360 August 31, 2017

Jazz guitarist Brian Nova headlines San Juan Music Festival This Weekend, Page 3 Skagit Valley Herald Thursday August 31, 2017

TUNING UP PAGE 9 Stacy Jones Band to play Heart of Anacortes MOVIES PAGES 14-15 “I Do ... Until I Don’t” looks at marriage as a tradition

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK West Wing.”

“Baywatch”: It’s up Upcoming “Designated Survito legendary lifeguard vor” has a great “24” Lt. Mitch Buchannon movie releases feel and not because of (Dwayne Johnson) and Following is a partial Sutherland. Maggie Q his beach team to stop a schedule of DVD releases heads up the investigacrime wave that has hit (dates subject to change): tions like the Jack Bauer their community like SEPT. 5 of the show. a bad-guy tsunami. At n All Eyez on Me Either part would the same time, Buchann Rough Night make this a good series. non must deal with n Megan Leavey Combined, it is one a new recruit, Matt n Paris Can Wait of the best new shows Brody (Zac Efron), an n The Wedding Plan from the 2016-2017 Olympics medal winn Raw season. ner with a big ego and n Band Aid “Gotham: The low I.Q. assigned the n A Dark Song Complete Third job to avoid jail time. n Austin Found Season: Making this There are moments n Chronically Metroseries about what was in this big-screen adappolitan happening in Gotham tation of the syndicated n Criminal Minds: The City before Bruce series where the writers Twelfth Season Wayne decided to slip and director, Seth Gorn Doctor Who: Series into his cape and cowl don, look like they are 10, Part 2 set up a very dangermaking a spoof of the n First Kill ous situation for the TV program that at one n Hawaii Five-O: The producers. If they could time was the most popSeventh Season not bank on Batman ular show on the planet. n Homeland: Season 6 being the draw for the The few jokes that work n Kevin Can Wait – Seashow, they were going poke fun at what was son 1 to need someone else to always the absurdity n Narcos: Season 2 save the day. of the show: beautiful n Security It looked like that women running in slow n Last Face would be Ben McKenmotion, lifeguards solv— Tribune News Service zie as a young Jim Goring crimes and beaches don. McKenzie’s done a where the heavyset are good job, but the power turned away. of “Gotham” comes from the fasciEach joke that comes close to nating flock of foes that have turned working is followed by a tidal pool of Gotham into a criminal haven. Leadstupid ideas and situations that are as ing the way is Robin Lord Taylor who painful as a 24-hour sunburn. as the Penguin has taken the character “Designated Survivor: The from waves of madness to the depths Complete First Season”: The series of love and heartbreak. Taylor’s work is based on what would happen if is so good he rules the screen. only one member of the president’s Stepping up is Cory Michael Smith Cabinet survived a deadly attack. In whose role as The Riddler became this case, low-level Cabinet member fully developed in season three. He’s Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) is equally compelling as both the foil thrust into being the president of the and friend to Penguin.

United States.

“My Cousin Rachel”: Rachel Weisz The first season of the ABC drama stars in the romance based on the brilliantly blends all of the political novel by Daphne du Maurier. moves the new president must go “Killing Hasselhoff”: The only way through along with the FBI’s efforts to a man can pay off a major debt is for investigate the deadly attack.

David Hasselhoff to die. Ken Jeong stars.

Sutherland brings just the right “A Family Man”: Father’s priorities mix of uncertainty and confidence as shift after his son is diagnosed with he plays the man who must not only cancer. to find a new Cabinet and help get “Dean”: Demitri Martin plays a the Senate and House of Congress in order but he also has to handle threats young man who moves to Los Angeles to get his life in order. from foreign nations and from the — Rick Bentley, Tribune News leaders of several states. This part Service harkens back to the best days of “The

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

TUNING UP / Page 9

Gin Gypsy to play H2O in Anacortes 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

Out & About ........................................... 4-5 Get Involved ........................................... 6-7 Q&A: Gene Simmons ...............................8 On Stage ......................................................9 Travel .........................................................10 Hot Tickets ...............................................11 Music .........................................................12 At the Lincoln ..........................................13 Movies .................................................14-15 ON THE COVER Photo by Bob Barry

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

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - E3

THIS WEEKENDin the area Guitarist headlines San Juan Music Festival Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, 4313 Roche Harbor Road, Friday Harbor, will host its first music festival featuring renowned jazz guitarist Brian Nova on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3.

Others performers include Max Holmberg, Brian Kirk, Missoni Lanza, Dan O’Brien, Howard Paul and Stephanie Porter. $25 per day; gate opens at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets or to make a reservation: 360378-2350 or lakedale.com.

FALL FESTIVAL The Guemes Island Fall Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Guemes Island Community Hall. Artists, bakers and craft people will offer their creations for sale.

ALGER COMMUNITY FUN’RAISER The Alger Community Fun’raiser will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2, at Alger Community Hall, 18735 Parkview Lane, Burlington.

Classic Roads will play from noon to 3 p.m.. Other highlights: a beer garden, produce and craft vendors, garage and bake sales, kids’ games and more. Free admission. 360-724-0340.

LA CONNER SOUNDS The CC Adams Band featuring Mary Ellen Lykins will be the featured performers at the La Conner Live 2017 concert from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at Gilkey Square, Morris Avenue and First Street in downtown La Conner. Free admission. lovelaconner.com/ featured/la-conner-live-2017concert-series.

WOODAPALOOZA

BOB BARRY PHOTO

Brian Nova

The Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild will present the “Art + Wood = Woodpalooza @ WICA” exhibition Saturday through Monday, Sept. 2-4, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Zech Hall, 565 Camano Avenue, Langley. A reception is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. 360221-8262 or wicaonline.com.

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OUT & ABOUT

ART

MADRONA GROVE SCULPTURES: The exhibition, featuring 12 sculptures and presented by the Anacortes Arts Commission, occupies the madrona grove and surrounding areas near the Depot Arts & Community Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes.

OPEN STREETS, ARTWALK: An Open Streets plaza event and the First Friday Artwalk will take place along Commercial Avenue in Anacortes on Friday, Sept. 1. The Street Plaza will be held from Fourth Street to Sixth Street, with the area closed to traffic from 6 to 9 p.m. People will be able to shop late with the merchants, dine and socialize in an outdoor setting and listen to lBB and the Tall Boys. Several galleries will also have shows, including ACME Creative, Burton Jewelers, The Good Stuff Arts, The Croatian Cultural Center, Pelican Bay Books and Coffee House, the Scott Milo Gallery and the Majestic Inn and Spa. anacortesart.com.

“EVIDENCE”: The new art show featuring the work of David Blakesley and Kathleen Faulkner will open in September at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison, with an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. An artist talk will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

30. Blakesley, based in Edison, presents salvaged material sculptures and mystical gouache paintings. Faulkner, who lives

MOVIES IN THE PARK

in Anacortes, will present painted oil pastels, inspired by the deep tranquil forests that surround the area. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

“BLUE”: A four-woman show, defining personal relationships to “Blue,” will run Sept. 1-30 at the Lincoln Theatre Art Bar, 712 First St. Artists are Carol Ann Anderson, Diane Learmonth, Sherry Shipley and Suzanne Perlmutter. Many artists work through the ‘Blue Phase’ as a way to give expression to their many passages in life and also as a kind of comfort.

ART AUCTION: The eighth annual Art Auction for the Artists and Gallery will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

23, at the Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island.

The show can be seen Sept. 1-23. Throughout the month, visitors can leave a bid or purchase the art. The auction is $25 a person. More than 90 pieces of artwork will be displayed. The gallery and sculpture garden are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and weekdays by appointment. matzkefineart.com.

PASTEL SOCIETY: Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, welcomes back the Signature Member Group of the NW Pastel Society for September.

More than 30 members will exhibit work in various styles, including landscape, seascape, animals and birds, etc. A reception will be held from

The City of Stanwood will present “Spy Kids” at its free Movies in the Park at dusk today, Aug. 31, at Church Creek Park, 27116 72nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. 360-629-2181, ext. 4505.

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept.

1. The gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday through Saturday or by appointment. scottmilo.com.

TEXTURE AND LIGHT: The Good Stuff Arts Gallery, 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, presents a show with new works by 25 local artists. Carla Seaton will give a free demonstration at 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 1. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

FESTIVALS

FALL FESTIVAL: The Guemes Island Fall Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Satur-

day, Sept. 2, at Guemes Island Community Hall.

