360 November 21 2013 by Skagit Publishing

Burlington-Edison Drama Department presents ‘Midsummer/Jersey’ – a comic retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ON STAGE, PAGE 10

‘Willy Wonka’ comes to the Lincoln

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday November 21, 2013

PAGE 3

Reviews

Tuning Up

Movies

Music: Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac Video Games: “Battlefield 4”

Amy Hindman plays Washington Sips in La Conner on Saturday night

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” not-so-hot the second time around

PAGES 8-9

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, November 21, 2013

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Planes”: The film draws on a common theme of Disney movies: A young dreamer longs for a bigger life. In this case, it’s Dusty, a crop-dusting plane (voiced by Dane Cook) who is in a tailspin over his ambition to race. Win, lose or get drawn, the journey is the most important part of the story. For a movie that was originally planned to be a direct-to-DVD release — and borrows heavily from the plot of “Cars II” — “Planes” offers some high-flying fun. “The World’s End”: Some friends reunite to drink their way through the pubs in their hometown. The first 30 minutes of the film is a tedious trip down memory lane as King (Simon Pegg) acts like he’s still the top dog in town and the rest of his mates follow him. That’s when the movie makes a 90-degree turn. The bland buddy comedy turns into a mixture of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Alien” and “Barfly.” “We’re the Millers”: Aims for mediocrity and hits it with a dull thud. The comedy, about a small-time drug dealer, David Burke (Jason Sudeikis), who puts together a fake family as a way of slipping out of Mexico with an RV full of marijuana, has enough laughs to fill a TV sitcom. The problem is the movie has a running time of 110 minutes. “The To Do List”: A high school graduate (Aubrey Plaza) makes a list of the sexual activities she wants to complete before heading off to college. It doesn’t matter if it’s a classic film like “The Summer of ‘42” or a broad comedy like “American Pie.” There’s one key ingredient in a coming-of-age movie: You have to like the person who’s facing the big moment. In the case of this monumental flop, Brandy, the nerdish character who wants to lose her virginity, is unlikable, annoying, grating and so unpleasant there’s no reason to care whether she will or won’t. “Paranoia”: A man is forced to become a corporate spy. Harrison Ford stars. “2 Guns”: Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington star in this film based on the graphic novel of the same name. “The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series”: Includes all 156 episodes of the Rod Serling series. “My Little Pony — Friendship Is Magic: A Pony For Every Season”: Features six episodes of the TV show and a sing-along. “Treme: the Complete Third Sea-

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:

This Weekend / Page 5

NOV. 26 Getaway - Warner The Grandmaster - Anchor Bay Jobs - Universal RED 2 - Summit

The Pleasant Ridge Gallery at Rexville will host a holiday celebration of art this weekend at the Rexville Grange

DEC. 3 All the Boys Love Mandy Lane - Anchor Bay Drinking Buddies - Magnolia The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - Sony The Smurfs 2 - Sony The Wolverine - Fox DEC. 10 Despicable Me 2 - Universal Fast & Furious 6 - Universal The Hunt - Magnolia DEC. 17 The Family - Fox The Lone Ranger -- Disney Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - Fox Prisoners -- Warner n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

son”: Two years after Hurricane Katrina, crime and corruption are on the rise in New Orleans. “Danger in the Manger”: New teacher must lead his class to singing victory. David Tennant stars. “Anton Corbijn Inside Out”: A look at the artist who has spent much time hidden from the public eye. “The Little Mermaid II” and “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning”: Both films are available on one Blu-ray. “Star Trek: The Next Generation”: Blu-ray release includes the episode “Darmok.” “The Rutles: Anthology”: Mockumentary on Beatles-like group. “Smithsonian Channel’s The Day Kennedy Died”: A look at the events leading up to the assassination. “Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet”: The Tardis arrives in December 1986 at a South Pole Space Tracking station. “Eve of Destruction”: An android goes on a killing spree. Gregory Hines stars. “Assault on Precinct 12”: John Carpenter film about a Los Angeles police station that is attacked. “And While We Were Here”: A writer reaches a personal and professional crossroads. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com, vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

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

Top: Alicia Powell photo Bottom: Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

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

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013 - E3

ON STAGE

Theater Arts Guild presents “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka,” which opens Friday at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon. Craig Parrish Skagit Valley Herald

Mountains of music and candy By CRAIG PARRISH Entertainment/Lifestyles Editor

Matt Riggins (from left) is Willy Wonka, Natasha McPhaden is Veruca Salt and Kevin Cobley is Mr. Salt.

