360 March 24, 2016

‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’ Nothing fresh here, lacks the element of surprise and discovery of 2002 film PAGE 14

ANACORTES COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS A MUSICAL WITHIN A COMEDY Page 4

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday March 24, 2016

TUNING UP PAGE 9 Johnny Rivers plays the Skagit Valley Casino this weekend EASTER IN THE AREA PAGE 3 Gather goodies at egg hunts, meet the Easter bunny and more at these local events

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “The Hunger “Daddy’s Home”: Games: MockingStepfather (Will FerUpcoming jay, Part 2”: Katniss rell) battles biological movie releases Everdeen faces one father (Mark Wahl Following is a partial last showdown with berg) for the attention schedule of coming DVD President Snow. Jenof two children. Will releases. Release dates nifer Lawrence stars.

Ferrell again resorts are subject to change: Splitting the final book to his over-the-top in the popular series style. But there is no MARCH 25 Synchronicity into two feature films counterbalance from created a bloated feelWahlberg, who looks MARCH 29 ing to the story. Instead bored with the project.

The Hateful Eight of the heart-pounding The result is a film that Concussion tempo that made the has a good heart but no Point Break first two movies so strong humor.

Cartel Land entertaining, the slow Archer Season 6 “Freaks and Geeks: Exposed grind of the finale is The Complete Series”: Forsaken less compelling.

The short-lived TV Humans, Season 1 It made financial series is now available sense, not artistic sense. on Blu-ray.

APRIL 5 “The Letters”: Film “The Royals”: WickStar Wars Episode VII from director/writer The Force Awakens ed look at the Royal The Hallow William Riead reveals Family starring Eliza#Horror that even the woman beth Hurley.

Banshee: Season 3 whose grace, compas“Fear the Walking Casual: Season 1 sion and work have Dead: Season 1”: Doctor Who: earned her considerDrama that explores Complete Series 9 ation for canonization Episodes: Season 4 the onset of the undead Heartland: Season 6 by the Catholic Church apocalypse through House of Lies: Season 4 had her doubts. the lens of a fractured Identicals Mother Teresa’s confamily.

Mojave cerns about the loneli“Noma: My Perfect Never Back Down 3 ness and darkness she Storm”: Documentary Riot felt in her life, plus an The Expanse: Season 1 about celebrated chef abandonment by God, The Odd Couple René Redzepi.

Tumbledown were only revealed “American Experithrough a series of letence: The Perfect n Tribune News Service ters written to her spirCrime”: In 1924, the itual adviser, Celeste murder of a 14-year-old van Exem (Max Von boy by two wealthy colSydow). lege students shocked the nation.

Mother Teresa’s life was so inspir“Perry Mason Movie Collection: ing that even a film that tells her story Volume 5”: Includes “The Case of the at only about 75 percent of its potenKiller Kiss.” tial still delivers a heavy spiritual “Midwinter of the Spirit”: Series punch. based on the novel by Phil Rickman.

“James White”: Director and writ“Nature: Moose: Life of a Twig”: er Josh Mond shows unflinching faith Documentary looks at one year in the in Christopher Abbott, star of “James life of a moose calf.

White.” Mond knows this story of “All Hell Breaks Loose”: Murdered a 20-something on the verge of a groom tries to save his wife’s soul. variety of breakdowns works only if “NOVA: Life’s Rocky Start”: Look the audience can feel every spark of at how life started. anger, frustration, hope, disappoint“Maude: The Complete Fourth ment, love and loss that White feels.

Season”: Bea Arthur stars in the This is accomplished by a strippedcomedy from Norman Lear. down production that puts all of its “Turn: Washington’s Spies: The potential power in the performances.

Complete Second Season”: Contains It is so engaging that there are times all 10 episodes from the second seawhen it becomes almost overwhelmson of the series that reveals the true ing. But that is a glowing sign of story of the turncoats. how well the movie is acted and put n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee together.

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

Tuning Up / Page 9 Bobby Holland and the Breadline play H20 in Anacortes on Saturday night

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Out & About................................... 5-6 Hot Tickets........................................ 7 On Stage, Tuning Up...................... 8-9 Get Involved.................................... 10 Travel............................................... 11 At the Lincoln.................................. 13 Movies........................................ 14-15 ON THE COVER

Trey Hatch (from left), Sydney Brady, Jessica Guzik and Chris Pelletier star in Anacortes Community Theatre’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” opening Friday.

Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E3

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

EASTER BUNNY AT CASCADE MALL: Visit the Easter Bunny for photos and a free gift from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24-26.

360-757-2070 or shop cascademall.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD EGG HUNT: Toddlers and up can enjoy photos with the Easter bunny, an egg hunt and games at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 1511 E. Broadway St., Mount Vernon. This event is cohosted by the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. Free. 360-4247675.

EASTER EGG DASH: The annual egg hunt for ages 12 and younger will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Storvik Park, 1110 32nd St., Anacortes. Bring your own basket. Rain or shine. Free.

BURLINGTON TEEN FLASHLIGHT EASTER EGG HUNT: 8 to 10 p.m., Saturday, March 26, Whitmarsh Fields, 1720 Whitmarsh Road, Burlington. 360-3913721 or kiwanis.org. Free.

EGG DECORATING: Hometown Café, 818 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley, presents its second annual Easter Egg Decorating Event from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26. Eggs, dyes, stickers and crayons supplied, as well as games, pictures and coloring contests. A kids’ meal and one dozen eggs is $9.99. Reservations recommended. 360-855-5012.

EASTER EGG HUNT: Mountain Glen Retirement Community will host an Easter Egg Hunt for all ages from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at 1810 E. Division St., Mount Vernon.

Free, including an egg and cookie decorating station.

RSVP by today, March 24: 360-424-7900.

ANACORTES EASTER EGG HUNT: The annual egg hunt, bunny hop and music will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 26 at Family Life Assembly, 1617 29th St., Anacortes. Play games and win prizes, including Kindle Fires and a balance bike. Up to age 12. Free. 360-293-2219.

KIWANIS EGG HUNT: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, Maiben Park, 1011 E. Greenleaf Ave., Burlington. Ages 8 and younger can hunt for eggs filled with candy and toys. Free.

EASTER BRUNCH BENEFIT: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, March 27, La Conner Retirement Inn, 204 N. First St., La Conner. $10. A portion of the proceeds will support the 2016 Alzheimer’s Walk. RSVP: 360-466-5700 or gostrofe@ laconnerretirementinn.com.

EASTER IN THE AREA CONCRETE EASTER EGG HUNT: The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Concrete Lions Club will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 26, at Concrete Elementary School, 7838 S. Superior Ave., Concrete. Free. 360-853-8145.

BAY VIEW EGG HUNT: Bay View United Methodist Church will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Bayview State Park, 10901 Bay View-Edison Rd., Mount Vernon. Meet near the picnic shelter by the beach in the day use area. Free. No Discover Pass is required. 360-499-6768.

ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT: Skagit Valley Gardens will host its 15th annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at 18923 Peter Johnson Road, Mount Vernon. Ages 21 and older are invited to hunt for eggs among the display gardens, with a prize for every egg, children’s planting, activities and more. 360-424-6760 or skagitvalleygardens.com.

CONCRETE EGG HUNT: Ovenell’s Heritage Inn & Log Cabins will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at 46276 Concrete Sauk Valley Road, Concrete. All ages. 360-853-8494.

CHILDREN’S EGG HUNT: Hillcrest Church will host its annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. after services on Sunday, March 27, at 1830 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-424-3006.

SKAGIT GOLF EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT: Bring the family for brunch and an egg hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 27, at the Skagit Golf and Country Club, 16701 Country Club Dr., Burlington. Kids can meet the Easter Bunny at the Easter Egg Hunt, which starts at noon. Brunch for adults is $16.50, ages 7-12 is $10, ages 3-6 is $6, ages 0-2 free. 360-7574081.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

ON STAGE

Rollicking music and comedy in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

Skagit Valley Herald staff

Photos by Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

TOP: Sydney Brady (from left) is The Drowsy Chaperone, Trey Hatch is Underling, and (back, right) Laurie Lobdell, Malcolm Taylor and Beth Baker are servants in “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

BOTTOM: Rachel Page is Kitty and Calvin Brown is Mr. Feldzieg.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a musical found within a comedy, according to Anacortes Community Theatre director Willow McLaughlin.

The production, which opens Friday and runs weekends through April 23, starts with a man who is feeling a little blue, and decides to play one of his favorite old records “The Drowsy Chaperone” — a rollicking musical from the 1920s.

The musical comes to life on the stage and “The Man In The Chair” shares his enjoyment with the audience, while hilariously interacting with and commenting on the entire production. The production is full of wacky characters, wit and gut-busting comedy.

