360 December 11 2014

Skagit Valley Herald

Thursday

December 11, 2014

ON STAGE“Dreamscapes for Guitar, Flute and Viola” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in MV PAGE 8

TUNING UP Jimmy Wright plays the Big Lake Bar & Grill on Friday night PAGE 9

MOVIES Strong and subtle with resolve, Reese Witherspoon a good reason to see “Wild” PAGE 14

THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HOLIDAY EVENTS IN THE AREAPage 4

E2 - Thursday, December 11, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

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

[email protected], [email protected] (recreation items)Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition

Phone360-416-2135

Hand-deliver1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Mailing addressP.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Online events calendarTo 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 [email protected] For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or [email protected]

TO ADVERTISE360-424-3251

Inside

Holiday Events ................................3-4

Out & About ....................................5-6

On Stage, Tuning Up .......................8-9

Travel Briefs, Hot Tickets ................. 10

At the Lincoln ................................... 11

Get Involved ..................................... 12

Music Reviews .................................. 13

Movies .........................................14-15

“Guardians of the Galaxy”: Some thieves come together to save the universe. Chris Pratt stars.

It’s “Star Wars” meets “Farscape” — a fun ride driven by top-notch performances, a galaxy of funny moments and a wicked soundtrack. It’s the latest film based on a Marvel Comics series. But even if you don’t know the difference between “Iron Man” and “Iron Fist, ” the blend of action and humor provides plenty of entertainment.

With a mix of the dry wit of Han Solo and the smugness of Tony Stark, Pratt gives the movie the kind of flawed hero on which many a film franchise has been built. He is as quick with a quip as he is with a weapon.

“When the Game Stands Tall”: The movie starring Mount Vernon native Jim Caviezel tries to turn the high school football winning machine De La Salle High School — the school won a national prep record 151 games in a row from 1992-2003 — into the kind of underdog that makes for a heart-tugging sports movie.

It all comes down to this being a movie about a storied sports fran-chise that has a minor setback. It’s not enough of a tragedy to make this a great sports film. When the film is over, you’re not likely to stand up and cheer.

“Dolphin Tale 2”: In 2011, director Charles Martin Smith blended a huge number of deeply emotional moments to make “Dolphin Tale” the king of must-see movies for the year.

Compared to the depth of his work on the first film, “Dolphin Tale 2,” the follow-up story to the tale of Winter, a dolphin with a prosthetic tail, never gets out of the emotional kiddie pool.

To be fair, the original film not only had that compelling dolphin story but used a wounded war hero, a young boy growing up without a father, loads of children missing arms or legs, a dead mom, a crusading doctor and an ani-mal hospital on the brink of closing to churn up the waters of sentimentality. That movie was so loaded, it was an

impossible challenge to try and top it.

“I, Origins”: Couple use eyes to test truth about God.

“The Mind of a Chef: Magnus Nils-son”: Combines travel, cooking, history and science.

“The Only Folk Col-lection You’ll Ever Need”: Eclectic col-lection of traditional, classic folk music.

“Por Siempre Mi Amor”: Telenovela remake of “Mi Segun-da Madre.”

“Search of Aliens: Season One”: Giorgio Tsoukalos travels the globe to research and investigate evidence of extraterrestrials.

“Power Rangers Super Megaforce Volume 1: Earth Fights Back”: Team morphs into new super Ranger.

“Barney Miller: Season 6”: Con-tains 22 episodes of the TV cop com-edy.

“Hart To Hart: Season 3”: Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers play the stylish detectives.

“Mister Ed: The Complete Series”: All six seasons of the talking horse series.

“The Jeffersons: The Complete Series”: All 253 episodes about the family who moved on up are in this set.

“Frank”: Offbeat comedy about a musician who joins an avant-garde pop band.

“Mork & Mindy: The Complete Series”: This comedy about an alien visitor made Robin Williams a star.

“NOVA: Bigger Than T. Rex”: Sci-entists look into possibility that T. Rex wasn’t the largest dinosaur.

“RWBY: Volume 2”: Anime series about young people who must save the world.

“Secret Agent: The Complete Series”: Patrick McGoohan stars in this TV spy series.

“Get On Up”: Chadwick Boseman stars in this film about the life of James Brown.

“Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series”: Peter Capaldi takes over as the time traveler.

n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK

Upcoming movie releases Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subject to change:

DEC. 16Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe Maze RunnerThis Is Where I Leave YouMagic in the Moonlight

DEC. 23The Good LieThe Trip to ItalyPride

DEC. 30The EqualizerTuskLast Weekend

n Tribune News Service

Tuning Up Page 9

Rafael Tranquilino plays H2O in Anacortes on Saturday night

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, December 11, 2014 - E3

CELEBRATE THE SEA-SON: Anacortes Schools Foundation will host “Cele-brate the Season,” a holiday fundraiser, from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec, 13-14, at the Port of Anacortes’ Event Center on First and Commercial. Includes photos with Santa, crafts, holiday shopping, games and refreshments. $5 individual or $20 family. 360-293-1200 or celebrate@anacortesschools foundation.org.

HOLIDAY YOUTH CON-CERT: The Fidalgo Youth Symphony will present its holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. today at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 for children and students. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

HOLIDAY SYMPHONY CONCERT: The Skagit Symphony and Skagit Symphony Chorus, with the Brass Menagerie quintet, will present their annual holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Advance tickets: $20-$40 from the McIntyre Hall box office, 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

WINTER CONCERT: Vocal quartet Angeli will present “Carols by Candle-light” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Ave., Oak Harbor. Freewill donation. 360-679-1561 or [email protected].

WONDERLAND WALK: Enjoy Christmas lights, car-oling and more from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at Washington Park, 6300 Sunset Ave., Anacortes. Free. 360-293-1918 or cityofanacortes.org.

LIVING NATIVITY: The

public is invited to the walk-through Living Nativ-ity from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-14, at Cedarhome Seventh-day Adventist Church, 28505 68th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Hot drinks and cookies will be served inside. Free. 360-629-2441.

SANTA BREAKFAST: Join Santa for the Beta Sigma Phi Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, Dec. 13, at the Sedro-Wool-ley Community Center, 703 Pacific St. Children can eat a breakfast of waffles, sausage links, orange slices and choice of milk or apple juice for free (parents can eat by donation). After breakfast, they can visit with Santa and get their picture taken, also at no charge. 360-855-1841 or sedro-woolley.com.

COOKIE WALK: Mount Vernon Christian School’s annual Cookie Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at the school, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Pur-

chase cookies and specialty gift items. Small box $7, large $13. mountvernon christian.org.

LUNCH WITH MRS. CLAUS: The United Gen-eral Women’s Auxiliary will host lunch with Mrs. Claus at noon Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Coho Cafe at Peace-Health United General Medical Center, 2000 Hos-pital Drive, Sedro-Woolley. For ticket and reservation information, call 360-856-7245.

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE: The Swinomish Yacht Club’s annual Lighted Boat Parade will get begin around 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, departing from the north basin of the Port of Skagit marina in La Con-ner, turning south along the waterfront and ending up in Shelter Bay. 360-770-5640 or swinomishyachtclub.org.

CONCRETE CHRIST-MAS: The “Santa Comes to Town” Christmas Parade in Concrete will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

Entries will line up at the Puget Sound Energy Build-ing, then cross the bridge and continue along Main Street to the Concrete Cen-ter, 45821 Railroad Ave. There, Santa will visit with kids starting about 6:30 p.m. and offer toys and bags of candy and peanuts from the Concrete Fire Department. To enter the parade, call 360-826-4848.

VICTORIAN CARRIAGE RIDES: Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around Stanwood on Saturday, Dec. 13, beginning on 271st St. NW, across from the Snow Goose Bookstore in historic East Stanwood. Call the bookstore for the schedule: 360-629-3631.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, King Building, 8705 271st St. NW, Stan-wood.

LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS: Catch a free shuttle bus from downtown Stanwood to Warm Beach for The Lights of Christmas on

Saturday, Dec. 13. Shuttles depart every 30-40 minutes from the Port Sudan Farm-ers Market Handmade Holiday store in the Stan-wood Theatre Pavilion, 6996 265th St. NW. The last bus will leave Stanwood at 8 p.m. and the last ride back will leave Warm Beach at 10 p.m. ci.stanwood.wa.us.

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR: The sixth annual Oak Harbor Soroptimist Christmas Home Tour will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. $15. Tick-ets are available at Upscale Resale, Casual House, Jones Accounting, Whidbey Printers and Banner Bank, in Oak Harbor. sioak harbor.com.

HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: The Sedro-Woolley Muse-um Historic Holiday Home Tour will start at 4 p.m. Sat-urday, Dec. 13, at the muse-um; the tour will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Pick up a walking tour guidebook at the museum. Bring a flash-light. Ride in a Victorian carriage, listen to Christmas

carols and see Santa at the museum. Tickets are $5 at the Oliver-Hammer store or the museum, 725 Mur-dock St., 360-855-0203.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Enjoy an evening out while your kids play games, make crafts and more during the Parent’s Night Out: Holi-day Party from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA, 215 E. Fulton St., Mount Vernon. For ages 3-12; $20-$30, $8-$10 for each additional sibling. Children ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to swim. RSVP: 360-336-9622 or [email protected].

“HERALDING CHRIST-MAS”: The Skagit Valley Chorale will present its annual holiday choral performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. Col-lege Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25. Discounts avail-able for seniors and stu-dents. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

CELTIC YULETIDE: The 36th annual concert will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Lincoln The-atre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Join three genera-tions of the Boulding fam-ily and friends for Celtic-flavored holiday music with singing, dancing, juggling, caroling, storytelling and more. $15-$24. $2 discount for Lincoln members. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

FREE HOLIDAY CON-CERT: Navy Band North-west will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the Oak Harbor High School Performing Arts Center, 1 Wildcat Way, Oak Harbor.Free. 360-257-2286.

HOLIDAY EVENTS IN THE AREA

COMMUNITY

Cantabile of Skagit Valley will perform at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Mount Vernon City Library.

Continued on Page 4


HOLIDAY EVENTS

WINTER CONCERT: The Mount Vernon High School choirs will present their annual winter concert at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Ver-non. $3-$8. 360-416-7727 or mcintyrehall.org.

HOLIDAY PAPERCRAFT-ING: Enjoy a holiday card and papercrafting class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Burlington Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Create three Christmas cards and a Happy Win-ter card, plus a bonus 2x2 paper Santa gift box using basic stamping, dry emboss-ing, masking, die-cutting and sponging techniques. $20 adults, $10 ages 12 to 15 with accompanying adult, plus additional $15 supply fee per person. Preregister by Dec. 12. 360-755-9649.

HOLIDAY CONCERT: Cantabile of Skagit Val-ley will perform at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-336-6209 or mountvernonwa.gov/library.

YOUTH THEATER: The Would Be Players will per-form “Christmas Capers and Carols” at 7 p.m. Thurs-day, Dec. 18, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Whidbey Playhouse Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $10, $5 ages 2 to 11. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

“ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT: From Darkness Into Light”: The Seattle Choral Com-pany will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and Fri-day, Dec. 19, at St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle. One hour before the concert there will be a lecture about the program,

a carol sing-along for the audience and preconcert carols by the Resonance Hand Bell Choir. $25, free for children and students. 206-363-1100 or seattle choralcompany.org.

VICTORIAN CHRIST-MAS: Check out the his-toric 1891 Gaches Mansion decorated for the holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sun-day, through Dec. 28, at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. The main rooms on the first floor highlight different decades during

the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), with a tree for each decade along with quilts and textiles popular at the time. $7 admission, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and children ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.com.

“SKAGIT CHRISTMAS: Over The River … to Grandmother’s House!”: Check out special exhibits showing how early Skagito-nians celebrated the Yule-tide season through Dec. 31 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501

S. Fourth St., La Conner. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $5, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/museum.

“BOB’S YOUR ELF”: The Anacortes Community Theatre will present this holiday comedy Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 20, at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Banished from the North Pole, an elf named Bob is ordered by Santa to learn a lesson or

two about cooperating with others. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

CHRISTMAS TREES: The Mount Vernon Lions Club will offer Christmas trees in exchange for a donation through Dec. 20, at 2111 Riverside Drive. Donations will be accepted at all hours. Proceeds will be used to provide eye exams, eyeglasses and hear-ing aids for those in need. 360-424-1888.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE: The Anacortes Kiwanis Sunrisers Club is selling fresh-cut Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at Sebo’s Hardware & Rental, 1102 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Regular deliveries of fresh-cut Washington trees include noble, Douglas, Nordman and Fraser firs in a wide range of sizes and prices. 360-588-8846.

LIONS CHRISTMAS TREES: The Oak Harbor Lions Club is selling Christ-mas trees from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, through Dec. 23, in the park across from the Chamber of Commerce, 32630 Highway 20, Oak Harbor. Four- to nine-feet noble, Douglas, grand and Nordman fir trees cut in Washington. Proceeds ben-efit Lions causes, such as health screenings, eye and ear exams, hearing aids, eyeglasses and more. 360-675-6796.

WINTERFEST: Enjoy free and affordable activi-ties and entertainment through Dec. 31 at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Visit Center House for free performances of music and comedy, jazz and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, student show-cases and more.

The Winterfest Ice Rink will be open through Jan. 4.

Admission/skate rental fee applies. 206-684-7200 or seattlecenter.com/ winterfest.

HORSE-DRAWN TROL-LEY RIDES: Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley rides from noon to 4 p.m. Sat-urdays, through Dec. 20, around downtown Ana-cortes, starting from partici-pating Commercial Avenue locations. For information, call the Anacortes Cham-ber of Commerce at 360-293-7911.

THE LIGHTS OF CHRIST-MAS: More than a million Christmas lights will be dis-played at the annual Lights of Christmas, from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 11-14, and daily Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-30 at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood.

The largest holiday light display in the North-west covers 15 acres and features family-oriented entertainment, live music, theater, crafts, food, pony rides, a petting farm, Polar Express Train rides and overnight getaway options. Meet Santa Claus or talk with “Bruce the Spruce” Christmas tree. General admission: $10-$15. Pay-what-you-can nights are offered Dec. 4, 11, 29 and 30. Season passes are avail-able. Theater events are extra. Call 800-228-6724 or visit warmbeachlights.com.

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play”: Enjoy the Lights of Christ-mas Holiday Theatre at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood. Dinner theatre: Dec. 11-13, 18-20, starting at $39 per person. Sunday dessert matinee: Dec. 7, 14, 21, starting at $24 per person. For reservations, call 800-228-6724 or visit warm beachlights.com.

Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

Martin Iverson plays Gord Ford and Elizabeth Booth is Fiona Putzle in the Anacortes Community Theatre production of “Bob’s Your Elf.”


OUT & ABOUT

ART“A FESTIVE COLLEC-

TION”: A collection of new paintings by Anne Martin McCool, McCool Gallery artists and guests will con-tinue through December at 711 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. Participating artists include Peter Belknap and Cathy Schoenberg, paintings; Tracy Powell, sculptures; Stephen Roxborough and Bryce Mann, photography; Patsy Chamberlain, Cathy Schoenberg and Barbara Hathaway, ceramics; George Way and Art Learmonth, wood; Carole Cunningham and Debbie Aldrich, jewelry; Martha Tottenham, hand-woven scarves; Jane Hyde, baskets; Vicki Hampel, gourd art; and other artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 360-293-3577 or annemartinmccool.com.

ART EXHIBITION: “Kinda Vital/Slightly Precise” con-tinues through Dec. 28 at Anchor Art Space, 216 Com-mercial Ave., Anacortes. Working across processes, Jean Behnke brings together materials and objects to form a work with methods of drawing, assemblage and installation. Also on display is a selection of new work by Russell Prather, Margaret Davidson and Sandra Westford, as well as Julia Oldham’s recent video work “Star Noise” and two earlier works. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. 360-755-3140 or anchorartspace.org.

