360 February 13, 2014 full by Skagit Publishing

VALENTINE’S DAY Local events, date night ... and ‘The Big Lebowski’ PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday February 13, 2014

Reviews

Movies

Music: Eric Church, Neil Finn Video Games: ‘KillZone: Shadow Fall’

‘RoboCop’ reboot: Same blueprint, modified and updated for sleeker design, but not as intellectually cutting edge

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, February 13, 2014

YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION GUIDE TO WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOING ON IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

This Weekend / Page 5 Enjoy free admission Friday through Monday at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.

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

Music, Video Game Reviews...........6-7 Get Involved........................................ 8 On Stage, Tuning Up....................10-11 Travel............................................12-13 Hot Tickets........................................ 14 At the Lincoln.................................... 15 Movies..........................................16-17 Out & About.................................18-19

Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

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Thursday, February 13, 2014 - E3

VALENTINE’S DAY

It’s a rather dim picture for date night By GLENN WHIPP Los Angeles Times

Dinner and a movie. Yes, I realize it represents a profound failure of imagination, but this was the date I had proposed to my wife for Valentine’s Day this week. But sometimes life’s obligations (not to mention two kids) limit your options for an evening out, so you flail around, punt and resort to an old standby. It still beats takeout and loading the dishwasher, right? Maybe not. A cursory glance at the theater listings reveals a slate of movies not exactly geared toward anyone whose age or IQ exceeds 30. “That Awkward Moment”? The one about the infantile guys chanting “bros before hos”? Didn’t that phrase go out with low-rise jeans? Pass. “The Lego Movie”? I believe that’s currently playing on our living room floor. “Labor Day”? Did you read the reviews? No reason not to skip ahead, enjoy a slice of peach pie and call it a night. And we’ve already seen “About Last Night” and “Endless Love” back when Lionel Richie and John Waite ruled the charts and Rob Lowe looked … well, exactly as he does now. Maybe that Valentine’s dinner should include kale and a brisk power walk back to the car … that we parked five miles away. My point is: Somewhere, somebody is at this very moment asking: Where have you gone, Garry Marshall? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you, woo, woo, woo. (Or, eew, eew, eew, depending on how you feel about “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve.”) Just when did “date night movie” lose its place on studios’ release schedules? Typically this time of year, there’s still some awards-season leftovers hanging around in theaters, movies aimed at grown-ups and among the biopics and historical epics and serious-minded whatnot, you might occasionally get a whiff of love in the air.

Valentine’s events in the area

VALENTINE’S DAY LUNCHEON: Noon Friday, Feb. VALENTINE’S HEART AND ART DAY CAMP: 14, Mount Vernon 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Burlington Senior Center, Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Ages 7 to 12. Make Valentine’s 1401 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. decorations, visit CreativiTEA Pottery Painting Just in Time Jazz Studio in Bellingham and enjoy cocoa and a Duo will perform. treat. $40. 360-755-9649. $3.50 to $5.50 suggested dona SINGING VALENTINE: Have the An-O-Chords John Pendleton photo John Pendleton photo tion for ages 60 men’s barbershop chorus deliver a singing and older. ReserValentine to your favorite person at his or her home, job, restaurant or other location on Friday, vations: 360-336-5757. Feb. 14. The quartet will deliver two love songs, a long-stemmed rose and mail your Valentine a VALENTINE’S SALSA DANCE: Rumba Northphoto of the fun-filled moment. $35. Mount Ver- west will host a Valentine’s Day Salsa Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Feb. 14, at BAAY, non/Burlington/Sedro-Woolley, 360-757-1946; La Conner/Anacortes, 360-293-3483; Oak Har- 1059 N. State St., Bellingham. Dance instructors Antonio Diaz and Heather Haugland will bor/Coupeville, 360-672-4620. lead lessons in salsa, bachata and merengue at VALENTINE’S DANCE, CONCERT: Dance to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., with open dancing before music of Ruvara Marimba Ensemble from 7 to 9 and between. Advance tickets: $10 at Café Rumba, 1140 State St., Bellingham; $12 at the p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the Phillip Tarro Theatre door. All ages welcome. Beer and wine available on the Skagit Valley College campus, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Free admission and for ages 21 and older. Details: 360-595-7369 or rumbanorthwest@gmail.com. refreshments. Information: jmandg@msn.com.