When the primary motivation is candy — and a lifetime supply of it — not much more needs to be said. That’s the classic premise of the musical “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka,” a Theater Arts Guild production that opens Friday, Nov. 22, at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. It’s the story of Charlie Bucket, who lives in a small, frequently freezing house with his parents and two sets of grandparents. The family is poor but happy, and Charlie’s parents and grandparents wish they could give the child more. When Willie Wonka, the eccentric, brilliant candymaker, announces that he’ll retire and turn over his factory to one worthy child, Charlie joins the thousands of people searching for a Golden Ticket, which will get a lucky few children inside the doors of Wonka’s factory. Once inside, however, the children — most of whom are spoiled brats — must follow Won-

‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka’ Where: Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon Presented by: Theater Arts Guild When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, Nov. 22-23, 27, 29-30; Dec. 6-7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 Tickets: $10-24; 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. Note: Opening night, Friday, Nov. 22, includes chocolate fountain and hors d’oeuvres.

ka’s factory rules. The ensuing mischief results in some colorful consequences. Leading the production are director Chris Tuohy, producers Jane Skinner and Nancy High, choreographer Marianda Quinton and music director Dave Cross, but it’s a “collaborative effort,” Skinner said. Matt Riggins, who plays the title character, is also the lead set designer, and the cast numbers nearly 50.

Carlos Roques (left) is Charlie Bucket, and Joey Wasson and Nick Martin are his parents.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, November 21, 2013

MOVIES

he last six weeks of the year are stacking up as a flurry of serious Oscars bait and big-budget sequels. Here are a bunch I’m anticipating.

“Nebraska”

Paramount Pictures via AP

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE”

Francis (“I Am Legend”) Lawrence takes the directing reins from Gary Ross for the second of four films based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy. (In Hollywood, “profitable trilogy” means “four.”) Oscar winner and everyone’s favorite person Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss, now adjusting to life as a victor in the televised combat games. With her rising popularity, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) senses a threat to his rule, so Katniss and Peeta are forced into ever-more-dangerous battles, fighting for District 12 and for each other. (Opens today)

The Weinstein Company via AP

“Philomena”

HOLIDAY MOVIES PREVIEW

Seeking end-of-theyear attention By COLIN COVERT / (Minneapolis) Star Tribune

“PHILOMENA”

Steve Coogan wrote and co-stars with Judi Dench in this reality-based story. Dench delivers an awardsworthy performance as Philomena Lee, an Irish woman searching for her son. The child, born out of wedlock in the 1950s, was taken from her as a toddler at a church orphanage and placed with an American family against her wishes. Coogan is Martin Sixsmith, a priggish journalist exploiting her loss for a story. Philomena is a tad daft and a bit dense, but her innate decency strikes sparks against Martin’s haughty comic egotism. Rich in drama, laughs and unpredictable twists, this is the holiday family movie that even a Grinch would love. (Open Nov. 27)

“OLDBOY”

When it was announced that Spike Lee would remake Chan-wook Park’s 2003 Korean cult classic, I

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” Lionsgate via AP

“OUT OF THE FURNACE” was torn between curiosity (Lee is good in thriller territory, as “Clockers” and “Inside Man” proved) and feeling it was heresy. The story follows an ad man (Josh Brolin) kidnapped and held in solitary confinement for 15 years without a clue to his captor’s identity or motives. When he’s suddenly released he begins a violent quest to learn who trapped him and why. The strong cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley, and the film is said to be different enough to keep fans of the bloodsoaked original guessing. Lee has hinted that his version has an even darker ending, which would be something to see. (Opens Nov. 27)

“NEBRASKA”

Alexander Payne (“Sideways,” “About Schmidt”) has had lots of success with road movies. He hits the trail again with this laconic comedy about a booze-addled retiree (Bruce Dern) convinced he’s won $1 million in a magazine sweepstakes. Will Forte plays his bemused son, who drives the old man from Billings, Mont., to Lincoln, Neb., to claim his winnings. Dern picked up the bestactor prize at Cannes, and the film manages the tricky balance between low-key laughs and heartfelt drama. Payne’s last, “The Descendants,” earned multiple Oscar nominations; he could do the same here. (Opens Nov. 27)

Christian Bale and Casey Affleck play desperate brothers in a dying Northeastern rust-belt town. When the younger gets in over his head with a violent crime ring, his older brother picks up his hunting rifle and sets out to get him back. By the look of the trailers, writer/director Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”) has made a raw, dark story about crime, justice, fate, redemption and family love. Uplifting? Tragic? I want to know. (Opens Dec. 6)

“THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG” I was not enchanted by Peter Jackson’s fourth goround with Tolkien, but I’m hoping he’ll rediscover the magic in this chapter.