Anchor Art Space will host a closing party and opening reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

JENNIFER BOWMAN: ACRYLICS: The show will continue through Jan. 27 at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Ana-

cortes. The exhibition fea-tures Bowman’s brilliantly colored floral, landscape and nautical paintings. Also showing: acrylics by Cynthia Richardson, oils and pastels by Amanda Houston, photo encaustics by Kathy Hast-ings, and photography by Lewis Jones, Dick Garvey and Randy Dana. The gal-lery is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. 360-293-6938 or scottmilo.com.

LOCAL ARTS & CRAFTS: Eleven local artists offer a variety of works from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, through Dec. 21, at Ballenger Studio, 15502 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. Russ Rehm will demonstrate leather tool-ing as he designs belts and bags from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. The show features original creations in wood, ceramics, acrylics, jewelry, photography, fiber, leather and glass. 360-422-7030.

NEW PAINTINGS: More than 40 new works by local artist Sharon Eckhardt are on display through Decem-ber at Rexville Grocery, 19271 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Included are original Christmas-themed paintings, landscapes and still-lifes, as well as Christ-mas cards. 360-466-5522 or rexvillegrocery.com.

UPSTAIRS ART: Check out a selection of artwork from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. week-days, through Dec. 31, at Upstairs Art Studios and Gallery, 1010 Fifth St., Ana-cortes. Participating artists include Paula Anderson, Jo Anderson, Cathy Schoen-berg, John DeLourme, Syl-via Griffen, Thaddeus Hink, Elizabeth Ockwell and guest artists Caroline Garland and Lance Ekhart. [email protected].

INVITATIONAL ART SHOW: “Objectification: 7” will continue through Dec. 28 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Featuring more than 20 local and regional artists, the annual show focuses on functional and three-dimen-sional artwork — ceram-ics, textiles, haberdashery, housewares and furniture, as well as art objects and sculp-tures. Purchased items can be taken home immediately. Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, closed on Christmas and open from noon to 5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 26. 360-766-6230 or smithandvallee.com.

BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS: “The Treasures of Winter” continues through Dec. 31 at Raven Rocks Gallery, 765 Wonn Road, Langley. Meet the artists during a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Check out a wide range of handmade creations including Bob Hig-bee’s hand-turned wooden vases, Roger White’s driftwood feathers, Lynne Adam’s kicky jewelry, Mary Jo’s treasure bowls and hand knit hats, Windwalker’s “Ravens in Love” prints and cards, stained glass mosaics by Sandy and Carl Bryant,

Tim Potter’s “Escher-esque” pen and ink creations, couture clothing by Teri Jo Summer, Rich Alexander’s handthrown pottery, and kiln formed glass bowls, platters and more by Dale Reiger. For information, including gallery hours and directions, call 360-222-0102 or visit ravenrocksgallery.com.

STANWOOD POTTERY SHOW: The 14th annual Mark Eikeland Pottery Show is open by appoint-ment through December, across from 10024 270th St. NW, Stanwood. Choose from a wide range of functional and decorative handcrafted ceramics. 360-708-3209.

NEW PAINTINGS: A show of paintings by Bellingham artist Kathryn Hackney will open with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at The Shop, 18623 Main St., Conway. Also on display are a variety of works by other gallery artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 360-391-2691 or theshop conway.com.

CRAFT FAIR: Studio Outback’s annual Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at 801 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley. The event will fea-ture a variety of handmade gifts including stained glass, quilted items, hand-carved wooden birds, cloth baskets, handmade soap and more. 360-854-7873.

PHOTO EXHIBIT: “SKY,” featuring 18 color photo-graphs by Aldo Panzieri, will open with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and continue through April 25 at Ululate Gallery, 924 S. 11th St., Mount Vernon. Each image connects the sky to earth objects and then connects the viewer to both. Panzieri is a Los Angeles-

based photographer with 50 years’ experience in free-lance, fashion, street, news and police photography. Free admission. 360-336-3882 or ululate.org.

PAINTINGS & VESSELS: A show of paintings by Becky Fletcher and vessels by Allen Moe continues through Dec. 14 at Gallery Cygnus, 109 Commercial Ave., La Conner. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 360-708-4787 or gallerycygnus.com.

SMALL ARTWORKS: The 24th annual “Honey, I Shrunk The Art” small works show continues through Jan. 18 at Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculp-ture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island. The show features creations by some 40 artists working in glass, ceramics, sculptures and paintings. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays by appointment. 360-387-2759 or matzke fineart.com.

ISLAND ART SHOW: “Fine Art in the Season of Light” continues through Jan. 1 at Rob Schouten Gallery, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank. Choose from a wide range of artworks by Whidbey Island and North-west artists, including glass, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, encaustics, ceramics, fiber arts, woodwork, handmade prints and books, cards and more. A holiday recep-tion, featuring music by Keith Bowers and Kristi O’Donnell, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. 360-222-3070 or robschouten gallery.com.

2015 SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVALThe 2015 Skagit Eagle Festival will take place every full weekend during January, in and around Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities including eagle watching, free tours, walks and educational programs, arts and crafts, wine tasting, river rafting, music, dance and more. Bring your camera and dress for unpredictable January weather. For the latest information, contact the Concrete Chamber of Commerce at 360-853-8784 or visit skagiteaglefestival.com.

Continued on Page 6


360.416.7727mcintyrehall.org

Holiday ConcertSkagit Symphony

December 12 HeraldingChristmas

Skagit Valley ChoraleDecember 13 & 14 Winter Concert

MVHS ChoirsDecember 17

The NutcrackerNorthwest Ballet

December 20 & 21

OUT & ABOUT

AT MoNA: Two exhibits continue through Jan. 4 at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Con-ner.

“Accreted Terrane”: Featuring work by 42 artists with ties to the Northwest, the exhibit explores pro-cesses of accumulation and erosion, dispersal and gath-ering. The passage of time is marked in a variety of ways, from layer upon layer of paint, to the archaeological exposure of 20th century artifacts, to the capture of hot-sculpted glass in the moment, to the interplay of light and shadow unfolding in a video loop. Guest cura-tor David Francis suggests that the cumulative effect “evokes a world from which human beings are notably absent or indirectly present, perhaps even estranged.”

“To Be Alone Together”: The exhibition pairs 11

contemporary Northwest artists with 11 works chosen from MoNA’s permanent collection on the basis of three ideas: light, solitude and community, which the curators find to be prevail-ing themes in the philosophy and process of Northwest artists. The contempo-rary artists were asked to respond to a piece in the collection and to create new work based on that response. The exhibition looks closely at the ways in which both the ephemeral and the tangible experiences of living in a particular place influence communities of artists. “To Be Alone Togeth-er” is co-curated by artist Emma Jane Levitt and cura-tor Shelly Leavens, through the Dana and Toni Ann Rust Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Northwest Art.

Free admission. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

HAWAIIAN QUILTS, UNIQUE TEXTILE ART: Two special exhibits are on dis-play at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner.

“Vox Stellarum”: Tex-tile artist Elin Noble has transformed the third-floor galleries into an installa-tion using itajime-dyed silk organza. Her black and white silk panels, featuring irregular horizontal and vertical geometrical shapes, are hung in sets, allowing a play of overlapping shapes and moiré patterns. Also on view are pod-like three-dimensional poetic forms. The exhibition continues through Dec. 28.

“Hawaiian Quilting: Traditions Continue”: Grace Hawley first took up Hawaiian quilting in 1985, while living in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. Hawaiian quilts traditionally feature hand applique work with designs from nature, and the quilting lines often echo the applique design, both on

and outside of the applique work. The exhibition contin-ues through Dec. 28.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. $7, $5 stu-dents and military with ID, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT: The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is on display through March 1, 2015, at public locations around La Conner. The annual juried exhibition fea-tures work by some of the Northwest’s most accom-plished artists. For informa-tion, including a map of the sculptures and works avail-able for sale: 360-466-3125 or townoflaconner.org.