Artists, bakers and craft people will offer their creations for sale.

LECTURES AND TALKS

WALK EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO TRAIL: Retired Anacortes Police Department chief Bonnie Bowers will present “Walking the El Camino de Santiago Trail” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Bowers began her 550-mile walk in southern France and ended it 33 days later in Santiago, Spain.

DNA TESTING AND FAMILY HISTORY: Genealogist and scientist Barbara Johnson

will answer questions at the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Burlington Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington.

PORT COMMISSIONERS: The Anacortes Port Commissioners Candidate Forum will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Bring a nonperishable item for the food bank donation box. For more information, contact Corinne Salcedo at 360293-7114.

MEET THE CANDIDATES: Get to know the candidates running for Anacortes City Council and port

district positions at a forum at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 14, at Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. MEET THE CANDIDATES: Get to know the candidates runnning for city councils of Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro Woolley at a forum at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 9, at Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Way, Burlington.

BE PREPARED FOR DISASTER: Mount Vernon City Library staff member Barb Hudson will present the steps and skills necessary to be prepared for emergencies at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the library, 315 Snoqualmie St.

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OUT & ABOUT NOXIOUS WEEDS: Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom County’s Noxious Weed Program coordinator, will share a selection of the more notorious and invasive plants known to Northwest Washington at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St. SASQUATCH: Author David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon at “Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?” at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St. Gordon is the author of “The Sasquatch Seeker’s Field Manual: Using Citizen Science to Uncover North America’s Most Elusive Creature.”

NATIVE PLANTS: Retired biologist Brenda Cunningham, master gardener and garden manager for Washington Native Plant Society, will talk about some of the lesser known native plants that thrive in Skagit County, as well as ones that can be used to solve landscaping problems, at “Native Plants in Your Home Landscape – Not Just for the Birds!” at 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 23, at Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St. TOXIC PLANTS: Skagit County Master Gardener Diana Wisen will present “The Sinister Garden-Deadly Charms in Your Own

Landscape” at 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 30, at Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St.

MUSIC

MUSIC FESTIVAL: San Juan Island’s Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes will host its first music festival, featuring renowned jazz guitarist Brian Nova, on Sept. 2-3. Other performers will include Max Holmberg, Brian Kirk, Missoni Lanza, Dan O’Brien, Howard Paul and Stephanie Porter. $25 per day; gate opens at 10 a.m. 360378-2350 or lakedale. com.

THOM SHEPARD: CMA Texas Singer-Songwriter of the Year Thom Shepard will perform at 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 8, at La Conner Sips, 608 S. First St. $10 at the door.

EAGLE HAVEN MUSIC: Birdsview Bluegrass will wrap up the 2017 Concerts in the Pavilion Series at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. 360856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com.

LA CONNER SOUNDS: CC Adams Band featuring Mary Ellen Lykins will wrap up the La Conner Live 2017 series from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at Gilkey Square, Morris Avenue and First Street in downtown La Conner. Free admission. lovelaconner.com/ featured/la-conner-live2017-concert-series.

STANWOOD CONCERT SERIES: Mark Dufresne will wrap up the fourth annual Stanwood Summer Concert Series from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

9, at 270th St. in west Stanwood.

SUMMER JAMS: The Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, will present the 2017 Blues, Brews and BBQ series with live music, microbrews on tap and an outdoor barbecue, at 5 p.m. each Thursday during the summer. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com/ featured/blues-brewsbbq. n Sept. 7: Spaceband. n Sept. 14: Baby Cakes.

OUTDOORS IN ANACORTES: The Stacy Jones Band will wrap up the 2017 Heart of Anacortes outdoor concert series from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the corner of Fourth Street and O Avenue.

Free admission, families welcome. 360-293-3515 or heartofanacortes. com.

CITY AND COLOUR: City and Colour, aka singer, songwriter and performer Dallas Green, will perform at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

28, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 Commercial St., Bellingham. $35. tickets@mountbakertheatre.com or 360-734-6080.

MORE FUN

MOVIES IN THE PARK: The City of Stanwood will present “Spy Kids” at its free

Movies in the Park at dusk today, Aug. 31, at Church Creek Park, 27116 72nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. 360-6292181, ext. 4505.

ALGER SUNDAY MARKET: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

2, Alger Community Hall, 18735 Parkview Lane, Burlington. Fruits and vegetables; shrubs, flowers, herbs, sedum and trees; artisan crafts including handmade soaps, salves, jewelry, glass and wood art; and textiles and fibers including wood items, books to intrigue the mind and DIY, recycled and up-cycled and reused items.

THEATER ARTS GUILD ANNIVERSARY: The Theater Arts Guild Silver Celebration will take place at 7:30 p.m. today, Aug. 31, at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon. Reserved tickets are $15 and $25 at lincolntheatre.org. Event details at http://lincolntheatre. org/performance/ tags-silver-celebration; details regarding upcoming TAG shows and auditions can be found on theaterartsguild.org.

BOW FARMERS MARKET: 1 to 6 p.m.

Thursdays, through Aug. 31, Samish Bay Cheese, 15115 Bow Hill Road, Bow. bowlittlemarket.com.

ALGER COMMUNITY FUN’RAISER’: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2, Alger Community Hall, 18735 Parkview Lane, Burlington. Enjoy music

by Classic Roads from noon to 3 p.m., a beer garden, produce and craft vendors, garage and bake sales, kids’ games and more. Free admission. 360-7240340.

WOODAPALOOZA: The Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild will present the “Art + Wood = Woodpalooza @ WICA” exhibition Saturday through Monday, Sept. 2-4, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Zech Hall, 565 Camano Avenue, Langley. A reception is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1.

360-221-8262 or wicaonline.com.

MUSEUM FOUNDERS DAY: The Sedro-Woolley Museum’s Founders’ Day will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at the museum, 727 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, the Magic Lantern Society will show how glass lantern slides were used in theaters, churches, fraternal lodges, schools and at home before there was film. Part of the presentation will include the museum’s glass slides of the 1914 bank robbery, advertising slides, and preview slides of upcoming attractions used at the Dream Theatre. Children will have a chance to create and color their own slides. Old-fashioned games for the kids start at noon.

A picnic will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at Riverfront Park. Hot dogs will be sold from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there will be a

car show by Modified Lifestyles. sedro-woolleymuseum.com.

BLOCK PARTY: The North Cascade SDA Church will host a free end-of-summer barbecue party for the neighborhood from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at 800 Peacock Lane, Burlington. There will be barbecue, a human foosball game and more. 360-757-7577 or ncdsa.org.

CELTIC GENEALOGY INFORMATION SESSION: The Celtic Arts Foundation and Skagit Valley Genealogical Society will offer a Celtic genealogy information session presented by Barbara Gorham Johnson of the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Littlefield Celtic Center, 1124 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon. Learn more about resources in the community for researching Celtic heritage, including understanding different website subscriptions, DNA testing, local research options, and more. $20 to $25. For more information, contact the Celtic Arts Foundation at 360416-4934 or events@ celticarts.org.

— To submit an item for Thursday’s 360 section, send the information in writing to 1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274, or email: features@ skagitpublishing.com or by fax: 360-428-0400.

Deadline is 14 days before publication.

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GET INVOLVED ART SKAGIT ART ASSOCIATION: The group will hold a re-organizational meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at Washington federal Bank, 300 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. All interested artists are welcome.

Stop by for information or to share ideas on reorganizing.

2017 HOLIDAY GREETING CARD CONTEST: The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation seeks professional and hobby artists to submit a digital image of original artwork, thematic of the Christmas holiday or winter season. The winning artist will have his or her art featured on the Foundation’s

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360.416.7727

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2017 holiday greeting card and will receive a $100 honorarium.

Deadline is Sept. 18. For contest guidelines, visit skagitregionalhealth. org/hospital-foundation.

OPEN STREETS, FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALKS: Two local events, Open Streets and First Friday Artwalks, are joining forces to create a “Street Plaza” setting on Commercial Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets on Sept. 1 in Anacortes.

The downtown area will be closed to traffic from 6 to 9 p.m. to encourage participants to linger longer. Music will be played in the Commercial Avenue-Fifth Street intersection.

Restaurants will offer special sidewalk seating. anacortesart.com.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Mount Vernon Downtown Association seeks artists from all media, including painting, photography, sculpting and fabrics, to show their art in downtown galleries and businesses during First Thursday Art Walks.