With the need for expository setup now satisfied, things should move at a faster clip as young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and his 13 Dwarven chums finally meet the mighty, greedy dragon Smaug (voiced by the busiest actor of the year, Benedict Cumberbatch). (Open Dec. 13)

“THE WOLF OF WALL STREET”

Release-date roulette knocked this one from an expected October release to Christmas Day. I think it’s all a scheme to get us even more lathered up about the fifth collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is a crime comedy based on the narcissistic autobiography of Jordan Belfort, a hustling

junior stockbroker turned zillionaire (and then turned pauper and securities fraud convict). If the uproarious trailers haven’t made you ravenous to see this one, there’s no talking sense to you. Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Spike Jonze, Jean Dujardin, Rob Reiner. Dwarf tossing. Nutty dancing. Throwing $100 bills and cooked lobsters at FBI men. Yeah, baby! (Opens Dec. 25)

“THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY”

Ben Stiller scored as a star/director with “Zoolander” and “Tropic Thunder.” Will he go three-for-three? Adapted from James Thurber’s classic short story, the film follows a timid magazine photo librarian who escapes his daily grind through grandiose daydreams. He’s drawn into a real-life adventure when a priceless negative goes missing. Here’s hoping that Stiller’s not banking on this movie to establish his credentials as a Serious Film Artist. I’d rather see a comedy. With Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig, Patton Oswalt and Shirley MacLaine. (Opens Dec. 25)

“HER”

An idiosyncratic indie romance from Spike Jonze, whose last feature was 2009’s “Where the Wild Things Are.” In the nottoo-distant future, mustachioed lonely guy Joaquin Phoenix installs a new computer operating system and becomes infatuated with its engaging, intuitive speech interface (alluringly voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Can man and machine achieve true intimacy or is more heartbreak around the corner? Jonze’s typically cockeyed take on modern love features a bevy of talented co-stars including Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde. (Opens late December)

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area HOLIDAY VENDORS Burlington Parks and Recreation will host the Holiday Vendor Market from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Purchase products, book a party or order from home party consultants and enter raffle drawings. Booths available to rent for $30. Free admission. 360-755-9649 or burlingtonwa.gov.

INVEST IN KIDS The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County will host the annual “Invest in Our Kids” Gala from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Wa Walton Event Center at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Enjoy live and silent auctions, raffles, food and beverages and more. $75 per person, $500 for a table of eight. For more information, or to register, call 360-419-3723, ext. 2, or visit skagitraisesgreatkids.org/gala.

GIFT & CRAFT BAZAAR The Camano Center’s annual Gift & Craft Bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Dozens of vendors will offer homemade items for sale. There will also be a huge bake sale, and lunch will be available for purchase. 360-387-0222 or camano center.org.

“POSTCARDS FROM PARIS” The Rotary Club of Mount Vernon will hold its annual holiday ball, “Postcards From Paris,” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Johnson Road, Mount Vernon. Featuring a plated dinner, live and silent auctions and raffles. $75. Tickets available at mountvernonrotary.com or by calling 360-428-5972. For sponsorship information, email info@cceventplanning.com.

Ceramics by Marguerite Goff

Holiday celebration The Pleasant Ridge Gallery at Rexville will feature work by more than 25 artists from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Nov. 22-25, at the Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. Enjoy music by Campbell Road during an opening-night party with the artists from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Choose from a variety of handcrafted artworks including paintings, ceramics, glass, photography, jewelry, fiber art, wreaths and herbal products, turned wood, gourd art, music CDs and more. 360-466-0477 or pleasantridge galleryatrexville.com.

WINE TASTING The Rexville Grocery’s annual Fall Wine Tasting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at 19271 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Sample a variety of hand-picked wines, cheeses and local foods. $3. 360-466-5522 or rexvillegrocery.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, November 21, 2013

TRAVEL

Kentucky urban bourbon trail adds distillery tour By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The maker of Evan Williams bourbon has uncorked a new attraction, opening a craft distillery just steps from where the whiskey pioneer who inspired the brand fired up his own commercial stills two centuries ago. The distillery and “bourbon experience” — complete with tours and tasting rooms — is the first of several ventures to bolster tourism and bring smallbatch bourbon production to the heart of downtown Louisville, once the hub of commerce for Kentucky whiskey makers. Today’s powerhouse bourbon brands such as Jim Beam, Wild Turkey and Maker’s Mark are crafted in rural Kentucky settings, an hour or less away, but the trade is showing signs of a comeback in the city. An urban bourbon trail features 27 bars and restaurants, each stocked with at least 50 labels, and a planned bourbon district would tie together the city’s bourbon heritage with historical markers and landmarks in the Whiskey Row area, where clusters of whiskey merchants, wholesalers and blenders set up shop decades ago. “It’s the place to be,” said Joe Magliocco, president of Michter’s Distillery LLC, which is converting a downtown building into a craft distillery. “If you want to be one of the best, you’ve got to play among the best.” Heaven Hill, which makes Evan Williams, is at the forefront with its new $10.5 million attraction — The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. It’s located in a reno-

