360 September 26 2013 full by Skagit Publishing

Pumpkin-pitching time in Burlington PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday September 26, 2013

Reviews

Tuning Up

Movies

Music: Drake, Elton John Video Games: “Takes if Xillia”

Catch Zepparella, an all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute, on Friday at the Skagit Casino

“Rush” is just that, detailing a bitter racing rivalry in the 1970s

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, September 26, 2013

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Iron Man 3”: When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution. The heart of the movie remains the same: the glib performance turned in by Robert Downey Jr. Even in the face of this new threat, Stark never runs out of quips. Jon Favreau mixed the quick retorts with some regular dialogue, but Shane Black’s script is so loaded with wisecracks that it begins to wear thin. It’s the type of banter that better fits a buddy cop movie. This film has as much action as the first two outings. But Black isn’t as skilled as Favreau at pulling the audience into the middle of the battles. The big showdown is loaded with firepower, but it is shot with such an arm’s length approach that it’s like watching a fireworks show rather than setting the fireworks off yourself. Black’s brought his own voice to the franchise and it’s a big change. It would have been better had he toned down some of the dialogue, stayed a little more loyal to the source material and not had so many scenes in a movie called “Iron Man” without the character. “Hawaii Five-0: The Third Season”: The updated version of the classic TV detective series has settled into a solid rhythm because of the strong cast. Alex O’Loughlin anchors the team as the leaner, meaner version of Steve McGarrett. But he gets a lot of support from Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park. The DVD set includes all 24 episodes, plus deleted scenes, a cast and crew gag reel and several short behindthe-scenes features. “Unfinished Song”: Music changes the life of a grumpy man (Terence Stamp). “Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: RuhRoh Robot!”: The 12 mysteries include the new cartoon “Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace.” “Dear Mom, Love Cher”: A look at Cher’s close relationship with her family, including her mother Georgia Holt. “Doctor Who: The Complete Seventh Series”: Includes 13 episodes and two Christmas specials. “Redemption”: A man (Jason Statham) sees the efforts to put his life in order fail because of London’s criminal underworld. “Anything Is Possible”: Ethan Bortnick plays a young boy who must strike out on his own after his mother goes missing.

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: OCT. 1 The Croods - Fox/DreamWorks This Is the End - Sony

The Weekend / Page 5

OCT. 8 After Earth - Sony The Hangover Part III - Warner Much Ado About Nothing - Lionsgate OCT. 15 The Heat - Fox Pacific Rim - Warner OCT. 22 The Conjuring - Warner The Internship - Fox The Way, Way Back - Fox OCT. 29 Monsters University - Disney R.I.P.D. - Universal NOV. 5 Grown Ups 2 - Sony The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition - Warner White House Down - Sony NOV. 12 Man of Steel - Warner

Check out the Giant Pumpkin Festival on Saturday at Christianson’s Nursery in Mount Vernon

Inside

n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

“Dark Girls”: An exploration of the prejudices dark-skinned women face throughout the world. “Barabbas”: A man seeks redemption after his life is spared at the cost of Jesus Christ’s death. Billy Zane stars. “The Lady Vanishes”: New version of the 1938 Alfred Hitchcock classic. “South Park: The Complete Sixteenth Season”: Includes 14 episodes of the animated series. “Ashes”: Two brothers fight to survive in this urban drama. “Foyle’s War: Set 7”: Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) takes on the world of spies. “Fill the Void”: A woman must decide on whether to marry for love or family. “Silent But Deadly”: An outsider seeks revenge when his pet goat ends up as the daily lunch special. “The Kings of Summer”: Three teenage friends decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. “War and Peace”: Malcolm McDowell stars in this version of the Tolstoy novel. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

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

Get Involved.................................... 6 Music, Game Reviews..................8-9 On Stage........................................ 10 Tuning Up..................................... 11 Travel........................................12-13 Hot Tickets.................................... 14 At the Lincoln................................ 15 Movie Review: “Rush”................... 16 Movie Reviews, Listings............... 17 Out & About.............................18-19

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

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - E3

COMMUNITY

Pumpkin hurling and zucchini racing Squash – green and yellow – in the limelight at Burlington’s Harvest Festival By KATHY BOYD Communities Editor