ANACORTES IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION: “All in the Same Boat: Anacortes in the Great Depression” is on display in the Anacortes Museum’s Carnegie Gal-lery, 1305 Eighth St., Ana-cortes. The year-long exhibit depicts life in Anacortes after the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression, which dragged on for 12 years. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Satur-day and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 360-293-1915 or museum.cityof anacortes.org.

NORTHWEST ART: Three new exhibits will open Sat-urday, Jan. 10, and continue through March 11 at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. An opening reception will take place at 2 p.m. Satur-day, Jan. 10. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Free admission. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

“Still Life from the Per-manent Collection”: Exhi-bitions Director Lisa Young

examines interiors through the historically rich tradi-tion of the still life. Recent acquisitions are featured, along with works by Mark Tobey, Walter Isaacs, Max-ine Martell, Spencer Mose-ley and contemporary artists drawn from the museum’s permanent collection.

“A Tree is a Kind of Big Flower: Flora C. Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick”: Mace and Kirkpatrick present botanical sculptures and sensitive casein paintings that pay homage to their deep reverence for the outside world. By capturing the essence of a flower or a tree stump, the artists invite the viewer to witness the elegance of a tiger lily or the husky texture of moss-covered bark.

“Adrianne Smits: Immer-sion Redux: Buiten (Out-side)”: Smits’ painting style invokes similarities to artists of the “Mystic painters” movement in the Northwest, such as Mark Tobey, Morris Graves and Guy Anderson. Smits says, “In larger com-positions I interpret and emphasize visual details from my encounters with nature in order to communi-cate the complexity of natu-ral systems beyond their cursory picturesque value.”

LECTURES AND TALKS

CELEBRATE LIGHT: “PechaKucha Night,” 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Region-al artists will speak about their work and the light that guides them through the darkest days as we celebrate the role of light in art and in our lives, exploring themes of inspiration, creativity and insight. Free. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

ARTIST TALK: A Conver-sation with Adrianne Smits and Bryan Ohno: 1 p.m. Sat-

urday, Jan. 10, Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Painter, biol-ogist Adrianne Smits is a Ph.D. candidate at the Uni-versity of Washington. Smits states her painting came first and the science second. Discover how Smits balanc-es her studies in the field, and learn about her process for recapturing memory with neighbor and gallery representative Bryan Ohno of Bryan Ohno Gallery in Seattle. Free. 360-466-4446 or monamuseum.org.

ANACORTES HOUSE HIS-TORY: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, Anacortes Museum, 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes. Learn about the Anacortes House History and Plaque Pro-gram and how to research the history of your home in a presentation by the Anacortes Historic Pres-ervation Board. Find out if your home is eligible for the Anacortes Historic Register, and how you might qualify for tax breaks for your renovation project. Free. 360-293-1915 or museum.cityofanacortes.org.

MUSICWINTER WALTZ: The

Mount Vernon High School Orchestra’s second annual Winter Waltz will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the MVHS cafeteria, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Ver-non. Admission: $5, includes free waltz lessons. Desserts will be available for pur-chase. 360-428-6100.

MORE FUNEAGLE WATCHING: The

Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center hosts guided walks at 11 a.m. Sat-urdays and Sundays at How-ard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. The center also features speakers at 1 p.m. Saturdays. During January, the center will be open from

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 360-853-7626 or skagiteagle.org.

CHEESE, CIDER & MORE: Sample locally made cheese, cider and more during a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the Guest House at Samish Bay Cheese, 15115 Bow Hill Road, Bow. 360-766-6707 or samishbay.com.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The Whatcom-Skagit Model Railroad Club will host a Christmas season open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger. Check out the club’s large, permanent HO- and N-scale indoor railroad lay-outs. Admission is by dona-tion to maintain and expand the layouts. whatcomskagit mrc.org.

GATHERING OF REMEM-BRANCE: Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memo-rial Park will hold a Holiday Gathering of Remembrance at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the reception room at 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. The gathering will allow attendees to remem-ber those they have lost in past years. Attendees are invited to bring a picture or memorial object of their lost loved one. Light refresh-ments will be served. For information, contact David Lukov at 360-424-1154.

STAR PARTY: Explore the night sky and view distant galaxies, nebulas and planets beginning at dark Friday, Dec. 19, at Fort Nugent Park, 2075 SW Fort Nugent Road, Oak Harbor. Island County Astronomical Soci-ety members will provide an assortment of telescopes for viewing. All ages welcome. Free. The event will be can-celed if cloudy. 360-679-7664 or icas-wa.webs.com.


E8 Thursday, December 11, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, December 11, 2014 E9

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area December 11-18 TUNING UP Playing at area venues December 11-18

Thursday.11MUSIC

Sedro-Woolley High School string orchestra, full orchestra, symphonic band and wind ensemble: 6:30 p.m., S-WHS Auditorium, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. Free. 360-855-3510.

Fidalgo Youth Symphony: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 students and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATERAgatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”

(mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 7 p.m., MVHS auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.

“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Friday.12MUSIC

Skagit Symphony: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Ver-non. $20-$40. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATERIrving Berlin’s “White Christmas”

(musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” (mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 7 p.m., MVHS auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.


Saturday.13IMPROV

Whidbey Improv Team: 7 p.m., Whid-bey Playhouse Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $10. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

MUSIC“Heralding Christmas”: Skagit Valley

Chorale, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“Dreamscapes for Guitar, Flute & Viola”: Michael Nicolella, Jeffrey Cohan and Roxanna Patterson, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15-$25 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-424-1822 or candlelightseattle.org.



Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” (mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 2 and 7 p.m., MVHS audito-rium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.


VARIETY“A Broadway Cabaret”: 7:30 p.m.,

Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. $15. 360-354-3600 or jansenartcenter.org.

Sunday.14MUSIC

“Heralding Christmas”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“Ring The Bells of Christmas”: Nancy Kirkner, solo English handbells; Janet Anderson, piano; 3 p.m., United Methodist Church of Anacortes, 2201 H Ave. $20 general admission, $30 family with children. 360-293-4930 or anacortes artsfoundation.org.

THEATER“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 2 p.m.,

Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

VARIETY“Celtic Yuletide”: 3 p.m., Lincoln

Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $15-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org

Wednesday.17MUSIC

Mount Vernon High School choirs: 4 and 7 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $3-$8. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.18MUSIC

Cantabile of Skagit Valley: 6 p.m., Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Sno-qualmie St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-336-6209 or mountvernonwa.gov/library.

THEATER“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 7:30 p.m.,


“Christmas Capers and Carols”: The Would Be Players, 7 p.m., Whidbey Play-house Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $10, $5 ages 2 to 11. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

VARIETY“An Evening of Stories & Song”:

7 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete, featuring writers/readers Nicola Pearson Murray, Jason Miller, Robert Van Wagoner and Peter Keim, and original music by Andrea Weiser, Linda Jordan and Corina Sahlin. $5. 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre.com.

THURSDAY.11

FRIDAY.12

SATURDAY.13

SUNDAY.14

Deanne Savage and Friends: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Com-mercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Deep Sea Diver, BellaMaine, Ben Von Wilden-haus: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10. 360-778-1067.

Andy “Badd Dogg” Koch (blues): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover.

Slim Fat Lips & Friends: 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Jimmy Wright: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 High-way 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Wayne Hayton: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. 360-588-1720.

Ginger UPs: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

M-80s (’80s pop, new wave): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Author & Punisher: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bell-ingham. $6. 360-778-1067.

Music Box Duo: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Open to the public. 360-848-8882.

Cheryl Hodge (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

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

Lucas Hicks: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Con-ner. 360-399-1805.

Tom Mullin: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Con-ner. 360-399-1805.

Rafael Tranquilino: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

M-80s (’80s pop, new wave): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Win-ners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Tacos!, Bright Weapons, Seminars, Dryland: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

Joyride: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6330.

Brass Menagerie Quintet and Nick Moyer: 6 p.m., Con-way Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Con-way. $7. 360-445-3000.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

Sunday Brunch Jazz, John Savage and Duane Melcher (’40s & ’50s American jazz): 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Bur-lington Blvd., Burl-ington. 360-707-2683.