Bailey Wend plays Trix The Aviatrix

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Where: Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes When: 7:30 p.m. March 25-26, March 31-April 2, April 7-9, 14-16, 21-23; 2 p.m. April 3, 10, 17 Tickets: $20. 360-2936829 or acttheatre.com /8-upcoming-shows/65the-drowsy-chaperone

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E5

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT & ABOUT ART MIXED MEDIA ART SHOW: A new Mixed Media Show continues through March 28 at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

The show features glass and steel work by Lin McJunkin and Milo White.

They have paired their work with painter Ann Vandervelde and poetry

by Anne McDuffie. The show also includes work by digital media artist Mustafa Bilal and paintings by Pat Sayre. Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday through Saturday or by appointment. 360293-6938 or scottmilo.com.

“EDGING TOWARD DISASTER”: A show of new works by Natalie Niblack continues through March 31 at ACME Creative Space, 705 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

The exhibition includes paintings and prints of natural and man-made disasters. The works are a result of a “pervading sense of disastrous change in the culture — change in climate, environment, politics and potential world war,” according to a news release. 360-453-7663 or acmecreative.co.

“SECRETS OF THE MOUNT VERNON CULTURE”: The Skagit County Historical Museum is featuring a special installation, “Secrets of the Mount Vernon Culture: Uncovered, Documented and Prepared

by Jack Gunter,” through May 15 at 501 S Fourth St., La Conner. The show features monumental pottery sculptures, paintings and other “artifacts” created

by Camano Island artist, author and world traveler Jack Gunter. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sun-

day. $5 adults, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families. Free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360466-3365 or skagitcounty. net/museum.

NORTHWEST ARTISTS AT MATZKE: A show of paintings and sculptures by the Puget Sound Group of NW Artists continues through April 10 at Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island.

Founded in 1928, the Puget Sound Group is committed to supporting the visual arts in the Pacific Northwest.

Participating artists include Brandy Agun, Beth Van Faasen Betker, Mary Beneventi, Ned Block, Austin Dwyer, Mark Eaton, Charles Fawcett, Joy Hagen, Linda Hoyt, Hyosoon Jung, Cary Jurriaans, Phil Levine, Darlene Lucas, Joe Mac Kechnie, Ned Mueller, Paul Newman, Jon Pokela, Christine Sharp, Lolly Shera, Kathy Troyer, Irena Jablonski, Ann Vandevelde, John Ringen and John Ebner.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, weekdays by appointment.

360-387-2759 or matzke fineart.com.

ART & GIFT SHOW: The Whidbey Allied Artists Art & Gift Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 25-27, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander St., Coupeville. The group’s artists will show and sell a wide variety of two- and threedimensional artworks, including both traditional and nontraditional art.

Free admission. sarilynn9@ yahoo.com.

SPRING ART SHOW: The annual Spring Art

Two new exhibits at MoNA

Skagit Valley Herald staff

Two new exhibitions will open with a reception at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, and continue through June 12 at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Free admission. 360466-4446 or monamuseum.org. n “Beyond Aztlán: Mexican and Chicana/o Artists in the Pacific Northwest”: Spanning the past six decades, the exhibition assembles a diversity of works by Chicana/o and Mexican artists that reside or formerly resided in the Pacific Northwest. Some were born in Mexico and moved to this region at different points in their lives. Others, born in the U.S., migrated from other states.

Artists include Cecilia Alvarez, Alfredo Arreguin (art pictured), Arturo Artorez, Paul Berger, Mark Calderón, Daniel Carrillo, Daniel DeSiga, Alma Gómez, Boyer Gonzales, Jr., Jesús Guillén, Fulgencio Lazo, Jesús Mena, George Rodríguez, José Luis Rodríguez Guerra and Rubén Trejo. n Robert Flynn: Art From the Permanent Collection: Born in 1930, Flynn worked in the Seattle area for 17 years and then another 40 years on the island of Kauai, where he still creates art. He is a sculptor, painter and printmaker.

In conjunction “Beyond Aztlán: Mexican and Chicana/o Artists in the Pacific Northwest” MoNA will present “Xicanismo Afire,” two Chicano poetry events, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 25-26.

March 25: Xicano (Chicano) Literature Foundation poets alurista, Lorna Dee Cervantes and John Martinez, with guitarist Tello Hernandez.

March 26: Pacific Northwest Chicano poets Ramon Ledesma, Raul Sanchez and Angelica Guillen, with guitarist Devon Peña.

Show will open with a gala reception from 2 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 26, and continue through May 1 at the River Gallery, 19313

Landing Road, Mount Vernon. The show features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and glass art by local and regional artists.

Artists include Sallie Lynn Davis, Vojtech Rada, Margaret C. Arnett, Jacqui Beck, Coizie Bettinger, Brooke Borcherding, Jennifer Bowman, Cynthia Richardson, Dedrian Clark, Ellen Dale, Chris Duke, Charlotte Decker, Renate Trapkowski, Pien Ellis, Dian Wilson, Nancy Fulton, Robert Gigliotti, Gary Giovane, Rita Hornbeck, Stephen Hunter, Gerald Johnson, Maggi Mason, Esther McLatchy, Louise Mango, Donna Nevitt, Rolf Oversvee, Suzanne Powers, Lavone Newell-Reim, Sharon Stapleton, Beth McGurren, Lynn Zimmerman, Peter Welty, Gail Thein, Christine Troyer, Peggy Olson and Linda Henley. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Sunday. 360-466-4524 or river gallerywa.com.

NORTHWEST ARTISTS AT SMITH & VALLEE: A diverse group of Northwest artists are represented in “Surroundings” a painterly landscape perspective of Skagit Valley, through April 3 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Featured are Clayton James, Ed Kamuda, Eric Eschenbach, Kathleen Faulkner, Becky Fletcher, Hart James, Gregg Laananen, Kris Ekstrand Molesworth, Rob Vetter, David Blakesley and Maggie Wilder. Also on display in Smith & Vallee’s back gallery is Dederick Ward’s canvas series “Reaching for Silence.” Free. 360-7666230.

APPLIQUÉ AND EMBELLISHMENT: View three new exhibits showcasing different quilting techniques.

“A Magical Journey of Hand Appliqué” by Kathy McNeil and “Clothing: Art & Embellishment” by Anita Luvera Mayer will

open with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, and continue through June 19 at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner.

Also on display: “La Conner in Bloom 2016: Flights of Fancy” from March 30 to May 1. The show features small fabric and textile artworks created by various local artists.

Many of the works have been donated by the artists and are offered for sale to benefit the museum.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during April. Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

REXVILLE GRANGE ART SHOW: The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 1–10, at the Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Rd., Mount Vernon. Twice a year, the grange shows local artists specializing in paintings, pottery, glass, photography, jewelry, baskets, and clothing. Listen to Campbell Road, a local Celtic band, at the opening party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1.

Free. 360-466-0477 or rex villegrangeartshow.com.

Artists include Marguerite Goff, Beth Hailey, Dona Flora, Janet Hamilton, Linda Ballard, Steve and Carole Bryant, Indy Behrendt, Carole Cunningham, Nicholette Harrington, Kathy Hastings, Cathy Hoffman, Susie Howell, Lynne Irelan, Gayle Johnson, Molly LeMaster, Andrea Lawson, Irene Lawson, Katherine Lewis, Debbie Lowery, Maria Patrizzi, Dona Reed, Wendy Ross, Mary Simmons, Martha Tottenham, Jessamyn Tuttle, Dan Tuttle, Lucinda Van Valkenburg.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

OUT & ABOUT ARTIST OPENING: Artist Trust Fellowship recipient Phoebe Toland will present a conglomeration of her wood block prints, collage, reconstruction and sculpture from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 1, at ACME Creative Space, 705 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

The evening includes a lecture and reception. Free.

360-453-7663.

from 9:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts, 12636 Chilberg Road., Mount Vernon.

Follow the tour with lunch, then explore Mayer’s exhibition “Clothing: Art and Embellishment” at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum. $50. 360-4660110 or gailcreativestudies. com.

OPEN HOUSE: Explore the resources at the Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts from 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 2, at 12636 Chilberg Road., Mount Vernon. The center offers a comprehensive course schedule for artists of every level. Free. 360-4660110 or gailcreativestudies. com.

ARTIST EXHIBITION: View Anacortes artist Anne Schreivogl’s colorful, upbeat paintings April 6-27 at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First Street, Mount Vernon. Meet Schreivogl at the Mount Vernon Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 7. Free. 360-293-8988 or lincolntheatre.org.

