360 December 25, 2014 by Skagit Publishing

STILL PLENTY OF WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN THE AREA Page 3 Skagit Valley Herald Thursday December 25, 2014

ON STAGE

TUNING UP Mark DuFresne Blues Band part of the New Year Gala lineup at Conway Muse PAGE 9

The Swingnuts play in Anacortes on Dec. 31 PAGE 8

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS Here’s where to ring in the New Year locally PAGE 11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, December 25, 2014

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK Other Really Big Companies that release DVDs must Problems”: Peg and Upcoming be anticipating little Cat help pirates fairly movie releases money left after all share tropical fruit. Following is a partial the holiday shopping “The Trip to Italy”: schedule of coming movies because there’s an Followup to the 2010 on DVD. Release dates are abbreviated list of release, “The Trip.” subject to change: new DVDs hitting “1,000 Times stores next week. Good Night”: HusDEC. 30 The Equalizer Here are some lastband and wife clash Tusk minute shopping ideas over her dangerous Last Weekend from the small group job. Juliette Binoche Kelly & Cal of new releases: stars. App “The Intruders”: “Pride”: A LonThe eight-part susdon-based group of JAN. 6 pense series comes No Good Deed gay and lesbian activGet on Up from writer and ists come together to Boyhood executive producer help families affected Left Behind Glen Morgan, one by the UK miners’ Atlas Shrugged, Part 3: of the major forces strike in 1984. Who Is John Galt? behind “The X-Files.” The Guest “Traffickers”: That background Smuggler goes on JAN. 13 is obvious in this a search for his old A Walk Among creepy BBC America partners to do one the Tombstones TV series based on last job. The Identical Michael Marshall “Dominion: Season Men, Women & Children Smith’s novel of the The Two Faces of January 1”: Series that looks same name. Middle of Nowhere at the world following Wetlands Set against the dark the war between an Honeymoon and dreary backdrop army of lower angels of the Pacific Northand mankind. JAN. 20 west, the series looks “Wings: Sky Force Lucy at a secret society Annabelle Heroes”: Hilary Duff with one ambition The Boxtrolls and Rob Schneider The Drop — immortality. They provide voices in this The Green Prince accomplish this by animated tale of highThe Zero Theorem taking over the bodies flying firefighters. White Bird in a Blizzard of the living. “WWE: SurviBy the Gun The series features Rudderless vor Series 2014”: several plot lines, The Internet’s Own Boy Includes some of the Wolves including a child on top body-slamming the run and a missing moments of the past n Tribune News Service wife. The vanished year. spouse story draws “Mazinger Z TV in a former LAPD Series: Part 2”: Team police officer whose life is sent into sets out to Japan in this animated chaos when his wife disappears. series. The blend of murder mystery with “Frontline: The Rise of the Isis”: the supernatural makes this a weird Martin Smith looks at how the Islamic and wild tale. State of Iraq and Syria grew in power The Blu-ray and DVD versions so fast. include a behind-the-scenes look at “7 Assassins”: Group of elite the series and features interviews with guards must recover the kingdom’s series stars John Simm and Mira Sormissing gold. vino, plus Morgan. “Sanatorium”: Ghost hunters visit “The Good Lie”: Reese Witherthe location of a killing rampage. Kate spoon stars in this story of three “Lost Wood Riley stars. Boys” who move to America. “Continuum: Season 3”: Cable “Enter the Dragon: Special Ediseries about a time traveling cop living tion”: A two-DVD set featuring the in the complicated world that’s not her martial arts film starring the legend, own. Bruce Lee. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee “Peg + Cat: Pirates Ahoy! And

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

Tuning Up Page 8

Ben and Mia Starner play the Rockfish Grill in Anacortes on Friday night

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com, vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) 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

Christmas Events................................ 3 Out & About.....................................5-6 On Stage, Tuning Up........................8-9 Get Involved...................................... 10 At the Lincoln, New Year’s Events.... 11 Hot Tickets........................................ 12 Movies............................................... 14 Travel................................................. 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? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 25, 2014 - E3