The author’s big plans for Valentine’s Day include watching “The Big Lebowski” with his Special Lady Friend. Last year we watched those two kooky head cases in David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” fuss, feud and dance and give each other renewed purpose in life to the strains of Stevie Wonder and the White Stripes. It had us at “Hey!” This year there’s another movie from Russell, “American Hustle,” but the emotional connection between its con artist lovers, played by Christian Bale and Amy Adams, feels like it’s hidden

somewhere beneath the elaborate comb-over that Bale’s character sports. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of sex in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” even some between a husband and wife, but not much in the way of romance unless you broaden the definition to include a candlelit dominatrix. Among the other best picture nominees, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney never have the chance to pair off in “Grav-

VALENTINE’S CONCERT: Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Lincoln Theatre, Rob Prout photo 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $18-$25. Purchase an add-on package with champagne/sparkling cider, two truffles and a chance to win a gift box of chocolates for $5 in advance, $8 at the door. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. VALENTINE’S DANCE: Dance to the big band sounds of Camano Junction from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $12, $10 members. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

ity,” while, thankfully, nothing of that sort ever happens between 79-year-old Judi Dench and Steve Coogan during their trip to our nation’s capital in “Philomena.” Bruce Dern and June Squibb give us a glimpse of long-standing love in “Nebraska.” It’s not always pretty, but it also proves considerably more affecting than you’d expect from the way the movie begins. Like Tom Hanks’ Capt. Phillips, you might even think that, in his younger days, Dern’s character might write a goodbye note to his wife in the event he was captured by Somali pirates. Then there’s “Her,” the Spike Jonze romance about Theodore (the great Joaquin Phoenix), a lovelorn man with a “tiny little hole” in his heart falling for his computer’s sexy, sentient operating system and as a result, finding himself re-engaged with his life and other flesh-and-blood people. “You always wanted a wife without the challenge of dealing with anything real,” Theodore’s bruised ex tells him. But she’s speaking out of spite. After their breakup, Theodore had isolated

himself and retreated into technology. It was the mechanized world that allowed him to feel again and shed his solitude. Jonze was jokingly asked at the Toronto Film Festival whether “Her” was his way of getting rid of all the real women in the world and replacing them. “The movie, to me, is about our desire to connect or the need to connect,” Jonze answered, “and how quickly technology has changed our lives in this newest incarnation — the Internet and digital technology. But I was also always trying to make a relationship movie and a love story and examine relationships.” It’s arguably the most interesting look at love attempted on film in ages. And as such, my wife and I have already watched “Her.” Twice. In the end, we decided we’ll return on Valentine’s night to a movie possessing all the elements of a great romance — friendship, fun, a little sex and Nina Simone singing Duke Ellington. That’s right. I’ll be watching “The Big Lebowski” with my Special Lady Friend. You’re not dealing with morons here.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, February 13, 2014

MOVIES

Oscar-winning writer calls in favors to make ‘Winter’s Tale’ makes your eyes cross.” In “WinOscar-winning screenter’s Tale,” in writer, producer and directurn-of-thetor Akiva Goldsman fell in 20th century love with Mark Helprin’s America, an 1983 novel “Winter’s Tale” immigrant decades ago. And despite baby is set the book’s themes, texture, Goldsman adrift in a density and sheer bulk — model ship it is 740 pages long — he by parents denied entrance could never quite give up to America so that he the idea that it should be a might grow up to have the movie. opportunities denied him. “It’s a fairy tale for “Peter Lake” grows up to grown-ups,” says Goldsbecome a thief, only to fall man, who won an Oscar for Beverly, a spirited but for adapting “A Beautiful sickly, doomed beauty, the Mind,” and counts “The daughter of a newspaper Da Vinci Code,” “Cindereditor. Can he somehow ella Man” and “A Time to save her with his “gift”? Kill” among his screenplay Peter is pursued by a credits. “The most appealgang led by his former ing thing about the book mentor, the murderous is also the most tricky. Pearly. And he is saved, It’s a hybridized genre — time and again, by a magimagical realism. It’s not cal, winged white horse, something Americans have which makes it easier to embraced in books or in accept Peter’s sudden arrivmovies, because it’s neither al 100 years in the future fantasy nor fact — bricks where his fate and his past and mortar reality right actions meet their destiny. alongside high fantasy.” The New York Times Think “Life of Pi” or Book Review was among “Midnight in Paris,” for those publications praisexamples of the rare moving this “large souled” ies in the genre that have book as one of the best been hits. American novels of its “Back when the book era. But that alone wasn’t came out, you’d have enough to keep Goldsman, people who couldn’t toler- one of Hollywood’s most ate the idea of a dramatic, in-demand screenwriters, wrenching scene of death interested. in the same story as a fly“It’s about redefining ing white horse. You either hope and triumph in the think that’s delightful, or it search for meaning after By ROGER MOORE McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Warner Bros. via AP