Skagit Valley Herald file

For weeks, we’ve heard the plea for hundreds of zucchini squash to supply children with “raw material” to make race cars for the Zucchini Races during the annual Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Pitch on Saturday in Burlington. But where do the pumpkins fit in? They’ll be sailing through the air as trebuchet operators hurl dozens of the big, yellow squash while they compete for the title of longest or most accurate toss. Christi Kinney, Burlington Parks recreation coordinator, said six teams in three categories will take on the challenge, starting at noon Saturday, Sept. 28, at Skagit River Park, 1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington. She said Joan and Lloyd Frazier, who own the pumpkin-picking patch on McCorquedale Road, provide all the pumpkins every year. “They say just come and get what you need,” Kinney said. Children can find activities to whet their interests in the Kids Zone, Kinney said. The Hay Scramble, “Kissing” Booth Guessing Game, Lacrosse Radar Challenge and Pumpkin Ring Toss are four of 17 activities open to kids — all for free. The Burlington fire and police departments will man the Touch A Truck area for children wanting a close look or feel of a fire truck, aid car or squad car. Children also can create their own concept of a race car out of the donated zucchinis to compete in the Zucchini Races, which will start at 10 a.m. and continue until supplies run out, said Shelley Johnston, secretary at Burlington Parks and Recreation. The kids use drills to stick a dowel through the zucchini car body, attach mini-pumpkin wheels, and away they go. Johnston said they get especially creative as supplies run low and only smaller zucchinis remain. “They come up with some pretty innovative designs,” she said. Anyone wanting to donate some of the squash can bring them to the parks department (900 E. Fairhaven Ave.) this

How to get there The Harvest Festival at Skagit River Park will have only one entrance this year: 1100 S. Skagit St. in Burlington. Whitmarsh Road will be closed to traffic on Saturday, Sept. 28. Burlington Parks and Recreation recommends using Pease or Anacortes streets from the west, then turn onto Gilkey Road to South Skagit, or turn south from Highway 20 onto South Skagit Street. Plenty of regular and ADA parking will be provided. Shuttle service will provide transportation back and forth between the festival and parking lots. Members of the Burlington-Edison Kiwanis, Burlington Police Department and Burlington Citizen’s Patrol will direct traffic and assist with parking.

week or to the festival on Saturday. “No matter how many (zucchinis) we get, it’s not enough,” Johnston said. A Pie Eating Contest will be held in three age brackets: ages 5-10 at 1 p.m.; ages 11-17 at 1:30 p.m.; and everyone over 18 at 2 p.m. The Pumpkin Pitch Competition will be open from 10 a.m. to noon for public viewing of trebuchets in the pit, then again after the hurling until 3 p.m. Kinney said the public participates in choosing the People’s Choice Award winner, with nominations due by 2 p.m. at the stage. The awards ceremony will begin immediately after the final pumpkin toss. Six teams — all veterans — have signed up: Gourdinator and Skagit Hurlers, both from Sedro-Woolley; UFO from Burlington; MiXeD NuTS Jr from Everett; Vancouver Victors from Vancouver, Wash.; and Ballistikraft from Vancouver, B.C. Gourdinator, the only one in the heavyweight division, has come every year and provides lots of entertainment for the crowd, Kinney said. The UFO and Skagit Hurlers will compete in the middleweight division, and the remaining three, all with smaller machines, compete in the lightweight division. MiXed NuTS was the winner last year.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, September 26, 2013

MOVIES

Gordon-Levitt steps behind camera with ‘Don Jon’ By CARY DARLING Fort Worth Star-Telegram

DALLAS — Joseph GordonLevitt has some fond memories of Texas. Austin, to be exact. He recently filmed the upcoming graphic-novel fantasy “Sin City” sequel, “Sin City: A Dame To Kill For,” there, and five years prior he spent time in the Lone Star capital for the 2008 Iraq war drama “Stop-Loss” with fellow young actors Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish and Channing Tatum. But he’s a bit hazy on some of the specifics. “I spent the most time in Austin when I was working on ‘Stop-Loss,’ and we were an unruly bunch,” he says with a grin. “But I don’t remember the names of any particular places, any place that had booze.” Gordon-Levitt was back in Texas recently, but it wasn’t as an actor or barfly. He was here to talk about “Don Jon,” the kinetic romantic comedy (opening Friday) that’s also his calling card as a feature-film director and writer. Starring Gordon-Levitt as a gym-going, Mark Wahlberg-loving, online-porn watching Jersey goofball — nicknamed Don Jon — who falls head over dumbbells for the hottest yet sweetest girl in the club (Scarlett Johansson), it’s a surprisingly confident and self-assured debut about a young guy who finds it hard to relate to fully-clothed, flesh-and-blood women. “I wanted to tell a story about how people sometimes are treated more like things than people,” Gordon-Levitt, 32, said, during a recent stay at the Crescent Hotel in Dallas. “Maybe it was because I grew up working as an actor in TV and movies, and actors are sometimes treated more like things. “But I don’t think it’s just actors — everyone experiences this. And I was also really curious to talk about how media plays into that. So I thought a story about a relationship between

Relativity Media via AP

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson star in “Don Jon.” a young man who watches too much pornography and a young woman who watches too many romantic Hollywood movies would be a funny way to get at this question.” Gordon-Levitt was aware that making a film involving pornography would mean walking a tightrope between good intentions and bad taste. “I certainly wasn’t interested in making a movie about pornography per se,” he says. “I thought it was a really powerful and often funny central symbol.” “Don Jon” is the culmination of a career that began in Los Angeles at age 4 when GordonLevitt was in a stage version of “The Wizard of Oz.” He went on to become a child star, appearing the early ’90s reboot of the “Dark Shadows” TV series, as well as the film “Angels in the Outfield.” But it was as a regular on the hit late-’90s NBC sitcom “3rd Rock From the Sun,” playing Tommy Solomon, that he became a household name. The show ran for six seasons.

