THEATER “Hairspray”: 7:30 p.m., Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

COMEDY Margaret Cho: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877275-2448 or theskagit.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY.19-20

MUSIC Rabbit Wilde: 6 p.m., Seafarers Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes. Free. portofanacortes.com.

Saturday.20

Sunday.21

Wednesday.24

THEATER “Hairspray”: 7:30 p.m., Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

THEATER “Hairspray”: 2 p.m., Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

MUSIC Wayne Hayton: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.

360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Jody Taylor Band: 7 to 9 p.m., Burlington Visitor Center, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Free. burlington-chamber.com.

Whiskey Fever (rocky-tonk, acousta-billy): 7 p.m., Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. $8-10. 360-856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com.

MARGARET CHO 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

COMEDY Margaret Cho: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877275-2448 or theskagit.com.

MUSIC Broken Banjo: 6 p.m., Heart of Anacortes, Fourth Street and O Avenue, Anacortes. 360-293-3515 or theheartofanacortes.com.

Chris Eger Band: 2 p.m., 271st St., Stanwood, by the Stanwood police station. Free. ci.stanwood.wa.us.

Skagit Community Band: 2 to 3:30 p.m., Gilkey Square, Morris Avenue and First Street, La Conner. Free.

360-395-8540 or laconnerlive.com.

MUSIC Brian Lee & The Orbiters: 1 to 4 p.m., Gilkey Square, Morris Avenue and First Street, La Conner. Free. 360395-8540 or laconnerlive.com.

Rane Nogales Trio: 4:30 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Tuesday.23 MUSIC Steve Rudy Trio: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Thursday.25 THEATER Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (preview performance): 8 p.m., Bellingham Circus Guild, 1401 Sixth St., Bellingham. $10. 360-3053524 or idiomtheater.com.

MUSIC Stacey Jones Band: 6 p.m., Riverwalk in downtown Mount Vernon.

Free. 360-424-6237 or mountvernonchamber.com.

Gin Creek: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free admission. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Thursday, August 18, 2016 - E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TUNING UP Playing at area venues Aug. 18-25 Thursday.18

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

Sonny and the Sunsets, Candysound: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10$12. 360-778-1067.

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

T.J. Donohue: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

Highway 9 Blues Band: 5:30 p.m., Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. $5. 360-363-8400 or marysvillewa.gov.

Friday.19

The Bleeding Tree: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

FRIDAY.19

Broken Banjo: 6 to 8 p.m., The Heart of Anacortes, Fourth Street and O Avenue, Anacortes. $8, free for ages 11 and younger.

360-293-3515.

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

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

Nick Vigarino’s Back Porch Stomp: 6:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12-15.

360-445-3000.

Joe Whitney Revival: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Latigo Lace: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888288-8883 or swinomishcasinoandlodge.com.

The Royal We: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino & Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448.

Muse Bird Cafe: Jaspar Lepak, Mindy Dillard and Tekla Waterfield: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

The Hoe and the Harrow: 9:30 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover.

360-293-2544.

JOE WHITNEY REVIVAL 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Old Town Tonic: 9:30 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

No cover. 360-2932544.

SATURDAY.20

HOLMES SHEA BAND 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover.

360-766-6266.

Deception Connection: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Members and signed-in guests only.

360-848-8882.

Saturday.20

The Fantasy Band: 3 p.m., The Beach at Birch Bay, 7876 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine. 360922-0816.

Herky Cutler: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

The Bleeding Tree: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

Marvin Johnson: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-3923100 or hotelbellwether. com.

Holmes Shea Band: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360766-6266.

Moonhat (album release): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360-778-1067.

Latigo Lace: 9 p.m., Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. 888288-8883 or swinomishcasinoandlodge.com.

Quinn Krivanik (acoustic): 8 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360766-6330.

The Royal We: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino & Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448.

Deadly D., Imaginary Friends, Nick Weaver (hip hop): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6.

360-778-1067.

Allison Preisinger: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

Jill Newman: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Marvin Johnson: 6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-3923100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Sunday.21

Ron Bailey and the Tangents: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Tuesday.23

Minus the Bear: 8:45 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $17. wildbuffalo.net.

Wednesday.24 Steep Ravine: 9 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-293-2544.

Fidalgo Swing: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

Medici, Fian, Crystal Beth and the Boom Boom Band, Celestial Navigation: 8:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6. 360778-1067.

Thursday.25

AuzSantiago Birthday Bash: Diarrhea Planet, Manatee Commune, Ca$h Bandicoot, Moorea Masa: 9:30 p.m., Wild Buffalo House, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $5. wildbuffalo.net.

The Crow Quill Night Owls, Deakin Hicks, Bastet Baladi Belly Dancers: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10. 360-778-1067.

RB Stone with the DRUMMERBOY Band: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10.

360-445-3000.

