360 January 16, 2020

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E1

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ANNA MARSH KICKS OFF SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL PAGE 4

JAY PHAROAH

SNL alum headlines at The Skagit PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday January 16, 2020

TUNING UP PAGE 9 Joan Penney to entertain at Mount Vernon Elks Lodge OUT & ABOUT PAGE 6

Conference honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “THE ADDAMS FAMILY”: Sometimes it’s nice to know exactly which kind of family you’re dealing with (i.e. creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky). And like its everlasting theme song, the latest incarnation of “The Addams Family” stays true to the source material of Charles Addams’ New Yorker cartoons.

In this computer-animated tale, daughter Wednesday (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) rebels against her parents (Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron) by befriending the daughter of a suspicious home and garden TV personality (Allison Janney). The host discovers the family’s property and sets her sights on destroying it to gentrify the New Jersey suburban community.

While it doesn’t necessarily have anything new to say, the film offers a comforting exploration of our personal dark sides through the macabre and the funny, wrote Tribune News Service Katie Walsh in her review.

“The appeal of this ‘The Addams Family,’ which doesn’t break the mold, is simply to spend some more time in this gently spooky world, which is a gateway for budding creepsters and goths,” wrote Walsh. “It’s refreshing that it doesn’t try to overreach the limitations of its story, but it’s so slight, it merely whets the appetite for more Addams fare, rather than providing anything truly satisfying.”

“ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP”: For better and for worse, a lot has changed since 2009. We are safely separated from a world in which “The Walking Dead” doesn’t exist, Juicy Couture is in its prime and misogynistic humor in comedies runs rampant (or at least it’s not as bad?). Not so in the “Zombieland” franchise.

In the film, Tallahassee

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

Inside Out & About........................... 4-6 On Stage...................................... 8 Tuning Up................................... 9 Get Involved.............................10 Hot Tickets...............................12 UNITED ARTISTS

(Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abagail Breslin) reside peacefully in the White House while the zombie apocalypse is still in full swing until broody nerd Columbus’ marriage proposal inspires sardonic Wichita and Little Rock to bail. Little Rock eventually falls for a hippie in Graceland and the gang sets out to find her.

If you liked the first movie and want to soak in snark, this is the unnecessary 10-years-later sequel for you, wrote Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips in his review.

“The first ‘Zombieland’ remains director (Ruben) Fleischer’s best movie by a mile; this one acknowledges, brazenly, the familiarity of it all,” wrote Phillips.

“Call ‘Double Tap’ an act of fan service, no less than ‘Downton Abbey’ or, in an entirely different and inferior grade of glibness, ‘Joker.’”

ALSO NEW ON DVD JAN. 21 “COUNTDOWN”: A nurse (Elizabeth Lail) must beat the clock after opening an app that says she’ll die in three days.

“BLACK AND BLUE”: A rookie police officer (Naomie Harris) is targeted by both criminals and cops after she witnesses a murder.

“PAIN AND GLORY”: A director (Antonio Banderas) reckons with his past and present in this semi-autobiographical film by Pedro Almodovar. In Spanish with English subtitles.

“JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT”: The infamous duo (Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith) head to Hollywood to try and stop a reboot from being made that’s based on them.

“THE COURIER”: A courier (Olga Kurylenko) realizes there’s a bomb in one of the boxes she’s carrying.

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD JAN. 21

“DOCTOR SLEEP”: While struggling with childhood trauma from “The Shining’s” Overlook Hotel, Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) combines forces with a teen who shares his gift (Kyliegh Curran) to fight a murderous cult. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 4.

“THE GOOD LIAR”: A con man (Ian McKellen) plans to scam a wealthy widow (Helen Mirren) but begins to have feelings for her. Out on DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 18.

“PLAYING WITH FIRE”: Firefighters run into trouble while babysitting three kids they rescued. John Cena stars.

It will be released on DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 4.

“STEP UP”: Set in Beijing, young street dancers band together for a dance crew competition. In Mandarin with subtitles.

“WAVES”: A suburban family works to heal after a devastating loss. Available on DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 4.

– Katie Foran-McHale, Tribune News Service

At the Lincoln..........................13 Movies................................. 14-15 SUBMISSIONS Email: features@skagitpublishing.com Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Address Skagit Publishing 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 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

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E3

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Hail to the Comedian

Jay Pharoah ‌

Impressionist Jay Pharoah headlines at The Skagit

By KERA WANIELISTA @Kera_SVH

Former President Barack Obama is coming to town — or at least a man known for playing him on TV. Comedian and impressionist Jay Pharoah,

known best for his six seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” will be headlining the Pacific Showroom at The Skagit Casino Resort on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17-18.

Pharoah, who joined the SNL cast in 2010, is known for his impres-

sions of Obama, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Kanye West, among others. He also played recurring character Principal Daniel Frye.

People may also recognize the SNL alumnus’ voice from animated films such as “Sing,”

and TV shows like “Family Guy,” “BoJack Horseman” and “Robot Chicken.”

After trying his hand in more serious roles such as the Showtime show “WhiteFamous” — based on the life of actor Jamie Foxx — and drama in the psycho-

logical thriller “Unsane,” Pharoah is back on the stand-up scene, hitting numerous comedy clubs and arenas across the country.

The Skagit County show is one of only five left on his current schedule.

Tickets are still

available for both shows and start at $30. For more information, visit theskagit.com.

— Reporter Kera Wanielista: 360-4162141, kwanielista@ skagitpublishing.com, Twitter: @Kera_SVH, facebook.com/KeraReports

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT AND ABOUT

ART

THE LANGUAGE OF PATTERN: Five regional artists are being featured in January at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court, Edison.

ANNIVERSARY SHOW: The Scott Milo Gallery is celebrating 25 years with art from 15 favorite artists until Jan. 28 at the gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

VOYAGER: Steve Jensen returns to show new carvings and paintings of his Nordic series at Smith & Vallee, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison, until Jan. 26.

EMPOWERMENT OF ART: Work highlighting the strength and skill of local artists is featured at the Good Stuff Arts Gallery, 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

DECADENT DREAMS: The art of Joseph Kinnebrew is being featured at the exhibit “Decadent Dreams: A Retrospective Surrealist Experience” at Cassera Gallery South, 26915 102nd Drive NW, Stanwood.

MUSIC

KEOLA BEAMER AND JEFF PETERSON: Rising star Jeff Peterson joins Hawaiian slack key guitarist Keola Beamer for a show at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S First St., Mount Vernon. $25-39.

MARCIA KESTER SINGS PATSY CLINE: “Timeless,” a multimedia tribute concert to Patsy Cline, will be performed by local singer Marcia Kester at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Magnolia Hall, 214 Ferry St., Sedro-Woolley. $20 general, $17 senior/military. marciakester.com.

THE DAVANOS: The Davanos, voted Seattle’s No. 1 rock band in 2018, will play at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18, at Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $8 cover.

NESTS AND LANDSCAPES: Kris Ekstrand is the featured winter artist at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. Work from artists around the region will be featured until Feb. 28. jansenartcenter.org.

WHATCOM JAZZ MUSIC ARTS CENTER: Renowned jazz musicians will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sylvia Center for the Arts, 207 Pospect St., Bellingham: n Jan. 22: Sam Taylor Quartet with Larry McKenna. $5-20. n Jan. 29: Matt Jorgensen Quintet. $5-10. n Feb. 12: Laila Biali Trio. $5-20. n Feb. 19: Xavier Lecouturier Quartet. $5-15. n Feb. 26: Phil Parisot Trio. $5-15.