The art walks are held from 5 to 8 p.m. through September and include about a dozen venues. Contact Cathy Stevens at dep.mvda@ gmail.com or 360-3363801.

CALL FOR INSTRUCTORS: Burlington Parks and Recreation seeks qualified instructors to expand its enrichment classes for youth and adults. To download an instructor’s packet, visit burlingtonwa.gov and click on the “Instructors Needed” tab. 360-755-

9649 or recreation@ burlingtonwa.gov.

ART CLASSES PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUILT AND FIBER ARTS 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 children ages 11 and under. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org. n Fiber Fridays: Bring any kind of fiber art project, quilting, knitting, embellishing, etc., to work on while visiting with other fiber artists from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday. Free and open to all.

AUDITIONS BLACK BOX THEATER: The Poseidon Players will hold auditions for the next Black Box Theater presentation from 3 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 9, and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

10, in the Star Studio, behind the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Boulevard, Oak Harbor. The Black Box Theater is open to anyone interested in honing their acting, directing, playwright or technical skills. 360679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

CANTABILE CHAMBER CHOIR AUDITIONS: Rehearsals are 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon.

Dues are $150 per year. Auditions are by

appointment. Information: Jennie Bouma at 425-312-4565 or cantabilechamberchoir@ gmail.com.

WHIDBEY PLAYHOUSE 2017-18 SEASON: This season’s schedule for Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd, Oak Harbor: n “A Christmas Carol” (musical), Dec. 1-17. n “The Producers” (musical), Feb. 9-March 4. Vocal and reading auditions are 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. Dance auditions are 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16. Auditions are by appointment only by calling 360-679-2237 no later than 2:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 13.

360-679-2237 and whidbeyplayhouse.com.

DANCE SWING DANCE LESSON: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $10/$8 students. 360387-0222.

SQUARE DANCING: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. $4. All levels welcome. 360-424-4608 or rosie@valleyint.com.

BEGINNING LINE DANCING: 7 to 8 p.m.

Tuesdays, Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. $6 drop-ins, $20 per monthly session. For adults and teens 13 and older. recreation@ burlingtonwa.gov or 360-755-9649.

FOLK DANCING: Skagit-Anacortes Folk Dancers meet Tuesdays

at Bay View Civic Hall, 12615 C St., Mount Vernon. Learn to folk dance to a variety of international music.

Instruction begins at 7 p.m. followed by review and request dances until 9:30 p.m. The first session is free, $3 thereafter. All welcome. No partners needed. For information, contact Gary or Ginny at 360766-6866.

SCOTTISH DANCING: Bellingham Scottish Country Dancers meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at the Fairhaven Library auditorium (upstairs), 1117 12th St., Bellingham. Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes without heels. $8 per class. For information, call Mary Anderson at 360-933-1779 or visit bellinghamscd. org.

JOLLY TIME CLUB: Dance to live music from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information, contact Gisela at 360-424-5696.

CLOG DANCING FOR BEGINNERS: Free lesson from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by regular clog dancing from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. No fee, no partner needed.

First three lessons are free. Wear comfortable shoes. For information, call Rosie at 360-4244608.

MUSIC UKULELE FUN & SONG CIRCLE: 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays,

Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. Free. Beginners welcome and loaner ukuleles available.

Song sheets provided.

206-790-4862 or yogaheartspace0@gmail. com.

BARBERSHOP HARMONY: Attend a free, no-commitment rehearsal of the AnO-Chords, a four-part barbershop harmony group. No experience necessary, no auditions required. Learn by rote, you don’t have to read music. All ages welcome. Drop in any Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Northwest Educational Service Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes.

Rides available. anochords.org or 360-4660109.

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.

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.

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GET INVOLVED 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.

BRING YOUR OWN GUITAR: Bring your guitar and learn a wide variety of new songs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays at North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Boulevard, Burlington. 360-707-2683 or jauman@northcovecoffee.com.

BRING YOUR OWN UKULELE FOR BEGINNERS: Bring your ukulele and learn a wide variety of new songs from 6 to 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Boulevard, Burlington. 360-7072683 or jauman@northcovecoffee.com.

PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES, TALKS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPEAKER SERIES: 6 to 8 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. Each presentation will feature a question and answer period and/or book signing and sales. $3. 360-363-8400 or go to marysvillewa. gov. Next up: n Tuesday, Sept. 26: Maria Mudd Ruth, “A Sideways Look at Clouds and Other

Natural Wonders”: Ruth is the author of more than a dozen books on natural history topics.

In addition to her latest book, “A Sideways Look at Clouds,” she is the author of the critically acclaimed “Rare Bird: Pursuing the Mystery of the Marbled Murrelet.” Her program will highlight the value of curiosity, the common challenges of studying birds and clouds, and the importance of forging abiding connections to the natural world. n Tuesday, Oct. 24: Bill Thorness, “Cycling the Pacific Coast: An Epic Adventure on Two Wheels.” The Seattle author will showcase his new book “Cycling the Pacific Coast: A Complete Guide from Canada to Mexico.” He will highlight his other books including “Biking Puget Sound, 2nd Edition” and “Cool Season Gardener and Edible Heirlooms.”

RECREATION AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE: U.S. Power Squadron will offer America’s Boating Course from 7 to 9 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 6-27, at the Anacortes Marina.

The Coast Guard- and state-approved course will qualify attendees for the Washington Boater Education Card and for insurance discounts. $55, $65 for two sharing a book. Information and to register: Debbie Richey at 360387-1260 or drichey@ rocketmail.com.

SKAGIT SYMPHONY PARK TO PEAK TRAIL RUN: The 7K run/walk and 14K run is set for

10 a.m. Saturday, Sept.

9, beginning at Hillcrest Lodge in Mount Vernon, up the trails of Little Mountain and back down to Hillcrest.

The kids’ mini trail dash (ages 18 months to 8 years) will start at 9:45 a.m. All proceeds benefit Skagit Symphony and its education programs. Registration fees: $30 for 7K and 14K events, $10 for kids’ dash. 360-848-9336, parktopeak@skagitsymphony.com or http:// skagitparktopeak.com.

SEAMANSHIP COURSE: The U.S. Power Squadrons’ Seamanship Course will be taught by Skagit Bay Sail & Power Squadron from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 2 to Nov. 27, at the Anacortes Marina, 2415 T Ave. Registration deadline is Sept. 10.

Course materials include a student guide and a downloadable version of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules. $120 for individuals, $160 for two sharing a book.

Contact Bob Miller at 360-588-9950 or bobmillerwa@hotmail.com.

CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION: CMA Morning Star Chapter 39 meets the first Monday of each month at Royal Star Buffet, 2300 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon.

Meals are paid for firsttime visitors. Dinner at 6 p.m. (optional), followed by meeting at 7 p.m. Contact: Dwight Kaestner, 425-770-6154 or cmachapter39@ gmail.com.

BOARD MEMBER SEARCH: The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center

seeks board members.

Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Annie’s Pizza Station 44568 Highway 20, Concrete. Contact Cora Thomas at srbeatic@ frontier.com or 360722-0229.

FRIENDS OF THE FOREST HIKES: Join Friends of the Forest for scenic hikes in the forest lands around Anacortes. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. No pets.

Free. 360-293-3725 or friendsoftheacfl.org. n A senior/adult hike to northwest Heart Lake, 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 8. Explore a maze of trails in the Ace of Hearts Creek terrain. There will be

some gentle hills on this 1-mile hike.

FREE PARK ADMISSION: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer free admission to all state parks on Saturday, Sept. 30, in honor of the National Park Service’s 101st birthday.

On this day, 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.

THEATER ACTING CLASSES: The iDiOM Theater offers acting classes for all ages at the

Sylvia Center for the Arts, 205 Prospect St., Bellingham. Prices vary. sylviacenterforthearts@ gmail.com or sylviacenterforthearts.org.

FREE ADULT ACTING CLASSES: Anacortes Community Theatre offers free acting classes for adults twice each month: from 7 to 10:30 p.m. the first Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday, at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Classes include monologue work, scripted scenes, improv games and more, with a different topic each month. Each class is independent, so you don’t have to commit to every session.

360-840-0089 or freeadultactingclass.com.

Skagit River Salmon Festival

FR

EE

!