Desperate Measures (classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tav-ern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. No cover. 360-855-2263.

Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Victims of Kool: 8:30 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-2263.


Singer, Songwriters Open Mic Night: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

MONDAY.15

Tate Cohan photo

MICHAEL NICOLELLA

FRIDAY.12JIMMY WRIGHT8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

SATURDAY.13“DREAMSCAPES FOR GUITAR, FLUTE & VIOLA”Michael Nicolella, Jeffrey Cohan and Roxanna Patterson, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15-$25 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-424-1822 or candlelightseattle.org.

JEFFREY COHAN

WEDNESDAY.17 THURSDAY.18

SATURDAY.13RAFAEL TRANQUILINO7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

E8 Thursday, December 11, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, December 11, 2014 E9

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area December 11-18 TUNING UP Playing at area venues December 11-18

Thursday.11MUSIC

Sedro-Woolley High School string orchestra, full orchestra, symphonic band and wind ensemble: 6:30 p.m., S-WHS Auditorium, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. Free. 360-855-3510.

Fidalgo Youth Symphony: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 students and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATERAgatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”

(mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 7 p.m., MVHS auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.


Friday.12MUSIC

Skagit Symphony: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Ver-non. $20-$40. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.



Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” (mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 7 p.m., MVHS auditorium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.


Saturday.13IMPROV

Whidbey Improv Team: 7 p.m., Whid-bey Playhouse Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $10. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

MUSIC“Heralding Christmas”: Skagit Valley

Chorale, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“Dreamscapes for Guitar, Flute & Viola”: Michael Nicolella, Jeffrey Cohan and Roxanna Patterson, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15-$25 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-424-1822 or candlelightseattle.org.



Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” (mystery): Mount Vernon High School Drama Club, 2 and 7 p.m., MVHS audito-rium, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. $7, $5 students. 360-428-6100.


VARIETY“A Broadway Cabaret”: 7:30 p.m.,

Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. $15. 360-354-3600 or jansenartcenter.org.

Sunday.14MUSIC

“Heralding Christmas”: Skagit Valley Chorale, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $16-$25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“Ring The Bells of Christmas”: Nancy Kirkner, solo English handbells; Janet Anderson, piano; 3 p.m., United Methodist Church of Anacortes, 2201 H Ave. $20 general admission, $30 family with children. 360-293-4930 or anacortes artsfoundation.org.

THEATER“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 2 p.m.,


VARIETY“Celtic Yuletide”: 3 p.m., Lincoln

Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $15-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org

Wednesday.17MUSIC

Mount Vernon High School choirs: 4 and 7 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $3-$8. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Thursday.18MUSIC

Cantabile of Skagit Valley: 6 p.m., Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Sno-qualmie St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-336-6209 or mountvernonwa.gov/library.

THEATER“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 7:30 p.m.,


“Christmas Capers and Carols”: The Would Be Players, 7 p.m., Whidbey Play-house Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $10, $5 ages 2 to 11. 360-679-2237 or whidbeyplayhouse.com.

VARIETY“An Evening of Stories & Song”:

7 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete, featuring writers/readers Nicola Pearson Murray, Jason Miller, Robert Van Wagoner and Peter Keim, and original music by Andrea Weiser, Linda Jordan and Corina Sahlin. $5. 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre.com.

THURSDAY.11

FRIDAY.12

SATURDAY.13

SUNDAY.14

Deanne Savage and Friends: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Com-mercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Deep Sea Diver, BellaMaine, Ben Von Wilden-haus: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10. 360-778-1067.

Andy “Badd Dogg” Koch (blues): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover.

Slim Fat Lips & Friends: 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

Jimmy Wright: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 High-way 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Wayne Hayton: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. 360-588-1720.

Ginger UPs: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

M-80s (’80s pop, new wave): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Author & Punisher: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bell-ingham. $6. 360-778-1067.

Music Box Duo: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Open to the public. 360-848-8882.

Cheryl Hodge (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-445-3000.

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

Lucas Hicks: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Con-ner. 360-399-1805.

Tom Mullin: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Con-ner. 360-399-1805.

Rafael Tranquilino: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

M-80s (’80s pop, new wave): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Win-ners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

Tacos!, Bright Weapons, Seminars, Dryland: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

Joyride: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6330.

Brass Menagerie Quintet and Nick Moyer: 6 p.m., Con-way Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Con-way. $7. 360-445-3000.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

Sunday Brunch Jazz, John Savage and Duane Melcher (’40s & ’50s American jazz): 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Bur-lington Blvd., Burl-ington. 360-707-2683.

Desperate Measures (classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tav-ern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. No cover. 360-855-2263.

Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.



Singer, Songwriters Open Mic Night: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

MONDAY.15

Tate Cohan photo

MICHAEL NICOLELLA

FRIDAY.12JIMMY WRIGHT8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

SATURDAY.13“DREAMSCAPES FOR GUITAR, FLUTE & VIOLA”Michael Nicolella, Jeffrey Cohan and Roxanna Patterson, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15-$25 suggested donation, free for ages 18 and younger. 360-424-1822 or candlelightseattle.org.

JEFFREY COHAN

WEDNESDAY.17 THURSDAY.18

SATURDAY.13RAFAEL TRANQUILINO7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.


THE TEA PARTY: Dec. 12, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

SAY ANYTHING, SAVES THE DAY: Dec. 15, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SKINNY PUPPY: Dec. 15, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

THE GROUCH & ELIGH: Dec. 16, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

IN THIS MOMENT: Dec. 30, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

REIGNWOLF: Dec. 31, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

COMMON KINGS: Dec. 31, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

BUILT TO SPILL: Jan. 2-3, 2015, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS: Jan. 15, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

CHRIS HARDWICK: Jan. 16, The Nep-tune Theatre, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or LiveNation.com.

STEEL PANTHER: Jan. 17, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

E-40: Jan. 18, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles: Jan. 20, Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

TRIBAL SEEDS: Jan. 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

WALE: Jan. 23, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

PIERCE THE VEIL, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS: Jan. 28, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: with Matt Costa: Jan. 30, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

“ROMEO & JULIET, THE MUSICAL”: Jan. 30-Feb. 15, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

BILL FRISELL: Jan. 31, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

LOGIC: Feb. 5, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

“RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CAR-OUSEL”: Feb. 5-March 1, 2015, The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. 888-584-4849 or 5thavenue.org.

DR. DOG: Feb. 10, The Showbox, Seat-tle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE: Feb. 11, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BILLY IDOL: Feb. 13, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or live nation.com.

MIRANDA LAMBERT: Feb. 13, Tacoma

Dome. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.AUGUST BURNS RED: Feb. 16, The

Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK: Feb. 17, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

COLD WAR KIDS: Feb. 20, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

IRATION: Feb. 20, Showbox SoDo, Seat-tle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BORGORE: Feb. 21, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

3 REDNECK TENORS: “From Rags to Rednecks”: Feb. 21, Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mount bakertheatre.com.

LOTUS: Feb. 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

GALACTIC: Feb. 27, The Showbox, Seat-tle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT: Feb. 28, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

JOSHUA RADIN: March 1, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

CARIBOU: March 4, The Showbox, Seat-tle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO: March 5, 2015, Mount Baker Theatre, Belling-ham. 360-734-6080 or mountbaker theatre.com.

KELLER WILLIAMS, THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS: March 6, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

“JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL & LIVING IN PARIS”: March 7-May 17, 2015, The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. 888-584-4849 or 5thav-enue.org.

ECHOSMITH: March 21, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SHPONGLE: March 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

DATSIK: March 27, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BURTON CUMMINGS BAND: March 27-28, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

HOT TICKETS

Local travel AT ANACORTES LIBRARY: Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes, will offer the following travel talks: Favorite Northwest Cruising Destina-tions: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Deane Hislop shares some favorite seaside villages, marinas and anchorages between Olympia and the Broughton Islands, British Columbia, and explains why they are favorites for Northwest boaters. Discovering Ireland in 14 Days: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Doug and Gay

Woods share details and photos from their travels across the Emerald Isle on a Rick Steves tour. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org:

PASSPORT APPLICATIONS: Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Ana-cortes, accepts passport applications from noon to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Passport forms and information on fees and how to apply are available at travel.state.gov, or pick up an application and passport guide at the library.