Bailey Martinet: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

E10 - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TRAVEL

FA M I LY T R AV E L FI V E

Go quirky on your next family trip

By LYNN O’ROURKE HAYES The Dallas Morning News

Family fun comes in unexpected ways. Here are five ideas to consider: 1. Soak in historic Colorado hot springs.

In aptly named Steamboat Springs, Colorado, some 150 geothermal bubbling springs soothe tired muscles after a long hike or a day of skiing.

The centrally located Old Town Hot Springs offers swimming pools, a fitness center and a waterslide for kids. Just 7 miles from town, the Strawberry Park Hot Springs offers a unique experience, with hand-

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built stone pools of varying temperatures, tepee changing rooms and a natural environment. Children are welcome during the day.

New this year, Steamboat and four other premier hot springs destinations in the western part of the state — Chaffee County, Pagosa Springs, Ouray County and Glenwood Springs — have partnered to form the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. Via this 720mile road trip adventure, you’ll be introduced to 19 facilities offering unique features from vapor caves and hot pots to travertine formations. colorado.com 2. Focus on fireflies in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Board the Firefly Express and let lightning bugs light up your night.

Families relish a narration of Eric Carle’s The Very Lonely Firefly along with other themed activities.

By day, float down the Delaware River, ride bikes on the Delaware canal path, or indulge your toddlers with a day at Sesame Place. Stroll through Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve or learn about the state’s founder, William Penn, at his original plantation, Pennsbury Manor.

Pick your own locally grown tasty treats at Shady Brook Farm or take advantage of Food Truck Thursdays to sample regional fare. visitbuckscounty.com 3. Build something aboard an MSC Cruise ship. Kids of every age group can join in a Lego Experience Day while sailing through the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, or between destinations in

Web Buzz Name: Collage: The London Picture Archive, collage. cityoflondon.gov.uk What it does: Offers some 250,000 images of London from the collections at London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Art Gallery.

What’s hot: Travelers can hunt for photos of that special pub they caroused in or browse historical photos from London’s past. There are several ways to search, so don’t feel as though you must use only the London Picture Map or the search bar. You can browse a variety of topics: royal or political events, viaducts, mythology, markets, street sellers, artists and many more.

What’s not: Make sure you know the correct spelling of your search subject — Leicester Square is tricky. The database is precise, and if you enter a typo or misspell a word, you’ll see a page that lets you know “No items were found.”

— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times

South America. From playpen action for those under 3 to building challenges for older kids, construction has never been more fun.

Kids can compete to build vertical structures up a specially created wall or tap their creative resources to create masterpieces.

Participants end the day as certified Junior Master Builders. New ships, debuting in 2017, will feature specially designed and expanded play areas developed in cooperation with the LEGO group. msccruisesusa.com 4. Bond with Bunyan Lovers in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Find out why Paul Bunyan continues to be a big deal during the 36th annual family-fun festival honoring the super-sized lumberjack. Expect more than 80 arts and crafts booths, live music, chain saw demonstrations and heaping helpings of food fit for hungry folks at the Paul Bunyan Fest. Work off the oversized eats with a hike, bike tour, kayak outing or fishing. eagleriver.org

5. Experience the outdoors from inside in Memphis, Tennessee. Enter a 32-story steel pyramid, set on the banks of the Mississippi River, and explore a cypress swamp complete with 100-foot cypress trees, an 84,000-gallon alligator habitat, water features and aquariums with more than 1,800 fish at Big Cypress Lodge. Learn about the history of waterfowl and wetlands conservation, visit the archery range or check out the ocean-themed bowling alley.

Take the country’s tallest free-standing elevator to the Lookout, where you can savor 360-degree views of the Mississippi and the Memphis skyline from an observation deck, or enjoy Southern comfort food in the restaurant. Stay in themed lodge rooms, where you’ll wake up in the morning not sure whether you are still in Memphis. big-cypress.com — Lynn O’Rourke Hayes is the editor of FamilyTravel.com. Email: lohayes@ familytravel.com

Local travel briefs SISTER CITIES PRESENTATION: The Anacortes Sister Cities Association invites the public to its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Sam D’Amelio, Anacortes High School graduate and current Whitworth University student, will discuss his recent trip to Ireland, where he participated in a university course called “Peace & Conflict in Ireland.”

Students explored the historical, political and religious roots of troubles in Northern Ireland as well as prospects for peace in the region.

Free. 360-873-8835.

SALMON DINNER SAIL: Join the Schooner Zodiac, a classic 1920s sailing yacht, for a three-hour excursion from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, through Sept. 2, departing from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $79 adults, $59 children. For reservations: 206719-7622 or schoonerzodiac.com.

WHATCOM MUSEUM HISTORY SUNSET CRUISES: The museum has partnered with San Juan Cruises for a series of summer history cruises on Bellingham Bay. Cruises start boarding at 6:15 p.m. and return to port at 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays, through Aug. 30, departing from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham. Ticket prices vary. 800-838-3006, ext. 1, or brownpapertickets.com.