COMMUNITY THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS: More than a million Christmas lights will be displayed at the annual Lights of Christmas, from 5 to 10 p.m. daily, Dec. 26-30, at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood. The largest holiday light display in the Northwest covers 15 acres and features family-oriented entertainment, live music, theater, crafts, food, pony rides, a petting farm, Polar Express Train rides and overnight getaway options. Meet Santa Claus or talk with “Bruce the Spruce” Christmas tree. General admission: $10-$15. Pay-what-you-can nights: Dec. 29 and 30. Theater events are extra. 800-228-6724 or warmbeachlights. com.

Christmas dinners n The annual Community Christmas Dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Anacortes Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 2100 O Ave., Anacortes. Free. n Friendship House Café, 108 Snoqualmie St., Mount Vernon, will host brunch, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and dinner, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., today. All welcome. Donations appreciated. 360-336-2135. n The Mount Vernon Moose Lodge will host the 41st annual Vic Cain/Donna Moore Memorial Christmas Dinner from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Vasa Lodge, 1805 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. Free (donations welcome). 360-336-3662 or lodge1640@ mooseunits.org.

YULETIDE CONCERT: “Jazzin’ with the Classics for Christmas”: with Linda Tsatsanis, soprano; Jeffrey Cohan, flute; Nate Omdal, bass; and Martin Lund, piano, clarinet and flute: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $15 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-629-6110 or candlelightseattle. org.

Christmas tree pick-up service

“A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL”: Through Dec. 31, 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Based on the major motion picture, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” follows a bespectacled boy named Ralphie and his one wish for Christmas – a Red Ryder BB Gun. Tickets, information: 206-625-1900 or 5thave nue.org. “SKAGIT CHRISTMAS: Over The River … to Grandmother’s House!”: Check out special exhibits showing how early Skagitonians celebrated the Yuletide season through Dec. 31 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $5, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/ museum. “AN IMPROVISED CHRISTMAS CAROL”: 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 26-27, Unexpected

Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle. “An Improvised Christmas Carol” brings Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic to the stage with a twist. The audience gives suggestions up front, and Unexpected Productions’ improvisers use the suggestions to tell a new tale of how Christmas can (or can’t) change Ebenezer Scrooge’s life. $15 (student/senior/military discount available). 206-587-2414 or unexpectedproductions.org. “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: Seattle’s ACT Theatre presents Dickens’ classic holiday tale through Dec. 28 at The Allen Theatre, 700

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS: Union St., Seattle. Showtimes vary. Check out the historic 1891 Tickets start at $27 children, $32 adults. 206-292-7676 or acttheatre. Gaches Mansion decorated for the holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 org. p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26-28, at the La Conner Quilt & WINTERFEST: Enjoy free and affordable activities and entertain- Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. The main rooms ment through Dec. 31 at Seattle on the first floor highlight difCenter, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Visit Center House for free perfor- ferent decades during the reign mances of music and comedy, jazz of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), with a tree for each decade along and dance, cultural celebrations, with quilts and textiles popular ice sculpting, student showcases at the time. $7 admission, $5 stuand more. The Winterfest Ice dents and military with ID, free Rink will be open through Jan. 4. Admission/skate rental fee applies. for members and children ages 206-684-7200 or seattlecenter.com/ 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.com. winterfest.

n Anacortes High School Key Club, in cooperation with the City Parks Department, Kiwanis Sunrisers and Kiwanis Noon Club, will pick up and recycle Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 10, for a suggested cash and food donation placed with the tree. n Troop 4100 members, Boy Scouts of America, will offer Christmas tree pick up and disposal services to Mount Vernon residents on Sunday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 3. Specific information will delivered to homes on their route. Donations are appreciated and may be placed with the tree or mailed to BSA Troop 4100, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. To inquire, call 206-743-6014 after Christmas. n The city of Sedro-Woolley will offer seasonal disposal of natural trees and wreaths for the first three weeks of January from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays at 315 Sterling St., Sedro-Woolley. Decorations must be removed.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, December 25, 2014