ARTIST TOUR: Enjoy a morning tour of Anita Luvera Mayer’s studio

TEXTILES, FIBERS AND MORE: The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum’s StashFest 2016 will feature some two dozen artists and vendors offering textiles, embellishments, fibers and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at La Conner High School, 404 N. Sixth St., La Conner.

Free admission. 360-4664288 or laconnerquilts.org.

QUILT SHOW: Fidalgo Island Quilters will present its biennial 2016 Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Katrine A. Eagling is this year’s featured artist. The show includes traditional, contemporary, modern and art quilts, and wearable art. A fashion show will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday. Admission: $7.

360-333-9311 or fidalgo islandquilters.com.

FAIRS TULIP STREET FAIR: The 32nd annual Tulip

Festival Street Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, April 15-17, along First Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Enjoy entertainment on the Rick Epting Memorial Stage, and discover children’s activities, a variety of food booths and hundreds of juried arts and crafts vendors. 360-336-3801 or mountvernondowntown. org.

FESTIVALS GALA OPENING CELEBRATION: “2016 Gala”, the Tulip Festival gala opening celebration, will take place from 5:30 to 9 pm today, March 24, at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. The gala will feature a performance

by Skagit Valley Academy of Dance’s Dansations, a dinner, dessert auction (creations by the chefs at Swinomish Casino and Lodge), and raffle items.

Advance ticket purchase required. 360-428-5959 or tulipfestival.org.

LECTURES AND TALKS CAREER PANEL FOR LGBTQ YOUTH: The YMCA Oasis Daylight Center will host a presentation for LGBTQ youths at 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the YMCA Activity Center, 215 E. Fulton St., Mount Vernon. A panel of LGBTQ adults will share stories of navigating their career paths and answer questions. This event is for any LGBTQ youth (no age parameters or restrictions) and their allies. Free.

360-419-9058, ext. 303.

“CRACKING THE CODES: THE SYSTEM OF RACIAL INEQUALITY”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30,

Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers will facilitate a discussion centered on the documentary about recognizing and responding to racism in our society. Free.

360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org.

RESTORATION OF ELWHA RIVER AND ESTUARY: Dr. Ian Miller, Ph.D., coastal hazards specialist, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, and other scientists are monitoring the unrestricted Elwha river and the resulting physical and ecological changes within the river basin and its estuary after the removal of two dams from the river. Miller will discuss changes in the coastal environment adjacent to the Elwha River mouth at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Northwest Educational Service District Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes.

Free. skagitbeaches.org or cherrytree2@comcast.net.

MUSIC EARTH SONGS: The Cantabile Chamber Choir and guests will celebrate Earth Day with “Voices of Earth’s Secret Soul” from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 23, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon.

Come 45 minutes early to hear local environmentalist Pete Hasse speak about “A History of Earth Day.” $15 general admission, $8 students, $40 families at the door. 360-424-1822.

MORE FUN “VALLEY GIRLS”: An exhibit highlighting some of the women who called Skagit County home will open with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 24, and continue through June 20 at the

Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner.

Learn about Nell Quackenbush Wheelock and her sister Kate Quackenbush Glover, pioneer telephone company owners; Louisa Ann Conner, founder of La Conner and instrumental in helping establish one of the first Catholic churches in town; Vi Hilbert, respected elder of the Upper Skagit Tribe; Lucinda Davis, pioneer roadhouse owner; and Harriet Wade Rowley, Skagit County’s first pioneer nurse and hospital owner.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. $5 adults, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-4663365 or skagitcounty.net/ museum.

KIDS GIANT GARAGE SALE: Young vendors will offer a variety of kid-related items for sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 26, inside the Burlington Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington.

Shop for gently used toys, books, clothes, bikes, furniture, games and more. Free admission. 360-755-9659.

ISLAND HOSPITAL AUCTION: “Swing Under the Wings,” Island Hospital’s 13th annual Gala of Hope Auction, will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Heritage Flight Museum, 15053 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. Proceeds will benefit patient programs, services and equipment. Heartstrings’ “Raise the Paddle” auction item will be dedicated to funding four fetal heart monitors. Ticket: $150. 360299-4201 or islandhospital foundation.org.

DFEST: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2-3, Cascade Middle School, 905 McGarigle Road, Sedro-Woolley. Chain saw carving demonstrations and sales, professional woodcraft vendors, student competitions, silent auction, wood carving raffle.

Free. 360-855-1841 or sedro-woolley.com.

DAIRY AMBASSADOR CORONATION: The Skagit County Dairy Women will hold their Skagit Dairy Ambassador Coronation Dessert Social at 7 p.m.

Monday, April 4, at Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon. $5 at the door.

360-269-8855.

SPRING GARAGE SALE: Skagit County Fairgrounds’ 24th annual Spring Garage Sale, Antiques & More is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, at 479 W. Taylor St., Mount Vernon. Rain or shine. $3 admission, $3 parking.

Booth space available. 360416-1350 or skagitcounty. net/fairgrounds.

BOOKS, BITES, BURGUNDY and BEYOND: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 16, Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington. Enjoy local food, wine and beer, live music, trivia contests and more. $30, tickets available at the Burlington Public Library or Stowes Shoes & Clothing, 420 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Must be 21 to attend.

360-755-0760.

SPRING DANCE: featuring Camano Junction from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $15 at the door. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E7

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND: March 24, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

MASTERS OF ILLUSION: March 24, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

TONIGHT ALIVE/SET IT OFF: March 24, Neumos, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

MADELEINE PEYROUX TRIO: March 24-27, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

JOHNNY RIVERS: March 25-26, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

“A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN”: March 25-April 17, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle. 206-6251900 or 5thavenue.org.

THE FLOOZIES: March 26, The Showbox, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

IGGY POP: March 28, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS: March 29-30, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

UNDEROATH: March 30, Showbox SoDo, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

RUBEN STUDDARD: March 31-April 3, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

ELLIE GOULDING: April 2, KeyArena, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III: April 2, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-3368955 or lincolntheatre.org.

SUDDEN VALLEY JAZZ SERIES: April 2/Nov. 5, Sudden Valley Dance Barn, Bellingham. 360-671-1709 or FSWL.org.

ANDERS OSBORNE: April 3, Neumos, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

LOS LOBOS: April 7-10, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

THE ROBERT CRAY BAND: April 8, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-

IRON MAIDEN April 11, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com 336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org.

ELVIS COSTELLO: with Larkin Poe: April 17, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mount bakertheatre.com.

GEORGE COLLIGAN TRIO FEATURING THOMAS MARRIOTT: April 18, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

PATTI LUPONE: April 23, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

OZ NOY WITH DAVE WECKL AND JIMMY HASLIP: April 26-27, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

MELISSA MANCHESTER: April 29-30, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

JOEY DEFRANCESCO QUARTET: May 3-4, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO: May 10-11, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

SELENA GOMEZ: May 13, KeyArena, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE: May 13-14, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or the skagit.com.

THE WHO: May 15, KeyArena, Seattle. thewho. com.

BEYONCÉ: May 18, CenturyLink Field, Seattle. 800745-3000 or live nation.com.

SPYRO GYRA: May 19-22, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

BILLY JOEL: May 20, Safeco Field, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

LLOYD JONES: May 28, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

ARTURO SANDOVAL: May 26-29, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

PAUL SIMON: May 28-29, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

BOB DYLAN & HIS BAND: with Mavis Staples: June 4-5, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

LATIN LINEUP COMEDY NIGHT: June 10-11, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

SLIPKNOT: with Marilyn Manson, Of Mice & Men: June 11, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

JUSTIN HAYWARD (Moody Blues): featuring

IGN’s Mike Dawes: June 24, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

BOSTON: July 1, WAMU Theatre, Seattle. 800-7453000 or Ticketmaster.com.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR: July 9, Xfinity Arena, Everett. 866-332-8499 or livenation.com.

PHISH: July 15-16, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

STING & PETER GABRIEL: July 21, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DEAD & COMPANY: July 23, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

THE RIPPINGTONS: July 21-24, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

ALBERT LEE: with Kate Taylor: July 24, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org.

ROB ZOMBIE, KORN: July 27, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

WATERSHED FESTIVAL: with Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Keith Urban and more: July 29-31, Aug.

5-7, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. watershedfest. com.

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

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER: Aug. 28, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND: Sept. 2-4, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. davematthewsband.com.

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES: Sept. 9, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DEF LEPPARD: with REO Speedwagon, Tesla: Oct. 1, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

MAROON 5: Oct. 11, KeyArena, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation. com.

JETHRO TULL: Oct. 28, Moore Theatre, Seattle.

877-784-4849 or live nation.com.