September 9

Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon | 10am - 6pm

GREat Music! soulgrass | Folk americana | Pop

Bring the Kids & Grandkids to

Recess Monkey @ 11am

(2017 Grammy Nominee Best Children’s Album)

Local Artisans • Fabulous Food

Beer & Wine Garden

Featuring Farmstrong Brewing Co. Naches Heights Vineyard

1659466

skagitRiverFest.org

E8 - Thursday, August 31, 2017

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Gene Simmons: ‘I’ve never done drugs or alcohol, so my soul is intact’ Royces. … Everybody puts on affectations, including myself. I wear shades in the dark, because the sun never sets on Planet Cool, does it?

By ALLISON STEWART Chicago Tribune

Gene Simmons is the co-frontman of fabled, fire-breathing rock overlords Kiss, and does a thriving side business as an entrepreneur. Kiss made rock merchandising an art form, and Simmons (born Chaim Witz in Israel 68 years ago) is its finest brand extension.

He has authored books, starred in a reality show, made it to week three of “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008, endorsed Mitt Romney and launched his own cola. He will patiently, eloquently answer any question, and is unfailingly serious, even when he’s probably kidding. He has an easy command of Kiss-related statistics, from the number of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” episodes that have aired (156) to the number of Kiss-affiliated Rock & Brews restaurants set to open (15).

“Our reach is far and wide,” says Simmons.

Simmons, whose new book, “On Power,” arrives in November, talked meeting presidents, vomiting blood and life as a tabloid staple. The following is an edited transcript of that conversation: Q: Your new book is partly a meditation on power, and partly a selfhelp book.

A: The book grabs you by the shoulders and shakes you and says, “OK, are you serious about life? Do you want to reach for the stars?

Here’s some things you can do to make more money, and become more powerful.”

Q: Are they prescription?

A: Certainly not.

RICKY FITCHETT / ZUMA PRESS VIA TNS

Gene Simmons, co-founder of the rock group Kiss, speaks at a Wizard World panel session on June 3 at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

Q: What do you make of President Trump, how he uses power? Is he wielding it effectively?

A: Politically, you can make a good argument that it’s not the way people are used to politicians acting. I know President Trump well enough, I suppose. I’ve certainly met President Clinton and President Bush, and everyone’s different when they get in there.

Q: Was running for president something you would have been interested in, if you’d been born here?

A: Democracy is very messy, although it’s the best system we have, so I wouldn’t be interested in that. I like the fact that the president is accepting no salary, he’s doing it for

one dollar. I like that. I think it should be public service. … I like captains of industry becoming politicians. I don’t recall your question, but I like my answer.

Q: You strike me as being very practical and unsentimental, which are great qualities for a businessman, but not so much for an artist. Do those qualities come into conflict in your mind, ever?

A: How did you ever think anyone who plays electric guitar is an artist?

They can’t even read or write music.

Q: You don’t think of yourself as an artist?

A: No. An artist is somebody who went to school, who learned music theory, can read

and write music, like classical musicians or jazz musicians. None of us — Madonna, I don’t care who you’re talking about — none of us learned to read and write music, we just sort of did it. It’s pretty much on the same level as cavemen who came out of the caves and started to beat on the drums, and howl at the moon.

Q: I think of somebody like Bruce Springsteen as an artist. I don’t know if he can read music.

A: Yeah, but you’re buying into the culture. I don’t think he’d stand up and say, “I’m an artist.”

And I’ve met Bruce.

Remember, he wears torn jeans, because he wants to connect to the common man. We both know he can buy a fleet of Rolls

Q: You used to be in the tabloids without your makeup, and you always looked so unhappy to be seen. Could you walk around and have a normal life, before you unmasked yourself?

A: As soon as Kiss started, we had to hide our faces, because there was a reward: What did they look like without the makeup? So when I was going out with Cher and Diana Ross, we had to sneak around and cover our faces. Then, eventually, you grow up and you don’t care.

Q: Was that a fun time in the band’s history?

A: I have to say in all honesty, every day is fun.

I’ve never had a bad day in my life. When you’re rich and famous and you have the life of Riley — I would understand if very poor people living in squalor or in the Third World are depressed and feel bad and grim. I get it. But when you’re rich and famous, unless you have a chemical imbalance, it’s all nonsense. It’s all an attention-getting device.

Q: Kiss does everything from condoms to caskets. Do you talk to a lot of people who bury loved ones in Kiss caskets, or is that a loss leader?

A: Well, it happens once in your life, right, but the marketplace is pretty large. There

are bars that get them because they’re moisture-proof, and they use them for coolers.

Q: Does performing in makeup and costumes give you more longevity?

You could go out there at 80.

A: It’s fair to say Kiss is the hardest-working band in show business.

Even just the weight of the stuff we carry around. We’re not going to do it anywhere as long as the Stones or McCartney, because we can’t.

I mean, we don’t step onstage in jeans and a T-shirt, because that you can do into your late 70s.

I’m on 7-inch platform heels, I spit fire and fly through the air. It’s exhausting.

Q: Have you ever come close to packing it in — you, personally?

A: No. Why would you, when you’re having so much fun? I’ve never done drugs or alcohol, never smoked cigarettes, so my soul is intact.

Q: When you would vomit blood, what was in it? Was it a squib?

A: There was eggs, yogurt, rotten milk, food coloring. I mean, it was putrid, it smelled bad.

If it looked like I was throwing up, sometimes I did.

Q: So you would run to the side of the stage and put it into your mouth, then spit it out?

A: There would be a blackout, and someone would run onstage and put it in my mouth.

Q: Whatever they were paying you, it wasn’t enough.

A: I like you. I like the way you put that.

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TUNING UP Playing at area venues August 31-September 9 Thursday.31

TimE3Jazz: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave. Free.

360-588-1720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

Stacy Jones Band: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-3923100 or hotelbellwether. com/featured/bluesbrews-bbq.

Crow Quill Night Owls: 7 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham.

360-306-8273 or acoustictavern.com/ shows.php.

Rivertalk: 6 to 8 p.m., Mount Vernon Riverwalk. 360-4288547 or mountvernonchamber.com.

Thursday.7

Jeff Zuber: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 First St., La Conner. aneliaskitchenandstage.com.

Emo Therapy: 9:30 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

The Way Down Wanderers: 8 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. $10-$12. 360-306-8273 or acoustictavern.com/ shows.php.

Friday.1

Jimmy Wright Band: 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

TARA NELSON PHOTO

SATURDAY.2

GIN GYPSY 8 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave, Anacortes. anacortesh2o.com or 360-755-3956.

cortes, 4th & O streets, Anacortes. Free. 360293-3515 or heartofanacortes.com.

Jimmy Wright Band: 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

Gin Gypsy: 8 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. anacortesh2o.com or 360755-3956.

Conor Oberst, Phoebe Bridgers: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

The Walrus: 7 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham.

360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

Motopony: 9:30 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-3068273 or acoustictavern. com/shows.php.

Grace Love: 9:30 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-3068273 or acoustictavern. com/shows.php.

Saturday.2

Sunday.3

Stacy Jones Band: 6 to 8 p.m., Heart of Ana-

CC Adams Band featuring Mary Ellen Lykins: 1 to 4 p.m.,

Gilkey Square, Morris Avenue and First Street, La Conner. Free. lovelaconner.com/featured/ la-conner-live-2017concert-series.

Trish, Hans and Phil: 2 to 4:30 p.m., Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. $10.

360-856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com.

New Iberians: 5:30 p.m., The Old Edison, 5829 Cains Court, Bow. 360-766-6266 or theoldedison.com.

Tuesday.5

Andy Carr Trio: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Wednesday.6 Wayne Hayton: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Free. 360392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com/entertainment-2.

Spaceband: 5 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.

360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com/featured/ blues-brews-bbq.

Cheryl Hodge: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7. 360445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

Friday.8

North by NW: 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

CC Adams Band featuring Mary Ellen Lykins: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway.

Chad Peterson and Friends: 5 to 8 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Gary B’s Church of the Blues: open jam, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-4454733.

$10. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

El Colonel and Mary de La Fuente: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave. Free.

360-588-1720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

One Sultry Day and The Corvettes, Nowhere Near Nashville: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $10. locobillys.com.

Slings and Arrows: 7 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-306-8273 or acoustictavern.com/ shows.php.

Jesse Roper: 9:30 p.m., The Green Frog, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-3068273 or acoustictavern. com/shows.php.