MOVIES

2014’s finest films wield unique power broke from the Marvel Universe template to become one of the biggest, and The two most daring and funnest, moneymakers of innovative films of 2014 2014. Similarly, the inter— “Birdman” and “Boylocking inventiveness of hood” — couldn’t be more “The LEGO Movie” caught different. Alejandro G. Inar- audiences, and the industry, ritu’s wild, woolly backstage by happy surprise. (Yes, a drama, with Michael Keaton sequel is in the works.) in his tighty-whities worryBiography and history ing about his career and his were big this year. Four of soul, is a nonstop whirl of the five Golden Globes crackling dialogue, crackbest-actor (in a drama) erjack performances and nominees brought real-life careening camerawork. This figures to the screen: Steve story of an actor trying to Carell’s John du Pont in shake off his winged super- “Foxcatcher”; Benedict hero persona from decades Cumberbatch’s Alan Turpast literally flies. ing, the World War II EngRichard Linklater’s “Boy- lish codebreaker, for “The hood,” on the other hand, is Imitation Game”; David a movie about steady pasOyelowo as Martin Luther sage, the incremental steps King in “Selma”; and Eddie in a journey from grade Redmayne as Stephen school to college dorm. Hawking in “The Theory of Over the course of a dozen Everything.” Golden Globes years (“12 Years a Naif?”), actress nominees Amy the director reassembled Adams, Felicity Jones and his group annually — the Reese Witherspoon likewise boy-turning-teen Ellar Col- portrayed flesh-and-blood trane, Patricia Arquette (as characters in “Big Eyes,” his mother), Ethan Hawke “The Theory of Everything,” (as Dad), and a clutch of and “Wild,” respectively. other actors — for a couple While the longtime comof weeks of new shoots. panions played by Alfred The results, low-key, lopMolina and John Lithgow ing, verite, have cumulative in “Love Is Strange” were power. Nothing flashy about fictional, this very New York “Boyhood,” even as time story about family, friends, flashes by. and a relationship put to the Theater owners worry test felt utterly real. that their business is going Scarlett Johansson played elsewhere (domestic box the opposite of real — a office numbers are down spooky alien seductress in over last year) as studios human form in the strange keep cranking out focusand disturbing “Under the grouped formula fare with Skin” — and then a chemiinterchangeable scenarios cally enhanced superwarrior and visual effects. in Luc Besson’s “Lucy,” one Yet adventurous, ambiof the summer’s biggest tious, surprising films hits. New York indie auteur are still out there to see. Jim Jarmusch dipped into “Guardians of the Galaxy” genre fare — vampires — to By STEVEN REA The Philadelphia Inquirer

emerge with the sanguine, sublime “Only Lovers Left Alive.” Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston played a couple for the ages, in a film as much about the sustaining power of music as it was about blood. The psychic shocks of combat reverberated in two strong films about balancing work and family, war and peace (and the quest for personal peace). In the criminally under-screened “Fort” Bliss, Michelle Monaghan is an Army medic in Afghanistan, with a young son back in Texas. In “American Sniper,” Bradley Cooper is a Navy SEAL marksman, a veteran of repeat tours in Iraq, with a wife and child back home (also Texas). Their struggles are palpable, profound. Another big trend this year was the postapocalyptic dystopian YA fantasy: Shailene Woodley in “Divergent,” Brenton Thwaites and Odeya Rush in “The Giver,” those trapped kids in “The Maze Runner,” Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Game: Mockingjay — Part 1,” Woody Allen in “Magic in the Moonlight.” No, strike that last one — as best I can recall, it had something to do with debunking Emma Stone in Roaring Twenties France. Not one of the Woodman’s best. Speaking of best, in addition to “Birdman” and “Boyhood,” my list of the 10 top films of 2014 goes like this: “Calvary”: Brendan Gleeson is heartbreaking as an Irish priest told that he has a week to live — by a murderous anonymous parishioner. A West Country western,