NATALIE NIBLACK: ‘FOLLY’: Natalie Niblack’s solo exhibit “Folly” is featured at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court, Edison, until March 1.

JENNIFER SCOTT TRIO: Contralto Jennifer Scott will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden.

Salish Sea Early Music Festival starts Jan. 22

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

Bassoonist Anna Marsh has the honor of kicking off the 2020 Salish Sea Early Music Festival.

The concert series, which brings well-trained, early-music artists to the stage, runs on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Jan. 22 to May 12.

The first performance is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Fir-Conway Lutheran Church, 18101 Fir Island Road, Conway.

Admission is by donation (suggested $15-25).

Marsh will be joined by baroque flutist Jeffrey Cohan, violinist and violist Courtney Kuroda, and violist Victoria Gunn.

For a full festival lineup and schedule, visit salishseafestival. org/skagit.

THOM SHEPHERD: Country artist Thom Shepherd will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at La Conner Sips, 608 First St., La Conner. $40.

SARATOGA ORCHESTRA: Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra will present “Crowning Achievements” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley, and at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 26, at Oak Harbor High School. $25 adults, $20 ages 65-plus and military, free under age 18. sowhidbey.com/ tickets.html

THEATER

”THE CURIOUS SAVAGE”: ALTA Theatre

Anna Marsh

presents “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick, at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane. Dessert theater at 7 p.m. Jan. 17-18, matinee at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 19. brownpapertickets. com, altatheatre.com, altainfo2001@gmail.com or 360-424-5144.

Sunday, Jan. 19, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $39.50. mountbakertheatre.com.

LECTURES & TALKS

SPACE TREK: Blast through the galaxy in this improvised sci-fi adventure at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in January at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St., Bellingham. $12. theupfront.com.

ANACORTES PUBLIC LIBRARY: Evening lectures and workshops are held at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes: n Anacortes Museum Series: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. n Opioid Risks and Prevention: 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29.

”AN AMERICAN IN PARIS”: The Tony Award-winning musical will play at 7:30 p.m.

BIKE TRIP ACROSS AMERICA: Adventurer Patrick McGinty will share his experiences

from a 3,411-mile bike trip from California to Florida at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Whatcom Museum, 121 Prospect St., Bellingham. $5 suggested donation.

BENNY GOODMAN: Jacob Zimmerman, a Seattle-based jazz clarinetist and 1930s enthusiast, will present on “Benny Goodman: The Orchestra and the Groups” at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

FRIENDS OF SKAGIT BEACHES LECTURE SERIES: “Blue Legacy: Vanishing Glaciers in Washington’s National Parks,” 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17, Northwest Education Services District Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Dr. Jon Riedel, North Cascades National Park geologist, will focus on glacial changes in the last century and the implications for the water supply in Skagit Valley, Puget Sound’s largest watershed. Free and open to the public. skagitbeaches.org.

CHRONIC PAIN: Author Julie Hanft has written two books on living with chronic pain and will present a free seminar on the topic at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Village Books, 1200 11th St., Bellingham.

TEA FOR BEGINNERS: Attend a presentation all about tea, including a chance to try tea, tea history and brewing basics at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave., Bellingham. Free.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT AND ABOUT WHIDBEY ISLAND GENEALOGICAL SEARCHERS: Discover resources to find out if a patriot or member of the American Revolution is in your blood line at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Ave., Oak Harbor.

CROATIAN FISHING FAMILIES: AnacortesMuseum director Bret Lunsford will share the history of Croatian immigrants in Anacortes at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION DIVIDE: Learn to welcome difficult conversations and engage in them to access a common ground with Karen Gimnig at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Anacortes Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.

MARINE MAMMALS OF SALISH SEA: Learn about orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, sea lions and other marine mammals that call the Salish Sea home from marine mammologist Cindy Elliser at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington.

MORE FUN

SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVAL 2020: The event takes place during January at various sites in Rockport, Concrete and Marblemount. Some activities are repeated each weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday; other events are onetime only, offered on a Saturday and/or Sunday

Not Your Ordinary Football Bingo in Camano

“The Master of Suspense,” an offshoot of the Whidbey Island Film Festival, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 1719, at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., whidbeyislandfilmfestival.org.

BOOK LOVERS BUS TOUR: Take Island Transit to two book stores and two libraries in Coupeville and Oak Harbor on Friday, Jan. 24.

RSVP and information: 360-678-9536 or travel@ transit.org.

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

Listen up, Seahawks fans, it’s time to get in the game ... the bingo game, that is.

Not Your Ordinary Football Bingo combines two of America’s favorite pastimes — football and bingo — for a night of friendly competition. Bingo is at 7 p.m., with doors opening at during specific weekends. concrete-wa.com/ skagit-eagle-festival.

BALD EAGLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER: The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center offers guided nature hikes along the Skagit River and educational speakers on weekends in January.

The center, which offers elementary and high school educational tours as well as community group tours, is located at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport.

For a complete list of speakers, visit skagiteagle.org. n 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18: Kevin Ebi, nature photographer, “Year of the Eagle.” n 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19: Dr. Shannon Rupert, ecologist, “Life of a

6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

It’s $16 for 10 games, and seat reservation can be made in advance.

Seahawks gear is a must, and the Tailgate cafe and bar will keep everyone well supplied. There will also be raffles and cash prizes.

Reserve a spot at 360-387-0222.

River.”

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20, there will be puppet show at 11:30 a.m. for young children and an all-day activity for children K-12 on River Life Webs. All families welcome. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

VERMOUTH CLASS: Learn about Mencino Vermouth from Mark Paschal of Falsen Shenstone at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Old World Deli, 1228 N. State St., Bellingham. $30, includes light snacks and specialty drinks to pair with vermouth. oldworldbellingham.com.

NOT YOUR ORDINARY FOOTBALL BINGO: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Saturday, Jan. 18, Camano Center,

606 Arrowhead Road, Camano. Wearing Seattle Seahawks gear is encouraged. $16 for 10 games.

SOCRATES CAFE: Join a moderated philosophical discussion around the question “Is cultural appropriation morally wrong?” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

KIDS CLUB: Heart to Heart Charity presents KIDS Club for those ages 3 and older to work on give-back projects and crafts at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, behind the fire department, 8334 W. Third St., Lyman.

WHIDBEY ISLAND FILM FEST: Join a three-day celebration of Alfred Hitchcock at

SING-A-LONG-A: Sing along to the classic musical “A Sound of Music” at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 25, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. mountbakertheatre.org.

LA CONNER BIRDING SHOWCASE: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Maple Hall, 103 Commercial, La Conner. Keynote speaker Sue Cottrell will discuss the 16 kinds of raptors that can be spotted around the area. $5.

HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE: The theme for the 2020 Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference is “Tomorrow is Today — The Fierce Urgency of NOW” and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18, at Whatcom Community College, 235 W Kellogg Road, Bellingham.

URSULMAS MEDIEVAL FAIRE: Step into a world with the sights and sounds of the current Middle Ages from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and

Sunday, Jan. 25-26, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe. $10 per day. ursulmas.org.

LOOKING AHEAD

“THE BARN SHOWS”: Hear how two women preserved a piece of the Skagit Valley’s art history in a book called “The Barn Shows” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner.

BIRDS OF WINTER ART WALK: 2 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1, downtown Mount Vernon. mountvernondowntown. org. For more information, or to inquire about participating in future art walks: outreach@ mountvernondowntown. org or 360-336-3801.

Stunning Venue Exquisite Cuisine Exceptional Service Convenient Location Event Planning Support Full Beverage Service Ample Free Parking Lodging Packages & More!