Colin Farrell and Jessica Brown Findlay star in “Winter’s Tale.” we’ve lost someone,” he says. He took versions of a script to studios six times over the years. “And I was right in the middle of that sixth try when my wife suddenly died.” Rebecca Goldsman had a heart attack in July 2010. She was only 42. Goldsman stayed with his labor-oflove project “as a way of surviving that.” “In a funny way, I made it for people like me, who have gone through that, losing someone who was too young,” Goldsman says. “Finally, everybody becomes like me. We all face the death of loved ones.” Hollywood is full of determined writer-directors pushing scripts they describe as “a labor of love.” Goldsman’s track record meant that he’d be given seriously con-

sideration — with strings attached. “Warner Bros. graciously said ‘Yes.’ We budgeted the movie at $80 (million), and they gave us $40.” ($46 million is the reported budget.) Goldsman could get around that shortfall in ways available to a screenwriter who has an Oscar, a best picture win, a lot of hits under his belt and loyal actor friends he’s made over the course of a 30-year film career. “Akiva calls, of course I’m doing the movie,” says Jennifer Connelly, who won her best supporting actress Oscar for “A Beautiful Mind.” “I’ve been hearing about this project for many years. It’s flattering and I was honored, too, to be asked to be a part of something that’s so close to his heart.”

Basically, Goldsman says, “The movie’s an accumulation of 20 years of Hollywood favors.” Connelly would play Virginia, a modern-day reporter who becomes entangled in Peter Lake’s story. Russell Crowe, her “Beautiful Mind” costar, took the role of the demonic villain Pearly. In tinkering with, streamlining and trying to make the story “more cohesive, with rules to this universe that everyone could understand,” Goldsman created a boss for Pearly — Lucifer himself. To play him? Another favor called in — Will Smith, who starred in films based on Goldsman’s scripts for “I Am Legend” and “I, Robot.” Colin Farrell plays Peter Lake and Jessica Brown Findlay is Beverly. An old hand at convert-

ing popular books into movies, Goldsman took liberties with this “Tale,” and he wishes fans of the book will let him get away with it. “You hope that you’re consolidating those salient elements that are meaningful to the novel, and that other people will agree those are the main points. We all like things for different reasons, so it’s a real game of roulette, in terms of popular acceptance.” His biggest aim — to not compromise in the most important ways, “make a movie for grown-ups,” to not water down the magical realism, the romance or the tragedy of an acclaimed novel just to make an easier sell. “‘Endless Love’ opens opposite us. A friend of mine joked, this is ‘Ended Love.’”

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area Whale Museum free weekend Enjoy free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Monday, Feb. 14-17, at The Whale Museum, 62 First St. N., Friday Harbor. Docents will offer free guided tours at 2 p.m. each day, or pick up a self-guided tour map and explore exhibits on all kinds of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem on your own. 360-378-4710 or whalemuseum.org.

“ONE BILLION RISING” Dance in the street at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at Studio 1010, 1010 Sixth St., Anacortes. Join a billion women (and men) around the world in a show of unity to end violence against women. 360-293-1860 or studio1010.net.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT Enjoy a night out while your kids, ages 3 to 12, play games, make crafts and more from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA, 215 E. Fulton St., Mount Vernon. Children ages 6 to 12 have the opportunity to swim. $20-$30. 360-336-9622 or j.kerkvliet@skagitymca.org.

BENEFIT CONCERT The South End String Band will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $15 suggested donation. Food will be provided, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the cultural Center. 360-629-6110 or southendstringband.com.

MARITIME SPEAKER SERIES Shipwright David Hartford will present “A Commitment to the Preservation of Tall Ships” at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes. org.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, February 13, 2014

REVIEWS: MUSIC Eric Church

Neil Finn

Eric Church is developing two separate and distinct personalities that seem to wrestle each other in a glorious battle royal on his fourth and best album, “The Outsiders.” There’s that guy Chief, with the hat and sunglasses and the love of rock ‘n’ roll, whiskey, stubborn streaks and fistfights. And then there’s the version of Church who wins (or loses) the girl, stirs moments of universal reverie and tickles the funny bone with program director-wooing hits that appeal to country music’s bedrock fan base. Both these guys are at their best on “The Outsiders,” one-upping each other with songs that embrace the breadth and history of country music while ignoring those conventions to explore far afield. Managing this trick requires a delicate touch, and Church and producer Jay Joyce push the limits while maintaining a balance that leaves a little something for everyone. Don’t like the heavy rock riffs and leather jacket-clad message of the Black Sabbath-leaning title song? Well, there’s the tear-jerker ballad “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young.” Tired of the paint-by-numbers party songs that flood radio? His answer is “Cold One,” which offers a twist on a tired theme. Need a couples song for you and your new country gal? Try “Talladega,” which somehow turns auto racing into an epic love poem. “Give Me Back My Hometown” is straight up nostalgia. And if that’s not your thing, there’s the rockinformed “Dark Side,” ”That’s Damn Rock & Roll” and “The Joint” to go with your shot and beer back. Tempo-shifting “Roller Coaster Ride” and funky country “Broke Record” use sonic interpretations of Church’s lyrics to rev up things. The organ on “Like a Wrecking Ball” and the trumpet at the end of “The Joint” are delightful moments that show Church is confident that his listeners are his to command. He even tries his hand at spoken-word noir on “Devil, Devil.” The album is full of little flourishes like these that aren’t necessary but show a restless creativity that requires repeated listening. “The Outsiders” is the rare album that invites debate, and asks us to take sides. In this case, pick freely. You can’t lose.