Paramount Pictures via AP

David Oyelowo (center) plays Martin Luther King, Jr. and Carmen Ejogo plays Coretta Scott King in the “Selma.” gorgeous, funny, and inspiring, with a killer script and direction from John Michael McDonagh. “Foxcatcher”: Carell, certain to be on the Oscar shortlist for his eerie portrayal of the tragic Newtown Square multimillionaire du Pont, likens director Bennett Miller’s approach to that of someone speaking in a low whisper. You have to lean in to hear — and see — what is being said, and the results jolt you all the harder for their quietude. “The Grand Budapest Hotel”: Wes Anderson’s biggest picture to date, set in a richly imagined betweenthe-wars hostelry tucked in the European Alps, boasts an all-star cast (who knew Ralph Fiennes could do comedy?!) and an underlying melancholy that belies the movie’s screwball charm. “Ida”: London-based Pawel Pawlikowski returns to his homeland for this breathtaking 1960s-set portrait of a Polish novice nun (Agata Trzebuchowska) who, before she takes her vows, goes to meet an aunt she never knew. The woman, a judge who worked in the old Stalinist regime, is a hard-bitten stranger. The women’s journey is one of

haunting revelation. “Locke”: A tour de force performance from Tom Hardy as a construction engineer whose whole life crumbles around him as he drives the British motorways, fielding phone calls (hands-free) in his car. Writer/director Steven Knight brings together the intimacy of theater and the energy of cinema, brilliantly. “The Lunchbox”: The year’s best rom-com comes from India, by way of the dabbawalas who deliver thousands of homecooked lunches to office workers in Mumbai. One of those lunches goes astray, and the lonely widower accountant (Irrfan Khan) who gets it by mistake begins a relationship — by handwritten notes — with the housewife who prepared the meal. More food, and missives, ensue. “Mr. Turner”: The sunset years of British painter J.M.W. Turner, and the sunsets and seascapes he painted, are brought to light by director Mike Leigh. Leigh’s stock player, Timothy Spall, gets the role of his career as this mumbling, prolific, complex man. And if you love Turner’s work, you’ll love the way Leigh and cinematographer Dick Pope have

brought his artistic vision to the screen. “Nightcrawler”: Jake Gyllenhaal lost poundage and gained acting cred in Dan Gilroy’s super-dark, witty commentary on chasing the American Dream — and chasing ambulances and cops around L.A., capturing the carnage on a videocam. In the documentary field, Laura Poitras’ inside view of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, “Citizenfour,” has its contextual and narrative flaws, but it is of such historical significance that it would be hard, and foolish, to ignore. “Code Black” takes you inside a giant, gigantically underfunded big-city hospital emergency room. “Finding Vivian Maier,” about the posthumously discovered photographer, is indeed like finding a gem. “Life Itself,” about film critic Roger Ebert and his struggles with cancer, is inspirational in so many ways. And “Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon,” made by Mike Myers, pays homage to, well, a supermensch — a champion of musicians, movie stars, and celebrity chefs whose path has crossed, and crisscrossed, those of luminaries from every quarter.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 25, 2014 - E5