In 2000, Gordon-Levitt left Hollywood behind to study at New York’s Columbia University. “I really wanted to not know what I was going to do because that’s what all my friends were in the middle of,” he recalls. “They were going off to discover what their calling was. I wanted that mystery and that wonder.” But he soon realized he already knew what his calling was. “That nine months was the longest I’d taken away from acting since I was a little kid,” he says. “I found myself playing with my video camera everyday. I’m drawn to it.” But when he came back to acting, he didn’t really return to Hollywood. He passed on going back to episodic TV or trying to get into mainstream films. Instead, he appeared in what would turn out to be lower-budget indie films like C. Jay Cox’s “Latter Days” (2003), Rian Johnson’s “Brick” (2005), Gregg Araki’s “Mysterious Skin” (2004), and Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna” (2008).

In 2005, he and his late brother, Dan, launched HitRecord (hitrecord.org), an online creative collective where he and his friends, as well as other users, can upload their videos, films, music, and art. It’s the inspiration for an upcoming TV show that GordonLevitt is hosting on Pivot, the new pop-culture cable channel. “When I started trying to work again after having quit, I realized that I had to take responsibility for my own creativity,” he explains. “I couldn’t wait around for someone else to hire me and tell me that I could make things. … Then it grew from there, it became a website, a production company, and now we’re making a TV show.” In fact, he credits HitRecord with giving him the confidence to direct “Don Jon.” “I made a lot of little projects, short films and videos for HitRecord, and I’ve been doing that for years,” he says. By the start of the decade, Gordon-Levitt was becoming well-known enough that Hollywood came knocking in a

big way. While he continued to appear in such indie films as “(500) Days of Summer” (2009) and “Hesher” (2011), he also vaulted into the big leagues, appearing in “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), “Looper” (2012) and “Lincoln” (2012). “I have eclectic tastes in movies. I’m attracted to all sorts of different things,” he says of what might seem random choices. “It’s not so much the budget in terms of how I try to vary it but the characters, the filmmakers I’m working for.” So don’t expect him to leave acting behind, even if “Don Jon” earns him respect as a director. “I love working with other directors. They are two very different experiences, and they feed different appetites,” he says. “Don Jon” has even gotten the slimly built Gordon-Levitt somewhere you might not expect to see him: on the cover of the October issue of Men’s Health magazine. He got all beefy for the part of “Don Jon” — working out a couple of hours daily for six months, cutting out carbs and dairy from his diet, eating lots of chicken breasts, and adding 12 pounds to his frame. But it’s not something he has any interest in maintaining. “Bodybuilding is not my thing,” he says with a laugh. “I like to play basketball with my friends on the weekends or I’ll ride a bike for some exercise but this character is very vain. He’s very concerned with how he looks. He has a very rigid set of expectations of what a man is supposed to look like.” He had more fun training for his role in “Premium Rush” (2012), in which he played a Manhattan bike messenger pursued by a killer. “There were four different (stunt) doubles but I rode every day and I rode a lot,” he says. “I did get pretty decent on two wheels.”

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area GARAGE SALE, ANTIQUES & MORE Browse for bargains at the 21st SemiAnnual World’s Largest Garage Sale, Antiques, & More from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 W. Taylor St., Mount Vernon. More than 140 vendors will offer all kinds of new, used, antique, homegrown and handcrafted goods for sale. Admission: $2. Parking: $2. Participating vendors will offer a $2 discount on your first purchase of $10 or more. Early buyer special: $5 admission from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday only. 360-336-9414 or skagitcounty.net/ fairgrounds.

FALL CAR SHOWDOWN Check out clas-

Giant pumpkin festival The third annual festival of big-bellied, misshapen pumpkins and other giant vegetables will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. The children’s exhibition area will showcase pumpkins grown by children along with other homegrown giant vegetables and sunflowers. Prizes: $1,000 for the biggest pumpkin and cash prizes for each of the next nine biggest pumpkins. (Last year’s pumpkin weighed 1,281.5 pounds.)

sic and custom cars and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 W. Taylor St., Mount Vernon. Held in conjunction with the World’s Largest Garage Sale, Antiques & More, the first 30 registered cars will receive a commemorative dash plaque, and all participants will receive a certificate of recognition. Free vehicle registration starts at 8 a.m. Parking: $2. Admission: $2. 360-336-9414 or skagitcounty.net/garagesale.