Neil Finn has written effortless pop songs since the 1970s, both in Split Enz and, especially, in Crowded House. He also has a penchant for working with family: with brother Tim in Split Enz and the Finn Brothers; with wife Sharon in the Pajama Club; and, on “Dizzy Heights”, his third solo album, with sons Liam (a successful singer-songwriter in his own right) and Elroy as well as his wife. “Dizzy Heights” steps away from the perfectly crafted guitar pop that has usually been Finn’s specialty. At times, it’s more abstract and experimental (the grandiose, falsetto “Divebomber” and the ominous “White Lies and Alibis,” with its disruptive electronics), and these tracks display the fingerprints of producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev). Elsewhere, Finn tries his hand at blueeyed soul (the slinky, string-kissed title track and the Hall & Oates-like “Flying in the Face of Love”). The latter style works better than the former, but Finn too often sounds like he’s working hard to stretch outside of what he does best.

n Chris Talbott, Associated Press

n Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

“The Outsiders”

“Dizzy Heights”

n Steve Klinge, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Hurray for the Riff Raff “Small Town Heroes”

Roots-music lovers have a new heroine to discover in Alynda Lee Segarra. This Bronx-born folk singer of Puerto Rican descent ran away from home to ride the rails when she was 17 and wound up in New Orleans. Along with a winning name, her collective Hurray for the Riff Raff have in Segarra a commanding front woman who never oversings and writes songs of startling intelligence and empathy that reinvigorate the tried-and-true without ever seeming to try too hard. “The Body Electric,” a song with a title inspired by Walt Whitman that’s a feminist corrective to the romanticized misogyny of murder ballads, is the one that’ll get lots of attention. But this Americana coming-out party is rock-solid from start to finish.

Other notable releases n Dianne Reeves “Beautiful Life” n Band of Horses - “Acoustic at the Ryman” n Cibo Matto - “Hotel Valentine” n The Glitch Mob - “Love Death Immortality” n Noah Gundersen - “Ledges” n Hurray for the Riff Raff - “Small Town Heroes” n Jamestown Revival - “Utah” n Nina Persson - “Animal Heart” n Catherine Russell - “Bring It Back” n Temples - “Sun Structures”

tracks like “About the Boy” and “Little Me.” The latter track is a well-intentioned take on a discussion between a woman and her younger self, urging strength and persistence. If Little Mix is about anything, pop bluster aside, it’s pop perseverance. n Ron Harris, Associated Press

Toni Braxton and Babyface “Love, Marriage & Divorce”

Toni Braxton and Kenneth “Babyface” n PopMatters.com Edmonds have had more hits between them than the testimony in a Philly mob trial. Teary, weary and smooth, Edmonds Thumpers pretty much invented the new-school/old“Galore” school sleek (but not slick) romantic adult R&B genre when he penned “Grown & Barely audible Sexy.” Braxton’s powerfully tender, pleading voice could summon rain on the sunfrom the surging shiniest day. bed of instruments One thing that unites the pair is that arrive the first lyrics on Thumpers debut full-length, “Galore”: each has gone through the pain of public divorce. That’s why, 22 years after their “Stay young.” “Give U My Heart” duet, Braxton and Cast in the grammatical imperative, Babyface return with a bold, soul-soaked this edict sums much of the contents of take on the state of separation. the record. The lyrics, contained in the Hark back to Motown’s Marvin Gaye appropriately titled song “Marvel,” reflect and Tammi Terrell glory days, the duo the joy, the lush beauty and, frankly, the simmer through love’s troubles (“Where insouciance of Thumpers optimism trails through the global pop universe. Sounding Did We Go Wrong”) and steam up the guilt-ridden “Hurt You” as if having a at times like Local Natives, at others like the best Dirty Projectors songs that never conversation over snifters of Drambuie. The wrung-out emotionalism of “Roller were, the band marshals songs of size, Coaster” is matched by the seductive scope and heart-pumping sanguinity. swerve of “Sweat.” These two are masters n Geoff Nelson, PopMatters.com at such romantic rope-a-dope.