Weddings & Special Events

360.416.7622

mcintyrehall.org

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT AND ABOUT PACIFICA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett. $15-25. pacificachamberorchestra.org.

JOAN PENNEY: Celebrate Valentine’s Day one day late with Joan Penney at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15, at Eaglemont Golf Course, 4800 Eaglemont Drive, Mount Vernon.

AIZURI QUARTET: The multiprize-winning string quartet will play at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at Lairmont Manor, 405 Fieldston Road, Bellingham. Wine and appetizers.

BELLINGHAM’S GOT TALENT: Music, comedy, general talent acts and more family-friendly entertainment are in store at this fundraiser for the Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ Street Connect program at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial Ave., Bellingham.

BEST OF SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY COMPETITION: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave. $25. wicaonline.org.

ABOLISHING NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Leonard Eiger, of Ground Zero Center for Non-Violent Action, will present on the solution to a nuclear world at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

‘Guys & Dolls’ romps at Village Theatre

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

When “Guys & Dolls” first premiered on Broadway in 1950, it was a smash hit.

In the 70 years since then, the legacy of this raucous musical has only grown and now the musical is playing in Everett.

There are gamblers, missionaries, showgirls and classic New York City characters.

The production is by Village Theatre and has THE ENGLAND CENSUS 101: Learn how to identify family members and their birth places in the England census from 1841-1911, at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8, at Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington.

WOMEN AT THE BAR: WOMEN LAWYERS ACROSS THE YEARS: Join a panel discussion about women in court with Judge Laura Riquelme, Judge Susan Cook, Rosemary Kaholokula and Jennifer Flynn followed by a Q&A with Judge Dianne Goddard at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

SALTWATER BEAVERS: Friends of Skagit

MARK KITAOKA

plenty of showtimes.

Catch the musical at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Beaches, “Saltwater Beavers: Engineers in the Tidal Marsh,” 7-8:30 p.m. Friday. Feb. 21, Northwest Educational Services District, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes.

Free.

HUMANITIES WASHINGTON: Sociologist and writer Michelle Janning will discuss “What Your Home Says About the World” at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger, off Old Highway 99. $3 suggested donation.

2 and 7 p.m. Sundays until Feb.1 at the theater, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett.

Tickets are $45-85.

RED WINE & CHOCOLATE: Join the wineries of the North Sound Wine Trail for a “Red Wine and Chocolate” weekend from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9, at Skagit Crest Vineyar & Winery, 105 N. First St., Suite 1, La Conner. skagitcrest. com.

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $24-39. lincolntheatre.org.

SEALS AND SEA LIONS: Friends of Skagit Beaches presents a talk on Seals and Sea Lions: Pinnipeds of the Salish Sea from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday. March 20, at NW Educational Services

District, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Free.

AUTHOR TALK: Abbe Rolnick, author of of the “Generation of Secrets” series presents the third book “Founding Stones” with a talk at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Village Books, 1200 11th St., Bellingham.

RESOLUTION EVOLUTION: Learn life hacks and gain tools to make resolutions stick from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 7, at Options High School, 2015 Franklin St., Bellingham. $75 general admission, $150 VIP access including swag and a meet-and-greet. Funds support the Bellingham Schools Foundation. resolutionevolution.org.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger, off Old Highway 99. $3 suggested donation.

GARDENING WORKSHOP: The Master Gardeners of Island County present the 32nd annual Whidbey Gardening Workshop on March 13-14. Registration opens Jan. 12. The event, featuring internationally known keynote speaker Richie Steffen, offers classes for both novice and experienced gardeners, a floral design competition, a marketplace and raffle, two lunch options, and a pre-Workshop Field Trip Day. For more information and to register: whidbeygardening.org.

‌

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Human Rights Conference honors Dr. King

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

A human rights conference to honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Whatcom Community College Syre Student Center, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham.

The theme is “Tomorrow is Today — The Fierce urgency of NOW.” The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring the keynote address “Moving the Dream Forward.” Skill-building workshops facilitated by community educators and activists will follow. All events are free.

Continuing Education Units will be available for mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists.

After the conference, head downtown to join the second annual Unity Ball at 7 p.m. at Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Bellingham. Formal attire is encouraged. Tickets are $15 for students, $25 for individuals, $45 for couples; proceeds will be donated to a local nonprofit.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

A time-honored Oscar tradition: The Snubbies The Seattle Times

While we’ll be spending plenty of time in the next few weeks talking about the big winners — wow, those voters really liked “Joker,” which led the pack with 11 nominations — let’s devote a bit of time to that most delightful Oscars tradition: complaining about the snubs. n And let’s start right off with the directing category, where Greta Gerwig was not nominated — despite her film, “Little Women,” getting nods for writing, acting and best picture. (The Academy has long been reluctant to recognize women in this category; only five female directors have been nominated in its history). Likewise, Noah Baumbach wasn’t nominated for “Marriage Story,” despite a strong showing for the film.

The Gerwig-Baumbach household (they’re partners off-screen) must be a place of mixed emotions. n In the lead acting categories, apparently the Academy members have short memories. In Best Actress, not enough of them recalled one of the most remarkable performances of the year: Lupita Nyong’o in “Us,” which opened back in March. Also disappointed, surely, was Awkwafina (who won a Golden Globe for her work in “The Farewell,” a film entirely snubbed). In lead actor was a surprising snub for a veteran: Robert DeNiro wasn’t nominated in “The Irishman,” despite seven pre-

vious nominations. Other acclaimed work that wasn’t recognized in that category included Eddie Murphy in “Dolomite Is My Name,” Christian Bale in “Ford v Ferrari” and Taron Egerton in “Rocketman” (the latter, a Golden Globe winner, campaigned heavily for a nomination — which apparently doesn’t always work). n Don’t look for Jennifer Lopez to make a fashion statement on Oscar night; she wasn’t nominated for supporting actress, despite strong reviews for her work in “Hustlers.” Also missing from that list: Meryl Streep in “Little Women,” Nicole Kidman in “Bombshell” (despite her two co-stars, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie, being nominated), and Zhao Shuzhen in “The Farewell.” And despite a strong showing for “Parasite” (six nominations, including best picture and director), none of its cast were nominated — a particularly egregious snub in the supporting actor category, where Song Kang Ho, who played the inventive working-class father in the film, was left off. (If you’re seeing a bit of a pattern here, yes: The Academy needs to continue to make progress in recognizing the performances of actors of color.) n The Best Picture roster had nine films on it (out of a possible 10). What film was on the cusp and missed making the list? Maybe Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain & Glory,” maybe Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out,”

INVISION VIA AP

Greta Gerwig

maybe Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” maybe Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” (for my money, the year’s most enchanting journey). n Other miscellaneous snubs: Where was Anna Robbins’ nomination for the glorious costumes of “Downton Abbey”?

Or Jess Gonchor’s, for the gorgeous production design of “Little Women”? Or Jorg Wilmer, for the breathtaking cinematography of “A Hidden Life”?

The Academy Award ceremony will place — host-less, as it was last year — on Sunday, Feb. 9, by which time we’ll all have moved on to talking about who will win, not who wasn’t nominated.

But for now, let’s raise a glass for those who didn’t hear their names called.

Ç

By MOIRA MACDONALD

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ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area January 16-23 Thursday.16 THEATER ”GUYS & DOLLS”: 2 and 7:30 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $65-80. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

Friday.17 COMEDY JAY PHAROAH: 8 p.m., Pacific Showroom, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

THEATER ”BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”: 7 p.m., BAAY Theatre, 1059 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-306-8531 or baay.org/theatre.

”GUYS & DOLLS”: 8 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $65-80.