WHIDBEY ISLAND ARTISTS SUMMER OPEN STUDIO TOUR: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, departing from Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. Time will be set aside for a no-host lunch in Langley. $61. Register by Aug. 22 at 360-336-6215 or mountvernonwa. gov.

HARVEST DINNER 2016: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, 1940 Diablo Dam Road, Diablo. Join the North Cascades Institute for a special feast featuring local harvest from local producers to showcase the bounty of the foodshed, with an emphasis on local growers and producers in Skagit and Whatcom counties, followed by a presentation on the glaciers of the North Cascades with National Park Service geologist Jon Riedel and photographer John Scurlock.

Overnight lodgings available for an extra fee. $60. ncascades.org.

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. 360-336-6215.

Thursday, August 18, 2016 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC REVIEWS LYDIA LOVELESS, “Real” — Lydia Loveless has a way of cutting out all the euphemisms and coping mechanisms that humans routinely use to get through a crisis. “But if self-control is what you want,” she sings with rueful hint of a laugh, “I’d have to break all of my fingers off.”

That sort of brutal honesty — skirting selfpity and finger-pointing — underlines each of Loveless’ songs about teetering relationships and messy breakups on her fourth studio album. She has gradually slipped out of the genre boundaries that previously tried to define her, usually some variation on the word “country.”

Then there’s the voice — a huge, open-hearted instrument with a Midwestern twang. Loveless isn’t just translating what she feels into concise three-minute songs, she’s interrogating herself to figure out why. “Same to You” finds the fault line in a relationship and tumbles through it, her voice rising around a deceptively matterof-fact phrase — “if it’s the same to you” — and turning it into a last, desperate plea.

When the guitars rise and crash around her, it’s difficult not to get swept into Loveless’ personal chaos. It sets a high standard that the rest of the album doesn’t quite match.

The rewards in the remaining nine songs are more nuanced. A few show her development as a craftsman: “Longer” embraces pop with its hooky chorus and wordless back-

ground vocals, whereas “Clumps” couldn’t be any more sparse — heartbreak distilled to a guitar, voice and plaintive melody.

Loveless’ best songs evoke little stories, each verse a new chapter with a revelation: the wistful tone of “More Than Ever” slowly turns desperate, and “Midwestern Guys” mixes a potent cocktail of exasperation, sarcasm and sadness. The latter brims with details — the soundtrack for a wasted summer is a Def Leppard album and a six-pack of warm, cheap beer. They define a town, a life, a type of person the narrator longs to escape, but somehow can’t.

— Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune OF MONTREAL, “Innocence Reaches” — Of Montreal can be maddening. Kevin Barnes’ project releases overstuffed albums at a dizzying rate – “Innocence Reaches” is its 14th in 20 years. And he’s a genre-hopping chameleon in love with obfuscating song titles such as this album’s “Chaos Arpeggiating.” “nnocence Reaches,” however, sprawls less than most Of Montreal albums, and it’s all the better for it.

“How do you identify?” Barnes sings to open the album on “Let’s Relate,” a thumping synth-pop disco anthem that owes more to Daft Punk than to Barnes’ usual Kinks/ Beach Boys/Bowie sources. Songs like “It’s Different for Girls” explore questions of gender. From the Blur-like “Gratuitous Abysses” to the stuttering electron-

ics of “Trashed Exes,” “Innocence Reaches” still covers a lot of ground, sometimes abruptly, but this is the most fun and accessible Of Montreal album in a long time.

— Steve Klinge, The Philadelphia Inquirer NELS CLINE, “Lovers” — Nels Cline is alternative music’s jagged edge. Be it his position of power (chords) in Wilco or his cranky contributions to a diverse list of artists (Dylan, Julius Hemphill, Lydia Lunch), the guitarist/ composer skates among keening free jazz, irked postpunk, and cinematic ambience. Most unusual is Cline’s frenetic but elegantly nuanced noise on his solo records, working alone or with his eponymous Trio or Singers.

Nothing in his catalog, however, prepares you for the tender, Technicolor scope that is the double LP “Lovers.” Arranged like the shadowy, experimental big band albums of George Russell and Gil Evans — with a sweet touch of Henry Mancini – “Lovers” allows Cline and his 20-plus players to re-create the romantic mood music of the ‘50s in the guitarist’s spiky image. There are some covers — such as Rodgers and Hart’s sweetly flustered “Glad to Be Unhappy” — but “Lovers” is hardly a covers album. Cline’s compositional mix on tunes like “Hairpin & Hatbox” and “The Bond” is as conventionally romancing as it is downright creepy.