Little Mix “Salute”

The sophomore album from British group-in-a-box Little Mix is a pleasing blend of soulful pop. “Salute” picks up for this generation where the Spice Girls, and later the Pussycat Dolls, left off with the allfemale group’s spunky girl-power sound. Little Mix is the concoction of music movers behind the television show, “The X Factor,” and it was the first group to win the U.K. version of the show. But it’s hard to hate on hustle when it comes to pop music, a genre that is long on hustle and bluster. On “Salute” — Little Mix’s follow-up to last year’s “DNA” — the foursome is a solid mix of coy and cool on body-moving

n A.D. Amorosi, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Cymbals

“The Age of Fracture” “The Age of Fracture” is an enjoyable exercise in ’80s-influenced, synth-heavy pop that goes right most of the time. Not to doubt the sincerity of Cleverly’s, er, more refined influences. They’re surely there, probably in Cleverly’s lyrics, rendered with his arch, heavily-accented delivery and, on a couple songs, in French. But “The Age of Fracture” is a good album first and foremost because it’s a good “pop” album. n John Bergstrom, PopMatters.com

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014 - E7

REVIEWS: VIDEO GAMES ‘Killzone: Shadow Fall’

Video game releases

Platform: Sony PlayStation 4 Rated: M Cost: $59.99 Released: November 2013 Stars: 3 out of 5

Sony prepared some literal big guns for the launch of the PlayStation 4 with “Killzone: Shadow Fall,” the sixth game in PlayStation’s go-to sci-fi shooter franchise. As an early PS4 title — and a console exclusive — you would expect “Shadow Fall” to demonstrate the potential of the new device. The game certainly looks fantastic, but it offers little else new beyond that surface flash. If you’ve never played a “Killzone” game before, the single-player campaign will set you up nicely. In reparation for years of brutal war, the Vektans (usually presented as “good” humans) have given half of their planet to the displaced Helghast (they wear scary masks and have British accents, so they’re coded as the “bad” humans). Both sides hate each other, so the reasons for this ludicrous diplomatic outreach are probably too stupid for the game to detail. The end result is a new escalation of conflict between the two peoples, to no one’s surprise. As a soldier adopted by the Vektan war machine, you are thrown into the battle where you see both halves of the coin. The Vektans aren’t as sympathetic as you thought, and the Helghast perhaps not as evil. The most interesting development is the impersonal robot drone that accompanies you throughout the missions. The

These games are scheduled for release this week, according to Gamestop.com: n Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360; rated T) n One Piece: Romance Dawn (Nintendo 3DS; rated T) n Toukiden: The Age of Demons (PS Vita; rated T) n Far Cry Compilation (PlayStation 3; rated M) n Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (PS Vita; rated M) n Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Ky.)

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drone can attack enemies, hack computer consoles or just act as a distraction while you sneak around to flank a knot of soldiers. It says something about the plot that the bit you will remember most is essentially a flying machine gun. The story jumps from action-movie bombast to quiet “we need to find a better way” cliches, but it is entertaining enough when viewed as a scenery slideshow for the PlayStation 4’s power. You will explore abandoned spaceships, grimy Helghan slums and fluorescent shopping malls of the privileged Vektans. With multiple difficulty options, any gamer should have a reasonably fun time shooting through the rubber-stamped storyline. A flying-squirrel-suit sequence near the end almost ruins the entire singleplayer experience, but you’ll manage. Of course, it’s the online multiplayer that will keep you coming back to “Shadow Fall.” While it rarely disappoints, it rarely amazes. The bullet points of modern shooters are all hit: plenty of game modes, lots of maps/weapons and a complicated system of challenges and unlocks. Aside from some fun special abilities earned over time, “Shadow Fall” does not do much new. You shoot, you score. n Joe Fourhman, Chicago Tribune

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E8 - Thursday, February 13, 2014

GET INVOLVED ART ARTS GRANTS: The Anacortes Arts Festival is accepting applications through today for its annual “Giving Back” grant program. Festival grants impact the community by advancing art and arts education, increasing participation in arts activities and better linking the arts community to the larger community. In 2013 the festival awarded 11 grants totaling $33,500, with a 10-year total of more than $300,000. Information and applications are available at anacortesartsfestival. com.

offer an introduction to working with sheet metal using simple hand tools and basic fastening techniques. Students will bend, form and cut sheets of metal into shapes, which they will use to construct a small figurative or sculptural object. $75, includes materials. 360466-4446 or monamuseum. org.