425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org. ”THE CURIOUS SAVAGE”: 7 p.m., ALTA Theatre, Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger, (Old Highway 99, one-quarter mile north of Alger, Exit 240). brownpapertickets.com, altatheatre. com, altainfo2001@gmail. com or 360-424-5144.

Saturday.18 COMEDY JAY PHAROAH: 8 p.m., Pacific Showroom, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

Monday.20

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL — CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: noon-1 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THEATER ”BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”: 7 p.m., BAAY Theatre, 1059 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-306-8531 or baay.org/theatre.

”GUYS & DOLLS”: 2 and 8 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $6580. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org. ”THE CURIOUS SAVAGE”: 7 p.m., ALTA Theatre, Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger, (Old Highway 99, one-quarter mile north of Alger, Exit 240). brownpapertickets.com, altatheatre. com, altainfo2001@gmail. com or 360-424-5144.

Sunday.19 THEATER ”AN AMERICAN IN PARIS”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. 360-7346080 or mountbakertheatre. com.

”BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”: 7 p.m., BAAY Theatre, 1059 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-306-8531 or baay.org/theatre. ”GUYS & DOLLS”: 2 and 7 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $6580. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

”THE CURIOUS SAVAGE”: 2:30 p.m., ALTA Theatre, Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger, (Old Highway 99, one-quarter mile north of Alger, Exit 240). brownpapertickets.com, altatheatre. com, altainfo2001@gmail. com or 360-424-5144.

Monday.20 SPEAKER LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL — CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: noon-1 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

Friday-Sunday.17-19

”THE CURIOUS SAVAGE” ALTA Theatre, Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger, (Old Highway 99, one-quarter mile north of Alger, Exit 240). Check individual listings for times. brownpapertickets.com, altatheatre.com, altainfo2001@gmail.com or 360-424-5144. Pictured: Carson Callis (from left), Maureen Moore, Leona Robertson and Dale Beardon.

Wednesday.22

Thursday.23

THEATER ”GUYS & DOLLS”: 7:30 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $65-80. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

THEATER ”GUYS & DOLLS”: 2 and 7:30 p.m., Village Theatre, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $65-80. 425-257-8600 or villagetheatre.org.

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TUNING UP Playing at area venues January 16-22 Friday.24

Friday.17

JOAN PENNEY 6:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Members and signed-in guests only. 360-848-8882.

Saturday.18

THE DAVANOS 8:30 p.m., Loco Billy’s, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. 425-737-5144, 360-629-6500 or locobillys.com.

Thursday.16 PEYOTE UGLY, VERVEX, THE TOADMORTONS: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham.

360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

Friday.17 JOAN PENNEY: 6:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Members and signed-in guests only.

360-848-8882.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. 360-7346080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

HARMONIOUS FUNK: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

Saturday.18 MARCIA KESTER: Timeless — Patsy Cline tribute, 7-9 p.m., Magnolia Hall, 214 Ferry St., Sedro-Woolley. $17-20. marciakester.com.

MAD MOJO: 8:30 p.m., The Old Edison, 5829 Cains Court, Bow. 360-766-6266 or theoldedison.com.

THE JOHN BISAGNA DISASTER: 9:30 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-293-2544 or brownlantern.com.

HOT CLUB OF TROY: 7 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre. com.

SCRATCH DADDY: 7:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

THE DAVANOS: 8:30 p.m., Loco Billy’s, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. 425-7375144, 360-629-6500 or locobillys.com.

HARMONIOUS FUNK: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

4TENS BAND: 7 p.m., Crossroads Sports Bar, 1263 Barkley Blvd., Bellingham. 360306-3624.

WHAT’S UP! AWARDS SHOW WITH DRYLAND, BLOOD CAPSULES, THE RHETORICIAN, SUPERMISSIVE, LIPSTITCH, MUNCH: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

LEE HOWARD: 6:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon.

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

KNUT BELL & THE BLUE COLLARS: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

THE GREEN, KA’IKENA SCANLAN: 8:30 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-7468733 or wildbuffalo.net.

Sunday.19

Saturday.25

JIMMY WRIGHT BAND: 5:30 p.m., The Old Edison, 5829 Cains Court, Bow. 360-7666266 or theoldedison. com.

CAPTURED! BY ROBOTS: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 State St., Bellingham. 360770-1067 or shakedownbellingham.com.

DEVOTCHKA, GLASS HEART STRING CHOIR: 7:45 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

KNUT BELL & THE BLUE COLLARS: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

COZMIC SAUCE: 9:30 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-293-2544 or brownlantern.com.

PACIFIC TWANG: 8 p.m., Crossroads Sports Bar, 1263 Barkley Blvd., Bellingham. 360-3063624.

Wednesday.22 FIDALGO SWING: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

E10 - Thursday, January 16, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

GET INVOLVED

ART CLASSES

MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST ART: 121 S. First St., La Conner. n Adult Watercolor Class: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. $18. n My Adult & Me Painting Class: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. For kids (ages 3-9) and parents to learn together. $25 per pair. n Drawing Jean Behnke: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7. $30.

THE GOOD STUFF ARTS GALLERY: 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3152.

TRI DEE ARTS WORKSHOPS: Art classes on a variety of topics are available at Tri Dee Arts, 215 S. First St., Mount Vernon. trideearts.com.

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 type 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.

GAIL HARKER CENTER: Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts offers a variety of art classes and workshops for artists of every level at 503 Morris St., La Conner. Online courses are also available. For information and a complete schedule: 360-466-0110 or

gailcreativestudies.com.

PACIFIC NW SCHOOL: Choose from painting, photography, fiber and 3D art workshops taught by professional artists at the Pacific NorthWest Art School, 15 NW Birch St., Coupeville. For information and a complete schedule: 360-678-3396 or pacificnorthwestartschool.com.

DAKOTA: Dakota Art Center offers a variety of art classes and workshops at 17873 Highway 536, Mount Vernon.

360-416-6556, ext. 5, or dakotaartcenter.com.

ANACORTES SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER: The center hosts a variety of art programs each week at 1701 22nd St., Anacortes. 360-2937473. n Creative Circle: 9 a.m. Mondays. n Woodcarving: 9 a.m. Mondays. n Acrylics: 9:30 a.m.

Mondays. n Rock Painting: 1 p.m.

Mondays. n Miracle of Art: 1 p.m.

Tuesdays. n Mosaics/Stained Glass: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays. n Color Me Calm: 10 a.m. Thursdays. n Drawing Animals: 2:15 p.m. Thursdays. n Watercolor: 9:30 a.m.

AUDITIONS

”MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940”: Auditions for Whidbey Playhouse’s April production of “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the playhouse, 730A Midway Boulevard, Oak Harbor. Prepare a short monologue or song.

Details at whidbeyplayhouse.com.

WHIDBEY HAS TALENT: Children in grades K-12 are invited to audition for Whidbey Has Talent on Feb. 10-13. $10 fee. Details at whidbeyplayhouse.com.

BOOKS

SILENT BOOK CLUB: Share a book you have read and silently read another at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Pelican Bay Books, 520 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

DANCE

CROATIAN DANCE: Learn Croatian dances from Croatian community members and the Vela Luka Croatian Dancers at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Croatian Cultural Center, 801 Fifth St., Anacortes.

INTRO TO SQUARE DANCING: 7 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, with Dave Harry. Couples and singles welcome over age 10. No partner needed.

First two evenings free, $4 thereafter to continue.

Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. 360-391-3504 or rosie@ valleyint.com.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE: Join an spiritual practice that draws inspiration from sacred traditions around the world at this guided dance class from 5:45 to 8 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 500 W. Section St., Mount Vernon. By donation.