E8 Thursday, March 24, 2016

Thursday, March 24, 2016 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area March 24-31

TUNING UP Playing at area venues March 24-31 THURSDAY.24

THURSDAY-SUNDAY.24-27 ‘MARY POPPINS’ Theater Arts Guild, McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org. See individual listings for times.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY.25-26

Wayne Hayton (folk rock, Americana): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

JOHNNY RIVERS 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877-275-2448.

Something Strange: 6 to 8 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-9822649.

Mia Vermillion (blues): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

Mean Jeans, Dead Bars, Fallopia: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $7.

360-778-1067.

Karen Pollack (from left), Madelyn Harris, Levi Bork and Michael Turner are shown in a scene from “Mary Poppins.”

Thursday.24

Friday.25

Saturday.26

Sunday.27

THEATER

THEATER

THEATER

THEATER

“New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables” (musical): 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four. 360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/ BEHS.

Steve Snowden / Getty Images

BOBBY HOLLAND AND THE BREADLINE 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

FRIDAY.25

Craig Parrish Skagit Valley Herald

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Bargain night: $16.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

SATURDAY.26

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover. 425-737-5144 or 360-629-6500.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone “New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables” (musical): 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four. 360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/ BEHS.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

“New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables”: 2 and 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four.

360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/BEHS.

MUSIC

Mañalac Piano Duo (classical music): 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. $12-$15. 360-354-3600 or jansenartcenter.org.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.31 THEATER

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone.

Johnny Rivers: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877275-2448.

Petunia & The Vipers: 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12 advance, $15 at the door. 360-4453000.

Margaret Wilder Band: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

Jazmarae Beebe: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Andrew Norsworthy (blues, folk): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360399-1805.

Friday Swing, with Duane Melcher and Ken Vanderhyde (’30s, ’40s & ’50s classic tunes): 7 to 9 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.

Acoustic Jam Night: Nick Anthony and Friends, 7 to 10 p.m., Evelyn’s Tavern, 12667 Highway 9, Clear Lake.

360-399-1321.

Local Ghost, The Rusty Cleavers, The Sky Colony: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360778-1067.

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

360-848-8882.

J.P. Falcon Band/J.P. Falcon Grady: 8 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Ct., Bow. Free.

360-766-6330.

Paul Klein: 8 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

SATURDAY.26 Johnny Rivers: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55$60. 877-275-2448.

MuseBird Cafe: Toney Rocks, Michael Trew, Saint John, 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Baby Gramps (rags, jazz, novelty) and “Hot Damn Scandal” (tipsy American gypsy blues): 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15.

SUNDAY.27 Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360445-4733.

Chantel & Bailey: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

MONDAY.28 Steve Frame: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

CC Adams & Friends Sunday Jam (rock and blues): 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Pantry and Pub, 315 Morris St., La Conner. No cover. 360-4202535.

Swingnuts Jazz: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Angel of the Winds Casino, 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington. No cover. 360-4749740.

Bobby Holland and the Breadline: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Lowdown Drifters: 9 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $10. 425-737-5144 or 360-629-6500.

WEDNESDAY.30 Swingnuts Jazz: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Guns of Nevada, The Ellis Deviants, East Coast Dave & the Midwest Swingers: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6.

360-778-1067.

YogoMan Burning Band: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

Jody Taylor: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Court, Bow. Free.

360-766-6330.

THURSDAY.31 Acoustic Night: John Bisagna, 9 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

No cover. 360293-2544.

Troupe de Ville Steve Thoreson (opera), Eric Fridrich (blues) and Andre Feriante (flamenco): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15.

Queens Bluegrass: 6 to 8 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley.

360-982-2649.

Grassblue (bluegrass, folk): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360399-1805.

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover. 425-7375144 or 360-6296500.

E8 Thursday, March 24, 2016

Thursday, March 24, 2016 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area March 24-31

TUNING UP Playing at area venues March 24-31 THURSDAY.24

THURSDAY-SUNDAY.24-27 ‘MARY POPPINS’ Theater Arts Guild, McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org. See individual listings for times.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY.25-26

Wayne Hayton (folk rock, Americana): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.

JOHNNY RIVERS 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877-275-2448.

Something Strange: 6 to 8 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-9822649.

Mia Vermillion (blues): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805.

Mean Jeans, Dead Bars, Fallopia: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $7.

360-778-1067.

Karen Pollack (from left), Madelyn Harris, Levi Bork and Michael Turner are shown in a scene from “Mary Poppins.”

Thursday.24

Friday.25

Saturday.26

Sunday.27

THEATER

THEATER

THEATER

THEATER

“New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables” (musical): 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four. 360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/ BEHS.

Steve Snowden / Getty Images

BOBBY HOLLAND AND THE BREADLINE 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

FRIDAY.25

Craig Parrish Skagit Valley Herald

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Bargain night: $16.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

SATURDAY.26

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover. 425-737-5144 or 360-629-6500.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone “New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables” (musical): 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four. 360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/ BEHS.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone

“New Adventures in Artificial Sarcasm: An Evening of Original Short Plays”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School, Old Main Auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Les Miserables”: 2 and 7 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $9 adults, $5 seniors and students, $25 family of four.

360-757-4074 or be.wednet.edu/BEHS.

MUSIC

Mañalac Piano Duo (classical music): 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. $12-$15. 360-354-3600 or jansenartcenter.org.

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.31 THEATER

“Mary Poppins”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $24 adults, $18 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. acttheatre.com/8upcoming-shows/65-the-drowsy-chaperone.

Johnny Rivers: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55-$60. 877275-2448.

Petunia & The Vipers: 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12 advance, $15 at the door. 360-4453000.

Margaret Wilder Band: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

Jazmarae Beebe: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Andrew Norsworthy (blues, folk): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360399-1805.

Friday Swing, with Duane Melcher and Ken Vanderhyde (’30s, ’40s & ’50s classic tunes): 7 to 9 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.

Acoustic Jam Night: Nick Anthony and Friends, 7 to 10 p.m., Evelyn’s Tavern, 12667 Highway 9, Clear Lake.

360-399-1321.

Local Ghost, The Rusty Cleavers, The Sky Colony: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360778-1067.

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

360-848-8882.

J.P. Falcon Band/J.P. Falcon Grady: 8 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Ct., Bow. Free.

360-766-6330.

Paul Klein: 8 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

SATURDAY.26 Johnny Rivers: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $55$60. 877-275-2448.

MuseBird Cafe: Toney Rocks, Michael Trew, Saint John, 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Baby Gramps (rags, jazz, novelty) and “Hot Damn Scandal” (tipsy American gypsy blues): 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15.

SUNDAY.27 Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360445-4733.

Chantel & Bailey: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

MONDAY.28 Steve Frame: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

CC Adams & Friends Sunday Jam (rock and blues): 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Pantry and Pub, 315 Morris St., La Conner. No cover. 360-4202535.

Swingnuts Jazz: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Angel of the Winds Casino, 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington. No cover. 360-4749740.

Bobby Holland and the Breadline: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Lowdown Drifters: 9 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $10. 425-737-5144 or 360-629-6500.

WEDNESDAY.30 Swingnuts Jazz: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Guns of Nevada, The Ellis Deviants, East Coast Dave & the Midwest Swingers: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6.

360-778-1067.

YogoMan Burning Band: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

Jody Taylor: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 574 Caines Court, Bow. Free.

360-766-6330.

THURSDAY.31 Acoustic Night: John Bisagna, 9 p.m., The Brown Lantern, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

No cover. 360293-2544.

Troupe de Ville Steve Thoreson (opera), Eric Fridrich (blues) and Andre Feriante (flamenco): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15.

Queens Bluegrass: 6 to 8 p.m., The Woolley Market, 829 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley.

360-982-2649.

Grassblue (bluegrass, folk): 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360399-1805.

Open Mic and Jam: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. No cover. 425-7375144 or 360-6296500.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E10 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

GET INVOLVED ART CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT ART CONTEST: Students in grades 9-12 in the Second Congressional District are invited to submit their artwork to the annual Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Submissions and signed forms are due by 4 p.m. Monday, April 18.

They can be mailed or delivered to: Rep. Rick Larsen, Congressional Art Competition, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 9F, Everett, WA 98201; or 119 N. Commercial St., Suite 1350, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Complete contest rules and submission forms can be found at larsen. house.gov/helping-you/ art-competition. For more information or application assistance, call 425252-3188.

LA CONNER IN BLOOM: FIBER ART CHALLENGE: Quilters and artists are encouraged to create an entry for the “Flights of Fancy” exhibit to be displayed March 30-May 1 at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. Works, due by March 30, may be donated to help raise funds or returned after the exhibit.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission: $7, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and children ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.com.

ART CLASSES FAMILY ART DAYS AT MoNA: The Museum of Northwest Art offers Family Art Days each month at MoNA, 121 S.

