360 May 2, 2013 by Skagit Publishing

A legendary musical comes to McIntyre Hall

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Skagit Valley Herald Thursday May 2, 2013

Reviews

Mother’s Day

At the Movies

Music: Snoop Lion, Kenny Chesney Video Games: “Injustice: Gods ...”

Looking for ways to honor mom? We offer up numerous ideas

“Iron Man 3”: He’s showing some age, but he’s still fearless as ever

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Silver Linings Playbook”: A former high school teacher (Bradley Cooper) gets help getting his life in order from a mysterious woman (Jennifer Lawrence). The film from writer/director David O. Russell seems a little staged in the early moments as Cooper’s character moves back home after a stint in a mental institution. Cooper’s trying to play more roles that challenge him, but he’s a little over his head when his character must deal with his worried mother and superstitious father. “Silver Linings Playbook” steps up once Lawrence joins the mix. It’s a brilliant performance. Few actresses can express as much emotion as Lawrence can with one look. Her work was good enough to earn her an Oscar. “The Guilt Trip”: A mother and son learn a lot about each other during a trip across the country. This is basically a two-person play with Barbra Streisand as the star and Seth Rogen as a supporting player. The majority of their fun interaction takes place within the tiny confines of their car, which could have been a roadblock since it severely limits physical humor. Even in the confined space, the pair manage to make their comedy points. The script by Dan Fogelman gives Streisand all of the best lines and even some broad comedy to play. Streisand seems to have found an acting Fountain of Youth as she embraces every moment with great energy and pizazz. “Strictly Ballroom”: It’s not surprising with all of the dance competitions on television, this 1992 film is being released on Blu-ray. Director Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge”) is in perfect step with this story of a maverick dancer who takes a major risk with a new dance partner. Paul Mercurio is as entertaining off the dance floor as he is when he’s dancing. “Broken City”: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in the story of an ex-cop trailing the wife of New York City’s mayor. “My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Princess Twilight Sparkle”: Includes five episodes of the TV series. “Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection”: The film — based on the original “Night of the Living Dead” — follows a family trying to escape the dead in West Wales. “The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights”: A look at the executive director of the National Urban League.

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

Upcoming movie releases Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subject to change: MAY 7 Jack Reacher - Paramount Mama - Universal Safe Haven - Fox

This Weekend / Page 5

MAY 14 Back to 1942 - Well Go USA Cloud Atlas - Warner A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III - Lionsgate If I Were You - Kino Lorber Texas Chainsaw 3D - Lionsgate MAY 21 Beautiful Creatures - Warner The Last Stand - Lionsgate Parker - Sony Side Effects - Universal Stand Up Guys - Lionsgate Yossi - Strand MAY 28 Dark Skies - Anchor Bay n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

“The Details”: Raccoons get involved with couple on the brink. Tobey Maguire stars. “CHiPs: The Complete First Season”: TV series about two California Highway Patrol officers. “The Syndicate: Series 1”: Problems occur when five supermarket employees win the lottery. “Shelter Me”: Documentary on the training of abandoned animals to help people with a variety of needs. “Dangerous Edge: A Life of Graham Greene”: Derek Jacobi narrates this look at the British author. “Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1”: Includes 13 episodes on a two-disc set. “Not Fade Away”: Coming-of-age story of three friends growing up in the New Jersey suburbs during the ’60s. “Friends: The Complete First Season”: Seasons one and two are available on Blu-ray. “History of the Eagles”: Documentary on the rock band. “The Scarlet Pimpernel”: Anthony Andrews stars in this adaptation of the Baroness Emma Orczy novels. “NOVA: Earth from Space”: A look at Earth from satellites. “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”: Three young recruits use Kaijudo to fight an evil force. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

The Whale Museum’s seventh annual Orca Greeting fundraising dinner and auction is set for Friday in Friday Harbor

Inside

SUBMISSIONS E-mail features@skagitpublishing.com vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Travel............................................6-7 Music, Game Reviews..................8-9 On Stage........................................ 10 Tuning Up..................................... 11 Mother’s Day Events..................... 12 Hot Tickets.................................... 13 Get Involved.................................. 14 At the Lincoln Theatre.................. 17 Movie Listings, Mini-Reviews...... 17 Out & About.............................18-19 ON THE COVER

Linda Sturza (left) plays Dolly Levi and Tom Cook is Horace Vandergelder in Skagit Valley College’s production of “Hello, Dolly!,” which opens Saturday at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. Photo: 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? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