AUDITIONS

CALL FOR THEATER VOLUNTEERS: Whidbey Playhouse seeks a team of behind-the-scenes folks for its April 2014 production of the Tony-award winning musical “1776” that celebrates the birth of CALL FOR ARTS/MUSIC our nation. Assistance is needed for set-building and ENTHUSIASTS: The Arts Council of Sedro-Woolley decorating, lighting, prop acquisitions and costuming. will hold a public discusFor information, contact sion from 6 to 8 p.m. the theater at 360- 679-2237 Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the or email director Gaye Sedro-Woolley Council Litka at whidbey995@ chambers, 325 Metcalf comcast.net. St. Residents are invited to share their ideas on BRASS CHOIR: The what art should look like Basically Brass Choir is and where it should be in seeking a French horn Sedro-Woolley. For inforplayer to join a group of mation, contact Elizabeth about 12 musicians, playing at 360-521-6325. a variety of styles. RehearsSEEKING GARAGE SALE als are the first and third Mondays in Burlington, VENDORS: The Skagit with regular performances. County Fairgrounds in Contact David Soiseth at Mount Vernon seeks ven360-757-0351 or dsois@ dors of all kinds for the comcast.net. annual “World’s Largest Garage Sale, Antiques & More” event, set for 9 DANCE a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and FOLK DANCING: SkagitSaturday, April 11-12. For Anacortes Folkdancers a vendor application form, meet at 7 p.m. most Tuesvisit skagitcounty.net/fairdays at the Bayview Civic grounds. For information, Hall, 12615 C St., Mount call 360-336-9414 or email Vernon. Learn to folkdance fairgrounds@co.skagit. to a variety of international wa.us. music. Instruction begins at 7 p.m. followed by review ART CLASSES and request dances until 9:30. The first session is “SCULPTING WITH free, $3 thereafter. All SHEET METAL”: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Museum are welcome. No partners needed. For information, of Northwest Art, 121 S. contact Gary or Ginny at First St., La Conner. The four-hour workshop will 360-766-6866.

THURSDAY DANCE: Dance to the music of the Skippers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information, contact Doris at 360-588-8239.

Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Ages 21 and older. No cover. 360-336-3012 or riverbelledinnertheatre. com.

Ages 6 to 10: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 24-March 17. $40 per four-week session or $12 drop-in rate. Parents are free. Preregistration is requested, but not required: 360-755-9649 or burlingtonwa.gov/recreation.

this winter at 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. All classes are held at 1 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are free but required and available by calling 360-4167727, ext. 2, or by visiting mcintyrehall.org. RECREATION Feb. 23: Global SEWING DAY: The Rhythm: Discover music MUSIC Anacortes Chapter of and basic music concepts SKAGIT VALLEY MUSIC Days for Girls Int’l will SENIOR HIKE: Join with drummer Mary Ellen CLUB: The club welcomes host a monthly “sewing Friends of the Forest from Hodges using drums, shakperformers, listeners and day” from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. ers and other instruments. guests to join the fun at every second Thursday, 14, for an easy hike through 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, beginning today, at the forest and wetland habitats FREE ADULT ACTING at Vasa Hall, 1805 CleveCottage Hobby House on at Heart Lake near AnaCLASSES: Anacortes Comland St., Mount Vernon. the northeast corner of cortes. Meet at the Heart munity Theatre offers free Come and sing, play an 12th Street and M Avenue Lake parking lot. Free. acting classes for adults instrument or just enjoy the in Anacortes. Days for No dogs. 360-293-3725 or from 10 a.m. to noon the music. Free. For informaGirls provides sustainable friendsofacfl.org. third Saturday each month tion, call Marsha Pederson feminine hygiene prodat 918 M Ave., Anacortes. at 360-757-4906. ucts, health education and RUNNING FOR MUSIC: Classes include scripted income-generation oppor- The Skagit Symphony’s scenes and a variety of actCALL FOR LOCAL MUSI- tunities for underprivileged annual Smelt Run/Walk ing games, with a different CIANS & MUSIC ENTHUyoung women around the will take place Saturday, topic each month. Each SIASTS: The Anacortes world. 360-708-7960. Feb. 22, at La Conner class is independent, so you Public Library’s Manieri Middle School, 305 N. Sixth don’t have to commit to Endowment will host a local GRANTS AVAILABLE St., La Conner. Registraevery session. 360-840-0089 music roundtable discusFOR NONPROFITS: The tion begins at 8:30 a.m., folor acttheatre.com. sion at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Skagit Community Founlowed by the Kids Dash for March 5, at the Anacortes ages 18 months to 8 years dation is accepting grant Public Library, 1220 10th WORKSHOPS at 9:30 a.m. The USATFrequests from local nonSt., Anacortes. Anyone profits through April 1. The certified 5K and 10K races BUILD YOUR OWN WEBinvolved in local music is foundation creates endow- and a 2-mile Family Walk SITE: Learn how to design invited to come and discuss ments and a portion of the (dogs on leash are welcome and create your own webways to promote and foster earnings is granted to non- on the walk) start at 10 site in this two-part workthe love, performance and a.m. Hot showers, hot soup, shop with Karla Locke of profits that “demonstrate production of all forms refreshments and a raffle responsible stewardship Alternative Focus. Classes of local music. Free. For will be held after the races. will meet in the Anacortes and the ability to make a information, contact Chris $15-$25 for preregistrapositive contribution in Chamber of Commerce Terrell (Heart of Anacortes Skagit County.” 360-419tion; $5 more on race day. boardroom, upstairs at 819 and How it Works) chris@ T-shirt: $20 (pre-orders 3181 or skagitcf.org. Commercial Ave., Anahowitworks.com, or Annette encouraged). Kids Dash cortes. Woolsey Library Jazz & STORYTIME YOGA FOR entry is free. Proceeds will Part One: 6 to 8 p.m. Swing Endowment chairper CHILDREN: Children ages benefit the Skagit SymTuesday, Feb. 18. The class son) awoolsey99@aol.com. 3 to 10 can enjoy songs, phony. 360-848-9336 or will cover choosing a temfinger plays, stories, move- skagitsymphony.com. plate, choosing a domain ON STAGE ment, breathing principles name, planning and page FLYSWATTER VOLLEYlayout. $35. ANACORTES OPEN MIC: and peacefulness, while BALL: 9 a.m. Thursdays at Part Two: 6 to 8 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Brown they improve listening the Sedro-Woolley Senior skills, learn to handle Wednesday, Feb. 19. Lantern Ale House, 412 Center, 715 Pacific St., stressful situations, chalIncludes advanced designCommercial Ave., AnaSedro-Woolley. All ages lenge motor skills and ing, keywords/meta data, cortes. 360-293-2544. and all levels of ability are linking, media and blogs. develop confidence in a welcome. Free. 360-855non-competitive environ$30. OPEN MIC: Jam Night, 1531. No experience neces9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thurs- ment. Classes meet at the Burlington Parks and sary. No software required. days, Conway Pub & EatTHEATER Recreation Center, 900 E. Attend both sessions for ery, 18611 Main St., ConFairhaven Ave., Burlington. $50. To register, call Karla way. 360-445-4733. YOUTH THEATRE: Ages 3 to 6: 11 a.m. Locke, Alternative Focus, McIntyre Hall is offering to noon Mondays, Feb. OPEN MIC: 9 p.m. to a series of performing arts at 360-588-6968 or email midnight, Wednesdays, 1st 24-March 17. workshops for ages 6 to 12 kklocke1@mac.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014 - E9