Photos by Bruce Schreiner / AP

ABOVE: A worker puts the finishing touches on the bottom of a five-story-high replica of a bourbon bottle that’s the signature feature of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, a tourism attraction in downtown Louisville, Ky. The replica represents a pouring bottle of bourbon emptying into a lowball glass in the lobby of the center. LEFT: Charlie Downs, the artisanal craft distiller at a new Heaven Hill Distilleries tourism attraction in downtown Louisville, checks gauges on a still that will produce small batches of whiskey. The $10.5 million center, called The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. vated building and offers tours that trace bourbon production from frontier days when whiskey was currency to its contemporary revival in bars and restaurants across the globe. It features a five-story Evan Williams bottle replica and of course, it has a gift shop,

too. It opened to the public Nov. 15. Kentucky produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon, and the 4.9 million barrels of aging bourbon in this state outnumber its population, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. As demand worldwide

has spiked, the state’s bourbon production has risen more than 120 percent since 1999 to more than 1 million barrels in 2012, the industry group said. More than 2.5 million visitors have toured the major distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in

the past five years, the group said. Heaven Hill’s attraction, located on Whiskey Row, will be the northern gateway to the trail. Despite its bourbon prowess, the Bluegrass state hasn’t kept pace with other parts of the country in attracting upstart craft

distillers. Kentucky ranks eighth nationally in distilled spirits permits, said Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory, citing federal statistics. California ranks first, followed by Washington state, New York and Oregon.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013 - E7

TRAVEL Kentucky’s tax on aging whiskey barrels has been an obstacle, he said. Still, he’s working with 10 craft distillers setting up shop in Kentucky. “The next craft distiller, in 20, 30 or 40 years, could be the next Maker’s Mark,” Gregory said. At The Evan Williams Experience, the star is Williams himself, a Welsh immigrant and early commercial distiller in Kentucky who started in 1783. During a tour of the distillery, projections on the walls and TVs delve into bourbon making and detail Williams’ life as a city trustee, wharf master and distiller as the aroma of fermenting whiskey and aging barrels waft by. “This is where the industry really started,” said Max L. Shapira, president of Heaven Hill. Its flagship Evan Williams brand is the second-largest selling bourbon in the U.S. and the world, behind Jim Beam. At the downtown distillery, whiskey makers will craft special recipes and produce one barrel per day, a drop in the barrel compared to the company’s distillery a few miles away that churns out some 650 barrels daily. Several other whiskey makers are planning craft distilleries nearby. Bourbon entrepreneur Corky Taylor is reviving his greatgrandfather’s company, Kentucky Peerless Distilling,

Local travel WWU FACULTY-LED TRAVEL PROGRAMS: Western Washington University will offer three educational travel programs next summer in Italy and Africa. Global Discovery trips are not for university credit or restricted to Western students. People of all ages are invited to travel alongside Western faculty and gain an understanding of other cultures, including their art, ecology, food, history, language and more. Trips include: Mount Kilimanjaro Climb and Serengeti Safari Extension: July 5-19. Serengeti Safari and Kilimanjaro Culture Tour: July 14-26. Tuscany, Italy: Aug. 31-Sept. 14. More information: 360- 650-6409, globaldiscovery@wwu.edu or wwu.edu/ GlobalDiscovery.

Heaven Hill Distilleries President Max L. Shapira (left) chats next to the centerpiece display in the lobby of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience tourism attraction in downtown Louisville, Ky. rye whiskey production, said Wes Henderson, chief operating officer for Louisville Distilling Co. After aging its bourbon in white oak barrels for sevand hopes to start producing eral years, the product will be finished in port casks for bourbon and moonshine in several more months. Its rye July. His line of spirits will include a premium bourbon, whiskey ages for years in oak barrels before finishing aged eight years, named in rum casks. after his great-grandfather, “Louisville will be at the Henry Kraver, who ran a forefront of this experimendistillery in western Kentation,” Henderson said. tucky nearly a century ago. “Any downtown area is not The makers of Angel’s an ideal place to do producEnvy whiskeys are hoping to start production in a little tion. But what makes Louisville so attractive is there’s more than a year at a new downtown distillery, adding such a passion for bourbon in the city.” a twist to its bourbon and n On the Web: The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Louisville, Ky.; evanwilliams. com; Kentucky Bourbon Trail: kybourbontrail.com

W inners LO U N G E

I-5 Exit 236 • theskagit.com • 877-275-2448 SVH

Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID.

EXTENDED TRIPS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center is organizing several small-group trips for 2014: San Antonio in March, Scotland in June, Trains of Colorado in July and New England in September. Trips will depart from Oak Harbor/Mount Vernon. Contact Pat Gardner at pgardner@oakharbor.org.