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Thursday, May 2, 2013 - E3

ON STAGE

A classic comes to McIntytre Skagit Valley College to stage ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Skagit Valley Herald staff @360_SVH

The music department at Skagit Valley College takes its shot at legendary musical theater this week, staging “Hello, Dolly!” at McIntyre Hall. The musical opens Saturday, May 4, for a five-show run. The cast numbers about 30, and the show is filled with rollicking songs and choreography that have been a staple on countless stages since the play opened on Broadway in 1964. The music and lyrics were written by Jerry Herman for “Hello, Dolly!”, which evolved from a play entitled “The Merchant of Yonkers” to “The Matchmaker,” which became a hit and was made into a movie in 1958. The role of Dolly Levi has been played by top-tier Broadway talent, including Ethel Merman, Mary Martin and Carol Chan-

‘Hello, Dolly!’ When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; Friday and Saturday, May 10-11; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 and 12 Where: McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon Tickets: $15-25; $45 includes Mother’s Day Brunch at 12:30 p.m. May 12. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org.

ning, and the title song is a classic, propelled by the unmistakable voice of Louis Armstrong. Finding her way in early 20th-century New York City, Dolly calls herself a “meddler” — one who dabbles as a matchmaker and music and dance teacher. Her current project is finding a wife for the wealthy Horace Vandergelder, but Dolly can’t help but think she’d be Vandergelder’s best bet as a spouse.

LEFT: Andrew Christianson (left) plays Cornelius and Michael Mahony is Barnaby. RIGHT: Linda Sturza (from left), Sarah Mickelson and Eleah Tercero.

TOP: Andrew Christianson plays Cornelius and Sarah Mickelson is Mrs. Malloy in Skagit Valley College’s production of “Hello, Dolly!,” which opens Saturday at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. LEFT: Eleah Tercero (from left), Michael Mahony, Sarah Mickelson and Andrew Christianson. Photos by Craig Parrish Skagit Valley Herald

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, May 2, 2013

MOVIES

n a world of increasing segmentation, allow me to add a couple of segments. As I see it, the world can be divided into two distinct groups — people who were alive on June 20, 1975, and people who don’t know what it was like. What they don’t know is what it was like to live in a world without summer blockbusters. Yes, there was a time when there were no summer blockbusters. That time was June 19, 1975. The next day, Steven Spielberg released a mechanical shark into an ocean of unsuspecting moviegoers and, in the process, changed moviegoing habits forever. It may have changed swimming habits as well. Of course, not everyone thinks that what the director did was such a wonderful thing. In fact, so many people have criticized the commercialization of the summer movie season that Spielberg has bent over backward to disavow any responsibility in the matter. On more than one occasion, he has jokingly blamed the phenomenon on his good friend George Lucas, but the latter filmmaker is quick to point out that his “Star Wars” did not hit theaters until May 25, 1977. It is a point well taken. You can’t blame event movies on a guy who released an event movie nearly two years after the first event movie was released by another guy. Nothing has been the same since “Jaws” terrified a nation, and in doing so, gave Hollywood an idea that just won’t go away. Remember the old days when summer began when the calendar said it began, in the third week of June? To illustrate how far we’ve come, the summer movie

The biggest movies of the past 30 summers

Roy Scheider (left) and Richard Dreyfuss are shown in a scene from the 1975 movie “Jaws.” Universal Pictures via AP

BLAME THE SHARK FOR SUMMER-MOVIE MADNESS By BARRY KOLTNOW / The Orange County Register

season begins this year on May 3, when “Iron Man 3” opens worldwide in what could only be called a major event. Big summer movie openings are scheduled two years in advance, with dates cast in stone, leaving lesser movies to scramble for theaters. Promotional campaigns can begin up to a year before the opening, with the intent of building anticipation. The studios do so by showcasing their

summer movies during sporting events, movie festivals and multiple premieres. Robert Downey Jr., the star of “Iron Man 3,” has been introducing his movie at premieres around the globe in the weeks leading up to its May 3 opening. The advertising juggernaut has hit on TV and in movie trailers. Print guys will write endless stories on the importance of summer movies. All the hype will be

worth it, particularly in the case of “Iron Man 3,” which industry insiders predict could take in more than $150 million on its opening weekend. Once you add the international take, it’s no wonder that movie studios invest so much time and money in these summer movies. But “Iron Man 3” does not have a lock on the summer’s biggest box office. There is plenty of competition.