First St., La Conner. Sessions are open to ages 5 and older at all skill levels and include guided walk-throughs of MoNA exhibitions. $5 per family, free for members. Limited enrollment. Preregistration is required. 360-4664446 or monamuseum. org. Next up: Colorful Silk Scarves: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Learn the process of stretching, designing, and painting a small silk scarf.

WEARABLE SCULPTURE: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner.

Make a wearable sculpture using a metal armature, stretchable fabric and hot glue.

Soft sculpture concepts of contour, texture, color and form will be introduced, with individual instruction provided. Students will create their own artwork, or a sculptural hat from a pattern. $75, includes materials.

360-466-4446 or mona museum.org.

DANCE FOLK DANCING: Skagit-Anacortes Folk Dancers meet Tuesdays at Bayview Civic Hall, 12615 C St. in Bay View. Learn to folk-dance to a variety of international music.

Instruction begins at 7 p.m., followed by review and request dances until 9:30 p.m. The first session is free, $3 thereafter. All are welcome. No partners needed. For information, contact Gary or Ginny at 360-766-6866.

THURSDAY DANCE: Dance to The Skippers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount

Vernon. For more information, contact Gisela at 360-424-5696.

MUSIC TIME FOR FIDDLERS: The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland.

St. Free; donations accepted. 360-630-1156.

SKAGIT VALLEY MUSIC CLUB: The club welcomes performers (intermediate and above), listeners and guests to join the fun at 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 31, at Vasa Hall, 1805 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. Come and sing, play the club’s piano or organ, play your own instrument or just enjoy a variety of music — ’20s to ’70s classical, popular, western and gospel. Free. For information, call Elaine at 360-4284228.

RECREATION ROLLER DERBY: Learn more about the Skagit Valley Roller Derby (SVRD) from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at Skagit Skate, 390 Cedar St., Burlington.

Meet skaters and sponsors, and learn how to volunteer. Free. 360-399-6044 or skagitvalleyrollerderby. com.

24TH ANNUAL GIRLS & BOYS TULIP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Boys and girls teams from grades 5-8 will play at various gyms throughout Skagit County on April 1-3. Daily admission charge for spectators. 360336-9414 or skagitcounty. net/parks.

HEALTHY HIKES : Park staff or guests lead

participants on the 3-mile Evergreen Trail from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, through April 30, at Rockport State Park, 51095 Highway 20, Rockport.

Participants who hike 100 miles in the park during 2016 will earn a hand-carved walking stick made by Don Smith, artist and senior park aide. Free, but a Discover Pass is required. 360-8538461 or rockport@parks. wa.gov.

WILD NIGHT LIFE: Join an interpretive specialist for an evening of wildlife viewing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Rasar State Park, 38730 Cape Horn Road, Concrete. Learn about night animals before heading out to look for signs of night animal activity by scenic Skagit River. Come with your flashlight and dress for the weather.

Meet at the day-use area.

Free. 360-826-3942.

TRAIL BUILDERS: Mount Vernon Trail Builders seeks volunteers to help with trail building and maintenance at Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon. Work sessions are held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, rain or shine. Lunch, snacks, tools and training are provided. For information, call Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation at 360336-6215 or visit mount vernontrailbuilders.com.

Next up: March 26; April 9 and 23.

FREE PARK ADMISSION: In honor of the arrival of spring, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer free admission to all state parks on Saturday, March 26.

The Discover Pass will

not be required to enter state parks, but will be required to access lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. parks.wa.gov.

SALMON HABITAT RESTORATION: Join Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) to help restore native riparian plants in the Skagit and Samish watersheds.

These plants provide shade and cover for salmon and leaf litter for aquatic insects, which in turn provide food for salmon.

These riparian zones also improve water quality by controlling erosion and filtering pollutants.

All planting events take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. For information, directions or to sign up, call 360-336-0172 or email sfeg@skagit fisheries.org.

Next up: March 26: Nursery potting party.

April 23: Earth Day Planting and Celebration at Bowman Bay, Deception Pass State Park.

DAFFODIL BICYCLE RIDE: In conjunction with the La Conner Daffodil Festival, the second annual Dandy Daffodil Tweed Ride will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at La Conner Channel Lodge, 205 N. First St., La Conner.

Early check-in will be available from 3 to 6 p.m.

Friday, March 25, at Hellam’s Vineyard, 109 N. First St., with day-of-ride check-in from 9 to 10 a.m.

An after-ride party will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Hellam’s Vineyard, where prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, includ-

ing most dapper chap, most snappy lass, most stylish steed, most marvelous mustache (men & women), most interesting picnic blanket, most classic teacup and best limerick. The bike ride is suitable for cyclists of all skill levels. Registration: $10. thedandydaffodil.com.

WORKSHOPS PISTOL SAFETY: The North Whidbey Sportsmen’s Association will offer the National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 16, at the NSWA range, 886 Gun Club Road, Oak Harbor.

Learn the skills and attitude needed for owning and using a pistol safely in this introductory class. Learn about pistol parts and operation, ammunition, gun safety, shooting fundamentals and activities, and a shooting session on the pistol range. $25, includes handbook. Register at 360-675-8397 or NWSA. Training@gmail.com. northwhidbeysportsmen. org.

FREE ADULT ACTING CLASSES: Anacortes Community Theatre offers free acting classes for adults twice each month: from 7 to 10:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Hosted

by Nello Bottari, classes include monologue work, scripted scenes, improv games and more, with a different topic each month. Each class is independent, so you don’t have to commit to every session. 360-840-0089 or freeadultactingclass.com. n For complete listings, visit goskagit.com and click on “Entertainment.”

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TRAVEL FAMILY TRAVEL 5

5 ultimate trips for baseball fans

By LYNN O’ROURKE HAYES The Dallas Morning News

Throw your clan a curveball and plan a baseball adventure. Here are five spots where peanuts, popcorn and hot dogs are on the menu: 1. Cactus League, Scottsdale, Arizona: Every spring, this Southwestern vacation zone is abuzz as baseball fans flock to catch their favorite teams warm up for the regular season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies get in the groove at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, where kids are sometimes allowed to run the bases after the game.

Watch the three-time World Series champion San Francisco Giants inside Scottsdale Stadium’s Charro Lodge, where you can catch the action from patio-style seating under the Arizona sun. Ask about free trolley rides and a wide range of packages designed to lure sports fans. scottsdalecvb.com/baseball 2. National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York: This iconic sports shrine traces the

history and cultural significance of the game through memorabilia and interactive exhibits. Youngsters under 12 and their families can visit the museum’s Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse for interactive youth-focused experiences.

Overnights in the museum are also possible. Each year, during the last weekend in July, nearly 20,000 fans flock to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. baseballhall.org 3. Big League Tours: Are you a fan of Fenway? Have you been to Wrigley Field? If the mere thought makes you smile, a Big League Tour might be a perfect fit for your family. Word is you’ll hang out with MLB players, get on the field, inside the dugouts and catch a batting practice.

Tours and vacation packages make it possible to hear the crack of the bat in your favorite cities or an entire region. bigleaguetours.com 4. World of Little League Museum, South Williamsport, Pa.: Founded in 1939, the Little League organization is proud to have

“instilled leadership and character among those who participate,” and has provided the spark for many who have gone on to play in the big leagues.

In this museum — dedicated to the world’s largest organized youth sports program — you and your family will find plenty of mementos, interactive exhibits and immersive media offering compelling stories about the sport’s development and how it intertwined with American history. littleleague.org/learn/museum/ world_of_little_league 5.Grapefruit League, Florida: Fifteen teams showcase their skills throughout the Sunshine State during spring training.

Fans can watch workouts and batting practice at no charge — even on game day. The familyfriendly park also boasts a fencedoff playground in right field near the end of the grandstand where parents and kids can take a break from the action. n Lynn O’Rourke Hayes is the editor of FamilyTravel.com. Email: lohayes@ familytravel.com

If all restrictions were lifted, flights to Cuba could drop 50 percent in price Los Angeles Times

As President Barack Obama visits Cuba to talk about normalizing relations with the communist country, a new study concluded that prices for flights to the island nation from the U.S. could fall by almost 50 percent if all travel sanctions are lifted.

The study by the travel site Hopper.com found that round-trip flights to Cuba from the U.S., which require that travelers

meet specific government-imposed criteria, costs an average of $717.

The average roundtrip fare between the U.S. and Cuba would drop by almost 50 percent, to $364, if the U.S. government were to lift all travel restrictions and airlines were to begin regular service, according to Hopper. com.

The cheapest flights, according to Hopper.com, would be from Miami, with nonstop round-trip flights at an average price of $275.