BEGINNING LINE DANCING: 7 to 8 p.m.

Tuesdays, Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington. $6 drop-in, $25 for five classes. Adults and teens 13 and older. Register: burlingtonwa.gov/recreation or 360-755-9649.

FOLK DANCING: Skagit-Anacortes Folk Dancers meet Tuesdays at Bay View Civic Hall, 12615 C St., Bay View. Learn to folk dance to a variety of international music. 7 to 9:30 p.m. First session free, $5 thereafter. No partners needed. Gary or Ginny, 360-766-6866.

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.

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND AND IRISH STEP DANCE: The Clan Heather Dancers offer yearround Scottish Highland and Irish step dance classes in Bellingham, Everett and Mount Vernon. clanheather.com.

MONDAY DANCING: Dance to The Skippers or Good Vibrations from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon.

Public welcome. Information: Kenneth Kossman (360-336-3682) or the center (360-416-1585). $7 per person.

MUSIC

SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: Harmony Northwest Chorus, a women’s a cappella group singing four-part harmony barbershop style, welcomes all voice parts ages 15 and up. Meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon.

Contact Carol Ward:

425-232-9171 or contact@ harmonynorthwest.org.

OPEN MIC NITE: 6 to 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Lil’Nut Cafe and Diner, 330 Cherry St., Sumas.

SCOTTISH MUSIC SESSIONS: Musicians from around the valley meet at 3 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at Littlefield Celtic Center, 1124 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon. The jam session generally focuses on Scottish music.

MUSIC LESSONS: Three professional instructors at the Peterson Conservatory of Music & Arts, 314 S. Section St., Mount Vernon, are offering a variety of classes for music students from youth aged 6-10 ($10) to ages 11 to adult ($40-50). pcmusical.org.

UKULELE FUN & SONG CIRCLE: 12:30 to 1:30 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: Join the AnO-Chords, a four-part barbershop harmony group that meets at 7 p.m.

Thursdays at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 18th St., Mount Vernon.

No experience necessary, no auditions required.

Learn by rote, you don’t have to read music. All ages welcome. anochords.org.

360-679-7473.

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

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

360-630-1156.

SHELTER BAY CHORUS: Rehearsals on Thursdays at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse, 1000 Shoshone Drive, La Conner. New members welcome. 360223-3230.

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.

RECREATION

SKI TO SEA REGISTRATION: Registration for the 47th Annual Ski to Sea Race is open. The race, presented by Whatcom Events, will be held in Whatcom County on Sunday, May 24. skitosea.com.

STATE OF THE PARK: Attend the annual Deception Pass Park State of the Park meeting at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 26, at Lindgren Hall Rosario Beach Marine Labratory, 15510 Rosario Beach Road, Anacortes.

BALD EAGLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER: The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center offers guided nature hikes along the Skagit River and educational speakers on weekends on January.

The center, which offers elementary and high school educational tours as well as community group tours, is located at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. For a complete list of speakers, visit skagiteagle. org.

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Steve Martin brings bluegrass with a twist the song and I was playing it for a friend of mine, (movie producer) Walter Parkes, and his wife, Laurie. He’s a great guitarist, by the way. He said, “You know, I really liked it, but I think it needs to be a little more emotional at the end.” Right there I wrote those lines. So it was really his inspiration that made me go there.

By RANDALL ROBERTS Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Steve Martin harnesses an archetypal conceit — “Come to California!” — for his new song with the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Called, simply, “California,” the bluegrass come-on is written from the perspective of a man beckoning his love in Oklahoma to move West and chase her dreams as a writer.

Not surprisingly, the song doesn’t travel the predictable route. Martin, who has written for stage, screen, song, stand-up routine and printed word, knows his way around a yarn. He also knows his way around his banjo. Since 2010, he’s awarded worthy players the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo & Bluegrass, a prize he began giving out on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” Earlier this month he announced he was donating the one-of-a-kind, gold-plated banjo given to him by the Kennedy Center when he won the Mark Twain Prize in 2005 to the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City. And for the past decade he’s participated in a series of collaborations with Grammy-winning bluegrass players the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Martin first performed with the Asheville, N.C., band at a 2009 benefit for the Los Angeles Public Library, and has since recorded two acclaimed bluegrass albums with them. The new song, “California,” is their first work since “The Long Awaited Album” in 2017.

“Took a house in California / Overlooks the Sunset Strip,” Martin sings to open the song, his phrasing short and sharp.

“Said you’d join me when I’m settled / Now I sit here six weeks in.” Scene thus set, the singer and the band maneuver through a round of fiddle and banjo runs.

“I’ve written about Santa

KAREN FOCHT / ZUMA PRESS VIA TNS

Steve Martin performs at Snowden Grove Amphitheater on Aug. 2, 2013, with the Steep Canyon Rangers in Southhaven, Miss.

Fe, where I used to live, and a couple other places,” Martin said recently from his home in New York. “And ‘California’ just came up because I’ve lived there my whole life. I don’t live there anymore, but I just love it.”

Needless to say, the protagonist hits a few road bumps in the song. Manuscripts are pitched, HBO is name-checked.

The aspiring hero meets a love interest at a Whole Foods. They smoke weed in a house in L.A.’s Bird Streets neighborhood. All over the course of three spirited minutes.

Martin, who will spend the end of January touring around Florida with his friend and fellow comedian Martin Short (and heads to the U.K. with Short in March), recently spoke to the Times about the genesis of “California.” The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What sparked you to write “California”?

A: It’s kind of bizarre. I’d just done an album with the Steep

Canyon Rangers. It was called “The Long Awaited Album,” and right after we recorded it, I thought, “Well, that’s it. I’m probably not going to be writing any more songs.”

But then I just started working on this song, and I think it might have been inspired by a couple of things. One is, about 10 years ago I was searching on Google Maps, and I realized that the area above Sunset that I always loved — Brasher and Wren and Oriole — had an actual designation, the Bird Streets. We’d always called them the Bird Streets, but now they’re on the map as a locale.

And I thought, “Oh, that’s really interesting that this has become a place.”

In one of my books, I talked about this feeling when you’re sitting in the Hollywood Hills and you can watch the airplanes line up for LAX, for landing.

And sometimes you get the right angle and it’s as though they’re still, that they’re not moving. And it’s kind of beautiful because it’s so peaceful. So I

just started using that imagery.

Q: A lot of narrative bluegrass songs end up with somebody dead at the end. On first listen, I was worried that your hero might experience the same fate.

A: I have written songs where people end up dead, but this just felt right. It felt like a true story.

And also, you know, I have lifelong friendships with Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams, who both came to California from Oklahoma as young men.

There’s something logical about that journey. L.A. has this allure, especially for creative people.

And there was some kind of nice truth in having the woman be a writer, or potential writer, coming to L.A. as part of (the narrator’s) sales job on her.

Q: The sweetest line in “California” is in the verse where the narrator smokes weed in the Bird Streets house with a woman he’s met at Whole Foods: “Left the house, did not inhale it / I could only think of you.”

A: You know, I had written

Q: The video for the song alludes to the early selling of California, with imagery suggestive of orange crate art and midcentury Hollywood postcards.

A: Absolutely. In the late 19th century, early 20th century, orange crate art made a very big deal about the selling of California to the rest of America.

(Director Peter Reeve), who did the video, struck on something really appropriate. That was the way California was sold to the rest of the country early on.

Q: Last year marked the 10year anniversary of your first performance with the Steep Canyon Rangers, a benefit for the Los Angeles Public Library.

Did you expect that the set would lead to a decade-long collaboration?