Among the potential blockbusters are “The Great Gatsby” (May 10), “Star Trek Into Darkness” (May 17), “The Hangover Part III” (May 24), “Epic” (May 24), “Fast & Furious 6” (May 24), “The Internship” (June 7), “This Is the End” (June 12), “Man of Steel” (June 14), “Monsters University” (June 21), “World War Z” (June 21), “The Heat” (June 28), “White House Down” (June 28), “The

w “The Avengers” (2012) w “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (2011) w “Toy Story 3” (2010) w “Transformers 2” (2009) w “The Dark Knight” (2008) w “Spider-Man 3” (2007) w “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (2006) w “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” (2005) w “Shrek 2” (2004) w “Finding Nemo” (2003) w “Spider-Man” (2002) w “Shrek” (2001) w “Mission: Impossible II” (2000) w “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” (1999) w “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) w “Men in Black” (1997) w “Independence Day” (1996) w “Batman Forever” (1995) w “Forrest Gump” (1994) w “Jurassic Park” (1993) w “Batman Returns” (1992) w “Terminator 2” (1991) w “Ghost” (1990) w “Batman” (1989) w “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988) w “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987) w “Top Gun” (1986) w “Back to the Future” (1985) w “Ghostbusters” (1984) w “Return of the Jedi” (1983)

Lone Ranger” (July 3), “Despicable Me 2” (July 3), “Pacific Rim” (July 12), “Turbo” (July 17), “The Wolverine” (July 26), “Two Guns” (Aug. 2), “Elysium” (Aug. 9), “Planes” (Aug. 9), “We’re the Millers” (Aug. 9) and “The Mortal Instruments” (Aug. 23). We want to emphasize that each of these films has the potential to be the biggest movie of the summer, or the biggest disappointment of the summer.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area

Whale celebration

The Whale Museum’s seventh annual Orca Greeting fundraising dinner and auction will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the Mullis Center, 589 Nash St., Friday Harbor. Enjoy a happy hour and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, raffle, live auction and dessert auction. $35, $25 museum members. Beer and wine available for purchase. 360-378-4710, ext. 30.

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK Check out a

WOMEN’S EXPO More than 70 local busi-

OPENING DAY BOAT PARADE

FIDO DAY AT THE WINERY

variety of artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 3, at several galleries and other venues along Commercial Avenue and other locations in downtown Anacortes. Enjoy paintings and prints, sculptures, photography, ceramics, jewelry, art glass, dance performances and more. 360-293-6938.

nesses serving women will showcase their wares and services at the fifth annual Women’s Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Enjoy demonstrations, a fashion show, martini bar, raffles and more. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will provide mammograms in a mobile van outside; call 360-387-0222 for an appointment. Free admission. Lunch available for purchase. 360-387-0222 or www.camanocenter.org.

The Swinomish Yacht Club will host its annual Opening Day Boat Parade beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, on the Swinomish Channel along the La Conner waterfront. 360-420-9448.

Bring your canine friends for a fun afternoon from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Challenger Ridge Winery, 43095 Challenger Road, Concrete. Enjoy wine tasting, a best dog trick contest, doggie treats and “dog wine” for your pooch, walks in the vineyard and more. Skagit Humane Society will have dogs available for adoption from 1 to 4 p.m. Food and wine will be available for purchase. 425422-6988 or www.challengerridge.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, May 2, 2013

TRAVEL LEFT: This photo made with a fisheye lens shows the Music City Center, the new convention center in Nashville, Tenn. BOTTOM: An interactive display at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is shown in the Music City Center.

Photos by Mark Humphrey / AP

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new convention center in Nashville is transforming the look of downtown with a wavy roof dominating six city blocks, but tourism officials hope the eye-catching facility will also show business travelers a revitalized Music City. The Music City Center has generated heated debate within the city over its $623 million price tag. Critics also contend the city is jumping into an oversaturated market for conventions. But with an all-star lineup of musicians ready to cut the ribbon on the Music City Center on May 20, tourism officials say the facility will build on Nashville’s wellknown brand, which already

attracts leisure travelers. The city has also been relishing positive publicity from ABC’s show, “Nashville,” along with becoming nationally known for restaurants and a growing cultural scene beyond just country music. “The center opening helped drive more restaurants, the TV show created some newfound awareness and at the same time, people are starting to see there is this creative buzz, both musically and through the other creative arts,” said Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau chief Butch Spyridon. The building is about 1.2 million square feet and features a 350,000-squarefoot exhibit hall that’s big enough to hold four commercial airliners and allows

for tractor trailers to drive right onto the exhibit floor. It also has two ballrooms and about 60 meeting rooms. One end of the roof features a guitar body-shaped design and the other side has a live-plant roof of succulents designed to resemble rolling green hills. Inside the center’s lobby, visitors can scroll through images and hear songs in an interactive exhibit from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The convention center has already booked future events with 150 groups, including some big names like the National Rifle Association, which will bring up to 40,000 people to Nashville in 2015. The convention center will also host the annual convention for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association next