STANWOOD SENIOR CENTER TRIPS: The Stanwood Senior Center offers occasional trips around the Puget Sound area and beyond, departing from and returning to the center, 7430 276th St. NW, Stanwood. For information or reser SENIOR CENTER TRIPS: Skagit County vations, contact Sandy Kitchens at 360senior centers offer short escorted trips 629-7403. Next up: departing from and returning to local Christmas Tree Lighting in Leavensenior centers. For information, call the worth: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. Anacortes Senior Center at 360-29314. $45. Preregister by Dec. 1. 7473 or sign up at your local senior center. Next up: PASSPORT APPLICATIONS: The Ana Historic Burnaby Village and Van cortes Public Library accepts passport Dusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of applications from noon to 6:30 p.m. Lights: Noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 1 to 4 11. Valid passport, DMV enhanced driv- p.m. Saturdays at 1220 10th St., Anaer’s license or NEXUS card required to cortes. cross the border. $69. Register by Dec. Passport forms and information on 4. fees and how to apply are available at The Blind Boys of Alabama at Benatravel.state.gov, or pick up an applicaroya Hall, Seattle: 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. tion and passport guide at the library. Tuesday, Dec. 17. $85. Register by Dec. The Oak Harbor Senior Center accepts 2. passport applications, by appointment, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks through Friday at 51 SE Jerome St., Oak and Recreation offers travel opportuniHarbor. 360-279-4580.

Watch the games on the BIg screen! Football EntErtainmEnt thursday 11/21

Seahawks vs. Falcons

sunday 11/24 Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe

TRAVEL TALK: Bonnie Bowers will present “Trekking Scotland’s West Highland Way” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Free. 360293-1910, ext. 21 or library.cityofana cortes.org.

ties for ages 12 and older (adult supervision required for ages 18 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information or to register, call 360336-6215. Next up: Victorian Country Christmas: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, Washington State Fairgrounds, Puyallup. Ages 12 and older. $67-$69. Preregister by Nov. 29. Best of Bellevue: Holiday Garden D’Lights and Snowflake Lane: 1:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Ages 12 and older. $57-$59. Preregister by Dec. 5.

Broncos vs. Patriots

5:25 pm

5:30 pm

monday 11/25

Saints vs. Falcons

5:40 pm

GamE timE SpEcialS Food and drink specials available in the lounge and at the bar top from Kick-off ‘til end of the Game!

thursday 11/21

Open Mic Karaoke 8pm - midnight

FrIday 11/22

saturday 11/23

Hitmen DJ Clint Westwood The Classic Rock and Classic & Contemporary Dance 9 pm - 1 am

R&B Party Band 9 pm – 1 am

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, November 21, 2013

REVIEWS MUSIC CDS

Box sets

Compiled from news services

Grateful Dead, “Sunshine Daydream”: How many reviews of archival Grateful Dead releases begin with some variation of this sentence: If you only own one Grateful Dead concert, make sure it’s this one? OK, so let’s get it out of the way early: If you only own one Grateful Dead concert, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for it to be Aug. 27, 1972, a benefit show released as the box set “Sunshine Daydream.” Amid the roughly 100 archival Grateful Dead releases so far, what makes “Sunshine Daydream” stand out? First, it’s not just the concert, which plays out over three discs and features the Dead in their prime. There’s also the movie, filmed on a shoestring budget to capture the hastily organized benefit show to help support the Springfield Creamery, owned by Ken Kesey’s brother, in Eugene, Ore. Long available in previous edits as a grainy bootleg, the film is beautifully restored here on DVD. The deluxe edition, available only through the Grateful Dead’s website, comes with a well put-together 30-minute documentary featuring interviews with many of those who were a part of putting the show together, including Merry Prankster and concert emcee Ken Babbs and counter-culture icon Wavy Gravy.

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Various artists

Choosing the tracks for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack must have been a miniHunger Games in itself after the wild success of the first film. The victors offer a mix of indie and mainstream, adding a rounded, energetic and emotional dimension to the film. The 12 tributes (15 on the deluxe edition) of album No. 2 battle it out to discover who puts out the edgiest, yet accessible, song in homage to the story. One can see a shift in tone from the first film’s T Bone Burnett-produced soundtrack from folky melancholy to a slicker, more eccentric offering supervised by Alexandra Patsavas. A few traces from the original DNA remain with such tracks as the folky “Lean” by The National, “Devil May Cry” by The Weeknd and the dulcet tones of “Gale Song” by The Lumineers. The lead single “Atlas,” from British band Coldplay, brings a low-simmer resignation to boil over into anger. It’s a resounding anthem to fighting against oppression and feeling the weight of the world on one’s shoulders in dulcet piano tones. Christina Aguilera adds to the film’s mainstream cred with her powerful vocals on the catchy “We Remain.” But the indie performers modulate their voices in a different direction — instead of reassuring, revolutionary tones they all go eerie synth. Teen sensation Lorde does an underwater-sounding cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” that takes its original cheerful spirit and twists it into a macabre warning. Australian Sia convincingly taps into the best of tribal pop on “Elastic Heart,” featuring The Weeknd and Diplo, while Ellie Goulding goes all angelic sci-fi electro in “Mirror.” There’s no clear victor on this record, apart from the fan. n Cristina Jaleru, Associated Press

the debate over where “In Utero” stands in the band’s very short history before Cobain’s suicide. Hovering somewhere between the spit-polish of “Nevermind” and the blue blowtorch flame of debut, “Bleach,” Cobain remains inscrutable here, making people hum along to songs about alienation and withdrawal almost against their will. The best moments in the three-CD, one-DVD set are the live ones. The box includes a CD and DVD of the band’s December 1993 “Live ‘n’ Loud” performance in Seattle, and the show serves as a reminder of just how powerful the band was. Cobain rarely smiles until the end, when he spits on the camera lens with an impish grin and then begins to trash the stage. n Chris Talbott, Associated Press