Saturday.9

Birdsview Bluegrass: 7 p.m., Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. 360856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com.

Mark DuFresne: 4 to 6 p.m., 270th Street, Stanwood Summer Concert Series. Free.

Trish Hatley, Reuel Lubog, John Anderson: 6:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10.

360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

SATURDAY.2

STACY JONES BAND 6 to 8 p.m., Heart of Anacortes, 4th & O streets, Anacortes.

Free. 360-293-3515 or heartofanacortes.com

North by NW: 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

E10 - Thursday, August 31, 2017

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TRAVEL

TRAVEL DILEMMAS: WHY SUCH SLOW WI-FI?

By CATHARINE HAMM Los Angeles Times

You’re on a plane or a cruise ship or staying in a hotel, and you need to send an email. The issue: You feel as though you may celebrate a birthday before the document goes through.

The solution? Well, there isn’t one for this problem.

Not yet anyway.

A colleague who recently took a cruise reported crowds, sans torches and pitchforks but not attitude, excoriating the tech guy because of slow Wi-Fi. Here’s the bad news: You’re on a cruise, and you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Or Washington state, for that matter. Here are some of the truths about Wi-Fi, some ugly, when you’re traveling:

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It’s probably not going to be as good as the Wi-Fi you have at home, even if your home is in the U.S. In an analysis of fixed broadband and mobile speeds in July, Speedtest ranked the U.S. No. 9 for broadband and No. 46 for mobile. (Nos. 1, respectively, Singapore and Norway. Last: Venezuela and Iraq.)

Part of the issue for Americans: Many of us still have home service based on copper wire, not fiber.

Craig Ganssle, chief executive of Camp3, which works on wireless infrastructures, explains this difference: Copper service is based on the speed of sound (generally about 1,125 feet per second if it’s 68 degrees and the air is dry), and fiber is based on the speed of light (about 984 million feet per second).

But whichever you have at home, it’s going to be better than what you have on a plane or a cruise ship because ...

On an airplane, you’re probably using air-toground service. That is basically an infrastructure of cell towers, said Dave Davis of Inmotion Holdings, an investment and management advisory firm whose focus includes satellite technologies and lower-cost satellite launchers.

And we know how cell service can be. Add to that scenario that you’re hurtling through space with a lot of people who also want Wi-Fi and you have speed that can range from decent to — how shall we say this nicely? — less than optimal.

Some airlines use satellite technology, which relies on an antenna on the plane and provides more bandwidth, Davis said. It’s

imperfect but better.

And now, for some depressing news: On a cruise ship, the bandwidth issue is even greater (and the issue of movement, as on an airplane, creates its own problems).

Cruise ships carry hundreds and sometimes thousands of passengers, scores of whom want to post to Instagram or stream Netflix.

That takes bandwidth, and “bandwidth is limited by technology and cost,” Davis said.

Now you begin to see the problem, like the rat through the boa constrictor.

We’re the snake and our data consumption — some would say piggery — is the rat. It’s a big rat. How big?

The gigabyte is so 2016; we are now in the zettabyte era in internet traffic, according to a Cisco blog.

A zetta what?

“One zettabyte is approximately equal to a thousand exabytes, a billion terabytes, or a trillion gigabytes,” the blog said.

Or, from a not-techie perspective, lots and lots.

However much it is, it puts a strain on the infrastructure.

The problem is different — sort of — in a hotel and requires other solutions.

Unlike a ship or a plane, a hotel is not a moving target, but the excellence of the connectivity depends on the hotel’s “age and internal wiring and ... construction,” among other factors, said Terry Connell, senior vice president for sales and sales operations for Comcast Business, which supports tech needs and networks for businesses of many sizes, including hotels.

Because the business trav-

eler may use a hotel room as an office and because families, the leisure travelers among us, often have multiple devices for multiple people, the demand for wireless may be multiplied.

Remember too that you as a guest are not the only one using that Wi-Fi. The hotel’s back office, where day-to-day business takes place, is more than likely using it too.

You want good hotel WiFi? Show them the money.

Hotel charges for Wi-Fi have largely gone away, especially if you’re a member of the hotel’s loyalty club.

In their place, you may be asked to pay for tiers of service. The better the Wi-Fi, the better the experience.

Sometimes, the experience will be better based on the size of the hotel — bigger not always being better. Boutique hotels, Connell said, often differentiate their guest experience by ensuring/ buying/planning for better connectivity.

But there is hope. New satellite technology should help with airline and maybe cruise ship connectivity, Davis said. And hotels may realize, as national parks have, that connectivity is vital to attracting the next generation of guests.

It won’t happen quickly — it’s sort of like opening a large attachment on slow Wi-Fi — but it will happen, experts agree.

Until then, patience and grace are virtues that will serve the traveling Wi-Fi user well, never mind the poor tech guy on the receiving end of our misplaced wrath.

Unless you’re in outer space, everyone in an enclosed space will hear you scream, and the only thing that will seem worse than the technology will be you.

Local travel briefs AAA CRUISE TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, Skagit Casino Resort, Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. Tips and trends from travel experts, cruise presentations. 360-8482084.

WHATCOM SENIOR TOURS: Whatcom Senior Tours offers trips for seniors. Sign up by calling 360-733-4030, ext. 1015, or visit the tour office at 315 Halleck St., Bellingham. n Celebrity Hawaiian Cruise: Sept. 22-Oct. 2. $2,699 per double occupancy inside cabin, $3,099 per double occupancy of ocean-view cabin, or $3,599 per double occupancy balcony cabin. n Rhine & Mosel River Cruise: Sept. 21-Oct. 1. $4,549 per double occupancy outside cabin, $4,949 per double occupancy vista balcony, or $5,249 per double occupancy exterior balcony. n New Orleans and Cajun Country: Nov. 5-11. $2,399 per double occupancy, $3,049 single.

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.

RECREATION WITHOUT BORDERS: The organization offers recreational trips, tours and adventures throughout the Northwest and British Columbia.

360-766-7109 or recreationwithoutborders.com.

OAK HARBOR DAY TRIPS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., offers day trips for members. 360-279-4587.

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.

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS

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THOMAS RHETT, MICHAEL RAY: Sept. 20, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

MODEST MOUSE, BUILT TO SPILL: Sept. 21, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

TAKE SIX: Sept. 21-24, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

LOVERBOY, SURVIVOR: Sept. 22, XFinity Area, Everett. 866-3328499 or xfinityarenaeverett.com.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE: Sept. 22, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888559-FAIR or thefair.com.

GEORGE WINSTON: Sept. 22, Benaroya Hall, Seattle. 206-215-4747 or benaroyahall.org.

TOM JONES: Sept.

23, Paramount Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

MARLON WAYANS: Sept. 23, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888559-FAIR or thefair.com.

JASON ALDEAN, KANE BROWN: Sept. 24, Washington State Fair, Puyallup.

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

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10, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

MASTERS OF ILLUSION: Sept. 13, Washington State Fair, Puyallup.

888-559-FAIR or thefair. com.

BEACH BOYS: Sept. 14, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

ARTURO SANDOVAL: Sept. 14-17, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

SALT ‘N PEPA, VANILLA ICE, COLOR ME BADD, TONE LOC: Sept. 15, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

AARON NEVILLE: Sept.

15-16, Skagit Casino, Bow. 8777-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

GOO GOO DOLLS, PHILLIP PHILLIPS: Sept.

15, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

SAWYER BROWN: Sept.

16, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. tickets@ mountbakertheatre.com or 360-734-6080.

HANK WILLIAMS JR., THE CADILLAC THREE: Sept. 16, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888559-FAIR or thefair.com.

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NICKELBACK, DAUGHTRY: Sept. 1, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

GIPSY KINGS: Sept.

1, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

LADY ANTEBELLUM, KELSEA BALLERINI AND BRETT YOUNG: Sept. 2, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

GUNS N’ ROSES, ROYAL BLOOD: Sept. 3, The Gorge, George. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

STEVEN TYLER: Sept.

3, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW: Sept. 4, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

RODEO PLAYOFFS: Sept. 7, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559FAIR or thefair.com.

STEVE WINWOOD: Sept. 8, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

RODEO PLAYOFFS, GRANGER SMITH: Sept.

8, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

FOREIGNER, CHEAP TRICK: Sept. 9, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

360-825-6200 or livenation.com.