HALLOWINE Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island will hold the Hallowine 2013 Auction and Wine Tasting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Swinomish Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and live and silent auctions. Tickets $35 presale, $45 at the door; $280 for table of eight. All proceeds fund scholarships and community projects. Contact 360-293-2538 for more information.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, September 26, 2013

GET INVOLVED ART CALL TO ARTISTS: “Fall Into Art,” the Autumn Community Art Walk, will take place Oct. 1-15 in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Artists can enter up to four pieces of art for a $20 entry fee. For information or an application, contact the Arts Council of SedroWoolley at 360-588-4384. CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Anacortes Arts Commission invites artists to submit two-dimensional artworks on the theme “Dark, Stormy, Black & White” for a show set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, at the Depot Arts and Community Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. Space is limited. No applications, first come, no fees, no commission. Contact Karla Locke at 360-588-6968 or email kklocke1@mac.com. CALL TO ARTISTS: Skagit Regional Health is seeking permanent art for its new medical office building, Skagit Regional Clinics Riverbend, which will open in mid-2014 in north Mount Vernon. Artwork must be of superior quality and may include a wide range of styles and mediums. Individual artists may submit up to six images of original artworks by Sept. 30. Submissions may be either existing work for sale or representative work that can be completed by Feb. 1, 2014. Include the name of each work, its medium, size and asking price. Send submissions by email to wragusa@skagitvalleyhospital.org. For information, contact Wendy Ragusa at 360-814-5747.

SALMON DERBY: The annual Ray Reep Salmon Derby will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millet Road, Mount Vernon. Weigh-in takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. for fish caught that day. Prizes will be awarded to the top three weights and one mystery weight in the humpy category and one random drawing for the silvers category. Entry fee: $15. Tickets are available at Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation, Holiday Sports, and Master Marine. 360-336-6215 or mountvernonwa.gov. house in La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident. 360-466-3805. WOMEN SING FOURPART HARMONY: Join the women of Harmony Northwest Chorus from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Seeking women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome.

St., Mount Vernon. The Coast Guard- and stateapproved course qualifies attendees for the Washington Boater Education Card and for insurance discounts. Boaters ages 59 and younger are required to have the card by Jan. 1. Topics include boat-handling, navigation rules, aids to navigation, GPS, safety, adverse conditions, emergencies, communications, knots and more. $55, $65 for two sharing a book. For more information or to register, contact Paul Rosetter at 360-595-1083 or email paul.rosetter@gmail.com.

DANCE

THURSDAY DANCE: Enjoy dancing to the music cortes Community Theatre, of the Skippers from 1 to 918 M Ave., Anacortes. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at HillParts are available for two crest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th men and six women. The St., Mount Vernon. For PG-rated comedy will run information, contact Doris Nov. 29-Dec. 22. For infor- at 360-588-8239. mation, contact director Martin Iverson at 360-293SALSA DANCE LES2182, 360-202-0283 or email SONS: 7 p.m. Thursdays martin@fidalgo.net. act through Oct. 17 at the Anatheatre.com. cortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., “BOOK OF DAYS”: Audi- Anacortes. Learn the basic tions will be held from 4 to salsa rhythm, Cuban body 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunmotion, leading/following day, Oct. 5-6, at Whidbey techniques, footwork and Playhouse, 730 SE Midway basic turns. $10 per class. Blvd., Oak Harbor. Parts 360-464-2229 or anacortes are available for men in centerforhappiness.org. their 30s to 60s and women from 20s to 50s. Auditions MUSIC will be by cold readings SKAGIT VALLEY MUSIC from the script. Scripts are CLUB: The club will not available for checkout at meet during September. the theater. The mystery will run Jan. 24-Feb. 9. 360- For information, call Marsha Pederson at 360-757679-2237 or whidbeyplay 4906. house.com.

“MAN OF LA MANCHA”: Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5-6, at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Alger. Musical lead and nonsolo parts are available. The play will run Jan. 31-Feb. 16, 2014. For audition requirements, email Karen Westra at karen@ riversidehealthclub.com. For other information, BOATING contact Vangi DeMaster BOATING COURSE: U.S. at 360-424-5144 or visit Power Squadron will offer altatheatre.com. AUDITIONS America’s Boating Course from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays SHELTER BAY CHORUS: “MAMA WON’T FLY”: Practices are held from 2:45 Auditions will be held from and Wednesdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 16, at Skagit Valley to 4:45 p.m. every Thursday 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Hospital, 1415 E. Kincaid at the Shelter Bay ClubSunday, Oct. 5-6, at Ana-