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - E7

TRAVEL spring, which is part of the NCAA Women’s Final Four games that will be held across the street at the Bridgestone Arena. Expected attendance for the games and the convention is some 20,000 fans. As large as the convention center is, Music City Convention CEO Charles Starks said Nashville didn’t want to have the biggest. “We could never build a building that is as big as Chicago, Vegas or Orlando, because we don’t have the infrastructure to support that,” Starks said. “So we looked at where that sweet spot was and being able to accommodate about 75 percent of the marketplace was where we thought was a great position for us to be in.” The city already has the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, which is about 15 minutes from downtown but geographically isolated from the rest of the city. The new convention center puts business travelers, who generally spend more than leisure visitors, within walking distance of Nashville’s famous honky-tonk bars, The Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a symphony hall and two professional sports venues. The construction has spurred development in a part of the downtown area that has been mostly stagnant. A new Johnny Cash museum is also opening nearby and more than 1,200 new hotel rooms are being built in anticipation of the increase in convention travelers. The number of hotel rooms sold in Nashville topped 6 million last year, according to data provided by Smith Travel Research. Debbie J. Culp-Sales, vice president of sales for Destination Nashville, a company that helps meet-

Local travel

Mark Humphrey / AP

This photo shows the curving roofline over a lobby in the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. ing planners arrange events in the city, said groups that stopped coming to Nashville years ago are returning and some who have never held an event here are reconsidering. “We’ve always been selling against the negative concept of Southern, country twang town,” CulpSales said. “It’s changed.” Vanessa and Allan Thompson, of Durham, England, were drawn to visit Nashville by the music of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams and were impressed with the live music pouring from the bars on Lower Broadway. “Although we aren’t country music fans ourselves, we just like seeing different things and how different cultures and different people enjoy their music,” Allan Thompson said. “You can see by coming here that it is massive.” “If you love music, just come to Nashville,” Vanessa Thompson chimed in.

under the Fremont bridge SHORT TRIPS: Mount for some “Troll Yoga.” Vernon Parks and RecreTRAVEL SEMINAR: Afterward, explore Freation offers travel oppor“Viking River Cruises,” 6 mont for lunch, shopping tunities for participants p.m. today, May 2, AAA or sightseeing. $20. ages 12 and older (adult Mount Vernon office, 1600 July 13: Vancouver supervision required for E. College Way, Suite A. Granville Island Tour and ages 18 and younger). For RSVP: 360-848-2090. Yoga. Travel via Amtrak information or to register, to Vancouver, B.C., ride call 360-336-6215. YOGA ADVENTURE the foot ferry to the marSERIES: Join Dawn Jex for kets and bistros of GranESCORTED TOURS: day trips and yoga. Each ville Island, then enjoy The Whatcom County adventure includes fun practicing yoga in Ron Tour Program offers a activities at an area attrac- Basford Park. Sample the variety of day trips and tion combined with a yoga confections of the island longer tours, with most class. For information or markets, then make your trips departing from and to register, call Dawn at way back to the train sta- returning to the Bell360-631-0587 or visit www. tion and home, or make ingham Senior Activity yoga-gypsies.com. a weekend of it and stay Center, 315 Halleck St., Next up: awhile in Vancouver. Pur- Bellingham. For inforJune 15: Theo Chocochase train tickets through mation or to register: late Factory Tour and Troll Amtrak ($44). False Creek 360-733-4030, press #, ext. Yoga. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at Ferry round trip tickets 47015, or wccoa.org/index. the Theo Chocolate Fac($10) must be purchased php/Tours. Next up: tory, 3400 Phinney Ave., at the terminal. Ron Oregon Coast and Y yoga O A Seattle. Tour the factory, Basford Park and Yosemite: 29-June 7. F D GI Check out May IT Island guided taste a little chocolate and Granville the California V G INcoastline and loop through then head up to the Troll KAtour, $40. G

Benefiting:

Oregon’s wine and lake region. Enjoy sites like Seaside, Gold Beach, Yosemite and Redwood National Park, San Francisco’s Chinatown and the Embarcadero waterfront. $2,650-$3,450. Includes roundtrip motorcoach, hotel accommodations, 14 meals, entrance fees, tour guides and escort. PASSPORT APPLICATIONS: The Anacortes Public Library accepts passport applications from noon to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Passport forms and information on fees and how to apply are available at http://travel.state.gov or pick up an application and passport guide at the library.