RODEO PLAYOFFS, EASTON CORBIN: Sept.

9, Washington State Fair, Puyallup. 888-559-FAIR or thefair.com.

PINK MARTINI: Sept. 9-10, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville.

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E12 - Thursday, August 31, 2017

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC

REVIEWS

CO M MENTAR Y

Taylor Swift, think of your fans

By MIKAEL WOOD Los Angeles Times

We can skip the rundown of Taylor Swift’s feud with Kanye West, right?

Just hours after the world’s biggest pop star unleashed her new single on a waiting commentariat, I’m already exhausted by the idea of having to read (let alone write) yet another rehash of this deeply tiresome conflict.

But you know who’s not over it?

Taylor Swift.

In “Look What You Made Me Do” — released online last week as the lead single from a new album, “Reputation,” due in November — the singer sounds positively fired up as she takes whack after brutal whack at the rapper who once interrupted her at an awards show. (Swift doesn’t name West, to be clear, but with her reference to a “tilted stage,” she doesn’t need to.)

“I don’t like your perfect crime / How you laugh when you lie,” she seethes over a throbbing electronic groove, “You said the gun was mine / Isn’t cool — no, I don’t like you.”

Later in the tune, which Swift created with Jack Antonoff, she pretends to answer a phone call from someone evidently looking for “the old Taylor” — the sucker, you presume, who might’ve let bygones be bygones.

But she can’t come to the phone, Swift tells the caller.

“Why?” she adds. “Oh, ‘cause she’s dead.”

What’s surprising about “Look What You Made Me Do” — beyond the harsh industrial production that makes it feel like Swift’s response to her enemy’s “Yeezus” — is that it suggests the singer no longer cares (or is no longer able to tell) what pop fans want.

Swift rose to superstardom by anticipating listeners’ desires; she knew just when to pivot from acoustic guitars to sleek synthesizers, from the fairy-tale romance of early hits like “Love Story” to the more grown-up depiction found on her last album, 2014’s smash “1989.”

On tour behind that record, she spent a good portion of her show every night telling the members of her audience how closely she’d been paying attention to them.

But dredging up Taylor versus Kanye again? I mean, I can’t be the only one who’s sick of this topic — something Swift would’ve known a few years ago without

AP FILE

Taylor Swift performs at the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night Concert in February in Houston.

even having to think about it.

OK, so she hardly lacks for company among A-listers eager to cook expired beef.

Earlier this summer, Katy Perry revived her ancient tussle with Swift — I believe it had something to do with backup dancers? — for “Swish Swish.”

But Perry’s song takes delight in its own pettiness, whereas “Look What You Made Me Do” just makes me think of President Donald Trump whining endlessly about fake news. (Crediting Right Said Fred for the song’s supposed debt to “I’m Too Sexy” is funny in writing, but the inspiration adds little humor to the dour music.)

Maybe Swift isn’t aiming for me, though.

Maybe this polarizing song is meant to galvanize her base — which, sure enough, is rhapsodizing about the track on social media — even at the expense of the wider world she’s dominated for much of the last decade.

If that’s her play, it’s a wild one, especially coming after her powerful testimony during the recent trial regarding her alleged sexual assault at the hands of a Denver radio DJ. In court, Swift appeared driven to speak with a voice loud enough for others. Now, just days later, she seems uninterested in that job.

Have we ever seen a pop star so happily give up a portion of her following?

That’s an idea I’m not tired of considering.

Maybe “Reputation” will take it up.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, “Villains” — Since his last album as Queens of the Stone Age, 2013’s “… Like Clockwork,” singer-guitarist Joshua Homme watched as his other band — Eagles of Death Metal — lived through Paris’ Bataclan attacks (the band played without him that night) and collaborated with Iggy Pop for the proto-punk’s “Post Pop Depression” record and tour. Such circumstances didn’t make Homme a hero, yet somehow they changed the chug, swagger and stammer of Queens’ stoner-rock éclat into something shinier and sonically heroic on “Villains.”

Produced with Mark Ronson — the glossy soul man behind Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars — the emotionally bruised “Villains of Circumstance,” the swinging, sensual “The Way You Used to Do,” and the cuttingly existentialist “Hideaway” benefit from the hit-maker’s crisp crackle. But, make no mistake, this isn’t pop Homme.

He never needed help conjuring contagious, melodramatic Bowie-meets-Bacharach melodies revved to 100 mph metal heights with a sexy, cock-of-the-walk kick.

What Ronson did was add a dash of honey and a hint of glitter to Homme’s whiskeyed rock-outs and stories of ire, anarchy, age and villains. By the time Homme & Co. (and this is his best set of Queens yet since its 1996 start) get to the lemon-squeezing bluesy “The Evil Has Landed,” this team makes all of the world’s scariest monsters seem tame in comparison to Homme’s inner demons.

— A.D. Amorosi, The Philadelphia Inquirer FILTHY FRIENDS, “Invitation” — “Rise on, music freaks!”

Corin Tucker exhorts in “Makers,” a song about turning something vintage into something new.

It could be the credo of Filthy Friends, a new group of veterans helmed by REM’s Peter Buck and Sleater-Kinney’s Tucker and including members of the Minus 5, the Young Fresh Fellows, and the Fastbacks (Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic drops in, too). “Invitation,” their debut, is the sound of rock-

and-roll lifers having serious fun.

Buck and Tucker, who are Portland neighbors, co-wrote the songs, and they skew toward rousing, post-punk anthems full of overt musical allusions and self-referential lyrics about the joy of music.

The guitars find new twists on old Television and T. Rex riffs (on “Windmill” and “Come Back Shelley,” respectively), while Tucker’s powerhouse vocals veer from giddy (the REM-like “Any Kind of Crowd”) to angry (the political “No Forgotten Son”). Invitation is punchy and immediate and exciting. “When the band plays, we’ll sing along, boys,” Tucker sings in the jaunty title track, and it’s an invitation to the listeners, too.

— Steve Klinge, The Philadelphia Inquirer RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, “Tell the Devil … I’m Getting There as Fast as I Can” — In “Open G,” Ray Wylie Hubbard presents a song that doubles as a guitar lesson. That’s no surprise: Music and the musicians who make it (including himself) have been a favorite subject of the 70-year-old, who, thanks to a late renaissance, has elevated himself into the upper echelon of sage, stubbornly individualistic Texas troubadours. And it’s a subject that runs throughout his latest terrific album.

But Hubbard also likes to “puzzle over the spirits,” as he puts it in “Prayer,” both of the high variety (“God Looked Around”) and the low (“Lucifer and the Fallen Angels,” which also serves as a bitingly funny commentary on the country music business). He concludes the set with “In Times of Cold,” a stark but moving contemplation of death, with Patty Griffin on guest vocals.

Once again, Hubbard does all this by conjuring his unique hoodoo, bringing even the most lofty and philosophical thoughts down to primal lyrical and musical levels, with a gut-bucket blend of blues, rock, folk, and country. “I’m not profound or perceptive,” he claims in “Prayer.” Don’t believe it.

— Nick Cristiano, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

AT THE LINCOLN

DINING GUIDE

Nick Offerman, Laura Prepon, Krysten Ritter and Katharine Ross.

Rated R. $10.50 general; $9.50 seniors, students and active military; $8 children 12 and under. Sunday bargain prices: $9 general, $7.50 children 12 and under. $2 discount for Lincoln members.

7:30 p.m. today, Aug. 31 Theater Arts Guild celebrates 25 years of bringing live theater to the Skagit Valley, reliving some some of its best moments over the past quarter-century. Reserved tickets $15-$25.

— The Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St., downtown Mount Vernon. lincolntheatre. org or 360-336-8955.

360.466.4411

La Conner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

$7.99 BURGER SPECIAL Mon-Fri, 11:30am-4pm

By LOS ANGELES TIMES

“Gone With the Wind” will not be shown in the future by a Tennessee theater that decided it was “insensitive” to many in the local community.

The 1939 movie, which marked the first Oscar win by a black actor, depicts a romanticized view of slavery and life on a Southern plantation before, during and after the Civil War. “Gone With the Wind,” which won 10 Academy Awards in 1940, including for best picture, had been shown by the Orpheum Theatre Group for years as part of an annual Summer Movie Series, according to Memphis’ Commercial-Appeal. This year, however, a different climate prevailed.