OUT & ABOUT ART

Painted in an impressionistic style using oils and oil “A FESTIVE COLLECbars, Demetre’s paintings TION”: A collection of new often feature women in paintings by Anne Martin solitary situations, Edward McCool, McCool Gallery Hopper style, or couples artists and guests continues interacting. 360-336-8955 or through December at 711 lincolntheatre.org. Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Participating artists JENNIFER BOWMAN: include Peter Belknap ACRYLICS: The show and Cathy Schoenberg, continues through Jan. 27 paintings; Tracy Powell, at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 sculptures; Stephen Roxborough and Bryce Mann, Commercial Ave., Anaphotography; Patsy Cham- cortes. The exhibition feaberlain, Cathy Schoenberg, tures Bowman’s brilliantly colored floral, landscape Marguerite Goff and Barbara Hathaway, ceram- and nautical paintings. Also showing are acrylics by ics; George Way and Art Cynthia Richardson, oils Learmonth, wood; Carole and pastels by Amanda Cunningham and Debbie Houston, photo encaustics Aldrich, jewelry; Martha by Kathy Hastings, and Tottenham, hand-woven scarves; Jane Hyde, baskets; photography by Lewis Jones, Dick Garvey and Vicki Hampel, gourd art; Randy Dana. The gallery and other artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Monday through SaturSaturday or by appointday and noon to 4 p.m. ment. 360-293-6938 or Sunday. 360-293-3577 or scottmilo.com. annemartinmccool.com. ART EXHIBITION: “Kinda Vital/Slightly Precise” continues through Dec. 28 at Anchor Art Space, 216 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Working across processes, Jean Behnke brings together materials and objects to form a work with methods of drawing, assemblage and installation. Also on display is a selection of new work by Russell Prather, Margaret Davidson and Sandra Westford, as well as Julia Oldham’s recent video work “Star Noise” and two earlier works. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. 360-7553140 or anchorartspace.org.

NEW PAINTINGS: New works by local artist Sharon Eckhardt are on display through December at the Rexville Grocery, 19271 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Included are original Christmas-themed paintings, landscapes and still-lifes, as well as Christmas cards. 360-466-5522 or rexvillegrocery.com.

7” continues through Dec. 28 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Featuring more than 20 local and regional artists, the annual show focuses on functional and three-dimensional artwork — ceramics, textiles, haberdashery, housewares UPSTAIRS ART: Check and furniture, as well as art out a selection of artwork objects and sculptures. Purfrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. week- chased items can be taken days, through Dec. 31, at the home immediately. Regular Upstairs Art Studios and gallery hours are 11 a.m. to Gallery, 1010 Fifth St., Ana- 5 p.m. Wednesday through cortes. Artists include Paula Sunday. The gallery is Anderson, Jo Anderson, closed today and open Cathy Schoenberg, John from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, DeLourme, Sylvia Griffen, Dec. 26. 360-766-6230 or Thaddeus Hink, Elizabeth smithandvallee.com. Ockwell and guest artFIGURATIVE PAINTINGS: Original artwork by ists Caroline Garland and BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS: Camano Island artist Linda Lance Ekhart. paulaander- “The Treasures of Winter” sonart@gmail.com. Demetre is on display continues through Dec. 31 through Dec. 31 in the Linat Raven Rocks Gallery, INVITATIONAL ART coln Theatre Art Bar, 712 765 Wonn Road, Langley. S. First St., Mount Vernon. SHOW: “Objectification: Check out a wide range of

EAGLE WATCHING

The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center hosts guided walks at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. The center will feature speakers at 1 p.m. Saturdays. During January, the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 360-853-7626 or skagiteagle.org.

handmade creations including Bob Higbee’s handturned wooden vases, Roger White’s driftwood feathers, Lynne Adam’s kicky jewelry, Mary Jo’s treasure bowls and hand knit hats, Windwalker’s “Ravens in Love” prints and cards, stained glass mosaics by Sandy and Carl Bryant, Tim Potter’s “Escher-esque” pen and ink creations, couture clothing by Teri Jo Summer, Rich Alexander’s hand-thrown pottery, and kiln formed glass bowls, platters and more by Dale Reiger. For information, including gallery hours and directions: 360-222-0102 or ravenrocks gallery.com. STANWOOD POTTERY SHOW: The 14th annual Mark Eikeland Pottery Show is open by appointment through December,

across from 10024 270th St. NW, Stanwood. Choose from a wide range of functional and decorative handcrafted ceramics. 360708-3209. NEW PAINTINGS: Paintings by Bellingham artist Kathryn Hackney are on display at The Shop, 18623 Main St., Conway. Also on display are a variety of works by other gallery artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 360-3912691 or theshopconway. com.