Y T DA OF GIV GI IN A G SK

First Friday Gallery Walks Thursday, May 2013 • 4-8pm Thursday, May9, 9, 2013 • 4-8pm Strengthen your community. Strengthen your community. Double your impact. Double your impact. www.skagitcf.org www.skagitcf.org

IF YOU KNEW THAT FOR

EVERY $1 YOU GAVE

May 3 6 - 9 pm Anne Martin McCool Gallery

YOUR DONATION WOULD BE MATCHED

Burton Jewelers

GIVE?

Scott Milo Gallery

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU

Skagit Day of Giving will Feature: • Education Booths • Food & Beverages • Live Music • FREE Admission

JOIN US AT ST. JOSEPH CENTER 215 North 15th St., Mount Vernon Thursday, May 9, 2013 • 4-8pm Can’t Attend? Gifts accepted online at www.skagitcf.com

Seven local, community non-profit partners seek to raise $100,000 in matching funds from the Skagit Community Foundation. Each of the participating organizations can earn up to $15,000 in matching funds.

The Majestic Inn and Spa Apothecary Spa (2nd floor Majestic Inn)

Gallery at the Depot Fidalgo Danceworks www.anacortesart.com

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, May 2, 2013

REVIEWS MUSIC CDS Compiled from news services

The Veils

“Time Stays, We Go” British quintet The Veils has recorded an album more evocative of the barren plains of America’s Southwest than the streets of London or Auckland, New Zealand, where its charismatic lead singer and songwriter, Finn Andrews, spent his youth. There’s enough tremolo guitar on “Time Stays, We Go” to suggest Ennio Morricone “spaghetti Western” film score flavorings. And songs like “Birds” or “Dancing with the Tornado” have some of the lyrical imagery you might associate with a desert tableau. Andrews’ raw, expressive vocals unify each of the album’s 10 tracks. The record opens with the explosive and colorful up-tempo number “Through the Deep, Dark Wood.” But after the opener, the tracks settle into the darker-hued themes that could score a modern “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” The guitar work throughout “Time Stays, We Go” is sparse and effective. On “Candy Apple Red,” the tremolo sounds punctuated by a sharp bass line are perfectly separated from a minimal drum accompaniment. And on “The Pearl,” the drums sound as if they’re echoing from somewhere miles down a desert highway, beyond tumble-down shacks and dried-up oil wells.

and fun, features a barely heard Spears. Anyone else could recite her lines. That song isn’t as good as “This Is Love,” which has Dutch vocalist Eva Simons belting out high notes. The tune, the album’s lead single, hit the No. 1 spot in the United Kingdom, though it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, where “Scream & Shout” has peaked at No. 3. Will.i.am’s newest single, “thatPower” with Bieber, screams radio hit, but it doesn’t feel special. And Cyrus, who guests on “Fall Down,” is forgettable. Will.i.am is better off on his own, or with acts that seem to bring their own flavor, like “Love Bullets” with Skylar Grey or the playful Nicole Scherzinger-assisted “Far Away From Home.” “Hello,” co-produced by Afrojack, is a definite party starter, and “The World Is Crazy,” with Dante Santiago, is reflective and appealing. n Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press

Snoop Lion

“Reincarnated”

It’s not just a name change, but there’s a new take on life for Snoop Lion, who switched his stage name from Snoop Dogg after a trip to Jamaica where he embraced Rastafarian culture. And the new project works. Snoop’s first reggae album, “Reincarnated,” includes some fine production n James H. Collins, Associated Press by Major Lazer (aka Diplo), with guest appearances from Miley Cyrus, Akon, Rita Ora and Angela Hunte, who co-wrote the will.i.am Jay-Z hit “Empire State of Mind.” “willpower” The rapper is still the marijuana-smoking, ultra-smooth Snoop we’ve all come to Will.i.am’s 2007 know. But he’s also more focused on love album, “Songs About and happiness, and not the gangsta raps he Girls,” barely made a spewed in the past. splash on the charts, He sings against gun violence on “No but it was a fine Guns Allowed,” which features rapper piece of work: He brilliantly wove smooth Drake and vocals from his daughter Cori B. grooves, pop anthems and hip-hop jams to The track is special because it shows how make one of that year’s best albums. The underwhelming response may be the Snoop has matured as a musician — and reason why he recruits popular acts such as bringing on his 13-year-old daughter only drives home the point. He tackles global Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Chris Brown for “willpower,” his fourth warming on “Tired of Running” with Akon, solo effort. Unfortunately, the collaboraand preaches unity on “Lighters Up,” feations feel wasted — and forced. turing Mavado and Popcaan. The hit “Scream & Shout,” though catchy The gem of the album, though, is the