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Ender’s Game”: Adults have figured out that youngsters have a better aptitude for the kind of high-tech battles that are going to be waged. The trick is to find the one gamer who has both the skill and the strategy to lead a pre-emptive strike on the buggers. They are said to have weapons of mass destruction, and it’s better if Earth strikes first. The script by director Gavin Hood and Card spends more time on preparation than participation. What should have been the movie’s huge emotional moment ends up flat because of the way the story is built. “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth”: When Mike Tyson was pounding opponents into bloody messes in the boxing ring, it was those on the other end of his gloves feeling the pain. In this oneman show directed by Spike

Lee, it’s Tyson who reveals all of the pain in his life. And his truthful recounting is compelling. Tyson pulls no punches as he talks about everything from his broken family upbringing to how family has changed his life. He shows both a funny and tender side recounting the events that made him one of the greatest heavyweight champions and also one of the most notorious figures in sports history. It’s obvious very quickly that Tyson’s not an actor, but the rawness of his performance is well suited for such a soul-searching production and adds to the emotional power of his words. If the truth can hurt then Tyson must be feeling a lot of pain. “G.B.F.”: A Gay Best Friend is the latest high school fad and no school queen bee is completely worthy of being worshipped

little of the black humor that made “Jawbreaker” work so well. Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on “Hetty Wainthropp InvesDVD. Release dates are subject to change: tigates: The Complete FEB. 18 Collection”: BBC detective Battle of the Damned - Starz / Anchor Bay series starring Patricia RoutHellbenders - Lionsgate ledge. “Grace Unplugged”: FEB. 25 Teen’s faith and family ties Blue is the Warmest Color - Criterion Gravity - Warner are put to the test when her Muscle Shoals - Magnolia dreams start to come true. Nebraska - Paramount “The Armstrong Lie”: Thor 2: The Dark World - Disney Documentary on Lance n McClatchy-Tribune News Service Armstrong’s rise and fall from grace. “The Red Skelton Show: until she has one. The only a high school that seems to problem is that in this high be stuck in the 1950s when it The Lost Episodes”: Feaschool no one has come out. comes to understanding gay tures 16 episodes previously unreleased on DVD. That changes when Tanpeople. “Sherlock: Season ner (Michael Willett) is Director Darren Stein Three”: Modern take on the outed. He becomes the focus continues his assault on classic detective series. of three high school girls the high school practice “Festival Express”: Conwho are convinced having of selecting a prom queen. cert film featuring The Band, Tanner as a friend will make His 1999 production, “JawGrateful Dead. them a lock to win the Prom breaker,” is a dark comedy “The King Family Classic Queen title. All he has to about what happens when Television Specials Collecdo is survive the constant the prom queen gets accition Volume 1”: Includes pampering, sexual assaults dentally killed. “G.B.F.” and waves of questions from would have benefited from a “Easter with The King Fam-