THE ROOTSDec. 29, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

Web buzzName: 12HRSAvailable: 12hrs.netWhat it does: Provides 12-hour itiner-

aries for travelers who are fond of great discoveries and love design, music and fashion. Available for 13 destinations in Europe and North America, including Berlin; Copenhagen; Paris; Vancouver, British Columbia; San Francisco; Port-land, Oregon, and more.

What’s hot: The giant magazine-qual-ity photos are beguiling, but make sure you read the text. If you delve deeper, you’ll find experience-driven travel tips

that hit the mark for romantic hipsters as well as practical travelers. Unlike most time-based travel itineraries, these are paced correctly. You might be tired at the end of the day, but you’ll have visited heaps of brag-worthy hot spots that may or may not be in the guidebooks.

What’s not: Sometimes 12 hours are not enough. Additional content on a city, for example, might have its own page. Make sure you scroll all the way past the map to the bottom of the guide to link to additional content, if available, in the “Still Curious?” section.

n Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times


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AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE

712 S. First St., Mount Vernon360-336-8955 n lincolntheatre.org

‘White Christmas’7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 12-13

Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sis-ters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.

$24 first tier, $20 second tier, $10 third tier.

The MET Live in HD - ‘Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg’9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

James Levine returns to one of his sig-nature Wagner works conducting this epic comedy — back at the Met for the first time in eight years — about a group of Renaissance “master singers” whose song contest unites a city. Johan Reuter, Johan Botha, and Annette Dasch lead the inter-

national cast.$23 adults, $19 seniors, $16 students; $2

off for Lincoln members.

Celtic Yuletide 20143 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

Three generations of the Boulding fam-ily will perform with the Tara Academy Irish Dancers, fiddler Jocelyn Pettit, and singer Colleen Raney with Dublin guitar-ist Colm MacCarthaigh and percussionist Matt Jerrell.

Philip and Pam Boulding founded Mag-ical Strings in 1978, the same year they began the Celtic Yuletide Concerts with their family.

They have performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Japan, toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prai-rie Home Companion,” and recorded 20 albums on four labels.

$24 first section, $21 second section, $18 third section, $15 fourth section; $2 off for Lincoln members.


GET INVOLVED

ARTCALL FOR ANACORTES

ARTISTS: The Anacortes Arts Commission seeks submissions from Ana-cortes artists for a new ongoing art exhibition at Anacortes City Hall. Two-dimensional work will be displayed in the main hall-way and the council cham-bers, rotating twice a year. The first themed exhibit, “Anacortes Inside Out,” will be installed in January and hang for approximate-ly six months. Artists resid-ing in the 98221 ZIP code may submit up to three images for consideration by Dec. 31.

For information, includ-ing complete submission guidelines, contact Mary Snyder at Anacortes Parks and Recreation, 360-293-1918; or Rita James, [email protected].

PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOL-ARSHIP: The Professional Photographers of Wash-ington is accepting appli-cations through Feb. 14, 2015, for its 2015 Student Photographer of the Year Award, which is open to Washington high school seniors graduating in 2015. One student will receive the $2,000 scholarship grant, which will be used to further the applicant’s study in the photographic arts. For information or an application, contact Anita Weston at 425-776-4426 or visit ppw.org.

CALL FOR INSTRUC-TORS: Burlington Parks and Recreation is looking for qualified instructors to expand its enrichment classes for youth and adults. To download an instructor’s packet, visit burlingtonwa.gov and click on the “Instructors Need-ed” tab. Information: 360-755-9649 or [email protected].

CALL TO COLLECTORS: Anacortes Museum, 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes, invites local collectors to participate in its “Ana-cortes Presents” program by putting their treasures on display. Exhibits usually run about three months. 360-293-1915.

GENERAL AUDITIONS: OutCast Productions will hold a general audition for its 2015 season from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at Black Box Theater at the Whidbey Island Fair-grounds, 819 Camano Ave., Langley. Roles are avail-able for several women ages mid-20s to 60s and men ages mid-20s through 50s. Auditions will be by cold readings from the scripts. No appointment needed. [email protected].

DANCEFOLK DANCING: Skagit-

Anacortes Folkdancers meet at 7 p.m. most Tues-days at Bayview Civic Hall, 12615 C St., Bay View. Learn to folkdance to a variety of international music. Instruction begins at 7 p.m. followed by review and request dances until 9:30. The first session is free, $3 thereafter. No part-ners needed. For informa-tion, contact Gary or Ginny at 360-766-6866.

SCOTTISH DANCING: Bellingham Scottish Coun-try Dancers meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Fairhaven Library auditori-um (upstairs), 1117 12th St., Bellingham. Wear comfort-able clothes and soft-soled shoes without heels. $8 per class. Information: Mary Anderson at 360-933-1779 or visit bellinghamscd.org.

THURSDAY DANCE: Dance to The Skippers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thurs-days at Hillcrest Lodge,

1717 S. 13th St., Mount Ver-non. For information, con-tact Gisela at 360-424-5696.

BEGINNER SQUARE DANCE LESSONS: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 6, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. Couples and singles welcome. First two weeks are free, then $4 per lesson. Sponsored by Mt. Baker Singles and Skagit Squares. 360-424-4608, 360-424-9675 or [email protected].

CLOG DANCING FOR BEGINNERS: Free les-son from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by regular clog dancing from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. No fee, no partner needed. First three lessons are free. Wear comfortable shoes. For information, call Rosie at 360-424-4608.

MUSICTIME FOR FIDDLERS:

The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play acoustic old time music at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland. St. Free; donations accepted. 360-630-9494.

SHELTER BAY CHORUS: Practices are held from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. every Thursday at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse in La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident. 360-466-3805.

LOVE TO SING? Join the women of Harmony North-west Chorus from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Cen-ter, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Seeking women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome.

BRASS CHOIR: The Basically Brass Choir seeks trombone, French horn and tuba players to join a group of about 12 musicians, playing a variety of styles. Rehearsals are the first and third Mondays in Bur-lington, with regular per-formances. Contact David Soiseth at 360-757-0351 or [email protected].

CALL FOR YOUNG MUSI-CIANS: The Mount Ver-non-based Fidalgo Youth Symphony offers opportu-nities for musicians ages 5 to 21 to study and perform orchestral music. For infor-mation, including tuition costs and rehearsal sched-ules, contact Sara Fisher at 360-682-6949, Anita Tatum at 360-969-1681, or visit fysmusic.org.

ANACORTES OPEN MIC: 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. 360-293-2544.

OPEN MIC: Jam night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thurs-days, Conway Pub & Eat-ery, 18611 Main St., Con-way. 360-445-4733.

SECOND FRIDAY DRUM CIRCLE: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Unity Church, 704 W. Division St., Mount Vernon. Shake off the energy of the week through drumming, songs, chants. Freewill donation. For information, email heat [email protected].

RECREATIONGUIDED INTERPRETIVE

WALKS:n Skagit River Bald

Eagle Interpretive Center, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. Join the Forest Service and trained naturalists for a guided eagle ecology walk near the Skagit River at 11 a.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 20-Jan. 31. The center also offers guest speakers each weekend, a warm fire, refreshments and a gift shop. Free.

n Rockport State Park, 51095 Highway 20, Rock-port. Join trained naturalists for a guided hike to learn about old-growth forests, eagle habitat and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, through Feb. 15. Visit the Discovery Center for crafts activities. Refreshments provided. Discover Pass required.

n Marblemount Fish Hatchery, 8319 Fish Hatch-ery Road, Marblemount. Tour the fish hatchery with Skagit Fisheries Enhance-ment Group from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Feb. 1. Learn about the salmon life cycle, hatchery operations, habitat needs of salmon and other local wildlife, including bald eagles. Free.