dancehall track featuring Cyrus. “Ashtrays and Heartbreaks” is an easygoing track where Cyrus shines alongside Snoop. While there are some misses — like “Get Away” and “Fruit Juice” — most of Snoop’s 12th studio album is an entertaining piece of work. n Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press

Iggy and the Stooges “Ready to Die”

Really, Iggy? Ready to die? Not possible. I always thought it would be you and cockroaches at the end of time, man. “Ready to Die” is the first album from Iggy Pop and members of his old band, the Stooges, since 2007 and the 2009 death of band mate Ron Asheton. And it’s the first to feature former guitarist James Williamson since the 1970s. It’s classic “Raw Power”-era Stooges from the get-go on “Burn,” a heavy-duty groove that kicks off the collection. And there’s no letup for the next several tunes, including “Gun,” which skewers a violent culture that just might lead its lone-wolf protagonist astray. Yet the highlight of the collection might be when the assault lets up: on the unStooges like “Unfriendly World.” Over spare, acoustic country blues, the 66-yearold Iggy is less your wild uncle and more wise elder, singing in a tender, wistful growl: “Hang onto your girl, cause this is an unfriendly world.” n Jeff Karoub, Associated Press

Kenny Chesney “Life on a Rock”

Kenny Chesney opens his new album “Life On A Rock” with the hit “Pirate Flag,” a rowdy beachbum anthem reminiscent of his many funin-the-sun party songs of the last dozen years. While most of the rest of “Life on a Rock” references island life, instead of rocking out, the songs are about unplugging from the chaos of the daily grind and

reflecting on quieter pleasures. Writing four songs by himself, and co-writing four more, this is the East Tennessee singer’s most personal album since 2005’s “Be As You Are (Songs From A Blue Chair).” There are light moments, as in the duet with Willie Nelson on “Coconut Tree,” but the focus is on off-beat, reallife characters (“Lindy”) and on taking a moment to count one’s blessings (the title song). It’s a bold move, considering that a new crop of country rockers are selling millions of albums modeled on Chesney’s pounding arena rock sound. But, to his credit, Chesney follows his muse and offers up an album that exposes his weathered soul. The result is as appealing as it is surprising. n Michael McCall, Associated Press

The Weeks

“Dear Bo Jackson” Here’s more proof Nashville, Tenn., is saving rock ‘n’ roll one band at a time: The Weeks. The mostly Mississippi quintet moved to Nashville a few years ago after putting out a few promising albums, signed with Kings of Leon imprint Serpents and Snakes Records, and have been polishing the music and enhancing the songs on “Dear Bo Jackson” till they shine. The only real knock against them was that lead singer Cyle Barnes sounded waaaayyyy too much like KOL frontman Caleb Followill. “Dear Bo Jackson” mostly dispenses with that issue with 11 flavorpacked songs that show a band unafraid to embrace — and update — its Southern rock roots with the kind of love that’s mostly missing from today’s scene. Five or six listens in and “Dear Bo Jackson” is still offering new delights from keys, pedal steel and strings that were initially obscured by the country funky, groove-oriented heart of each song. The Weeks rocked harder on earlier albums, but show they’ve grown into a band with the ability to stun on slow, emotional tracks like “Ain’t My Stop,” a song that stays with you awhile, “Gobi Blues” and “Chickahominy.” n Chris Talbott, Associated Press

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - E9

REVIEWS VIDEO GAMES Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service

‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U Genre: Fighting Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive ESRB Rating: T, for Teen Grade: 3 stars (out of 5)