— A.D. Amorosi, The Philadelphia Inquirer

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E12 - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

GET INVOLVED ART REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS: The Mount Vernon Arts Commission is requesting qualifications for a “water-inspired piece of art” for the Skagit Riverwalk. Proposals should be mindful of the Skagit River’s significance to Mount Vernon and the Skagit Valley as a whole.

The artwork budget is $30,000, with an additional $5,000 available for installation. Applications must be received

by Sept. 14. State artists can submit qualifications and proposals by Sept. 14 at callforentry. org.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Good Stuff gallery, 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, calls artists in all media to submit color images of their recent works. The theme and style of the show will be “Fall in all its Splendor.” All styles are welcome, from bold, bright images of marine subjects to Skagit scenes and florals, naturalistic, impressionistic or whimsical subjects.

Submission deadline is Aug. 19, and pieces must be to the gallery by Aug. 23. The Good Stuff is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 360-755-3152 or thegoodstuff.com.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is developing a roster of artists interested in showing their art in downtown Mount Vernon galleries and businesses during First Thursday Art Walks, held through October.

The organization is seeking artisans from all media, including painters, photographers, sculptors, fabric artists and more. 360-336-3801 or dep.mvda@gmail. com.

Tango from 8 to 10 p.m.

Fridays at the Anacortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $5. 360-4642229 or anacortescenterforhappiness.org.

AUDITIONS

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.

”BOEING, BOEING”: Open auditions will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28, at the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE. Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. Looking for four women, ages late teens to 60s, and two men. The production will run Nov. 4-20.

360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

DANCE SQUARE DANCING: Beginning square dancing will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tuesdays starting Sept.

13. Couples and singles welcome. First two evenings are free with $4 thereafter at Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. 360-424-4608 or rosie@ valleyint.com.

‘KICK UP YOUR HEELS’ FAMILY DANCES: Enjoy free family dances from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturdays at Cama Beach State Park, 1880 SW Camano Drive, Camano Island. Open to all ages and levels of experience. Discover Pass or day-use permit required for park access.

360-387-1550 or parks. state.wa.us/folkarts. n Aug. 27: Sherry Nevins and Friends, with Sherry Nevins, caller.

TANGO PRACTICA: Learn and practice the art of Argentine

MUSIC

SHELTER BAY CHORUS: Practices are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse, 1000 Shoshone Drive, La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident.

360-223-3230.

LOVE TO SING? Join the women of Harmony Northwest Chorus from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Seeking women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome.

ANACORTES OPEN MIC: 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-293-2544.

OPEN MIC: Jam night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays, Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

DRUM CIRCLE: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today, Aug. 18, Center for Spiritual Living, 1508 N. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Bring

your drum or borrow one. Handicapped accessible. Free. Freewill offering accepted. 360305-7559.

RECREATION ANNUAL DOG WASH: The Camano Animal Shelter Association will host its annual Dog Wash from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at their shelter, 198 Can Ku Road, Camano Island. Professional groomers will treat your dog to a bath for $8 to $12, depending on the size of the animal.

Dog manicures are also available for a fee. 360387-1902 or camanoanimalshelter.org.

CORNET BAY WEEDING PARTY: Help pull weeds and learn about native beach plants from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park, 200 Cornet Bay Road, Oak Harbor. 360-336-0172 or skagitfisheries.org.

PADILLA BAY’S AMAZING EELGRASS: Learn about the secrets of Padilla Bay’s eelgrass meadows and get a closeup look at the plants and animals that live there from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Where the Heart is, 410 S. Norris St., Burlington. Presented by the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Free. 360-7558007.

DAYS FOR GIRLS SEWING DAY: The Anacortes Chapter of Days for Girls International hosts a monthly “Sewing Day” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Cot-

tage Hobby House, 1220 12th St., Anacortes.

Next up: Sept. 8. Free.

For more information, call Carol Lee Olsen at 360-708-7960 or visit daysforgirls.org.

GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITS SCHOLARSHIPS: The Northwest Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Northern District of the Associated General Contractors of Washington will host their 2016 Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, Aug. 19, at Avalon Golf Links, 19345 Kelleher Road, Burlington. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. and tee time is 1 p.m. Registration: $95, includes greens fees, cart, lunch, dinner and awards ceremony.

Prizes will be awarded for top finishers, long drive, closest to the pin, door prizes and more.

Proceeds will support students in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction. nwaia. org/events.

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT: North Puget Sound Association of Realtors will host a golf tournament to benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Friendship House on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Skagit Golf & Country Club, 16701 Country Club Drive, Burlington.

The scramble format tournament features a shotgun start at noon, prizes on every hole, steak buffet dinner and more. $125 per golfer.

All levels welcome. To register: 360-416-4902.

FIDALGO BAY DAY: Skagit Marine Resources Committee will sponsor an event to increase

public awareness of the marine environment and foster environmental stewardship from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Fidalgo Bay RV Resort, 4701 Fidalgo Bay Road, Anacortes.