Upcoming movie releases

ily” and “Mother’s Day with The King Family.” “Newhart: The Complete Second Season”: New Yorker (Bob Newhart) runs a small B&B in Vermont. “Swamp People: Season 4”: More gator-hunting adventures. “Jewtopia”: Jewish and gentile unite in a search for love. “Diana”: Naomi Watts plays the Princess of Wales. “Wadjda”: Little girl’s determined to challenge traditional women’s roles in Saudi Arabia. “All is Lost”: Man (Robert Redford) faces the deadly sea alone. “How I Live Now”: Explores themes of survival, self-sufficiency and love. “Hindenburg — The Last Flight”: Fictional account of one of the most devastating accidents in aviation history, n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

– 5th Annual –

Great Northwest Glass Quest February 14-23, 2014 The fun is in the QUEST! The treasure is in the experience!

Find the Treasures! A treasure hunt for the whole family! Discover unique shops and explore hidden parks while you QUEST for the clue to your hand-blown glass treasure. Funded in part by Snohomish Co. Tourism Assistance Program.

E10 Thursday, February 13, 2014

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area February 13-20 Thursday.13

Saturday.15

DANCE

COMEDY

“Positive”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $12-$15. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org.

THEATER

“Gramercy Ghost” (comedy/drama): 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com. “Love Letters”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or whidbey playhouse.com. “Fuddy Meers” (comedy): Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or tickets.wwu.edu.

Friday.14 DANCE

“Positive”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $12-$15. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org.

MUSIC

Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel: 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $18-$25. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Man of La Mancha!” (musical): 7 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Bellingham. $12-14. 360-424-5144 or altatheatre.com.

THEATER

“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical): Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse. com.

TUNING UP Playing at area venues February 13-20

THURSDAY.13

MUSIC

Just in Time Jazz Duo: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

THEATER

Katie Gray: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-3543600.

DANCE

“Positive”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $12-$15. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org. South End String Band Benefit Concert: 7 p.m., Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $15 suggested donation, includes food; beer and wine available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center. 360-629-6110.

JIM BASNIGHT BAND 7 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

VOYAGER 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow.

“Comedy Night”: Andrew Rivers and Adam Norwest, 8 p.m., Max Dale’s Martini Lounge, 2030 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon. $10. 360-424-7171 or maxdales. com.

“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical): with Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

FRIDAY.14

FRIDAY. 14

Steven Baughn photo

FRIDAY-SATURDAY.14-15 “ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE” Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

Sunday.16

Thursday.20

DANCE

MUSIC

“Positive”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $12-$15. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org.

Jansen Jazz Band: 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Chamber Hall, 321 Front St., Lynden. $10. 360-354-3600 or jansenartcenter. org.

MUSIC

THEATER

“Love Letters”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or whidbey playhouse.com.

“Why Do Fools Fall In Love?: A musical search of that eternal question”: Skagit Community Band, 3 p.m., Brodniak Hall, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $30 family, free for ages 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. skagit communityband.org.

“Gramercy Ghost” (comedy/drama): 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

“Love Letters”: 2:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or whidbey playhouse.com.

“Love Letters”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or whidbey playhouse.com.

“Fuddy Meers” (comedy): Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 2 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or tickets.wwu.edu.

“Fuddy Meers” (comedy): Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or tickets.wwu.edu.

Thursday, February 13, 2014 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

“Man of La Mancha!” (musical): 2:30 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Bellingham. $12-14. 360-424-5144 or altatheatre.com.

“Northwest Passages”: Living Voices, 7 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington. Free. 360-755-0760.

Knut Bell: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Big Rock Cafe, 14779 Washington 9, Mount Vernon. No cover. 360-4247872 or bigrock cafe.com.

Ernie Sapiro photo

FRIDAY.14 “Always … Patsy Cline”: with Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. 360445-3000.

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

Eric Miller: 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

Wayne Hayton: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Solo Piano Night: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-7666266.

Jukebox Duo: 7 to 10 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Open to the public. 360-848-8882.

Art Breaker, Topless, Tre Stylez: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. No cover. 360-778-1067.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (country dance): 8 p.m., American Legion hall, 701 Murdock St., SedroWoolley. $3. 360-8550520.

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

Mia Vermillion, Jason Edwards (blues, jazz, folk): 8:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12. 360-445-3000.

Jim Basnight Band: 7 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-7553956.

CC Adams Band, featuring Mary Ellen Lykins: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

Ron Bailey & The Tangents: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Michael Gonzalez: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (country dance): 8 p.m., American Legion hall, 701 Murdock St., SedroWoolley. $3. 360-8550520.

SATURDAY.15 Voyager (hard rock, ’80s metal): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877275-2448.

SUNDAY.16 Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam Night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

WEDNESDAY.19 Ron W. Bailey & The Tangents: Science Duo: 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266. $5. 360-445-3000.

Little Joe Argo: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

THURSDAY.20 Hannah Klos: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.