objects and then connects the viewer to both. Panzieri is a Los Angeles-based photographer with 50 years’ experience in freelance, fashion, street, news and police photography. Free admission. 360-3363882 or ululate.org. SMALL ARTWORKS: The 24th annual “Honey, I Shrunk The Art” small works show continues through Jan. 18 at Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island. The show features creations by some 40 artists working in glass, ceramics, sculptures and paintings. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays by appointment. 360-387-2759 or matzke fineart.com. ISLAND ART SHOW: “Fine Art in the Season of Light” continues through Jan. 1 at Rob Schouten Gallery, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank. Choose from a wide range of artworks by Whidbey Island and Northwest artists, including glass, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, encaustics, ceramics, ﬁber arts, woodwork, handmade prints and books, cards and more. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. 360-222-3070 or robschoutengallery.com.

OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT: The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is on display through March 1 at public locations around La Conner. The annual juried exhibition features work by some PHOTO EXHIBIT: “SKY,” of the Northwest’s most accomplished artists. For featuring 18 color photoinformation, including a graphs by Aldo Panzieri, map of the sculptures and continues through April works available for sale: 25 at Ululate Gallery, 924 South 11th St., Mount Ver- 360-466-3125 or townof non. Each image on display laconner.org. Continued on Page 6 connects the sky to earth

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, December 25, 2014

OUT & ABOUT ANACORTES IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION: “All in the Same Boat: Anacortes in the Great Depression” is on display in the Anacortes Museum’s Carnegie Gallery, 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes. The exhibit depicts life in Anacortes after the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression, which dragged on for 12 years. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 360-293-1915 or museum.cityofanacortes.org. AT MoNA: Two exhibits continue through Jan. 4 at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner: “Accreted Terrane”: Featuring work by 42 artists with ties to the Northwest, the exhibit explores processes of accumulation and erosion, dispersal and gath-

The McIntyre Hall Box Office will be closed December 25 through January 1. Tickets are available online 24/7 Enjoy the Holiday Season! 360.416.7727 mcintyrehall.org

ering. The passage of time is marked in a variety of ways, from layer upon layer of paint, to the archaeological exposure of 20th century artifacts, to the capture of hot-sculpted glass in the moment, to the interplay of light and shadow unfolding in a video loop. Guest curator David Francis suggests that the cumulative effect “evokes a world from which human beings are notably absent or indirectly present, perhaps even estranged.” “To Be Alone Together”: The exhibition pairs 11 contemporary Northwest artists with 11 works chosen from MoNA’s permanent collection on the basis of three ideas: light, solitude and community, which the curators find to be prevailing themes in the philosophy and process of Northwest artists. The contemporary artists were asked to respond to a piece in the collection and to create new work based on that response. The exhibition looks closely at the ways in which both the ephemeral and the tangible experiences of living in a particular place influence communities of artists. “To Be Alone Together” is co-curated by artist Emma Jane Levitt and curator Shelly Leavens, through the Dana and Toni Ann Rust Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Northwest Art. Three new exhibits will open Saturday, Jan. 10, and continue through March 11. An opening reception will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10: “Still Life from the Permanent Collection”: Exhibitions Director Lisa Young examines interiors through the historically rich tradition of the still life. Recent acquisitions are featured, along with works by Mark Tobey, Walter Isaacs, Maxine Martell, Spencer Moseley and contemporary artists

drawn from the museum’s permanent collection. “A Tree is a Kind of Big Flower: Flora C. Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick”: Mace and Kirkpatrick present botanical sculptures and sensitive casein paintings that pay homage to their deep reverence for the outside world. By capturing the essence of a flower or a tree stump, the artists invite the viewer to witness the elegance of a tiger lily or the husky texture of mosscovered bark. “Adrianne Smits: Immersion Redux: Buiten (Outside)”: Smits’ painting style invokes similarities to artists of the “Mystic painters” movement in the Northwest, such as Mark Tobey, Morris Graves and Guy Anderson. Smits says, “In larger compositions I interpret and emphasize visual details from my encounters with nature in order to communicate the complexity of natural systems beyond their cursory picturesque value.” Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Free admission. 360-4664446 or monamuseum.org. AT THE QUILT MUSEUM: Two special exhibits are on display through Dec. 28 at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner: “Vox Stellarum”: Textile artist Elin Noble has transformed the third-floor galleries into an installation using itajime-dyed silk organza. Her black and white silk panels, featuring irregular horizontal and vertical geometrical shapes, are hung in sets, allowing a play of overlapping shapes and moiré patterns. Also on view are pod-like threedimensional poetic forms. “Hawaiian Quilting: Traditions Continue”: Grace Hawley first took up