ON STAGE NORTH COVE OPEN MIC: Daniel Burnson hosts an open mic from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays at North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. All genres welcome —

rock, blues, funk, folk, uke- THEATER lele, poetry or performance. YOUTH THEATER CLASS360-707-2683 or northcove ES: The Whidbey Playcoffee.com. house “Would Be Players” theater program for ages 8 CONWAY PUB OPEN to 18 will offer a workshop MIC: Jam Night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays, Con- from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through way Pub & Eatery, 18611 Oct. 29 at the Whidbey Main St., Conway. Playhouse Star Studio, 730 360-445-4733. SE Midway Drive, Oak 1ST STREET OPEN MIC: Harbor. There will be a 9 p.m. to midnight, Wednes- three-hour rehearsal on Sunday, Oct. 27, and the days, 1st Street Cabaret & workshop will culminate Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., with public performances Mount Vernon. Ages 21 at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28-29. Stuand older. No cover. 360dents will learn a variety 336-3012 or riverbelle of theater skills, including dinnertheatre.com. theater acting, vocal training, body language, stage RECREATION presence, blocking and SUPERHERO TRAINING: more. $75. For information The Skagit Valley Family or to register, contact Stan YMCA will host Superhero Thomas at 360-675-0574. Training for ages 3-6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays, FREE ADULT ACTING Oct. 4-Nov. 1, at the YMCA CLASSES: Anacortes ComActivity Center and Pool, munity Theatre offers free 215 E. Fulton St., Mount acting classes for adults Vernon. from 10 a.m. to noon the Each day the “Superthird Saturday each month heroes in Training” will at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. complete a mission teachClasses include scripted ing them the importance scenes and a variety of actof being a Superhero while ing games, with a different developing basic motor topic each month. Each skills. Creative superhero class is independent, so you attire is encouraged; cloth- don’t have to commit to ing should be appropriate every session. 360-840-0089 for active play. $15-$25. or acttheatre.com. Call 360-336-9622 or email j.kerkvliet@skagitymca.org WORKSHOPS for more information. BUILD YOUR OWN WEBSITE: Learn how to TRIP AND TREAT DAY: design and create your own Burlington Parks and website from 10 a.m. to 3 Recreation will host Halloween Trip and Treat Day p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in the Anacortes Chamber on Monday, Oct. 7 (there is no school that day in the of Commerce boardroom, Burlington-Edison School upstairs at 819 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Class will District) at Frazier Farms Pumpkin Patch in Burling- cover choosing a template and domain name, planning ton. Explore the pumpkin and page layout, advanced patch to find pumpkins to designing, keywords/meta make ghostly crafts and data, linking, media and delightful treats for Halblogs. No experience necesloween. Pack a lunch and sary. $50. To register, call water bottle. $32. Register Karla Locke, Alternative by Oct. 2. 360-755-9649 or Focus, at 360-588-6968 or burlingtonwa.gov. email at kklocke1@mac.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - E7

Miss Piggy joins Kermit in Smithsonian collection By BRETT ZONGKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Miss Piggy is finally joining her love, Kermit the Frog, in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of Jim Henson’s Muppets, and Bert and Ernie will have a place in history, too. Henson’s daughter, Cheryl Henson, donated more than 20 puppets and props Tuesday to the National Museum of American History. The donation included Miss Piggy and some of her co-stars from “The Muppet Show” including Fozzie Bear, Scooter and the Swedish Chef. Henson also donated a number of puppets from “Sesame Street” including Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Cook-

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

A Miss Piggy Muppet used on “The Muppet Show” is all dressed up during a ceremony Tuesday to donate additional Jim Henson objects to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington. ie Monster, Grover, and Count Von Count. The donation also included Boober Fraggle and Travelling Matt from “Fraggle Rock.” Many of the puppets are the first constructions of the characters. The museum was previously home to Oscar the Grouch, Kermit and the cast of Henson’s early TV show “Sam and Friends.” The col-

Skagit River Park

Saturday

September 28 10am to 3pm

lection includes the original Kermit the Frog creation and the more famous Kermit from “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show.” The museum says Miss Piggy will go on display in March 2014 in the museum’s “American Stories” exhibit. The original Kermit and Cookie Monster will go on view in November in a special display case.

FREE Admission Pony Rides, Bouncy House, Pumpkin Painting, Zucchini Car Races and Pie Eating Contest! Pumpkin Pitch Begins at 12:15!

Lodging Available at these Burlington locations: Candlewood Suites 1866 S Burlington Blvd (360) 755-3300 Cocusa Motel 370 W Rio Vista Ave (360) 757-6044 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott 9384 Old Hwy 99 N (360) 757-2717 Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel 1860 S Burlington Blvd (360) 757-7100 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 900 Andis Rd (360) 755-7338 Sterling Motor Inn 866 S Burlington Blvd (360) 757-0071 For more information call City of Burlington Parks Dept. (360) 755.9649