Sly and the Family Stone, “Higher”: After a thorough listen to the “Sly and the Family Stone: Higher” box set, you’ll quickly realize they’ve made a lot of funky music, but not all of it is worth a second listen. For every heart-warming “Everyday People,” there is “Luv ‘n Haight,” replete with corny horn work and a lackluster approach to funk. For each “I Want to Take You Higher” and its soul-lifting spirit, there is “I Just Learned How To Swim,” which is Sly Stewart’s funk-tinged surf song that is fun. Maybe once. That’s what you have in this reasonably n Scott Bauer, Associated Press comprehensive, four-CD collection that includes 17 previously (perhaps thankfully) The Beach Boys, “Made in California”: unreleased tracks: a band bristling with talWith its bright yellow cover and yearbook-style ent and experimentation, which occasionally format, the outside of The Beach Boys’ sixstruck gold, and sometimes not. CD set “Made in California” already evokes Songs like “What’s That Got To Do With a sunny California vibe. The music takes you Me,” about a love gone wrong, is epic in all the way there, with a 50-year, career-span- scope, with sweeping horn-driven crescendo ning collection that includes home demos interspersed with bits of dramatic pause and (complete with the band-member brothers odd vocal insertions. If you like odd, this colarguing) and new arrangements of beloved lection will be full of gems for you. Most Famhits. Accompanied by more than 30 pages of ily Stone fans, however, will likely be content glossy vintage photos and interviews with the with a single disc of greatest hits by the funk original sextet (Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Den- super group, forgoing the filler. nis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and David Marks), “Made in California” is the ultimate n Rob Harris, Associated Press collectible for any Beach Boys fan. Lounge into the lush harmonies on a cap Fleetwood Mac, “Fleetwood Mac: 1969 pella versions of “Can’t Wait Too Long,” ”Slip to 1972”: The first thing that comes to mind on Through” and “This Whole World.” Dig the when mentioning Fleetwood Mac is their semold radio spots from the 1960s and rare live inal album “Rumours.” But the band’s prestudio recordings of “Wendy” and “When I “Rumours” days are rich with bluesy offerings Grow Up (To Be a Man).” Boogie in your bikini that are well worth revisiting on the new box to more than a dozen live tracks, many from set “Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1972.” ’60s and ’70s performances. The highlight of the four-album, vinyl collec All the classics are here — “California tion is the first re-mastered edition of “Then Girls,” ”Surfin’ U.S.A.,” ”Barbara Ann,” ”I Get Play On,” Fleetwood Mac’s 1969 debut album Around” — plus newer hits like “Kokomo,” on Reprise Records. This is a raw, young and some 130 songs in between, compreblues-fueled Fleetwood Mac and the sense of hensively illustrating the California band’s urgency to their music is on full display. The longtime and lasting impact on pop music. opening, bongo-backed track “Coming Your Way” bristles with pace, and the all-out house n Sandy M. Cohen, Associated Press rocker “Fighting For Madge” showcases guitarist Peter Green as a force to rival Eric Nirvana, “In Utero 20th Anniversary Super Clapton of that era. Deluxe Edition”: Nirvana was probably “Future Games” is another winning platrock ‘n’ roll’s last truly unifying band, and ter, though it presents a softer Fleetwood it’s completely polarizing third album, “In Mac. By 1971 we find them putting together Utero,” stands as a puzzling final word from the less edgy sound that would prove to be Kurt Cobain. Designed to send mainstream the backbone to their radio mainstay hits to fans to the exits after “Nevermind” rewrote come. “Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1972” aptly the rules, “In Utero” did just that as Cobain presents the formative years of one of the bared his conflicted soul. most successful bands in history. The recently released 20th-anniversary super deluxe edition will do little to clear up n Ron Harris, Associated Press