“The recent screening of ‘Gone With the Wind’ at the Orpheum on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, generated numerous comments,” Brett Batterson, president of the theater group, said Friday in a

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‘Gone With the Wind’ pulled from Memphis theater statement (via the New York Times).

“The Orpheum carefully reviewed all of them. As an organization whose stated mission is to ‘entertain, educate and enlighten the communities it serves,’ the Orpheum cannot show a film that is insensitive to a large segment of its local population.”

Approximately 63 percent of Memphis residents are black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The screening happened, coincidentally, on the day before a rally of white nationalists that turned violent in Charlottesville, Va. — a rally that has been followed by a national conversation about whether to purge monuments to Civil War generals and soldiers from public spaces.

In an interview with the Commercial-Appeal, Batterson said the appropriateness of screening “Gone With the Wind” had been discussed “every year,” but “the social media storm this year really brought it home.”

Key Lime Pie Local Triple Berry Shortcake

Fri. 9/1 & Sat. 9/2 JIMMY WRIGHT BAND

422-6411 18247 State Route 9 Mount Vernon

1585064 1474688

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7:30 p.m. FridaySaturday, Sept. 1-2 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4 Lee Hayden is an aging Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his

former-co-star-turneddealer, Jeremy, until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus.

He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with standup comic Charlotte, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

Cast: Sam Elliott,

Local Triple Berry Waffles

SAT. 9/2 8PM GIN GYPSY SUN. 9/3 7PM KARAOKE THURS. 9/7 6PM BREWER’S NIGHT with SUMERIAN

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‘The Hero’

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‘The Hero’ will play Friday through Monday at the Lincoln.

Theater Arts Guild Silver Celebration

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

comE on in and Enjoy our air-conditionEd rEstaurant or loungE!

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Enjoy our summEr spEcials including:

La Conner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

E14 - Thursday, August 31, 2017

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK

MINI-REVIEWS

‘I Do … Until I Don’t’ ends up a pleasant treat

By RICK BENTLEY Tribune News Service (TNS)

At its gooey center, “I Do … Until I Don’t” is like vanilla cake. It is sweet, but generally there’s nothing that memorable about it. Writer-director Lake Bell’s examination of marriage as a tradition does little to go past the norm when it comes to the arguments about whether it is good or bad to tie any kind of knot.

There’s nothing that new in the script but what Bell has cooked up would be a sufficient serving of cinema if the debate was the only ingredient.

What gives her recipe for romantic fun a flavor boost is a first-rate cast that includes Ed Helms, Mary Steenburgen, Paul Reiser, Amber Heard, Wyatt Cenac and Dolly Wells.

Each performer adds his or her own brand of silly seasoning to the mixture and the product that was once vanilla develops some richness.

The way Bell uses the various combinations of characters keeps the story fresh and makes a plot that has been a staple of Hallmark movies for years come across with some extra layers of depth, warmth and humor. It’s not as complicated a blending of tales of love as a masterful production like “Love Actually,” but it does have enough mixing and matching to be interesting.

Bell not only wrote and directed the film but she also stars in it, playing Alice, the loving wife of Noah (Helms). Alice and Noah are never apart

THE FILM ARCADE

Ed Helms and Lake Bell star in “I Do ... Until I Don’t.”

as they not only share a home life but also run a floundering business where they sell window blinds. Their good life begins to suffer because of financial problems with the business and failed efforts to start a family.

There’s also a little tension because Alice believes Noah has feelings for her younger sister, Fanny (Heard), who lives a Bohemian lifestyle with Zander (Cenac). Alice is threatened by both her sister’s beauty and the sexually freedom her sister is always promoting.

All of this comes out when a British documentary filmmaker comes to Vero Beach, Florida, where the couples live.

Vivian (Welles) is looking for subjects for her latest film expose that will show how marriage is an archaic idea and couples should only have to enter into a contract for seven years. It doesn’t matter if the couples believe her theory, she just needs chaos in front of her camera.

Alice and Fanny agree to be part of the filming along with Cybil (Steenburgen) and Harvey (Reiser), a couple who have been married so long they may be reaching a point

where an escape clause in a marriage contract sounds good.

The moviemaking icing on Bell’s work is the inclusion of the making of the documentary as part of the story. This is a great strand that runs through the film, energized by the way Wells pompously pushes her agenda to get the results she wants and not what naturally occurs.

Bell also shot the documentary footage and it reflects all of the imagery that has become so familiar in the work of iffy documentarians.

Wells captures the blend of wackiness and ego that has made documentarians like Michael Moore bigger stars than their productions. At one moment, Wells can be skillfully arguing her points about marriage and then moments later show so much insecurity that she needs to spoon her assistant.

Bell has created two movies that are as different as vanilla and chocolate. The main story has a workmanlike quality that becomes more entertaining because of the way the cast members give their characters extra depth. There’s nothing new about a jealous wife

or a man reaching a midlife crisis except when it is actors like Bell and Reiser who are behind the roles. Both have an instant likability that keeps them on the good side of an audience no matter what they do.

If left unchecked, Helms can slip into manic bouts of comic hysteria. Bell directs him to a very sweet performance while still allowing him to be funny. At the same time, she pulls Steenburgen — who has been known to fade into the background — to the front making this one of her better performances in years.

The best thing about “I Do … Until I Don’t” is that it’s an old-fashioned love story. That sounds like an insult because these days, most attempts at movie romances either get torpedoed by a painfully bad performance (think most Katherine Heigl movies), get drenched in the kind of sentimentality that has made Nicholas Sparks rich or give in to heavily mature themes.

Bell doesn’t take a lot of chances and the fact that she plays it so safe is why the movie originally looks to be vanilla in design. But her commitment to her story, the actors selected to give that story life and a wicked sense of humor about documentaries sprinkle the film with some tasty moments. In this case, love means never having to say you’re sorry when the end result is sweet and funny.

—1:43. Rated R for sexual material, language.

HH½ (out of four stars)

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

“Leap!” — Elle Fanning does wonderful voice work as an 11-year-old orphan dreaming of dancing ballet in 1880s Paris. Aside from one murderous misstep, this lovely and breezy animated adventure is thoroughly enchanting. Animated adventure, PG, 89 minutes. HHH “Bushwick” — A college student (Brittany Snow) and Iraq War veteran (Dave Bautista) fight to reach their loved ones in a Brooklyn under siege by a mysterious militia.

The tight, intense, relatively low-budget thriller plays like a video game, with Snow and Bautista as the two main avatars. Action thriller, not rated, 94 minutes. HHH “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” — Should you really go to the theater and pay 2017 prices for the new 3-D version of a 1991 movie? Absolutely. The 3-D is occasionally impressive, but what matters most is the brilliance of the film itself, a time-traveling sci-fi actioner with stunning special effects and a nifty, at times wonderfully, head-spinning plot. Sci-fi action, R, 130 minutes. HHHH “Marjorie Prime” — In this unique psychological journey, Lois Smith gives a nomination-worthy performance as a woman near the end of her life who spends many an hour hashing over the past with a computer-generated hologram of her late husband. It’s one of the strangest, most disturbing and most thought-provoking films of 2017. Sci-fi drama, not rated, 99 minutes. HHH ½ “Ingrid Goes West” — An obsessed stalker (Aubrey Plaza, alternately charming and sad and pathetic and absolutely insane) meets the internet trendsetter she worships (perfectly cast Elizabeth Olsen) and manages to become her bestie. It’s a smart and darkly amusing comedy that grows crazier and crazier. Comedy, R, 97 minutes. HHH ½ “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” — Through a series of contrived circumstances, a security specialist (Ryan Reynolds) is enlisted to transport an assassin (Samuel L. Jackson) to a war criminal’s trial. There’s nothing and no one to like in this blunt, ultraviolent, obnoxious empty vessel of a movie. Action comedy, R, 111 minutes. H ½ “Good Time” — A bank robbery by a sociopath (Robert Pattinson) and his mentally challenged brother (Benny Safdie, also the co-director with his brother Josh) sets off a chain of bizarre and occasionally wickedly funny events. Ultimately, the sometimes clever story runs out of steam and limps across the finish line. Crime drama, R, 101 minutes. HH ½ “Logan Lucky” — In what plays like a biscuits-and-gravy take on “Ocean’s 11,” a couple of twangtalkin’ dirt-kickers (Channing Tatum and Adam Driver) plan to steal the cash from a North Carolina speedway vault. Steven Soderbergh’s breezy heist romp is great fun and one of the most purely entertaining movies of the year. Crime caper, PG-13, 119 minutes. HHH ½ “Patti Cake$” — Danielle Macdonald is an absolute force as Patti, a New Jersey 20-something dreaming of hip-hop stardom against all odds, with Bridget Everett stunningly good as her bitter, hard-drinking, beenaround-the-block single mother. This is “Hustle and Flow” and “8 Mile,” Jersey-style. Drama, R, 108 minutes. HHH