Since Obama began talking about normalizing relations with Cuba over the last year, online travel agencies have reported a 500 percent increase in searches for flights to Cuba, the travel site said.

United, American, Southwest, JetBlue and other carriers have submitted applications with the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting the agency award them a share of 20 daily roundtrip flights to Havana, and 10 flights to nine smaller

airports across Cuba. The agency plans to award the routes this summer.

The Obama administration has already eased travel restrictions by allowing individuals to travel to Cuba for “people-to-people educational” purposes.

Previously, one of several restrictions on travel to Cuba required educational trips to be in groups sponsored through a U.S.-based organization and accompanied by a guide.

Local travel SALMON DINNER SAIL: Join the Schooner Zodiac, a classic 1920s sailing yacht, for excursions from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, June 10-Sept. 2, departing from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $79 adults, $59 children. Reservations: 206-719-7622 or schoonerzodiac.com.

SISTER CITIES PRESENTATION: The Anacortes Sister Cities Association invites the public to its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Dr. Steve Miller will present “Nepal Orthopedic Hospital: Comprehensive Response to Earthquake Disaster.” Miller, who has taken equipment to Nepal on many medical missions, received ASCA’s Most Adventurous Traveler Award in 2014. Free. 360-873-8835.

TAUCK TOURS: A presentation on Tauck Tours will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at AAA Mount Vernon, 1600 E. College Way. RSVP: 360848-2084.

PACKSMART: A PACKSMART presentation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at AAA Mount Vernon, 1600 E. College Way. RSVP: 360848-2084.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 8 and older (adult supervision required for ages 17 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon.

For information or to register, call 360-336-6215.

Next up: Bainbridge Island: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Visit the award-winning Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. Enjoy a no-host lunch, shopping, wine tasting and more. $69. Register by April 11.

ESCORTED TOURS: The Whatcom County Tour Program offers a variety of day trips and longer tours, with most trips departing from and returning to the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St., Bellingham. For information or to register: 360-733-4030, ext. 1015, or wccoa.org/ index.php/Tours.

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

ESCORTED TOURS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., is offering these trips: South Dakota, Sept. 4-10; Legendary Waterways of Europe, Budapest to Amsterdam, Oct. 12-27.

For brochures and information: 360-279-4580.

PASSPORT FAIR: Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes, will host a Passport Fair for first-time applicants from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Six agents will accept completed passport applications and assist with application and processing. Appointments are not required. Applications are available at the library or at travel.state.gov. 1-877-487-2778 or travel.state.gov.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E12 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

MUSIC REVIEWS “SOUTHERN FAMILY,” various artists — If there’s a unifying figure in the Nashville country-flavored singer-songwriter renaissance, it’s Dave Cobb. The producer has helmed projects by Grammy winners Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, as well as Sturgill Simpson and Shooter Jennings, while branching out with the Boston pop quartet Lake Street Dive.

The Cobb-assembled “Southern Family” showcases that Music City community with a set of songs that aim to say something meaningful about blood ties and Southern identity. In addition to Stapleton (and his wife, Morgane), Isbell and Jennings, the collection gathers songs by Miranda Lambert and Anderson East, among others.

(Simpson is notably absent.)

With Isbell’s blue-collar “God Is a Working Man” and Brandy Clark’s unflinching portrait of an elderly couple, “I Cried,” “Southern Family” peaks high, and Lambert, East, Holly Williams, and Brent Cobb — a distant cousin of the producer — all do good work.

What drags it down, however, is the perhaps inevitable tendency toward misty-eyed sentimentality, as softhearted big lugs Zac Brown and Jamey Johnson go, respectively, on heart-tuggers “Grandma’s Garden” and “Mama’s Table.” n Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

ESPERANZA SPALDING, “Emily’s D+Evolution” — Who the heck Emily is and why we should care about her devolution comes down to Ms. Spalding. Till now, Spalding was trad jazz’s shining hope — a beautiful stand-up bassist with an Afro to rival Questlove’s. A Berklee College of Music instructor, a composer of Afro-Cuban soul-jazz songs, and a session woman for nu-lions (Joe Lovano) and giants (Charlie Haden) alike. She also snagged 2011’s best new artist Grammy from Justin Bieber.

Spalding, with legendary David Bowie producer Tony Visconti, has crafted a dynamic, rock-out fusion work — think Jimi Hendrix fronting Weather Report — that doesn’t lack her usual sense of har-

monic invention or smart vocalese.

As an artist who shifts persona is Visconti’s stock-in-trade, he gives Spalding’s new sound and vision a warm, wide base from which to jump through hoops of No Wave rhythmic angularity as well as Matthew Stevens’ blistering guitar jams on epics such as “Ebony and Ivy.” Emily is, like Beyoncé’s “Sasha Fierce,” a constructed character, in this case working out an imaginary, self-educated childhood. Songs such as the militaristic “Elevate or Operate,” the spacious “One” and the jiving “Funk the Fear” sound like the youthful pangs of a kid singing her way through socially and sexually aware longings and political leanings. n A.D. Amorosi, The Philadelphia Inquirer

JIM LAUDERDALE, “Soul Searching” — Known primarily as a songwriter — and an exceedingly prolific one — Jim Lauderdale is also an engaging and versatile performer who has made albums with everyone from bluegrass elder Ralph Stanley to Americana band Donna the Buffalo. This two-disc set of all original material puts his stylistic diversity in sharp relief.

Vol. 1 is subtitled “Memphis,” where it was cut, and features all R&B. It’s a style that proves tailor-made for the North Carolina native, whose honeyed drawl swoops, soars, and seduces over arrangements flush with horns, keyboards, and female backup singers. Late Al Green producer Willie Mitchell would no doubt have dug it.

Vol. 2 shifts the scene to “Nashville,” and all it shares with Vol. 1 are producer-guitarist Luther Dickinson and drummer Cody Dickinson. The collection ranges from atmospheric reveries to taut rockers and elegant country-soul. Also, compared with Vol. 1, more of the songs here look outward, including the buoyant but biting social commentary of “One Big Company,” which is the set’s one piece of straight-up country — another genre Lauderdale excels at. n Nick Cristiano, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bonnie Raitt’s ‘rebirth’ continues

By GREG KOT Chicago Tribune

Bonnie Raitt has great taste in songs, and a voice that brings those songs — and the artists who wrote them — to a new level of appreciation.

Over a four-decade career, she’s offered definitive versions of tunes by the likes of John Prine (“Angel from Montgomery”), Richard Thompson (“Dimming of the Day”) and John Hiatt (“Thing Called Love”), among others.

But it’s her own songwriting that provides the backbone for her latest, self-produced album, “Dig in Deep.”

The creative surge — the five originals are the most she’s had on an album since the ’90s — came after a period of mourning and near-despair.

The death of her parents, brother and best friend put her career on hold for several years before she returned after a seven-year recording absence with “Slipstream” in 2012.

“I had a rough time there for a few years with loss and pain — a dark night of the soul,” she says. “I was drained.

When I started thinking about doing another album, I had all this self-doubt. I didn’t think the songs would be any good.

But I pushed through, and when ‘Slipstream’ was so wellreceived, it rejuvenated me.”

Raitt characterizes her mood going into “Dig in Deep” as a feeling of “rebirth,” comparing this period of life to her career breakthrough around the Grammy-winning “Nick of Time” album in 198990.

Her new songs include the hard-punching “The Comin’ Round is Going Through,” a thinly veiled shot at certain unnamed politicians. Raitt’s voice sounds at the edge of violence, and the guitars of Raitt and George Marinelli joust with Stones-like ferocity.

Drew Gurian / Invision via AP

Bonnie Raitt For the listeners, “it’s an equal opportunity to get mad at anyone on both sides of the spectrum,” Raitt says. “I think everyone is pissed off at the money and politics of what someone referred to as this ‘auction,’ instead of ‘election.’ ” Though she’s invested in numerous political and social causes when she isn’t tending to her musical career, Raitt says that writing a resonant protest song is a huge challenge for any artist. For her, it was more about expressing a personal emotion rather than trying to indict a particular politician. In 1998 “I wrote a song called ‘Spit of Love,’ which is how you immolate with hate, and it set the stage for this new song,” she says.

“There’s that satisfaction of turning up the feedback, the guitar howling like demons.

It’s cathartic to play a song that gets to those darkest emotions that can eat you up inside.”

The album-closing ballad “The Ones We Couldn’t Be” strikes a more contemplative vein. She puts down her slide guitar and settles behind a piano to ruminate about a lifetime of relationships that never quite fulfilled their promise.