Hawaiian quilting in 1985, while living in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. Hawaiian quilts traditionally feature hand applique work with designs from nature, and the quilting lines often echo the applique design, both on and outside of the applique work. Two new shows will open with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, and continue through March 29: “Night Thoughts with Larkin Van Horn”: A couple years ago, Van Horn started keeping a notebook near her bed to jot down stray ideas in the night. Sometimes she’d wake up to find unintelligible scribblings that made no sense, and some ideas were just plain weird. But what did emerge were some recurring themes that turned into the short series presented in this exhibit: Shattered Circles, Labyrinths and Celtic Spirals, Gaia/Goddess Figures and Trees, as well as a collection of nonseries works on a variety of themes. Van Horn sometimes dyes or paints her own fabrics, but also uses commercial batiks. Placing design elements on top of the backgrounds — whole cloth or fused collage — she adds stitching and embellishments, often incorporating fibers or beadwork in the finished piece. “Freddy Moran’s Collage”: Artist and author Frederica (“Freddy”) Duffy Moran is known for her unbridled use of bold color and original designs. She considers red to be a neutral. Moran’s love for quiltmaking began later in life, at age 60, after she had excelled at other art forms. Her quilts have appeared in national and international publications, including magazines, art books, calendars, textbooks and quilt books. She is the author of “Freddy’s House: Brilliant Color in Quilts” and co-author of

“Collaborative Quilting” with Gwen Marston. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. $7, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-4664288 or laconnerquilts.org.

ecosystem be restored? Could it help us fight climate change? Bunn has spent more than a decade researching the rapid changes in the Arctic and the complex relationship between climate and vegetation. Free. skagitbeaches.org.

TEMPORARY MUSEUM CLOSURE: The Skagit County Historical Museum will be closed Jan. 1-16 for facility maintenance. The museum, located at 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner, will reopen for the 16th annual “Gathering of Native Artists” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, followed at 5:30 p.m. by a celebration of the reprinting of the museum’s publication “Indians of Skagit County.” “Gathering” admission: $5, $4 seniors and children ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. Admission to the publication celebration is free. 360-466-3365 or skagit county.net/museum.

ARTIST TALK: A Conversation with Adrianne Smits and Bryan Ohno: 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Painter/ biologist Adrianne Smits is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington. Discover how Smits balances her studies in the field, and learn about her process for recapturing memory with neighbor and gallery representative Bryan Ohno of Bryan Ohno Gallery in Seattle. Free. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

ANACORTES HOUSE HISTORY: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, Anacortes Museum, 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes. Learn about the Anacortes House History and Plaque ProLECTURES gram and how to research the history of your home AND TALKS in a presentation by the NATURE PHOTOGRAAnacortes Historic PresPHER: The Skagit River ervation Board. Find out if Bald Eagle Interpretive your home is eligible for the Center will host nature phoAnacortes Historic Register, tographer and author Kevin and how you might qualify Ebi at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. for tax breaks for your 27, at the Howard Miller renovation project. Free. Steelhead Park clubhouse, 360-293-1915 or museum. 52809 Rockport Park Road, cityofanacortes.org. Rockport. Donations appreciated. 360-853-7626 or MORE FUN skagiteagle.org. SKAGIT EAGLE FESTI“REWILDING THE ARCVAL: The event will take TIC”: with Dr. Andy Bunn, place every full weekend Ph.D, Dept. of Environduring January, in and mental Sciences, Western around Concrete, RockWashington University: 7 port and Marblemount. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, Enjoy indoor and outdoor Northwest Educational Ser- activities including eagle vice District Building, 1601 watching, free tours, walks R Ave., Anacortes. Twenty and educational programs, thousand years ago mamarts and crafts, wine tasting, moths roamed a tundra eco- river rafting, music, dance system that stretched from and more. 360-853-8784 or France to China. Could that skagiteaglefestival.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 25, 2014 - E7