Eric Clapton “Give Me Strength: The 1974/1975 Recordings”: When Eric Clapton returned to the studio in 1974 after a long break from recording and performing because of heroin addiction, he embarked on a rebirth as an artist with three major albums that showcased his vocal skills alongside his wellknown talents as a guitar god. “Give Me Strength: The 1974/1975 Recordings” repackages and remasters those two studio albums, “461 Ocean Boulevard” and “There’s One in Every Crowd,” and the live album, “E.C. Was Here!” in a five-CD, one Blu-ray set along with studio outtakes and unreleased versions of songs he recorded in that critical year. The songs he recorded in this period are heavy into blues, gospel and reggae, but the live album revisits some of his killer rock guitar skills from his days with Cream and Blind Faith. Some gems in the set are actually when he’s the most muted, such as his dobro performance on “Give Me Strength” or the simple acoustic version of “Please Be With Me.” n Kristin Hall, Associated Press Van Morrison, “Moondance Deluxe Edition”: Van Morrison’s seminal 1970 album of the same name, now re-mastered as a one-, two- or four-CD and Blu-ray audio package from Warner Bros., sounds as crisp and swing-danceable as it did when it hit the airwaves 43 years ago. If you fancy yourself a music fan and don’t own the album yet, you have no excuse. If you’re a fan of Van the Man, the deluxe edition will probably blow your mind. Only true audiophiles with a way to listen to music that doesn’t involve ear buds will appreciate the re-mastering, but there are 50 unreleased session recordings here, including a piano-heavy version of the title track and six takes of “Brand New Day.” It’s a trip to hear Van Morrison try out different tempos and vocal styles for “Into the Mystic.” Also included, a previously unreleased song that didn’t make the final album called “I Shall Sing.” Overall it’s a rare look inside the making of an album that Rolling Stone ranked as No. 65 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. n Rob Merrill, Associated Press OTHER RELEASES n The Beatles, “On Air - Live At the BBC, Vol. 2”; “The Beatles: The BBC Archives 1962-70” n The Velvet Underground, “White Light/ White Heat” 45th Anniversary edition n The Ramones, “The Sire Years 19761981” n “Released!: The Human Rights Concerts 1986-1998,” various artists n Duane Allman “Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective” n Woody Guthrie, “Woody Guthrie: Radical American Patriot” n Tears for Fears, “The Hurting 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” n Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald, “The Complete Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions (1934-1941)” n Herbie Hancock, “Herbie Hancock: The Complete Columbia Album Collection 19721988”

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

REVIEWS

Thursday, November 21, 2013 - E9

skagit valley hospital foundation a n d associated petroleum products

VIDEO GAMES

Present

Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service

‘Battlefield 4’

just rehash and improve the standard death-match and team-based modes, “BatPlatforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC tlefield 4” makes some intelligent twists to Genre: Shooter make new modes addicting. Obliteration Publisher: EA Games stands out as a blockbuster, where two ESRB Rating: M for Mature teams fight control of a bomb and use it to Grade: 4 stars (out of 5) take down enemy positions. In previous games vehicular engageWe’re ment was a luxury, but now everyone getting can play and experience game-changing closer to a moments. Boats hum down watery chanuniversal nels laying suppressing fire or perhaps a truth about helicopter wastes an entire pack of sol“Battlediers waiting to ambush your compatriots. field”: You Never before has a game so wonderfully come for packed battles with land, sea, and air comthe action, ponents. Trust me when I say the Paracel and you Storm mission is one you’ll likely never stay for the stop playing and will change the way you multiplayer. see multiplayer maps. Recent It’s bad enough that customization editions options for your soldier and vehicles fill have proven that quality is fleeting in up several hours’ of your time; now EA the franchise’s single-player campaigns. has developed multiple ingenious maps to Where we gamers end up (correctly) test your mettle in the war theater. Level focusing our attention is in the online up enough and the much-beloved comcompetitive modes, where EA seems to mander view becomes available, allowing be devoting its efforts. I long for a miliyou to issue orders to squad leaders and tary shooter that sucks you into a tightly woven narrative with complex players, but see the entire battlefield from high above. that just isn’t what “Battlefield 4” sells. It Type-A personalities will drool over this ability to help shape the outcomes of missells controlled mayhem. sions by pointing out potential traps or First, about the campaign: You go through the peaks and valleys of the plot, assisting their team with a timely aerial strike or airdrop of a vital supply cache. but not much sticks with you. The charSince we’re fully mired in the “should acters deliver some lines, and world leadI buy it now for my 360/PS3 or wait for ers bark out orders to send your band of the new consoles to come out” void of soldiers into harm’s way via massive set decision-making, I’d say let reality (and pieces and shootouts. your wallet) be your guide. The Xbox Unfortunately those characters’ lines One and PS4 versions look amazing and plummet deep into a well of generic dialogue and the missions follow predictable provide not only better visual quality but expanded options. But if you crave the beats with overly dramatic twists and turns. Perhaps the 15 people who’ve never desire to rain hellfire from an unmanned drone or knock down buildings and don’t played a military shooter will find them compelling, but for the other 80 bagillion plan to get a new console soon, you won’t folks playing the game it’s worn-down ter- be disappointed by the current-gen versions of the game. ritory. Tighten up those boots and make n Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @camp sure your flak jacket is securely fastened bler or email him at game_on_games@mac. because everything changes once you com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News enter the online multiplayer. Rather than Service, shns.com.