Enjoy interactive displays, kid-friendly activities, games, crafts, Samish canoe rides, complimentary seafood samples, a Samish nohost salmon barbecue and more. Free admission. 360-416-1400 or skagitmrc.org.

KIDS 2 CAMP BENEFIT RUN: The Kids 2 Camp Run will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood. The family-friendly run/walk features 10K, 5K, and 1-mile courses through Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center grounds. Packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. Lunch will be available for purchase at 11 a.m. Proceeds benefit camping opportunities for children and teens. $30 for 10K, $25 for 5K, $10 for 1-mile fun run for ages 5-12. 1-800-228-6724 or warmbeach.com.

TRAIL BUILDERS: Mount Vernon Trail Builders seeks volunteers to help with trail building and maintenance at Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon. Work sessions are held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, rain or shine. Lunch, snacks, tools and training are provided. For information, call Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation at 360-336-6215 or visit mountvernontrailbuilders.com. Next up: Sept.

10 and 24.

Thursday, August 18, 2016 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

AT THE LINCOLN

DINING GUIDE

The Lincoln Theatre will show “Swiss Army Man” on Aug. 19-22.

A menu of Polish family recipes and eclectic fare made in-house from fresh, local ingredients

‌

513 S 1st St. • 360.399.1805

Crab Louis

THURSDAY NIGHTS:

FRI. 8/19 8PM JEREMY SERWER

ALL YOU CAN EAT PRAWNS

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

WED. 8/24 6PM FIDALGO SWING

Friday ~ PriME riB Saturday ~ SEaFOOd

FRI. 8/26 8PM JOE STANTON

PATIO OPEN!

RoCkfish GRill Local Food, Local Beer, Made Here

422-6411

50% off

LocaL RestauRants and moRe

Innovative Food • Craft Cocktails 24 Draft Handles • Live Music

320 Commercial Ave 360.588.1720

www.anacortesrockfish.com

Follow the Fish

JILL NEWMAN SAT. 8/20 7:30PM

1493226

The Bleeding Tree

314 Commercial • 360-755-3956 fri en dl y

Fri. 8/19 and Sat. 8/20

18247 State route 9 Mount Vernon

Joe Whitney Revival Fri. 8/19 7:30pm

BuRGER & A BREW, PIzzA & A PINT, $9.99 ThuRS.

Crab Sandwiches

1493242

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 Fifty years after the iconic first ‘Trip,’ Ken Kesey’s son Zane took the Furthur Bus — and his father’s legacy — back on the road, for its longest running tour in history. Armed with a new band of Merry Pranksters, the Furthur bus traveled over 15,000 miles in 75 days, riding into music festivals, community events, tribal gatherings and national landmarks, re-establishing itself as a symbol of radical self-expression and cultural revolution all across the country.

There will be a Q & A with the film’s directors and original Merry Prankster George Walker, and a musical performance from one of the film’s composers.

Preshow music by The Poor Man’s Jug Band featuring Banjo Larry. $12 general, $10 members.

— The Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org

1474638

Make your reservations today! aneliakitchenandstage.com

‘Going Furthur’

Breakfast on Sat & Sun Jam night Sunday come toot your Horn with us.

KARAOKE Fri/Sat • Blues sun Have your parties Here!!

1/2 Pound siMPly thE

stEak bEst Pan friEd

burgErs oystErs Conway Pub & EatEry onLy at goskagit.com/deaLs

breakfast 9aM

I-5 Exit 221 360-445-4733

1474687

5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is a 1961 American romantic comedy film starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, and featuring Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam and Mickey Rooney.

The film was directed

Weekend Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar Sat-Sun 11am to 2pm

Fa m ily

90th Anniversary Series: ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’

Craft Beer • PNW Wines House-Infused Vodkas

1474694

7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 19-20 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22 Hank (Paul Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, having given up all hope of ever making it home again. But one day everything changes when a corpse named Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore; the two become fast friends, and ultimately go on an epic adventure that will bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams.

Rated R. $10 general; $9 seniors, students and active military; $8 members; $7 ages 12 and under. Sunday bargain prices: $8 general; $6 members; $5 ages 12 and under.

by Blake Edwards. It is loosely based on the novella of the same name

by Truman Capote.

Rated G. Special pricing for 90th anniversary celebration: $2.

1493370

‘Swiss Army Man’

E14 - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK

MINI-REVIEWS

New ‘Ben-Hur’ is a good ride, but you won’t forget the original

By CARY DARLING Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“Ben-Hur” and Charlton Heston go together like sword and sandal, the two being inextricably linked in the public mind.

But the new, $100 million version of Ben-Hur owes less to the well-known 1959 big-screen epic in which Heston starred than to the 1880 Lew Wallace novel, “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ,” on which both are based. The result is a film that is a surprisingly noncampy, more explicitly Christian meditation on slavery and freedom, revenge and forgiveness that also happens to have that climactic chariot-race thrill ride that helped make the Heston film famous.