VOLLEYBALL CAMP: The Skagit Spikers Winter Volleyball Camp will take place Saturday, Dec. 20, in Mount Vernon. First-time players in grades 3-6 will be introduced to volleyball fundamentals and learn the right way to pass, set, hit, block, serve and dig, with an emphasis on teamwork. Third- and fourth-graders will meet from 10 a.m. to noon, and fifth- and sixth-graders will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. $28-$30. 360-336-6215.

HORSESHOE PRAC-TICE: The Skagit Valley Horseshoe Club meets for practice at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Skagit River Park, 1796 Whitmarsh Road, Burling-ton. Everyone welcome. 360-826-5520 or svhorse shoeclub.yolasite.com.

FLYSWATTER VOLLEY-BALL: 9 a.m. Thursdays,

Sedro-Woolley Senior Cen-ter, 715 Pacific St., Sedro-Woolley. All ages and all levels of ability welcome. Free. 360-855-1531.

SEEKING MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS: The What-com Skagit Model Railroad Club is seeking new mem-bers for its On30 narrow gauge group in Bellingham. The club has constructed a modular layout with 14 modules, each 5 feet by 30 inches, designed to be set up in a variety of configura-tions. The modules still need some work and refinement, and the club is looking for new members interested in completing the work and showing the layout at area train shows. Contact Karl Kleeman at [email protected] or Mike O’Brien at [email protected].

THEATERFREE ADULT ACTING

CLASSES: Anacortes Com-munity Theatre offers free acting classes for adults from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday each month at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Hosted by Nello Bottari, classes include theme monologues, scripted scenes, improv games and more, with a different topic each month. Each class is independent, so you don’t have to commit to every session. 360-840-0089 or acttheatre.com.

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Take That“III”

What to make of Take That? The 1990s boy band was adored by a generation in its native Britain. When Take That returned in 2005 as a grown-up “man band,” fans embraced the group as if it had never been away.

“III” is the band’s sixth No. 1 studio album in the U.K., its title a reference to Take That’s new status as a trio, with the departure earlier this year of Jason Orange. The group earlier survived the loss of original member Robbie Williams, but how much attrition can its chemistry bear?

Well, a three-wheeled car is still a car, and Take That is like a luxury automobile — a Jaguar, perhaps — humming along with neither surprises nor disappointments.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald still sound vocally at ease in each other’s company. The album’s opener and lead single, “These Days,” is a well-tooled construction of tight vocal harmonies and up-tempo electro-beats. It’s easy to imagine it filling dance floors, while “Get Ready” is an equally effective pop anthem.

The rest of the album, created with pro-ducers including Gary Kurstin and Stuart Price, is similarly polished, though musically unadventurous and lyrically bland.

n Jill Lawless, Associated Press

Charli XCX“Sucker”

Charli XCX, the British artist with a pen-chant for teenage churl-ishness, knows a thing or two about warfare. With her second major label album, “Sucker,” she throws a smoke grenade of rock-pop digestibles and runs for cover while the listeners stumble around intoxicated and confused.

Having made a name for herself in the last 18 months on collaborations such as Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy,” the 22-year-old is one more weird and wonderful song short of becoming the

new “it” artist.First single “Boom Clap” — also on the

soundtrack of the film “The Fault in Our Stars” — is an electrifying synth with a punchy hook. The dark sound of “Break the Rules” gives her an edge mitigated by the somewhat childish chant, “I don’t wanna go to school/ I just wanna break the rules.” The song, however, works as a potent instigator to party.

The title track is another cheeky rock invective thrown at all those boring adults who don’t know how to have fun.

This is petulant rock at its best and teen-age angst at its worst, with a good measure of talent.

n Cristina Jaleru, Associated Press

MUSIC REVIEWS


MOVIES

MINI-REVIEWSCompiled from news services.Ratings are one to four stars.

“Big Hero 6” — Disney’s animated story about a teenager befriending a health-care robot is a big, gorgeous adventure with wonderful voice performanc-es, some dark undertones that give the story more depth, an uplifting message and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. Anima-tion action comedy, PG, 108 minutes. HHH

1⁄2 “Dumb and Dumber To” — Maybe it’s the “Jackass” world we live in, or maybe it’s the aging of stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, but the slapstick seems more forced and sadder in this sequel. I cracked up a good half-dozen times, but there were long stretches when the movie was just spinning its wheels. Comedy, PG-13, 110 minutes. HH “Foxcatcher” — Dis-turbing and memorable, “Foxcatcher” is based on a bizarre true story, and even if you know exactly what happens, when it does hap-pen, it’s shocking. Steve Carell nails the role of a rich eccentric, with Chan-ning Tatum and Mark Ruf-falo revelatory as the wres-tlers he mentors. Sports drama, R, 134 minutes. HHH

1⁄2 “Fury” — In his attempt to portray the horrors of war — even a war in its final days — writer/director David Ayer has squandered a great opportunity with “Fury.” There is much to poten-tially like about the film, in particular the actors. But it draws far too heavily from the war-movie-cliché list: the grizzled, no-nonsense veteran; the dim Southern bully; the meek newcomer who gets a quick and brutal indoctrination. Stars Brad Pitt, Shia LeBeouf, Logan Lerman and Michael Pena. War drama, R, 2:13, HH “Horrible Bosses 2” — The sequel to the mediocre, uneven “Horrible Bosses” is so lazy it’s not even about horrible bosses. It’s a slapstick kidnapping yarn as the three dimwits (Jason Bateman, Charlie

Day, Jason Sudeikis) plot revenge against a thieving business kingpin. Also back is Jennifer Aniston as the sex-addicted dentist, one of the most poorly drawn, pathetic characters of the year. Comedy, R, 108 min-utes. H1⁄2 “Interstellar” — What a beautiful and epic film is “Interstellar,” filled with great performances, tingling our senses with master-ful special effects, daring to be openly sentimental, asking gigantic questions about the meaning of life and leaving us drained and grateful for the experi-ence. Adventure/mystery/sci-fi, PG-13, 169 minutes. HHHH “Kill the Messenger” — Jeremy Renner’s perfor-mance as 1990s investiga-tive journalist Gary Webb is one of the more authentic portrayals of an old-fash-ioned, telephone-working reporter in recent memory. This movie, a solid tribute to his work, is as much about what happens to Webb after the story breaks as it is about his investiga-tive heroics. Biographic drama, R, 112 minutes. HHH “Men, Women & Chil-dren” — We can reach others constantly, but we still struggle to truly com-municate with one another. This is the abiding theme of Jason Reitman’s perceptive, moving slice of modern life -- a time capsule of a film that understands how much technology dominates the lives of teenagers, as well as the parents trying their best to keep up with the times. Comedy drama, R, 116 minutes. HHH

1⁄2 “Nightcrawler” — As a freelance vulture who records video of crime and crash scenes for TV news, Jake Gyllenhaal plays one of the most disturbing movie characters of the year. But the film veers from dark satire to tense crime thriller before the tires come off near the end, leaving the entire vehicle just short of worth recom-mending. Crime thriller, R, 117 minutes. HH

1⁄2 “St. Vincent” — This story of a chain-smoking gambler baby sitting the neighbor kid is a prime

Reese Witherspoon stars in “Wild.”Fox Searchlight Pictures via AP

By CRAIG PARRISHEntertainment/Lifestyles Editor

In the opening moments of “Wild,” Cheryl Strayed (played with slow-burning despair by Reese Wither-spoon) is forced to remove a tattered and bloody toenail, a direct result of hiking hun-dreds of miles in shoes that are too small.

She’s sitting on the crest of a mountain, but she can-not enjoy the view and the breathtaking beauty. She loses her shoes, shrieks an epithet that echoes across the hills, and gamely moves on.

It’s an obvious challenge to make Witherspoon look anything but adorable and one step removed from glamorous. Her role — and appearance — in “Wild” has fueled the conversation about her stretching as an actress.

It’s all undeniably true. Playing Cheryl Strayed — a

lost soul, nearly broken, bleeding, hungry and admit-tedly pungent smelling — is about as far removed from “Legally Blonde” as one can get.