Continue the cycle — please recycle this newspaper

family festival days

Saint Joseph Center • 215 N. 15th Street • Mount Vernon, WA sPonsored by: Skagit State Bank & Thomas Cuisine Management

Friday, nov. 29, 2013

admission: Adults - $5 Kids 18 and under - $3 Seniors - $2

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

sunday, dec. 1, 2013 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information call 360-814-5747

Our newest festival event to celebrate the silver anniversary

Friday, nov. 29, 2013 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. admission: $10 per person sPonsored by: InSight Design Studio

B R E A K FA S T

advertising Skagit sPonsor: Publishing

Festival proceeds benefit the Cardiac Care Services Special Observation Unit at Skagit Valley Hospital.

E10 Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thursday, November 21, 2013 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area November 21-27 Thursday.21 MUSIC

Instrumental Gala Concert: Mount Vernon High School Orchestra, 7 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $4-$8. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

TUNING UP Playing at area venues November 21-27 SATURDAY.23

FRIDAY-SUNDAY.22-24

THE CHRIS EGER BAND

“MIDSUMMER/JERSEY” (COMIC RETELLING OF SHAKESPEARE’S “MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”) B-EHS Drama Department, Burlington-Edison High School Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-757-4074. See individual listing for time.

FRIDAY.22 8 p.m., Big Rock Café, 14779 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. No cover. 360-424-7872. SATURDAY.23 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

THEATER

AMY HINDMAN Americana, light rock; 7 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $18. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

Friday.22 COMEDY

SOLD OUT: 34th annual Seattle International Comedy Competition Semifinals: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $21-$25. 877275-2448 or theskagit.com.

THURSDAY.21 Scott Haynes: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

MAGIC

Brian Ledbetter (mentalist, illusionist): 8 p.m., 1st Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $5 cover. 360-336-3012 or riverbelledinner theatre.com.

FRIDAY.22

MUSIC

“Music From 3 Centuries”: Bellacorda string quartet, 7 p.m., Croatian Cultural Center, 801 Fifth St., Anacortes. $20 at the door, free for ages 13 and younger. 360-293-4930 or anacortesartsfoundation. org.

THEATER

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. Includes chocolate fountain and hors d’oeuvres. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org. “Midsummer/Jersey” (comic retelling of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”): B-EHS Drama Department, 7:30 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-757-4074. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $18. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

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

Alicia Powell photo

Saturday.23

Sunday.24

MUSIC

THEATER

Bayshore Symphony Concert: 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $10 suggested donation. 360-724-7300 or bayshore musicproject.com.

THEATER

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Bargain night; all seats $10. Tickets available at the door two hours before showtime. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Midsummer/Jersey” (comic retelling of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”): B-EHS Drama Department, 7:30 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-757-4074. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”: 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $18. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

“Midsummer/Jersey” (comic retelling of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”): B-EHS Drama Department, 2 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $7 adults, $5 students. 360-757-4074. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”: 2:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $18. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

Wednesday.27 THEATER

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka”: Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. Friends and family night; buy two tickets, get one free. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

The Chris Eger Band (rhythm & blues): 8 p.m., Big Rock Café, 14779 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. No cover. 360-424-7872.

Musebird Cafe: Amanda Winterhalter, Debbie Miller and Lindee Hoshikawa; 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $8. 360-445-3000.

Sweet Dominiques: 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

Kurtis Lamkin (poet, singer, storyteller): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. Donations will benefit the Skagit River Poetry Foundation. 360-445-3000.

C.C. Adams Band: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., Varsity Inn, 112 N Cherry St., Burlington. No cover. 360-755-0165.

Tocato Tango (Argentine tango): 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

Medici, Animal Inside: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $3. 360-778-1067.

Marcia Kester: 7 to 10 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. 360-848-8882.

SATURDAY.23

FRIDAY.22 “MUSIC FROM 3 CENTURIES” Bellacorda string quartet, 7 p.m., Croatian Cultural Center, 801 Fifth St., Anacortes. $20 at the door, free for ages 13 and younger. 360-293-4930 or anacortesartsfoundation.org.

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

Jack Mattingly and Whiskey Fever: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. No cover. 360-445-3000.

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

Billy Roy Danger and the Rectifiers: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Highway 20 Band: 9 p.m. to midnight, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

The Chris Eger Band (rhythm & blues): 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-7666266.

Amy Hindman (Americana, light rock): 7 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

SUNDAY.24 Knut Bell & The Blue Collars: 5 to 9 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. $3 cover. 360-445-4733.

Bright Weapons, Rookery, Victory and Associates, Seminars: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

WEDNESDAY.27 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.

Rock and blues jam with CC Adams: 5 to 9 p.m., The Station House, 315 Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-4488.

Josh Martinez, Deadly D, Ether XOXO: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $8. 360-778-1067.

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