A: Do you know what our next gig after that was? Carnegie Hall (laughs). We were so unready.

Q: You’re headed to the U.K. with Martin Short to continue touring your show “An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life.” Is “California” a teaser for a new album or tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers?

A: No. It’s intended as a single. It’s intended to not be too heavily promoted. We’re not going on any television shows. It’s just a single for today’s distribution of music. An album, you’ve got 12 songs. You’ve got to attend every one and try to get one played. A single is, “Take it or leave it. Here it is.”

E12 - Thursday, January 16, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS CHRIS BOTTI: Jan. 16, 17-19, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

COLD WAR KIDS: Jan. 1718, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

SKA PARADE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR WITH LOS KUNG FU MONKEYS: Jan. 17, El Corazon, Seattle.

206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

JAUZ: Jan. 18, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 206-381-7985 or washingtonmusictheater. com.

INTERNAL BLEEDING: Jan. 20, El Corazon Funhouse, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

REX ORANGE COUNTY: Jan. 21, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

HARRIET TUBMAN: Jan. 21-22, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

THE LIL SMOKIES: Jan. 23, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

STEVE GADD BAND: Jan. 23-26, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

BRETT DENNEN: Jan. 24, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

BILL MAHER: Jan. 25, Paramount Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

DERMOT KENNEDY: Jan. 26, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

STRUNZ & FARAH: Jan. 27, The Triple Door, Seattle.

206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net.

PETER BERNSTEIN, LARRY GOLDINGS, BILL STEWART: Jan. 28-29, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK: Jan. 28, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmas-

JULIA SWEENEY Feb. 1, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. ter.com.

JUAN DE MARCOS AND THE AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS: Jan. 28-29, The Triple Door, Seattle. 206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net.

RADICAL FACE: Jan. 29, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS: Jan. 30, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

WAR: Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

EMILY KING: Jan. 31, The Triple Door, Seattle. 206-8384333 or thetripledoor.net.

EXCISION: Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

THE CHOIR OF MAN: Jan. 31, Moore Theatre, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation. com. ”CINDERELLA”: by Pacific Northwest Ballet, Jan. 31Feb. 9, McCaw Hall, Seattle.

206-441-2424 or pnb.org.

HEART BY HEART: Feb. 1, The Triple Door, Seattle.

206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net.

CODY KO & NOEL MILLER: Feb. 1, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

JULIA SWEENEY: Feb. 1,

Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

SARAH MCLACHLAN: Feb. 2, Benaroya Hall, Seattle. 866-833-4747, or benaroyahall.org or livenation.com.

SINEAD O’CONNOR: Feb. 4, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

SUPERM: Feb. 4, Accesso Showare Center, Kent. 866973-9613 or livenation.com.

REVEREND HORTON HEAT: Feb. 4-6, The Crocodile, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

MARTIN TAYLOR, FRANK VIGNOLA: Feb. 4-5, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

QUEENSRYCHE: Feb. 5, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

TRIXIE MATELL: Feb. 5, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA: Feb. 6, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

NORM MACDONALD: Feb. 6, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY: Feb. 6-9, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729

or jazzalley.com.

GARY GULMAN: Feb. 8, Neptune Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

MUSTARD PLUG, THE TOASTERS: Feb. 9, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

SOULFLY, TOXIC HOLOCAUST: Feb. 10, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

SONNY LANDREATH, MARCIA BALL: Feb. 1112, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

ROSS THE BOSS: Feb. 12, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-2620482 or elcorazonseattle. com.

PEE WEE HERMAN: BIG ADVENTURE: Feb. 15, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

VALE OF PNATH, GOROD: Feb. 16, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

JACK BROADBENT: Feb. 19, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

DAVID SANBORN JAZZ QUINTET: Feb. 20-23, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET: Feb. 20-22, The

Triple Door, Seattle. 206-8384333 or thetripledoor.net.

TUCK AND PATTI: Feb. 24, The Triple Door, Seattle.

206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net.

STANTON MOORE: Feb. 27, The Triple Door, Seattle.

206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net.

WILLIAM DUVALL: Feb. 29, The Triple Door, Seattle.

206-838-4333 or thetripledoor.net. ”STU FOR SILVERTON”: Jan. 31-Feb. 23, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle. 206-6251900 or 5thavenue.org.

BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY: March 4, Rialto Theater, Tacoma. 253-591-5894 or tickets.broadwaycenter.org.

HAYLEY KIYOKO: March 8, Showbox Sodo, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation. com.

VICTOR WOOTEN: March 12-15, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com. ”SISTER ACT”: March 13-April 5, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle. 206-625-1900 or 5thavenue.org.

CARNIFEX: March 16, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-2620482 or elcorazonseattle. com.

THE ACACIA STRAIN: March 18, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

AMANDA SHIRES: March 20, The Crocodile, Seattle.

877-987-6487 or Eventbrite. com.

TOWER OF POWER: April 2-5, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

AMY GRANT: April 4, Pantages Theater, Tacoma.

253-591-5894 or TacomaArtsLive.org.

CORB LUND: April 10, Tractor Tavern, Seattle. 866777-8932 or Ticketweb.com.

BILLIE EILISH: April 10, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

ALICE COOPER: April 20, McCaw Hall, Seattle. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster.

com.

MILKY CHANCE: Aug. 24, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH: April 23, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

STURGILL SIMPSON, TYLER CHILDERS: May 20, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DEAD CAN DANCE: May 3, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

CHER: May 4, Angel of The Winds Arena, Everett.

866.332.8499 or angelofthewindsarena.com. ”ONCE ON THIS ISLAND”: May 12-24, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle.

206-625-1900 or 5thavenue. org.

APOCALYPTICA: May 14, Showbox at The Market, Seattle. 888-929-7849 or AXS.com, JOURNEY, THE PRETENDEERS: May 16, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM: May 29, El Corazon, Seattle.

206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

SYMPHONY X: June 1, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-2620482 or elcorazonseattle. com.

HALSEY: June 2, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or livenation. com.

ALANIS MORISSETTE: June 3, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

BRANDI CARLILE, SHERYL CROW, YOLA: June 6, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com. ”EVITA”: June 12-July 4, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle.

206-625-1900 or 5thavenue. org.

ULI JON ROTH: June 6, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-2620482 or elcorazonseattle. com.

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Winter Farmers Market open on Saturday

AT THE LINCOLN

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

Winter is upon us, and as many places are moving indoors for the winter, it takes a lot more than a snowy forecast to prevent a Farmers Market in Bellingham.

The winter Bellingham Farmers Market is open the third Saturday of January, February and March at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. The market opens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18.

There will be produce from local vendors, treats, wellness items, street performers and more. ‌

Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson (with Moanalani Beamer, center) perform tonight at the Lincoln Theatre.

Keola Beamer & Jeff Peterson 7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, JAN. 16 One is a Hawaiian legend who has stretched the boundaries of slack key guitar music while remaining true to the soul of its deeply Hawaiian roots. The other is a rising star of the next generation of slack key players, who uses the style’s open tunings to explore multiple genres with ease and flair.

They are joined by dancer Moanalani Beamer, who brings hula and Hawaiian chants to the stage, and adds musical texture with ancient Hawaiian instruments. $25, $29, $35, $39. Lincoln members receive $2 off.

BELLINGHAM FARMERS MARKET

DINING GUIDE

1956884

SUNDAY BRUNCH Time: 9:30-2:00

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JAN. 17-18 5:30 P.M. SUNDAY, JAN. 19 7:30 P.M. MONDAY, JAN. 20 Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” a story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor.