when pressing buttons and seeing the results on-screen. Sure, it’s a minor note but an important one considering how a well-executed combo can instantly turn a match’s outcome, especially in online matches. Many playable characters await, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a few to latch onto. Staples like Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash are fan favorites, but those who venture outside the standard JLA realm will find gems like Doomsday, Deathstroke and Solomon Grundy (OK, maybe I’m just saying that playing as villains makes the game a tad more fun). Outside of the standard one-on-one fights you can initiate, a few other modes of play exist. I’d recommend playing the story mode first, mainly because it introduces you to numerous characters and provides better in-game training than the tutorial so you can see various fight styles. Just beware that the story takes on serious tones — for example, Superman declares himself a demigod and ruler of Earth after being tricked into killing Lois Lane and his unborn child — but the delivery comes off as campy. Instead of feeling that humanity lies in the balance of each fight, quippy one-liners stop you from taking things too seriously. For a plot-driven experience, that doesn’t make sense. You can play in online matches, but custom options are limited. STAR Labs missions provide character-specific matches (fight a perfect fight, execute a certain number of moves, etc.), and those provide some focused fun if you find yourself in need of a diversion from the standard fights. Dealing damage either with your fists, a few weapons or maybe some elements like a bus or statue gives you the feeling of being one of those beloved superheroes. It’s far from a perfect offering, but at least DC characters can have the spotlight to themselves. For fans, that is a welcome addition to the fighting-game library.

The last decade has not been kind to the DC Universe, unless your name is Batman. Marvel continues to pump out blockbuster content, be it in movies or video games, and in fighting games this was abundantly clear. “Marvel vs. Capcom” has long been a staple fighting franchise, while the “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” game was a fine experience, but certainly lent considerably more weight to the MK characters than their DC counterparts. Along with 2011’s “DC Universe Online,” members of the Justice League of America and many more get a moment to play on a stage all their own in “Injustice.” The game plays well and throws a ton of characters from the DC Universe into the fray, yet the punches, kicks and special moves sometimes miss the mark. The awkwardness starts with feeble instruction. Fighting games are notoriously complex, and without a solid demo introducing you to all the button combos and so on, you will quickly find yourself frustrated and whipped upon even by mediocre artificial-intelligence characters. The tutorials only scratch the surface and don’t provide enough in-game scenarios to show how to execute the complex moves. Another quirk shows up in the fights themselves, which can cause frustration if you’re a hard-core fan of the genre and “Mortal Kombat” and “Street Fighter” franchises are constants in your gaming n Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @camp life. I tried three different controllers, bler or email him at game_on_games@mac. and all of them experienced a slight lag com.

Please recycle this newspaper

E10 Thursday, May 2, 2013

Thursday, May 2, 2013 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area May 2-12

TUNING UP Playing at area venues May 2-9 LOOKING AHEAD FRIDAY.10

FRIDAY-SUNDAY.3-5 “DRIVING MISS DAISY” JoAnn Backus Wright plays Miss Daisy and Tracey Johnson is Hoke Coleburn in Alger Lookout Thespian Association’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy,” playing at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $14, $12 seniors and students. Check individual listings for times. 360-424-5144 or www.altatheatre.com.

Thursday.2

Saturday.4

THEATER

“Cinderella Waltz”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $6, $5 seniors and students. 360-428-6100. “Legally Blonde”: musical comedy, 7 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 3rd St., Sedro-Woolley. $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. 360-855-3510.

Friday.3 MUSIC

“Spring Favorites”: Whidbey Community Chorus, Daybreak Trio, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free, but donations accepted. 360-678-4148.

THEATER

“Driving Miss Daisy”: Alger Lookout Thespian Association Dessert Theatre, 7 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $14, $12 seniors and students. 360-424-5144 or www.alta theatre.com. “Cinderella Waltz”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $6, $5 seniors and students. 360-428-6100. “Legally Blonde”: musical comedy, 7 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 3rd St., Sedro-Woolley. $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. 360-855-3510.

“Hello Dolly!”: Skagit Valley College Music Department, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15-$25, discounts available for seniors, students and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org. “Cinderella Waltz”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $6, $5 seniors and students. 360-428-6100. “Driving Miss Daisy”: Alger Lookout Thespian Association Dessert Theatre, 7 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $14, $12 seniors and students. 360-424-5144 or www.alta theatre.com.

THEATER

“Driving Miss Daisy”: Alger Lookout Thespian Association, 2:30 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $10. 360-424-5144 or www.altatheatre.com. “Hello Dolly!”: Skagit Valley College Music Department, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15-$25, discounts available for seniors, students and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org.

Tuesday.7 “Legally Blonde”: musical comedy, 7 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 3rd St., Sedro-Woolley. Pay what you can. 360-855-3510.

“Legally Blonde”: musical comedy, 7 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 3rd St., Sedro-Woolley. $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. 360-855-3510.

Thursday.9

Sunday.5

“Evermore” (science fiction rock musical): 8 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $12-$20. 360-336-8955 or www.lincolntheatre.org.