The slightly different approach shouldn’t be too surprising since one of the film’s co-writers is John Ridley, who wrote the 2013 slavery classic “12 Years a Slave,” and co-producers are Mark Burnett and wife Roma Downey, known for their many faith-based projects. But it’s not until the very end that “Ben-Hur” threatens to collapse underneath the weight of a heavy hand.

Until then, it’s a mostly well-acted, straightforward, period drama free from the stylistic quirks for which director Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) is known.

It’s the time of Jesus Christ and the place is Roman-dominated Jerusalem. Messala Severus

(Toby Kebbell, “Dawn of the Planet of Apes”) and Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston, “Boardwalk Empire” and “American Hustle”) are brothers in every way but blood. Messala, a Roman, was adopted as a boy by Judah’s well-off Jewish family and the two are inseparable. Near the start of “Ben-Hur,” the two are racing their horses, foreshadowing a much more dangerous race the two will be competing in near the film’s end.

That brotherly bond is sundered when Messala goes off to fight for Rome, returning years later with the Judean governor Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbaek) and an army of soldiers to show the Jews of Jerusalem who’s boss. There’s been unrest lately as many Jewish “zealots” (early Christians) are turning against Rome.

This is the beginning of the rift between Messala and Judah and it only widens when Judah refuses to turn over names of suspected zealots.

After someone tries to assassinate Pilate, Judah is blamed and Messala completely turns on him, sending him into slavery.

The fuse of revenge is then lit and it will detonate on the chariot track several years later. The race — a blast of charging horses, broken wheels and fallen riders — is a visual rush and a nice tip of the toga to that famous Heston sequence. That Bekmambetov can now stage it in 3D doesn’t really add much.

Huston and Kebbell

PARAMOUNT PICTURES VIA AP

Jack Huston stars as Judah Ben-Hur in “Ben-Hur.”

flesh out these characters and Morgan Freeman brings a sense of wise solemnity as an African named Ilderim who becomes Yoda to Judah’s Skywalker. There are times when everyone looks a little too modern, though at least they’re more characters than caricatures like those in Ridley Scott’s 2014 biblical-era misfire, “Exodus: Gods and Kings.”

On the other hand, Rodrigo Santoro (“The 33,” “300: Rise of an Empire”) as Jesus doesn’t have much

to do but look alternately peaceful and pained.

Bekmambetov as well writers Ridley and Keith R. Clarke resist the temptation to camp it up. For some, this might be the film’s ultimate flaw, that it takes the material too seriously.

The new “Ben-Hur” doesn’t eclipse its predecessor and so it may lose in this cinematic chariot race. But it doesn’t crash and burn either and that in itself is something of a miracle.

— 2:04. Rated: PG-13.

HH 1/2 (out of four stars)

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

“War Dogs” — Two 20-something potheads (Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) appoint themselves arms dealers and work their way up to scoring a $300 million government contract in a slick and sometimes glib but undeniably entertaining, wickedly funny and justifiably cynical satire. Comedy satire, R, 114 minutes. HHH ½ “Imperium” — We believe Daniel Radcliffe as an intense, idealistic, somewhat naive FBI agent who goes undercover as a white supremacist to infiltrate a potential domestic terrorist threat. This is a well-spun, tight thriller, thanks in no small part to Radcliffe’s excellent, sharply focused performance. Thriller, R, 108 minutes. HHH ½ “Hell or High Water” — Veteran Texas Rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham) pursue bank-robbing brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) in an instant classic modern-day Western, traveling down familiar roads, but always, always with a fresh and original spin. This is the best film I’ve seen so far this year. If you tell me you love movies, I can’t imagine you not wanting to see it.

Western drama, R, 102 minutes. HHHH “Sausage Party” — The raunchiest movie of the year is also one of the funniest, an animated adventure about a hot dog and other anthropomorphic grocery items learning their fate. The cursing and sexual stuff isn’t mean-spirited. It’s just ... stupid. But also pretty smart. Animated comedy, R, 89 minutes. HHH “The Little Prince” — Jeff Bridges and Rachel McAdams lead a talented cast who lend their voices in this beautifully animated adaptation of the classic novella — with an ingenious twist. Animated adventure, PG, 108 minutes. HHH “Suicide Squad” — Writer/director David Ayer has missed a golden opportunity with a top-notch cast. Comic book villains are tapped to do good in a film that never lives up to its DC Universe inspiration.