Rated PG. $10.50 general; $9.50 seniors, students and active military; $8 ages 12 and under. Sunday bargain prices: $9 general; $7.50 ages 12 and under.

Bacon, Sausage Links, Ham, Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Special Scramble, Hash Brown Potato Casserole, Blueberry Blintzes, Prime Rib, Turkey, Ham, Corned Beef, Peel and Eat Prawns, Sage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes,Turkey Gravy, Fresh Fruit, Green Salad, Cole Slaw, Turkey Cranberry Salad, Assorted Danish & Pastries. Coffee, Milk or Orange Juice included.

1846970

‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’

Adults: $19.95 • Seniors: $17.95 Kids (under 12) $9.95

360.466.4411

LaConner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

NT Live: ‘All My Sons’

Enjoy the Season!

Titans vs Chiefs Playoff Viewing Parties

360.466.4411

ROCKFISH GRILL

Coming Up:

La Conner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

SAT. 1/18 7:30PM SCRATCH DADDY WEDS. 1/29 6PM SWINGNUTS

WEDS. 1/22 6PM FIDALGO SWING SAT. 2/1 7:30PM GRETA METASSA W/ JOAN PENNEY 360-588-1720 anacortesrockfish.com

320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes

1976641

Fresh Local12:05 Strawberries Sunday pm Shortcake PackersPies vs 49ers Waffles Sunday 3:40 pm Pancakes Prizes, Food and Milk Shakes -MOREDrink Specials

Family Friendly

1976678 1933806 1625562

1 P.M. SUNDAY, JAN. 19 Broadcast live from The Old Vic in London, Academy Award winner Sally Field (“Steel Magnolias,” “Brothers & Sisters”) and Bill Pullman (“The Sinner,” “Independence Day”) star in Arthur Miller’s blistering drama “All My Sons.”

America, 1947. Despite hard choices and even harder knocks, Joe and Kate Keller are a success story. They have built a home, raised two sons and established a thriving business.

But nothing lasts forever and their contented lives, already shadowed by the loss of their eldest boy to war, are about to shatter. With the return of a figure from the past, long-buried truths are forced to the surface and the price of their American dream is laid bare. $18 adults, $16 seniors, $14 students. Lincoln members receive $2 off.

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

1585064 1474688

E14 - Thursday, January 16, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK

MINI REVIEWS

In cursed ‘Dolittle,’ they could not have done less

By KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service

In 1967, Twentieth Century Fox undertook an expensive and complicated production of “Doctor Dolittle,” based on a series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting, about a doctor in Victorian England who talks to animals.

Starring Rex Harrison, “Doctor Dolittle” was a notoriously doomed production, troubled by quarantined animals, Harrison’s behavior and a budget that ballooned three times its size.

“Doctor Dolittle” received terrible reviews and tanked at the box office, though Fox was able to buy off a few Oscar trophies for special effects and song.

Refusing to learn from the past some five decades later, Universal is condemned to repeat it with their own “Dolittle,” starring Robert Downey Jr. in the title role, boasting a cool $175 million budget (or maybe more?!), plus rumors of production woes and multiple reshoots.

And after getting a gander at the at-best mediocre, at-worst deeply upsetting dreck that “Dolittle” director Stephen Gaghan managed to get on screen, it’s official. With the exception of the successful Eddie Murphy film series that borrowed the name and conceit, faithfully adapting Dolittle is simply a cursed endeavor.

Do little? They could not have done less. The only appropriate adjective for this “Dolittle” is “hasty.”

Everything feels slapdash and half-rendered; the plot

UNIVERSAL PICTURES V

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Dr. John Dolittle, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., right, with Jip, voiced by Tom Holland, in a scene from “Dolittle.”

proceeds in a fashion that could only be described as perfunctory.

One hopes this is actually the third time they shot it, as everyone on screen seems to be in a stumbling daze, especially Downey Jr. as the frazzle-dazzled doctor.

You’ll spend most of the movie wondering about the mysterious provenance of his half-Irish, half-Scottish accent and the rest of the time wondering if they actually dubbed his voice along with the rest of the animals.

The story finds Dolittle a hermit, shut up in his estate, grieving the loss of his wife, who disappeared on one of her adventures. One day, an intrepid young man, Stubbins (Harry Collett) and an annoying young girl, Lady Rose (Carmel Laniado) crash his pity party.

Stubbins wants to help save animals and Lady Rose wants Dolittle to save the young Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley, not that you’d know), who has

taken to her bed with a mysterious illness.

Dolittle only rushes to her bedside because his land, deeded as a nature preserve, will be signed off to the treasury upon the queen’s death. Nothing like a real estate quibble to get the blood pumping.

Dolittle determines the queen’s been poisoned and sets off on an oceanic journey to acquire the necessary antidote, which is also a journey into his past and back to himself.

He encounters the dread pirate ex-father-in-law King Rassouli (Antonio Banderas), outsmarts the sniveling Mudfly (Michael Sheen) and distressingly, extracts a wind instrument from a reptile’s “impacted colon,” learning that when he helps others, he’s truly helping himself.

One of the worst tones a film can strike is “hectic” (unless that film is “Uncut Gems”). Not only is “Dolittle” hasty, hectic and harried, but worse, it is utterly halfhearted.

Written by Gaghan, Dan

Gregor, Doug Mand and Thomas Shepherd, the character development is negligible, the jokes unoriginal, lowest-common denominator fare.

Transitions have been lost along the way, so we’re thrown from location to location with no context or any reason to care about the half-baked adventure.

The only thing “Dolittle” does well is out-bomb the infamous bomb “Doctor Dolittle,” and that is one for the history books.

‘DOLITTLE’ H

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley, Harry Collett, Carmel Laniado, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Emma Thompson, Tom Holland.

Directed by Stephen Gaghan.

Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes.

Rated PG for some action, rude humor and brief language.

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

“Just Mercy” — An idealistic young lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) pours his heart and soul into exonerating an innocent Alabama man (Jamie Foxx). The fact-based legal thriller is one of the most predictable movies you’ll ever see, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid, inspirational, debate-provoking work. Drama, PG-13, 137 minutes.

HHH “Like a Boss” — The likable Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play lifelong friends tempted to turn over their struggling cosmetics company to a villainous tycoon (Salma Hayek). It’s just a crass and dumbed-down buddy comedy in lipstick and eyeshadow. Comedy, R, 83 minutes. H1/2 “Spies in Disguise” — This computer-animated adventure benefits from the expert comic timing of Will Smith, providing the voice of a super spy accidentally transformed into a pigeon and forced to team up with a socially awkward tech genius (Tom Holland). It’s terrific family entertainment, popping with bright colors. Animated action, PG, 101 minutes. HHH “1917” — With brilliant, claustrophobically effective directing choices by Sam Mendes and strong, raw performances from young leads Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay, this heart-stopping World War I drama is a unique viewing experience you won’t soon shake off.

War action, R, 119 minutes. HHH “Uncut Gems” — In one of the most authentic deep dives into the world of the gambling addict ever put on film, Adam Sandler’s performance as a New York jeweler with a variety of voracious appetites might just be the best dramatic performance by an actor in all of 2019.