“That song just poured out of me,” Raitt says. “I sat and cried over that idea: How heartbreaking it is when you try so hard and you couldn’t

be the one that either one needed. There’s this realization that when you look back, it’s so easy to blame the other person in the moment. But now you see your part and how you could have done something differently. It comes with age, and it’s both painful and transformative. I wrote it on piano, eyes closed, candles lit, a dark room. A ballad like that, it’s like a meditation.”

For Raitt, the songs are their own reward. But as the commercial value of recorded music recedes, she says that more than ever “touring pays the bills.”

“It’s a good thing I still like it,” she says. “But I’ve learned it’s better for a long-term relationship if you don’t see people all the time. It’s really fun on the road for two, three weeks, and then you’ve got to get home. I like the camaraderie of the boys on the bus, the gang, the crew, and seeing new friends every day in a different city. It’s a break from shopping, cooking, and doing laundry at home.”

Raitt acknowledges that she’s savoring her musical life again after a few years in which everything around her seemed to be crumbling. “You do have a renewed appreciation for these things after you come out the other side of a really dark period,” she says.

“It’s nice to be able to enjoy the daylight in these cities we visit. The first 17 years I was on the road (1970-87) it was all about partying. We’d drive all day and sleep until soundcheck (in the late afternoon).

When I got sober in ’87 at age 37, it became easier to drive at night, and we ran or rode bikes in the day. I saw 50 cities in America in daytime, which I hadn’t really seen for 17 years even though we had shows there.

“I had a great time partying, but being successful and sober is its own reward.”

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

AT THE LINCOLN

7:30 p.m. FridaySaturday, March 25-26 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 28

fri en dl y

EASTER SPECIALS MARCH 27th

Fa m ily

‘Where to Invade Next’

DINING GUIDE Friday, March 25th & Saturday, March 26th

Music by The Charlies Band THURSDAY NIGHTS: ALL YOU CAN EAT - PRAWNS

FRIDAY SATURDAY

“Where to Invade Next” is an expansive and subversive comedy in which director Michael Moore, playing the role of “invader,” visits a host of nations to learn how the U.S. could improve its own prospects.

Moore is the creator of “Fahrenheit 9/11” and “Bowling for Columbine.”

Rated R. $10 general; $9 seniors, students and active military; $8 members; $7 ages 12 and under.

Sunday bargain prices: $8 general; $6 members; $5 ages 12 and under.

PRIME RIB

SEAFOOD

360-422-6411

18247 State Route 9 Mount Vernon KIDS EAT FREE EVERY TUESDAY FRI. MAR. 25 8PM JAZMARAE BEEBE WED. MAR. 30 6PM SWINGNUTS

ROCKFISH GRILL Local Food, Local Beer, Made Here 320 Commercial Ave 360.588.1720

MVHS Jazz: Live at the Lincoln 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30

www.anacortesrockfish.com

The Mount Vernon High School jazz bands, directed by Jacob Scheer, are part of the nationally known Fine Arts department at Mount Vernon High School. Enjoy the music of Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Marvin Fisher, Count Basie and much more. $10 general, $4 for students. All proceeds benefit the Mount Vernon High School jazz program.

LUNCH SPECIALS! MONDAY-FRIDAY

n The Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St., downtown Mount Vernon.

360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org

606 South First St. Mount Vernon, WA (360) 336-3314

Follow the Fish 7”

1/2”

3/4”

1”

1 1/4”

EASTER BUFFET MARCH 27• 9am-4:30pm Breakfast on Sat & Sun Jam night Sunday come toot your Horn with us.

KARAOKE Fri/Sat • BLUES Sun HAVE YOUR PARTIES HERE!!

1/2 POUND SIMPLY THE

STEAK BEST PAN FRIED

BURGERS OYSTERS CONWAY PUB & EATERY

Breakfast I-5 Exit 221 9 AM 360-445-4733

NOW OPEN!

Beef Bourguignon, Chicken Marsala, Pit Ham, Chilled Poached Salmon, Swedish Meatballs, Salads, Breakfast Dishes, Desserts & more.

HAM DINNER SPECIAL 12pm - 9pm CALL FOR RESERVATIONS

360.466.4411

LaConner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

Best Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar Every Saturday & Sunday

Taqueria Café & Mini Mart Authentic Mexican Food Full Menu-Lunch & Dinner The Best Tacos & Burritos in Town!

Eat in or Take Out 16016 McLean Rd Mount Vernon

360-630-5544

Innovative Food • Craft Cocktails 24 Draft Handles • Live Music

Saturday 3/26 7:30 pm BOBBY HOLLAND & THE BREADLINE 314 Commercial • 360-755-3956

1 1/2”

50% off Rockfish Grill : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockfish-Grill-Anacortes-Brewery/164550669515

LocaL RestauRants and moRe

TACO TUESDAY Starts at 4pm!

EASTER SPECIALS THURSDAY NIGHTS:

ALL YOU CAN EAT PRAWNS RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

FRIDAY ~ PRIME RIB SATURDAY ~ SEAFOOD Fri. 3/25 & Sat. & 3/26

The

Charlies MARKET NOW OPEN! 610 S. 1st | 336-0158

422-6411 onLy at goskagit.com/deaLs

18247 State Route 9 Mount Vernon

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Anelia’s Brunch & Dinner Specials Craft Beer • PNW Wines House-Infused Vodkas Weekend Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar Sat-Sun 11am to 2pm Make your reservations today! aneliakitchenandstage.com 513 S 1st St. • 360.399.1805

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E14 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

MOVIES NEW THIS WEEK

MINI-REVIEWS

Nothing new in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

By KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service

Back in 2002, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” became a bona fide cultural phenomenon, a romantic comedy that mined the cultural specificities of the Greek heritage of unknown writer and star Nia Vardalos. The film picked up an Oscar nomination for Vardalos’ original screenplay, everyone began adding “My Big Fat” in front of various nouns, and we all learned a thing or two about the versatility of Windex.

Fourteen years later, Vardalos and gang are back again for another wedding, but this time, it’s to drastically diminished returns.

The screenplay feels as if it was written the year after the first film’s success, just with a few jokes about Facetime inserted for 2016 topicality. The rest of the jokes either don’t land or feel about as fresh as a two-day-old spanakopita. The first half of the film is incredibly rough, a stilted, awkward affair where all the timing is off and none of the halfhearted physical comedy or Greek puns truly land.

Part of this is due to Vardalos’ performance.

She plays Toula with a dull, listless, deer-in-theheadlights gaze. This is clearly a choice for the story — she’s lost the romance and zest in her relationship since being a mom to teenager Paris (Elena Kampouris). At the urging of her Aunt Voula (absolute MVP Andrea Martin), who reminds her she was “a

Joey Fatone (from left), Louis Mandylor, Gia Carides and Stavroula Logothettis star in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.”

Universal Pictures via AP

girlfriend before a mom,” she finally puts on makeup and makes out with her husband, the WASPy lumberjack Ian (John Corbett). This seems to wake her up a bit.

Still, the film has much ground to make up after the rocky start. While the marketing for the movie seems to suggest that her daughter is the one getting married, that’s a bait and switch. In actuality, it’s Toula’s parents who are having another big fat Greek wedding, after discovering that their Greek marriage certificate was never signed. Once the

wedding swings into gear, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” finally finds its footing.

Vardalos, as a writer, chooses to celebrate Greek culture by consistently placing the family as other, using uptight blonde white women — judgmental neighbors and snooty wedding planners — as the foils to illustrate their ethnicity as different or distasteful, their habits and customs as weird or strange. Eventually, Toula stands up to them and they accept their Greek neighbors, but in the melting pot of America, it seems like

this exploration of culture sets different kinds of people apart as much as it brings family together.

There’s also the matter of the film’s reliance on traditional marriage as a cultural institution and carrier of tradition and ritual. While some of the female characters express hesitation about it, ultimately, they all must embrace this type of coupling in order to come together. Not to mention the antiquated ideas about sex (“keep your knees together,” they admonish Paris) paired with the aggressive TMI about

Aunt Voula’s intimate life.

If you liked the first film, there’s more to enjoy from these characters, and the devoted longterm relationship between Toula’s parents (played wonderfully by Lainie Kazan and Michael Constantine) has its truly sweet moments.

But there’s nothing fresh brought to the table, and it lacks the element of surprise and discovery of the first film. It’s just another 90 minutes with this group of characters, and unfortunately, that’s not enough.

1:34. Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material.

HH

“A Perfect Day” — In the Balkans of the mid1990s, humanitarian aid workers are met with ludicrous roadblocks to their effort to save a village’s water well. Benicio Del Toro leads the terrific cast of this searing, rough-edged black comedy. Drama, R, 106 minutes. HHH½ “Creative Control” — Obsessed with a buddy’s girlfriend, a hipster ad exec creates an avatar of her and falls in love.