MUSIC

“Spring Favorites”: Whidbey Community Chorus, Daybreak Trio, 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free, but donations accepted. 360-678-4148.

THEATER

“Legally Blonde”: musical comedy, 7 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 3rd St., Sedro-Woolley. $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. 360-855-3510.

“Grease”: La Conner High School Drama Department, 8 p.m., La Conner High School auditorium, 305 N. Sixth St., La Conner. $5. Tickets available at administration office or call 360-4663171. “Evermore” (science fiction rock musical): 8 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $12-$20. 360-336-8955 or www.lincoln theatre.org. “Hello Dolly!”: Skagit Valley College Music Department, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15-$25, discounts available for seniors, students and children. 360416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org. “Driving Miss Daisy”: Alger Lookout Thespian Association Dessert Theatre, 7 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $14, $12 seniors and students. 360-424-5144 or www.altatheatre.com. Jo Ann Stremler: organ concert, 7 p.m., First Christian Reformed Church, 701 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Free, but donations accepted. 360-336-2405. “The Sounds of Spring: Light, Love and Music”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Christian Church, 1211 M Ave., Anacortes. Donations accepted. www.cantabileof skagitvalley.org. Elliott Hofferth: 7 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Advance tickets: $5, available at Boxes and Bears, 907 Commercial Ave., and Read Me A Story, 1005 Ninth St., both in Anacortes. $7 at the door. 360-293-2166.

SATURDAY.11

“Grease”: La Conner High School Drama Department, 8 p.m., La Conner High School auditorium, 305 N. Sixth St., La Conner. $5. Tickets available at administration office or call 360-4663171. “Hello Dolly!”: Skagit Valley College Music Department, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15-$25, discounts available for seniors, students and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org. “Evermore” (science fiction rock musical): 8 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $12-$20. 360-336-8955 or www.lincoln theatre.org. “Driving Miss Daisy”: Alger Lookout Thespian Association Dessert Theatre, 7 p.m., Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. $14, $12 seniors and students. 360-424-5144 or www.altatheatre.com.

FRIDAY.3 TONY CURTIS (Irish poet/ songwriter) 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Renaissance Room, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. Admission by donation to benefit Skagit River Poetry Foundation’s Poets in the Schools program. 360-4453000.

FRIDAY.3 THE ATLANTICS 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

THURSDAY.2 Wayne Hayton (country, rock, folk): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. 360445-3000.

FRIDAY.3 Andy Koch (of Badd Dog Blues Society): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

The Atlantics: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

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

Scratch Daddy: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Varsity Inn, 112 N. Cherry St., Burlington. No cover. 360-755-0165.

Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman (Americana): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7 cover. 360-445-3000.

Tony Curtis (Irish poet/songwriter): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Renaissance Room, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. Admission by donation to benefit Skagit River Poetry Foundation’s Poets in the Schools program. 360-445-3000.

The Bad Tenants, Fly Moon Royalty, RA Scion, Heist: 8:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $8-$10. 360-778-1067.

New Forge: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

The Clouds Band (reggae, rock): 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Longhorn Saloon, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

Longstride, Sunshine Junkies: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-7553956.

Little Bill and the Bluenotes: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

The Greg Pitsch Band (blues, rock, Americana): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

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

Crow Quill Night Owls, Gallus Brothers: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $7. 360-778-1067.

SATURDAY.4 Br’er Rabbit: 10 p.m., Draft Pics, 516 S. First St., Mount Vernon. No cover. 360-336-3626.

SUNDAY.12

“Hello Dolly!”: Skagit Valley College Music Department, McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15-$25, discounts available for seniors, students and children. Special Mother’s Day Brunch and Performance, 12:30 p.m. brunch followed by performance at 2 p.m., $45. 360416-7727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall.org. “Grease”: La Conner High School Drama Department, 2 p.m., La Conner High School auditorium, 305 N. Sixth St., La Conner. $5. Tickets are available administration office or call 360-466-3171. “The Sounds of Spring: Light, Love and Music”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, 2 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Donations accepted. www.cantabileof skagitvalley.org.

SUNDAY.5 Knut Bell & The Blue Collars: 5 to 9 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

TUESDAY.7 Gary B’s Church of the Blues (blues, classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-2263.

Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Jay Nash, Ivan & Alyosha, Keaton Collective (Americana, folk): 9:30 p.m., Wild Buffalo House of Music, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $5. 360-746-8733.

WEDNESDAY.8 Stilly River Band: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

THURSDAY.9 Nick Swanson: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

Ria Peth: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360-445-3000.