Superhero action, PG-13, 130 minutes. HH “Jason Bourne” — At 45, Matt Damon still kicks butt in serious fashion in his fourth appearance as the tightly wound, perpetually restless and conflicted Jason Bourne. This is the best action thriller of the year so far, with a half-dozen terrific chase sequences and fight scenes. Action, PG-13, 121 minutes. HHH½ “Tallulah” — As a drifter who kidnaps a baby on a whim and passes herself off as the infant’s mother, Ellen Page develops a beautiful, messy mother-daughter dynamic with Allison Janney as her boyfriend’s mom.

This is one of the most moving films of 2016. Every 20 minutes or so, it grabs you and puts a lump in your throat. Drama, not rated, 111 minutes. HHH½ “Star Trek Beyond” — In a welcome break from all the “heaviosity” of so many recent franchise films, this whiz-bang sci-fi adventure saga plays like an extended version of one of the better episodes from the original TV series, and I mean that in the best possible way. There’s nearly as much light comedy as gripping drama, nearly as much talk of family unity as end-of-the-world gloom and doom. HHH

Thursday, August 18, 2016 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES “Nerve” — There’s no huge onscreen spark between Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, cast as partners in a wildly popular online game in which players are rewarded for completing risky dares.

The overall vibe is of a film trying too hard to be right-now relevant. Mute.

Unfollow. Block. Delete.

Log off. Thriller, PG-13, 96 minutes. HH “Bad Moms” — Written and directed by the team that penned the “Hangover” movies, “Bad Moms” had me laughing out loud even as I was cringing, thanks to some fantastically over-thetop hijinks, crass but hilarious one-liners and terrific performances from Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn as suburban moms taking a break from parenting and going wild. Comedy, R, 101 minutes. HHH “Captain Fantastic” — Viggo Mortensen stars as a well-meaning, counterculture father who takes his children to live in the woods — completely off the grid, to the point of almost no return. When tragedy strikes, their world is upended in an offbeat drama that suffers from terminal self-satisfaction. Drama, R, 119 minutes. HH “Wiener-Dog” — A dachshund is passed from owner to owner, acting as the conduit for what is basically a series of weird and melancholy and stinging and funny and heartbreaking and slightly sick vignettes by writer-director Todd Solondz. Despite the pet at the center, this is strictly for adults with a strong stomach. Comedy, R, 90 minutes. HHH ½ “Ghostbusters” — This gender-swapped reboot of the classic is

a ghostly, ghastly mess.

Cheesy special effects, bad acting and a terrible script combine for the perfect storm. With Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Comedy, PG-13, 117 minutes. H “The Infiltrator” — Bryan Cranston is perfection as a real-life U.S. customs agent who goes deep undercover to infiltrate one of the biggest drug cartels in the world.

A great-looking, wellpaced, wickedly funny and seriously tense thriller that is one of the year’s best films. Crime thriller, R, 127 minutes. HHHH “Cell” — A mysterious signal beams through cellphones and turns texting/phoning humans into frothing-at-themouth zombies in this adaptation of a Stephen King novel. This is not a polished work of filmmaking, but John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson are among the uninfected, and they’re good fun.

Horror, R, 98 minutes. HH “The Secret Life of Pets” — This isn’t exactly the sweet and cute and utterly kid-friendly movie you might expect it to be.

Sure, there are moments of sheer exuberance and clever good fun sure to ring true with pet owners everywhere — but the film is also downright menacing at times. Animated adventure, PG, 90 minutes. HH “The BFG” — While the special effects are terrific in Steven Spielberg’s film about a 24-foot man taking an orphan into Giant Country, the film overall is painfully cutesy, silly and gross, rather than whimsical and funny. Fantasy adventure, PG, 110 minutes. Fantasy adventure, PG, 110 minutes. HH

At area theaters ANACORTES CINEMAS Aug. 19-25 Kubo and the Two Strings (PG): Friday-Saturday: 1:10, 3:35, 6:40, 9:05; Sunday: 10:50, 1:10, 3:35, 6:40, 9:05; Monday-Thursday: 1:10, 3:35, 6:40, 9:05 Pete’s Dragon (PG): FridaySaturday: 1:20, 3:55, 6:35, 9:00; Sunday: 10:35, 3:55, 6:35, 9:00; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:55, 6:35, 9:00 Suicide Squad (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:30, 9:15; Sunday: 10:45, 1:00, 6:30, 9:15; Monday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:30, 9:15 Thelma & Louise, 25th anniversary (R): Sunday 2 p.m.

360-293-7000 CONCRETE THEATRE Aug. 19-21 Star Trek Beyond (PG-13): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m. (3D); Sunday: 5 p.m.

360-941-0403 BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor 360-675-5667 CASCADE MALL THEATERS Burlington For showings: 888-AMC4FUN (888-262-4386) OAK HARBOR CINEMAS Aug. 19-25 Kubo and the Two Strings (PG): 1:10, 3:45, 6:50, 9:15

“Marauders” — As violent and derivative as this noir mystery is, there’s something almost comforting about wading through the lurid muck and trying to figure out which good guys are really bad guys, and what’s up with Bruce Willis and that goatee, anyway? Crime action, R, 107 minutes.