E8 Thursday, December 25, 2014

Thursday, December 25, 2014 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area December 28-January 11

TUNING UP Playing at area venues December 26-31 FRIDAY.26

WEDNESDAY.31

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

NEW YEAR GALA Mark DuFresne Blues Band (pictured), Prozac Mountain Boys: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $25.

Chris Stewart: 7 to 9 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360399-1805. Ben and Mia Starner: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720. Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (classic country dance): 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley American Legion Hall, 701 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley. 360855-5111.

BEN AND MIA STARNER

FRIDAY.26

SUNDAY.28

8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7.

SATURDAY.27

WEDNESDAY.31 SWINGNUTS JAZZ 7 to 9:30 p.m., Chandler’s Square, 3000 O Ave., Anacortes. Free. RSVP: Leah Yanega, 360-293-1300, ext. 107.

Holiday Jam: Wayne Hayton, 6:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Bard Room, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $5 and suggested food donation to benefit Neighbors in Need Food Bank. 360-445-3000.

David Guilbault (Americana): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

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

Mike Monticello: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

Polly O’Keary: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Sly Mr. Y (classic rock): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (classic country dance): 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley American Legion Hall, 701 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-5111.

Wild Rabbit: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6330.

Daddy Treetop & The Howlin’ Tomcats: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

The Trees (Rush tribute): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

SUNDAY.28

Sunday.28

Saturday.3

Saturday.10

MUSIC

DANCE

“Jazzin’ with the Classics for Christmas”: soprano Linda Tsatsanis, jazz flutist, pianist and clarinetist Martin Lund, classical flutist Jeffrey Cohan and jazz bassist Nate Omdal; 2 p.m., Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $15 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-629-6110 or candlelightseattle.org.

Wednesday.31 MUSIC

“Winter Wonderland Gala”: Swingnuts Jazz, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Chandler’s Square, 3000 O Ave., Anacortes. Free. RSVP: Leah Yanega, 360-293-1300, ext. 107.

“Great Salish Sea Concert”: Dana Lyons, 7 p.m., San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard St., Friday Harbor. Free. 360-378-2798 or sjlib.org.

Wednesday.7 MUSIC

“Guitar Masters”: Steve Davison, Peter Janson and Larry Pattis (Celtic, blues, Americana, roots); 6:30 p.m., Guemes Island Community Center, Guemes Island. $15. stevedavison.com.

“Winter Celebration: A Contemporary Dance Concert”: Fidalgo Danceworks, 3 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. $10. 360-299-8447 or fidalgodanceworks.org.

Sunday.11 MUSIC/DANCE

Tangoheart (Argentinian tango): 7 p.m., Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $20, includes complimentary chocolate buffet. Free for students with ID. 360-387-0222.

John Meier: Noon to 2 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

“Crazy Like a Fox”: Ben and Mia Starner, 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

MONDAY.29 Victims of Kool: 8:30 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-8552263.

Sly Mr. Y (classic rock): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

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

Sunday Brunch Jazz: John Savage and Duane Melcher (’40s & ’50s American jazz): 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. 360-707-2683.

Desperate Measures (classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., SedroWoolley. No cover. 360-855-2263.

Bow Diddlers: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

WEDNESDAY.31 New Year Gala: Mark Hamilton Cox: 6 p.m., DuFresne Blues Band, Rockfish Grill, 320 Prozac Mountain Boys; Commercial Ave., 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Anacortes. 360-588-1720. 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $25. 360-445-3000.

4More: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (classic country dance): 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley American Legion Hall, 701 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-5111.

New Year’s Eve Party: Flannel (90s tribute): 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10$12. 360-778-1067.