A few shrill moments notwithstanding, Wither-spoon’s performance is not showy; it’s largely quiet and reserved, and it effectively displays how Strayed came to think a 1,100-mile hike would be the next chapter in her life.

Jean-Marc Vellee, show-ing a restrained hand, direct-ed Matthew McConaughey to a an Academy Award for

“Dallas Buyers Club” a year ago.

And while McCo-naughey’s portrayal of Ron Woodroof had a more pan-icky undertone than With-erspoon’s take on Strayed, there are similarities in tone and texture.

Strayed and her brother Leif (Keene McRae) were raised by Bobbi (Laura Dern), a single mother whose perpetually sunny outlook was defiantly positive. But the loss of her beloved mother pushes Strayed over the edge, into a blurred, aimless existence of heroin use and one-night stands with strangers she meets in bars.

She tries counseling, but quickly dismisses that approach. She notices a pamphlet in an office that shows the idyllic Pacific Crest Trail, and an idea is hatched: What better way to recharge than digging into the hills of the Mojave

Desert, with Oregon as the eventual goal?

She barely makes it through the first few days, as fatigue, hunger and soreness move her to wonder why she won’t quit. Her pack is far too large and heavy, she has the wrong fuel for her porta-ble stove, and the people she meets on the way do not all have honorable intentions.

But she presses on, and the journey becomes an odyssey. As the miles and days pass, Strayed finds strength in the small victo-ries (new footwear, helpful colleagues, a fox who gazes at her across a snowy path).

Witherspoon — also on board as a producer — does strong work, and she gets the most out of low-key expressions and actions: a raised eyebrow, a tired smile through the unrelenting fatigue.

The actress carries “Wild” on her back, with a resolve that few others could muster.

A riveting Witherspoon carries ‘Wild’‘WILD’HHH

1⁄2 Cast: Reese With-erspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Mich-iel Huisman Length: 115 minutes Rating: R for sexual content, nudity, drug use and language


Celebrate The Season!Enjoy the holidays with us at the Port of Anacortes Event Center.

Create a new holiday tradition right here at home!For the young or the young at heart.

“Celebrate the Season” is the annual fundraiser of Anacortes Schools Foundation, a 501(c)3

non-profi t foundation.

EVENT SPONSOR:

Dakota CreekIndustries

Public Days: Dec. 5, 7, 13* & 14 Open Noon-5pm

Just $5 per person/$20 per familyPhotos with Santa • Crafts, Games

• Hot Chocolate/Cookie • Marketplace handmade gifts and more.

*Gingerbread All Day: Dec. 13Watch teams battle for prizes orDecorate your own mini-house.

You are invited to the Sedro-Woolley Museum’s Annual Holiday Home Tour

Tickets $5All proceeds benefit the Sedro-Woolley Museum

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the SW Museum or at Oliver Hammer Clothing Store.

Tickets also available at the door.

Flashlights suggested, as this is a non-guided walking tour.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

360-855-0203

Come stroll the streets, visit historical homes, ride in a Victorian carriage, listen to carols by the Blankenship Family, see Santa at

the Museum and get into the Holiday Spirit!

725 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley • 360.855.2390 • SedroWoolleyMuseum.org

MOVIESshowcase for Bill Murray and his skill set. Nearly every scene is contrived, but writer-director Ted Melfi has a nice way with dialogue, and the cast -- including Melissa McCarthy and young Jaeden Lieberher -- is uniformly out-standing. Comedy, PG-13, 102 minutes. HHH

1⁄2 “The Fault in Our Stars” — With lesser source mate-rial, an average director and an OK cast, the adaptation of John Green’s novel about the glory and unfairness of life could have lost me. But everyone involved, from direc-tor Josh Boone to transcen-dent star Shailene Woodley and beyond, has talents way beyond the average. Drama, PG-13, 125 minutes. HHHH “The Homesman” — Tommy Lee Jones directs and stars in “The Homesman,” a stark, beautiful, bleak portrait of a hardworking farmer (Hil-ary Swank) in the Midwest in the 1850s. With the help of a drifter (Jones), she escorts three women driven mad in the Nebraska territory on a journey across the plains and back to Iowa. It’s not an easy, comfortable viewing experi-

ence, and that’s part of what makes it unique. Drama, R, 120 minutes. HHH

1⁄2 “The Hunger Games: Mock-ingjay -- Part 1” — The latest Katniss Everdeen adventure is a rousing yet often bleak and downbeat film that focus-

es a lot more on tragedies and setbacks than applause-generating heroics. Ultimately it serves as a solid if unspec-tacular first lap around the track of a two-lap race. Fan-tasy adventure, PG-13, 123 minutes. HHH

“The Theory of Everything” — Playing the young Stephen Hawking from reckless Cam-bridge student to brilliant physicist, Eddie Redmayne undergoes a remarkable transformation. But it’s a memorable performance in

a rather ordinary love story about his romance with future wife, Jane (Felicity Jones). Biography, PG-13, 123 min-utes. HH

1⁄2 “You're Not You” — Hilary Swank plays a pianist who develops ALS and comes to

depend on her hot mess of a caregiver (Emmy Rossum). Both performances are bril-liant, and in its own unique way, "You're Not You" is one of the best buddy movies of the year. Drama, R, 104 minutes. HHH

AT AREA THEATERS

ANACORTES CINEMASDec. 12-18 White Christmas 60th Anniver-sary (NR): Sunday: 2:00; Monday: 7:00 The Metropolitan Opera: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (NR): Saturday: 9 a.m. Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30; Sunday-Thursday: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 Penguins of Madagascar (PG): Friday-Monday: 3:40, 6:40; Tues-day: 3:40 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:45, 3:20, 6:50, 9:25; Sun: 6:50; Monday: 12:45, 3:20; Tues-day: 12:45, 3:20, 6:50 Birdman (R): Friday: 1:00, 9:00; Sat-urday: 9:00; Sunday-Tuesday: 1:00 360-293-6620

CASCADE MALL THEATRESBurlington For listings: 888-AMC-4FUN (888-262-4386).

BLUE FOX DRIVE-INOak Harbor 360-675-5667

CONCRETE THEATREDec. 12-14 Penguins of Madagascar (PG): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 4 and 6:30 p.m. 360-941-0403

OAK HARBOR CINEMASDec. 12-18 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (PG-13): Tuesday: 7:00 White Christmas 60th Anniver-sary (NR): Sunday: 2:00; Monday: 7:00 Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13):

Friday: 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:45; Saturday: 9:45, 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:45; Sunday: 9:45, 12:45, 3:45, 6:45; Monday-Tuesday: 12:45, 3:45, 6:45 Penguins of Madagascar (PG): (1:15 PM) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (PG-13): Friday: 1:00, 3:30, 6:30, 9:00; Saturday: 10:00, 1:00, 3:30, 6:30, 9:00; Sunday: 10:00, 3:30, 6:30; Monday: 1:00, 3:30, 6:30; Tuesday: 1:00, 3:30 Dumb and Dumber To (PG-13): Friday: 3:15, 7:00, 9:15; Saturday: 10:15, 3:15, 7:00, 9:15; Sunday: 10:15, 7:00; Monday: 3:15; Tues-day: 3:15, 7:00 360-279-2226

STANWOOD CINEMASDec. 12-18 White Christmas 60th Anniver-sary (NR): Sunday: 2:00; Monday: 7:00

The Metropolitan Opera: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (NR): Saturday: 9 a.m. Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30; Sunday: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30; Monday: 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30; Tuesday-Wednesday: 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30; Wednesday-Thursday: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 Horrible Bosses 2 (R): Friday: 1:10, 9:00; Saturday: 9:00 p.m.; Sunday-Tuesday: 1:10, 9:00 Penguins of Madagascar (PG): 4:00, 6:40 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (PG-13): Friday-Monday: 12:40, 3:40, 6:50, 9:25; Tuesday: 12:40, 3:40, 9:25 Big Hero 6 (PG): 3:50, 6:45 Birdman (R): 12:50, 9:10 360-629-0514

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360 December 11 2014