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

REVIEW

At area theaters ANACORTES CINEMAS Sept. 1-7 The Glass Castle (PG-13): Friday-Sunday: 1:05, 3:45, 6:35, 9:15; Monday-Thursday: 1:05, 3:45, 6:35 Wind River (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:20; Monday-Thursday: 1:10, 3:50, 6:40 The Big Sick (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:30, 9:10; Monday-Wednesday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:30; Thursday: 1:00, 3:40; Wednesday: 1:00 It (R): Thusday: 7:00 360-293-7000 OAK HARBOR CINEMAS Sept. 1-7 Annabelle: Creation (R): Friday-Sunday: 3:45, 9:25; Monday-Thursday: 3:45 Wind River (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:10, 3:55, 6:40, 9:20; Monday-Thursday: 1:10, 3:55, 6:40 Girls Trip (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:05, 3:50, 6:35, 9:05; Monday-Thursday: 1:05, 3:50, 6:35 Megan Leavey (PG-13): Friday-Wednesday: 1:00, 6:30; Thursday: 1:00 It (R): Thusday: 7:00 360-279-2226 CASCADE MALL THEATERS Burlington For showings: amctheatres.com/showtimes/ all/2017-06-23/amc-loews-cascade-mall-14/all * Times are subject to change

“The Glass Castle” — The well-made adaptation of journalist Jeannette Walls’ memoir doesn’t shy away from some of the more shocking and tragic episodes from her upbringing. But when it tries to celebrate her cruel father’s supposed bohemian idealism and love for his children, it rings sour and false. Drama, PG-13, 127 minutes. HH “Pilgrimage” — In the 13th century, Irish monks face all manner of opposition during a perilous journey to deliver a relic to Rome. Tom “Spider-Man” Holland does fine work as an earnest young novice, but Jon Bernthal owns the screen as a mute protecting the relic and his brothers at all costs. Adventure drama, not rated, 96 minutes. HHH “Wind River” — An FBI investigator (Elizabeth Olsen) needs help from a wildlife agent (Jeremy Renner) to find a girl’s killer in the snows of Wyoming.

It’s a stark and beautiful and haunting 21st-century thriller, filled with mem-

CONCRETE THEATRE Sept. 1-3 Logan Lucky (PG-13): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 5 p.m.

360-941-0403

‘Unlocked’ a satisfying action thriller

STANWOOD CINEMAS Sept. 1-7 The Glass Castle (PG-13): Friday-Sunday: 1:15, 3:50, 6:35, 9:10; Monday-Thursday: 1:15, 3:50, 6:35 Wind River (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:25, 3:55, 6:45, 9:15; Monday-Thursday: 1:25, 3:55, 6:45 Dunkirk (PG-13): Friday-Sunday: 1:20, 4:05, 6:40, 9:20; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 4:05, 6:40 The Big Sick (R): Friday-Sunday: 4:00, 9:05; Monday-Thursday: 4:00 The Hero (R): Friday-Sunday: 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:25; Monday-Thursday: 1:30, 4:10, 6:50 Wonder Woman (PG-13): Friday-Wednesday: 1:10, 6:30; Thursday: 1:10 It (R): Thusday: 7:00 360-629-0514

Tribune News Service

BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor Sept. 1-3 Cars 3 (PG), Despicable Me 3 (PG) and SpiderMan Homecoming (PG-13) First show starts at approximately 8:15 p.m.

360-941-0403

orable visuals and poetic dialogue — and scenes of sudden, shocking, brutal violence. Western thriller, R, 111 minutes. HHHH “Whitney: Can I Be Me” — This documentary goes back to Whitney Houston’s childhood in New Jersey, but some of the most compelling scenes include previously unseen footage from her last major tour in 1999. For all the beautiful music she gave us, this is a nearly joyless and melancholy piece of work.

Because we know how it ends. Documentary, not rated, 105 minutes. HHH “Brigsby Bear” — Kyle Mooney from “Saturday Night Live” stars as a man in his 20s devoted to an old Saturday morning children’s show. A little too precious by half at times, “Brigsby” wins the day thanks in large part to the sharp and original screenplay, and the uniformly fine work from an interesting cast including Mark Hamill, Michaela Watkins and Greg Kinnear. Comedy drama, PG-13, 97 minutes. HHH

“Kidnap” — Halle Berry is onscreen almost every second as a mom giving minivan chase to the captors who just snatched her 6-year-old son. It’s decent escapist action, but repeats itself to the point of becoming ridiculous. Action thriller, R, 81 minutes. HH½ “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” — The sequel to 2006’s Oscar-winning “An Inconvenient Truth” follows Al Gore around the globe, as he meets with young (and practically worshipful) recruits to the climate change cause. The final scenes, urging viewers to sign up and get involved, make it seem as if we’ve been watching an infomercial all this time. Documentary, PG, 100 minutes. HHH “Score: A Film Music Documentary” — Through conversations with filmmakers and composers, and of course a liberal dose of clips, director Matt Schrader celebrates the artists who create the musical heartbeat of the movies we love. Documentary, not rated, 93 minutes. HHH

By KATIE WALSH

Director Michael Apted has been making films since 1963: documentaries, TV series, Bond films, thrillers, fantasies.

His skill is chameleon-like; his ease with a variety of genres obvious. We’re in steady, good hands for the juicy terrorism thriller “Unlocked,” starring Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, who has the aura of a very beautiful and lithe battering ram. Her high-cheekboned face is placid, though it’s obvious she can hurt people very badly if given a good enough reason.

In the twisty tale of “Unlocked,” Rapace plays Alice Racine, a former CIA interrogator recruited as a young, rebellious teenager to the organization. She’s hung up her interrogating gloves for the moment, reeling from the trauma of failing to stop a 2012 attack in Paris. But in a crucial moment, she’s called back to duty, to interrogate a young Muslim messenger of a powerful imam in London. Soon the question becomes not what kind of information she can produce from her suspect, but who exactly is asking her to produce this information.

Alice, understandably, has trust issues.

She’s highly vigilant, and unwilling to trust most people — not the twitchy, chain-smoking agent who brought her in to interview the suspect, not the burglar she catches nicking the TV from her safe house (Orlando Bloom), and rarely the

LIONSGATE PREMIERE

Michael Douglas and Noomi Rapace star in “Unlocked.”

MI-6 agent she collaborates with (Toni Collette).

As we come to find out, trust is a rare commodity and Alice is right to dole it out carefully.

The cast of “Unlocked” is stacked with all-star players — John Malkovich tears up the scenery in his role as a top agent at Langley. He shares a memorable video chat with a platinum pixie-shorn Collette, who has lately been embracing the charms of genre films, and they’re all the better for her talents.

Michael Douglas also appears as one of Alice’s longtime confidants.

Everyone around Rapace is colorful and over the top, which allows her to give the spare, neat performance at which she excels, which fits the character of this kind.

It’s the kind of efficient and physically powerful performance that harkens back to Matt Damon in the “Bourne” franchise. In fact, it would be a welcome treat to watch the Alice Racine chronicles, as she travels around Europe taking out terrorist cells

with her combination of interrogation and combat skills.

What’s also refreshing about “Unlocked” is its willingness to not stereotype or condemn immigrants or people of color as terrorists. Alice works to understand the imam and his messengers, and brings a young Egyptian cab driver under her wing to help with this mission.

The true terrorists, she finds, are much larger and more influential than just these small religious cells — these are killers who sacrifice innocent lives for political gain, not to prove a religious point.

With its unexpected story and businesslike filmmaking, “Unlocked” proves to be a satisfying action thriller starring one of the most exciting current female action stars, who toils and shines in these workmanlike roles. We’d be more than happy to see more of Alice Racine, and always Noomi Rapace, for that matter.

— 1:38 minutes. Rated R for violence and language.

HHH (out of four stars)

E16 - Thursday, August 31, 2017

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