This is a cool, smart, funny, sexy, disturbing and consistently provocative effort, shot in gorgeous, crisp widescreen black-and-white. Drama, R, 97 minutes. HHH½ “Eddie the Eagle” — Taron Egerton gives a winning performance as an irritatingly upbeat underdog determined to make the British Olympics as a ski jumper and training under a washedup ski bum (Hugh Jackman). Like “Rudy,” it’s an unapologetically sentimental, undeniably inspirational story.

Sports biography, PG-13, 105 minutes. HHH “Eye in the Sky” — The acting by Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and others is world-class in this timely and tense, but sometimes heavy-handed drama set in the modern world of drone warfare.

Mirren plays a British colonel whose attempt to take out terrorists is stymied by bureaucrats -- and a little girl near the target. Drama, R, 104 minutes. HHH “Fastball” — Narrated

by Kevin Costner and featuring fascinating archival film, stunning new 4k footage and state-of-the-art graphics, this documentary takes us deep into the primal, macho, locked-horns matchup between pitcher and hitter. Sports documentary, not rated, 85 minutes. HHH½

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES “Get a Job” — Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick and Bryan Cranston star in an uneven, strange little movie with a hit-and-miss screenplay about unemployment. It also has an infectious charm, some genuinely funny set pieces and winning performances throughout. Comedy, R, 82 minutes. HHH “Hail, Caesar!” — As they recount the adventures of a 1950s Hollywood “fixer” (Josh Brolin), the Coen brothers pay homage to genres from noir to Westerns. “Hail, Caesar!” is pure popcorn fun -- a visual treat, a comedic tour de force and a sublime and sly slice of satire. Comedy, PG-13, 106 minutes. HHHH “How to Be Single” — Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson are the standouts in one of the most endearing romantic comedies in recent memory, with some laugh-out-loud dialogue, gorgeous photography and charming performances from the entire cast.

Romantic comedy, R, 110 minutes. HHH½ “Mojave” — The first great performance of 2016 comes from Oscar Isaac, as a gun-toting drifter who encounters a famous actor (Garrett Hedlund) in the desert and becomes his stalker. Writer-director William Monahan gives the stars dozens of rich, intricate lines, and they’re both up to the task and then some. Thriller, R, 93 minutes. HHHH “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” — The weird hybrid of man and boy encounters oddballs aplenty on the way to the New York birthday party of his new friend Joe Manganiello. At times, Peewee’s trippy experiences are pretty funny; just as often, sequences die on the vine.

Comedy, not rated, 89 minutes. HH “Spotlight” — A fine team of actors, including Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, portrays the fine team of Boston Globe journalists that investigated child abuse by priests in 2001. It’s one of the smartest and most involving movies of the years. Historical drama, R, 128 minutes. HHH½

AT AREA THEATERS ANACORTES CINEMAS March 25-31 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:45, 3:30, 6:25, 9:10; Sunday-Thursday: 12:45, 3:30, 6:25 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:15, 4:00, 6:45, 9:35; Sunday-Thursday: 1:15, 4:00, 6:45 The Divergent Series: Allegiant (PG13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:35, 9:20; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:35 360-293-7000 CONCRETE THEATER March 25-27 Zootopia (PG): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 5 p.m.

BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor 360-675-5667 CASCADE MALL THEATERS Burlington For showings: 888-AMC-4FUN (888-262-4386) “The Benefactor” — Delivering a performance so self-consciously ACTORISH it often takes us right out of the film, Richard Gere stars as a multi-multimillionaire bestowing his wealth on his friends’ daughter (Dakota Fanning) and the father of her child (Theo James).

Drama, not rated, 90 minutes. HH “The Bronze” — Melissa Rauch of “The Big Bang Theory” stars as a 2004 Olympic medal winner, a thoroughly unlikable brat convinced she’s still a celebrity in her Ohio hometown. This is one of those comedies that could have been a brilliant short film on “Funny or Die” or “Saturday Night Live,” but wears out its welcome as a feature-length film. Comedy, R, 100 minutes. HH “The Choice” — This love story starring Teresa Palmer (a winning presence) and Benjamin Walker (never hitting his stride) is classic Nicholas Sparks, and by that I mean it’s a mediocre, well-photographed, undeniably heart-tugging, annoyingly manipulative and dramatically predictable starcrossed romance. Romance, PG-13, 110 minutes. HH

OAK HARBOR CINEMAS March 25-31 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:45, 3:30, 6:30, 9:00; Sunday-Thursday: 12:45, 3:30, 6:30 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 4:05, 6:45, 9:40; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 4:05, 6:45 The Divergent Series: Allegiant (PG13): Friday-Saturday: 1:15, 3:55, 6:35, 9:20; Sunday-Thursday: 1:15, 3:55, 6:35 360-279-2226 STANWOOD CINEMAS March 25-31 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13): 3:30, 9:05 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 3D (PG-13): 12:50, 6:25 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG-13): 1:10, 4:10, 6:45, 9:30 The Divergent Series: Allegiant (PG13): 1:05, 3:50, 6:40, 9:25 Miracles from Heaven (PG): 1:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:20 Zootopia (PG): 1:00, 3:40, 6:30, 9:00 360-629-0514

“The Hateful Eight” — Quentin Tarantino’s second Western in a row is an exhilarating moviegoing experience, filled with wickedly dark humor, nominationworthy performances and a jigsaw puzzle plot that keeps us guessing until the bloody, brilliant end. This is one of the best movies of the year. Drama, R, 187 minutes. HHHH “The Night Before” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie play longtime friends who get into all sorts of misadventures on one crazy Christmas Eve of selfdiscovery. At times, it’s really funny. More often, it’s “shocking” for the sake of shock value, gross for the sake of being gross, and stupid-goofy without much of a payoff. Comedy, R, 101 minutes. HH “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” — The essential truth and overall tone of Kim Barker’s terrific war memoir shine through, thanks in large part to Tina Fey’s winning performance as a smart, well-intentioned and initially naive reporter, who plunges into an Afghanistan assignment with great gusto and a resolve to change the world.

Comedy drama, R, 111 minutes. HHH “Youth” — A retired composer (Michael Caine) goes on his annual retreat to a mysterious Swiss Alps resort to get away from it all, but the world keeps coming to him. Director Paolo Sorrentino, a serious talent with a grand vision, has created a stylized and eccentric film filled with strange little subplots and surprises. Drama, R, 118 minutes. HHH½ “Zoolander 2” — Ben Stiller’s shallow and grating male model character reunites with best friend Hansel (Owen Wilson) to help solve some pop star murders. Celebrity cameos abound, but with few exceptions, their visual sight gags or one-liners fall flat with a resounding thud. Comedy, PG-13, 100 minutes. H½ “Zootopia” — In an all-animal world, a rabbit rookie cop (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) suspects a sly fox (Jason Bateman) in a missing-mammals case.

Brimming with gorgeous visuals and terrific oneliners, this is one of my favorite animated movies, period. Animated adventure, PG, 108 minutes. HHHH

REVIEW

Roadside Attractions

Sally Field and Max Greenfield star in “Hello, My Name is Doris.”

Sally Field makes most of ‘Hello, My Name Is Doris’

By MOIRA MACDONALD The Seattle Times

Sally Field has always had a rare presence on screen: a gift for being both lovable and utterly vulnerable. In “Hello, My Name Is Doris,” a not-very-interesting movie that’s elevated

by Field’s performance, the title character could easily have fallen into caricature: an older woman who dresses in quirky retro clothing, lives in a Staten Island house cluttered with a lifetime’s collected possessions and develops a sadly unrequited passion for a man at work who’s half her age.

You know, watching the film, that Doris will be humiliated before things begin to look brighter; that she will feud with and make up with her best friend (Tyne Daly); that there will be the usual jokes about older people and technology; and that, in general, the characters will behave like scripted people rather than real ones. (Every line spoken

by Wendy McLendon-

Covey’s nasty sisterin-law character, for example, feels like a rough draft.)

And yet, “Hello, My Name Is Doris” is at times quite moving, because of the way Field and the character merge.

Doris, who’s taken care of her sick mother for many years (the film begins with the mother’s funeral), has a not-quiteverbalized sense that life has passed her by.

You see it in the way she gazes, open-mouthed, at her workplace crush (Max Greenfield) — you want to close the mouth for her, as it makes her so achingly defenseless — or in how she clings to the clutter in her house, as if it might somehow bring back happier days.

Field, carrying the movie on her shoulders and handing it to us for our approval, makes us root for wistful Doris.

Single-handedly, she makes the movie work.

I didn’t always believe Doris’ behavior, but I knew I wanted to see her smile again.

1:30. Rated R for language. HH½

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