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, September 26, 2013

REVIEWS MUSIC CDS Compiled from news services

Drake

“Nothing Was the Same” Drake warns us what’s coming on his new album “Nothing Was the Same,” laying out a mission statement of sorts on sprawling opener “Tuscan Leather.” “This is nothin’ for the radio/but they’ll still play it though/Cause it’s that new Drizzy Drake/that’s just the way it go.” The most anticipated rap album of the year is here and “Nothing Was the Same” is probably nothing like you expected. Drake’s third album is introspective, practically guest-free and every bit as sonically brave as Kanye West’s “Yeezus” — though not quite so abrasively bold. Drake’s right. There are no radio cuts here — a predictable inevitability after he debuted “Started from the Bottom” last winter. That song was nothing like the music Drake released on 2011’s top album, the Grammy Award-winning “Take Care.” Yet it got stronger, more mesmerizing and meaningful with each play, and it remains among the most streamed songs in a year overstuffed with sickly sweet pop tunes. “Take Care” was meant to be played at top volume with the windows rolled down. It was club music. The party is over now. “Nothing” is for dark rooms and headphones. There are few hooks here, almost no choruses, not much to sing along to. The heart-on-his-sleeve rapper with a million friends and the tightest of crews seems all alone here after ridding himself of fake friends, trying to sort out why all the success, the money, the drugs and the women leave him with a hollow feeling. He tells us over the course of the album how his relationships with his family and friends, like Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, have been strained. The only pleasant memories seem to come from his childhood — represented by that chubby-cheeked cherub in the cover painting — and the ’90s are all over the album, serving as touchstone, reminder and measuring stick. So the biggest star in the rap world retreats. “I’ve been plottin’ on the low,” he sings on “Furthest Thing,” ”Schemin’ on the low, the furthest thing from perfect like everybody I know.”

It’s moments like this that differentiate “Nothing Was the Same” from the year’s other releases in the three-way battle for king of the hill. Where “Yeezus” shows us West has turned confrontational in the postfame portion of his career and Jay Z has become condescending with “Magna Carta … Holy Grail,” Drake becomes more and more confessional with each release. His charismatic self-doubt remains intact even as he wears the crown. n Chris Talbott, Associated Press

In electronic dance music, popularly abbreviated as EDM, what can make you can also break you. Artists like Swedish House Mafia and David Guetta have stamped their meal tickets with floor-filling tracks and collaborations with top-flight singers and hip-hop stars. But sometimes the creative cacophony falls short, cheapened by an artistic marriage of convenience rather than strong songwriting or deft arrangements. Here’s a look at four new EDM releases: Avicii, “True”: Sweden’s Avicii delivers an expected polish on “True,” with big soulful vocals laced over a thick cache of funk tracks. But I’ll note that “True” feels a tad dated. Unless Chicago house is officially old enough to be back in vogue as retro, this is worn territory with the piano overkill and avalanche of soul claps. There is one absolutely perfect track in “Lay Me Down,” featuring vocals from “American Idol” alum Adam Lambert. If 2013 needs a dance anthem playlist, this is track No. 1. Hands down. Kaskade, “Atmosphere”: Kaskade blew up with “Strobelite Seduction” in 2008 and gets better each year. He structures the

songs on his latest album, “Atmosphere,” so tenderly he gives them all a chance to endure. Kaskade’s song calculus is simple: find the best vocalists and give them room to run. Yet amid that formula, the vocalless “MIA to LAS” is reason alone to buy a good pair of headphones and this album. The song’s finely grooved beat meets the echoing melody in a lonely airport bar, or something equally as cool. “Atmosphere” rightly cements Kaskade’s position among the top half-dozen DJs worldwide. Icona Pop, “This is… Icona Pop”: The lighter side of EDM offers up Icona Pop, the Swedish duo of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, who had a summer anthem with “I Love It.” This is much closer to hit-seeking Euro-pop than raw dance floor tracks. Their vocals don’t quite have the soulful soar that tends to dominate the big bangers crowd, but this hook-heavy, own-the-night type stuff will probably go over well east of the Atlantic. The album is thematically large and the mostly well-crafted lyrics mix decently with the occasionally unnecessary production bluster, as on “We Got the World.” Still, it feels a bit ramshackle. CHVRCHES, “The Bones of What You Believe”: This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is among the most relevant new EDM synth stuff out there. CHVRCHES is a Scottish three-piece led by vocalist Lauren Mayberry. The pixieish Mayberry is so frighteningly talented she turns simply structured songs, like “Gun,” into beautiful arcs of achievement. The group is spot-on cool and their delivery pays proper homage to the late 1980s synth days. But Mayberry’s effort on “The Bones of What You Believe” is so good it deserves the EDM slow clap of the year. A star is absolutely born. n Ron Harris, Associated Press

MGMT

“MGMT”

ics are cutting. “Count your friends on your hands, now look again, they’re not your friends,” lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden sings with an Eels-esque sardonicism. Lead-off song “Alien Days” is as close to the old MGMT material as you’re going to get. It opens disconcertingly, with strange female vocals, and then drifts into a lazy, slow drum beat and guitar strum. VanWyngarden wryly distorts his voice when singing, “I love those alien days.” If you’re expecting pop music like “Kids” or “Electric Feel,” you won’t find it here. But spent time with “MGMT” and you’ll find it’s an interesting concoction. n Sian Watson, Associated Press