Crime comedy, R, 135 minutes. HHHH “Little Women” — Through the prism of the blazingly talented writer-director Greta Gerwig, it’s as if we’re meeting the March sisters for the very first time, and we’re immediately swept away in a gorgeously filmed, wickedly funny, deeply moving and, yes, empowering story. Drama, PG, 135 minutes. HHHH “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” — Action-filled and plot-packed, Episode IX of the space opera saga features a twist and turn and surprise around nearly every corner. It rarely comes close to touching greatness, but it’s a solid, visually dazzling and warm-hearted victory for the Force of quality filmmaking. Fantasy adventure, PG-13, 141 minutes. HHH “A Hidden Life” — In 1940s Austria, a farmer is jailed for refusing to sign a loyalty oath to Hitler, as his wife and children suffer without him. This is a Terrence Malick film, so you can count on feeling dazzled by spectacular shots of heaven on Earth, and impatient at the sheer overpowering deliberateness of it all. Historical drama, PG-13, 180 minutes. HHH “Jumanji: The Next Level” — Like 2017’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” this rousing, funny, warm-hearted, old-fashioned adventure movie puts high school students into video game avatars that look like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and others. There’s more than enough charm to overcome the occasional overlong action sequence.

Action adventure, PG-13, 123 minutes. HHH

Thursday, January 16, 2020 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

‘Bad Boys for Life’ refreshing tribute to ’90s action cinema After turning in the first two greatly beloved, operatically souped-up action opuses in the “Bad Boys” franchise, everyone’s favorite gearhead maximalist auteur Michael Bay is no longer behind the camera for the third, “Bad Boys for Life” (though he is in front of it, briefly).

Not to worry though, as Belgian filmmaking duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, clearly devoted students of Bay’s style, craft a wonderful facsimile of his greatest hits, from his swirling low-angle dolly shots to capturing the glorious clash of sunset and neon that screams Miami.

From the very first sequence of a screeching Porsche burning up the streets of South Beach, El Arbi and Fallah prove that as directors, they have the horsepower to match Bay, if not the grace yet.

Nevertheless, their first major American feature outing is a loving and skillful tribute to pure ’90s action cinema, and it’s a hoot for fans of the franchise.

That’s largely because Martin Lawrence is back, baby! After popping up in a small but memorable role in Harmony Korine’s “The Beach Bum” last year, Lawrence returns to full-blown movie stardom and walks away with “Bad Boys for Life,” reminding audiences what a crucial element he is to the unique mix of action and comedy that makes the “Bad Boys” work.

The yin and yang, push and pull of the soft goofball Marcus (Lawrence) and his partner, the hardened Mike (Will Smith), is thrown into even starker relief when Marcus becomes a grandfather.

His desire to retire clashes with Mike’s quest for vengeance after being shot by a mysterious motorcyclist, testing the whole “for life” part of the pals’

mantra. Forget boyhood; Marcus just wants to see them become a few “good men.”

Longtime Miami cop Mike has a few South American drug cartel enemies who might want to see him dead. But for this particular assassin, it’s personal, and after facing death, Mike loses his already tenuous grasp on his own cool.

In the process, the bad boys have to learn a few new tricks from some younger, high-tech, less lethal new dogs (Vanessa Hudgens, Charles Melton, Alexander Ludwig).

The script, by Chris Bremmer, Peter Craig and Joe Carnahan, relies on a few too many twists and bait-and-switches that don’t even feel manipulative, just unearned.

Probe its depths and politically it’s a bit problematic, but El Arbi and Fallah throw enough surface pleasures like gorgeous Miami time-lapses, rosy vistas and

bonkers action sequences at the audience to distract from inspecting anything below.

The film is lensed beautifully by their longtime cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert, who also shot the insanely stunning French feminist revenge horror flick “Revenge.”

“Bad Boys for Life” delivers the kind of richly textured visual eye candy that expresses a hyperreal sense of place and a tone.

It’s an aesthetic all too often lost in the gray blur of CGI that passes for action filmmaking these days.

That’s why the ’90s throwback vibe of “Bad Boys for Life” is so refreshing: El Arbi and Fallah predominantly use practical stunts, sets and effects; the action is plotted crisply and carefully. One night sequence featuring a motorcycle and sidecar, helicopter and rocket launcher rivals even Bay’s

“Richard Jewell” — The latest economically filmed, well-crafted gem from Clint Eastwood recalls the cop wannabe who was proven innocent after being named as the prime suspect in the 1996 Olympics bombing in Atlanta.

Paul Walter Hauser delivers screen-commanding work as the title character.

Historical drama, R, 130 minutes. HHH½ “Knives and Skin” — When a teen disappears in a seemingly quiet Midwestern town, reactions range from the strange and disturbing to the REALLY strange and disturbing in this cool and badass and blazingly original social

satire/horror thriller. Rating: Thriller, no MPAA rating, 112 minutes. HHH½ “The Two Popes” — With Anthony Hopkins portraying Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as the cardinal who would become Pope Francis, we have the privilege of seeing two of the world’s finest actors sinking their chops into rich albeit sometimes overly fanciful dialogue. But with an overlong running time, “The Two Popes” is the kind of well-made but flawed release you can wait to catch on home video. Biography, PG-13, 125 minutes. HH½ “A Million Little Pieces” — There’s nothing Holly-

wood or glamorous about Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s work as self-destructive, hardcore addict James Frey. This is an effective blunt instrument of a film — a rough-edged, unvarnished, painfully accurate portrayal of addiction and rehabilitation. Drama, R, 113 minutes. HHH “The Aeronauts” — This rousing and (frostbitten) knuckle-biting adventure reteams Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones (“The Theory of Everything”) for a historic 1862 quest in a hot air balloon to ascend higher than any man or woman had flown up to that moment. The fact-based fairy tale has a

distinctly old-fashioned, Saturday afternoon movie vibe. Historical adventure, PG-13, 101 minutes. HHH “Queen & Slim” — A man and woman on a first date end up on the run after a police encounter goes bad in one of the best and most important movies of the year. Filled with keenly observed social commentary, it also finds time for some soaring moments of inspiration, a little bit of comedic relief and a red-hot romance. Drama, R, 132 minutes. HHHH “Dark Waters” — Mark Ruffalo plays a real-life crusading attorney who took on the case of a West Virginia farmer convinced

that toxic chemical waste from DuPont poisoned his cattle and his land. It’s a role squarely in Ruffalo’s comfort zone, and it’s no surprise he knocks it out of the park. Historical drama, PG-13, 127 minutes. HHH “Knives Out” — This crackling good, old-fashioned murder mystery is one of those movies where it looks like the immensely appealing cast — including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Evans — had as much fun making the film as we have watching it.

Murder mystery/comedy, PG-13, 131 minutes. HHH “21 Bridges” — In a plot with more holes than a box of doughnuts, Chadwick

By KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service

BEN ROTHSTEIN/COLUMBIA PICTURES-SONY

This image released by Sony Pictures shows Martin Lawrence, right, and Will Smith in a scene from “Bad Boys for Life.”

jaw-dropping bridge car chase from “Bad Boys II.” El Arbi and Fallah have done seemingly the impossible. They’ve taken over an action franchise 17 years after the last installment and made a film that’s a delightfully dizzying love letter to action filmmaking of yore, while respectfully preserving the franchise’s best elements. It really makes you believe that these bad boys just might actually be for life.

‘BAD BOYS FOR LIFE’ HHH

Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Kate del Castillo, Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Charles Melton, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez.

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.

Running time: 2 hours, 3 minutes.

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual references and brief drug use.

Boseman plays an NYPD detective who shuts down the bridges out of Manhattan to trap a duo of cop killers.

The movie looks cheap and grimy, and the story has supposedly smart people doing really stupid things.

Crime action, R, 99 minutes.

H½ “Waves” — This beautiful and pensive and heartbreaking drama begins with perfect little moments, all designed to immerse us in the world of a high school wrestler, his sweet little sister and their father and stepmom. But soon we begin to see signs of the tidal wave of trouble ahead. Drama, R, 135 minutes. HHHH

E16 - Thursday, January 16, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

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