HHH “Swiss Army Man” — One of the weirdest movies you’re going to be concerns a stranded man (Paul Dano) and the corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) he treats as a friend and multipurpose tool. Stick with it, and it might

Pete’s Dragon (PG): 1:20, 3:55, 6:40, 9:10 Suicide Squad (PG-13): Friday-Tuesday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:30, 9:05; Wednesday: 1:00, 3:35, 9:05; Thursday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:30, 9:05 Thelma & Louise, 25th anniversary (R): Sunday 2 p.m.

360-279-2226 STANWOOD CINEMAS Aug. 19-25 Ben-Hur (PG-13): Friday: 1:10, 6:35, 9:20; Saturday-Sunday: 10:40, 1:10, 6:35, 9:20; Monday-Thursday: 1:10, 6:35, 9:20 Ben-Hur 3D (PG-13): 3:30 Kubo and the Two Strings (PG): 12:50, 3:20, 9:35 Kubo and the Two Strings 3D (PG): Friday: 6:30; Saturday-Sunday: 10:35, 6:30; Monday-Thursday: 6:30 War Dogs (R): Friday: 1:20, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15; Saturday-Sunday: 10:45, 1:20, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15 Pete’s Dragon (PG): Friday: 4:15, 6:45, 9:15; Saturday-Sunday: 10:35, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15; Monday-Thursday: 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 Pete’s Dragon in 3D (PG): 1:00 Suicide Squad (PG-13): Friday: 1:30, 3:55, 6:50; Saturday-Sunday: 10:05, 1:30, 3:55, 6:50; Monday-Thursday: 1:30, 3:55, 6:50 Suicide Squad 3D (PG-13): 8:55 p.m.

360-629-0514

grow on you as it grew on me — and you’ll be rewarded with maybe the best ending of any movie so far this year.

Adventure comedy, R, 95 minutes. HHH “The Legend of Tarzan” — Alexander Skarsgard manages to not look silly in the most expensive and the most epic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ King of the Jungle. But there’s always been something a bit ridiculous about the whole Tarzan premise, and there’s very little about this film that screams, YOU GOTTA SEE THIS. Adventure, PG-13, 110 minutes. HH ½

REVIEW

‘Kubo’ is a wonderful adventure fantasy

By COLIN COVERT Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Even in this heyday of computer-animated movies, the greatest special effect is creating emotionally resonant characters.

The adventure fantasy “Kubo and the Two Strings” is seamless stop-motion storytelling, from Laika, the independent animation studio that gave us the darkly entertaining “Coraline,” “ParaNorman” and “The Boxtrolls.” Yet wizardly art direction isn’t the film’s most striking quality. It’s the endearing, playful, touching, cantankerous and sometimes frightening individuals who supply this spectacular story about friendship, courage and sacrifice with its life force.

Set in feudal Japan, this is an original action-adventure story that can appeal to every film lover around the world. It follows Kubo, a lonely, creative kid raised by his widowed mother in a cave close to their seaside village. A skillful artist, he collects coins in the market each day, dazzling the locals with his lifelike origami animals and storytelling skill. He drives fans into a frenzy of excitement with his rock sensibility on his three-stringed lute. But he stops performing and heads home fast at sunset.

His mother’s rule is that he must return before night, when the chilling Moon King takes possession of the sky. The monarch is Kubo’s grandfather, who wanted to pull him out of humanity and into his unearthly domain as an infant. Kubo’s

magically powered mother barely survived the mystical battle in which the Moon King took Kubo’s left eye, and she warns him that every night he’s in danger again. The boy sets off on a Joseph Campbell-inspired hero’s journey toward distant lands, traveling in a boat constructed of leaves and battling a giant skeleton.

Diverse human characters and fantastical creatures bursting with personality probably drew the movie’s all-star vocal cast to play the parts of gorgeously sculpted clay figures. “Game of Thrones” fan favorite Art Parkinson turns Kubo into a thrilling young hero.

His allies are a grumpy maternal simian called Monkey, played in gruff perfect pitch by Charlize Theron, and a man-sized insect called Beetle, given a charming comic relief turn

by Mathew McConaughey.

Ralph Fiennes brings a sense of emotional reality to the ghostlike Moon King, while Rooney Mara radiates a chilling menace as his eerie twin daughters, who sneer at Kubo’s mother, “Love made her weak.”

“Kubo” feels like a gorgeously illustrated Japanese fable, with gloriously crafted images serving strong narrative points. It resembles an intelligent, strong-scripted mash-up of “Harry Potter” and Hayao Miyazaki’s dazzling fantasy “Princess Mononoke,” balancing a childlike sense of wonderment with subjects possessing a much more complex, mature and serious tone.

Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril. HHHH

E16 - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com