Elton John “The Diving Board”

Eager to make a relevant record at age 66, Elton John sought a return to his roots on “The Diving Board,” advertised as piano trio music in the vein of his marvelous early albums. But while they had energy, humor and good songs in abundance, “Board” is dull. The 15 cuts suggest Elton and producer T Bone Burnett weren’t fully committed to the trio concept. Bass and drums remain subdued throughout, and several songs are dressed up with strings and backup singers. Meanwhile, John plays polite piano in starchy renditions of generic ballads. There’s no “Bad Side of the Moon” here. Longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, which read as if he mailed them in. “I went to Paris once, I thought I had a plan, I woke up with an accent, I wound up in quicksand,” goes the chorus to “My Quicksand,” which does create a sinking feeling. The hourlong album is heavily back loaded, and the final three cuts are the best. “Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)” swings with a gospel feel, and the inventive instrumental, “Dream #3,” offers more surprises than anything else in the set. On the autobiographical closing title cut, Sir Elton is supported by warm horns and is convincing as a cabaret singer. It’s a better role for him than trying to reclaim his youth.

Leave your preconceptions at the door — the new self-titled MGMT album is worlds apart from the group’s debut “Oracular Spectacular” and 2010’s “Congratulations.” Gone are the days when the Connecticut boys sing of models and drugs. “MGMT” is dark. The melody on the record’s debut single “Your Life is a Lie” is uplifting with a cowbell added to up the tempo. But the lyr- n Steven Wine, Associated Press

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - E9

REVIEWS to level up the characters comes off limited and constrictive, giving you less of a sense of freedom to mold skill sets. Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service The cutscenes and interactions, combined with excellent combat encounters, all join with other elements to make “Tales of Xilcompelling leads aided by quirky extras. ‘Tales of Xillia’ lia” an engrossing RPG game that gamers Jude and Milla approach the story from Platform: PlayStation 3 will certainly enjoy. It doesn’t exceed the different angles. He is a student learning Genre: Role-playing hype this franchise has engendered over the to master new skills, and she is a once-allPublisher: Namco Bandai years, but anyone with a hankering to dive powerful being whose powers were stripped ESRB Rating: T, for Teen into a rich story will find satisfaction here. away. But they quickly forge a bond that Grade: 3.5 stars (out of 5) continues throughout the game. Gamers reap the rewards of seeing their ‘NHL 14’ Gamers occasionally stories through to the conclusion, but a get themselves worked Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 plot glitch hampers the overall effect. You up about a new release Genre: Sports must choose between Jude and Milla as Publisher: EA Sports that receives internato whose story you want to focus on — ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone tional fame. However, meaning, to see how events unfold for the Grade: 2.5 stars some games, like “Tales other, a replay of the entire game would be of Xillia,” take a wee required. “Xillia” packs a lot into the game, A few years after the bit longer than others release of the stellar to cross the vast oceans and actually arrive so devoting that much time asks a lot of gamers in a crowded marketplace. “NHL 11,” we hockey here. “Xillia” debuted in Japan some two Controlling one character while the three fans are still awaiting the years ago, so after all the acclaim and hype, others in the party are controlled by the next big innovation from the expectations may have been too high. AI works well. Rather than coming off like EA Sports when it comes The final product doesn’t hit all the marks gnats just swarming around the battlefield, to its hockey franchise. it should. here the allies actually perform useful tasks Sadly, the treading-water Not to say that gamers will walk away disappointed. Far from it. The game delivers like stringing together attacks, healing party condition that has plagued members and generally making life difficult the “Madden” and “College Football” series exciting combat, a colorfully vibrant world (and short) for enemies. The skill tree used has also hit the ice. to explore and a story dominated by two

VIDEO GAMES

Skagit County Fairgrounds 21st Semi-Annual Garage Sale

Antiques, Car Show & More Vendors Galore, Food, Music & Kids Activities

Friday & Saturday September 27-28 • 9am - 6pm

www.skagitcounty.net/fairgrounds (360)336-9414

The ways to play feel relatively untouched from previous editions, so anyone who loves GM, season, franchise and online modes shouldn’t expect any surprises or new gimmicks. The most disappointing aspect, however, concerns the seminal hockey game “NHL 94.” The 94 edition finally condensed everything hockey fans love about the sport into a game, so much so that it lives on via a classic scene in the movie “Swingers,” where “making Gretzky’s head bleed” became an oft-repeated one-liner. “NHL 14” sullies this, unfortunately, by offering a halfhearted re-creation of the 20-year-old video game. The top-down camera, stars under the players skating and single-button controls all feel like old times, but the inclusion of modern rosters and other tweaks come off forced instead of natural. It makes you wish they had simply ported the original game onto the disc instead of trying too hard to modernize a classic that fans know too well to be acceptably altered. Those who relish buying a franchise’s latest release shouldn’t necessarily not get “NHL 14.” You just wonder when these sports franchises will produce something truly innovative to create a new host of followers.

E10 Thursday, September 26, 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area September 26-October 6

TUNING UP Playing at area venues September 26-October 3 LOOKING AHEAD FRIDAY.4

SATURDAY.28

FRIDAY.27

BEN & MIA STARNER 8 p.m., 1st Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 First St., Mount Vernon. $5 cover. 360-336-3012.

ZEPPARELLA (ALL-GIRL LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE) 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $18-$24. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY.27-29 THURSDAY.3 “PAN THE MUSICAL” META Performing Arts, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. See individual listings for times.

Thursday.26

Saturday.28

DANCE/THEATER

THEATER

DANCE/THEATER

Friday.27

“Little Shop of Horrors”: comedy/horror/musical: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

“Hello, my name is You: One woman’s journey with Asperger’s”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $15-$18. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org.

DANCE/THEATER

MAGIC

Brian Ledbetter: 8 p.m., 1st Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 First St., Mount Vernon. $5 cover. 360-336-3012.

THEATER

VARIETY

California Bad Boyz Male Review: 9 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $15. 360-755-3956 or anacortesH2O.com.

“PAN the Musical”: META Performing Arts, 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

“The Producers” (musical): 2 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 Commercial St., Bellingham. $34-$40. 360-733-4030.

DANCE/THEATER

MUSIC

An Evening with Uncle Bonsai: 8 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $16-$22. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org. Laila Biali Trio: (jazz): 3 p.m., Sudden Valley Dance Barn, Gate 2, 8 Barnview Court, Bellingham. $20. 360-671-1709 or suddenvalleylibrary.org.

Sunday.29 “PAN the Musical”: META Performing Arts, 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Hello, my name is You: One woman’s journey with Asperger’s”: Kuntz and Company, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham. $15-$18. 360-671-2626 or kuntzandco.org.

Thursday.3 THEATER

“PAN the Musical”: META Performing Arts, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. All seats $10; first come-first served. Tickets available two hours prior to curtain. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Little Shop of Horrors”: comedy/horror/musical: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Reilly & Maloney (pictured): 7:30 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. $17 advance, $20 at the door. 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre.com.

SATURDAY.5

“PAN the Musical”: META Performing Arts, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Little Shop of Horrors”: comedy/ horror/musical: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com. Eric Bibb (gospel-infused folk blues): 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $25. 360-4167727. “Three Magic Guys”: Mark Paulson, J.R.Russell and Jim Earnshaw; one-hour kids and family show at 1 p.m., twohour family and friends show at 7 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd, Oak Harbor. Tickets: 1 p.m. ($6 ages 15 and older, $4 ages 4-14); 7 p.m. ($10 ages 15 and older, $5 ages 4-14). 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplay house.com.

SUNDAY.6

“PAN the Musical”: META Performing Arts: 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org. “Little Shop of Horrors”: comedy/ horror/musical: 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

THURSDAY.26 Echo Rogue: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

FRIDAY.27 Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Black Beast Revival: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $15. 360-778-1067.

Steve Rudy: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Firehall Cafe, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

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

Kerry and the Keepers (Americana): 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Zepparella (allgirl Led Zeppelin tribute): 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $18-$24. 877-275-2448 or the skagit.com.

Jim Cull: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. 360-848-8882.

JP Falcon Band, Prozac Mountain Boys: “Stand Together” benefit concert, 5 to 9 p.m., Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Ave., Bellingham. Silent auctions, door prizes; proceeds benefit spinal injury research. Free. 360647-5593 or facebook. com/sup.san.juans.

Ben & Mia Starner: 8 p.m., 1st Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 First St., Mount Vernon. $5 cover. 360-336-3012.

CD Woodbury Band (blues): 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

Steve Bailey and the Blue Flames: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-7553956.

Lukewarm & The Moderates: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-7666266.

Jim Basnight Band: 5 to 8 p.m., Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars, 43095 Challenger Road, Concrete. Free admission with purchase of a bottle of wine per adult. 425-422-6988.

Sandrider, Sirhan Sirhan, Dog Shredder, Ghetto Blaster: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $7-$8. 360-778-1067.

Troy Fair Band: 8 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

SATURDAY.28 Jammin’ Jeff: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

SUNDAY.29 Knut Bell & The Blue Collars: 5 to 9 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. $3 cover. 360-445-4733.

THURSDAY.3 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.

C.C. Adams and friends Sunday Jam, featuring $cratch Daddy, Coyote Blues and more: 5 to 9 p.m., Station House, 315 E. Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-4488.

1967 (the band): 5 p.m., The Corner Pub, 14565 Allen West Road, Bow. No cover. 360-7576113.

Marvin Johnson (swing, rock, blues): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Firehall Cafe, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-3543600.