360 March 13 2014 full

Skagit Valley Herald

Thursday

March 13, 2014

Movies“Need for Speed” action-packed, but in search of a script

PAGE 16

ReviewsMusic: Missing Persons, Don Williams Video Games: “South Park ...”

PAGES 8-9

On StageMount Vernon Christian School to stage “Anne of Green Gables”

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A wee bit of something for everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the area

PAGE 3

PETER NOONE

Something good’s coming to the Skagit Valley Casino ResortPAGE 4

E2 - Thursday, March 13, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

“The Book Thief”: A young girl escapes from the horrors of war through books. Geoffrey Rush stars.

Director Brian Percival started with a solid story based on the book by Markus Zusak. It’s an examination of the battle between the thirst for knowl-edge and the dependency on ignorance that helped the Nazi party spread. War is a ghoulish specter that enters and leaves the lives of a family, but it is always waiting just outside along with the character of Death, who narrates the story.

These external forces are catalysts for events in the lives of these people, but the focus is always the connection they make and embrace no matter what’s going on in the outside world.

“Inside Llewyn Davis”: A look at a week in the life of a folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.

Because it takes such an unorthodox path, the film is not going to be pleasing to all audiences. It must be treated like the lyrics of a folk song: Look at it with the knowledge that some things are up to personal interpretations.

If you find the right rhythm, the film is a cinematic composition that keeps on entertaining.

“Homefront”: Jason Statham plays Phil Broker, a former DEA agent who has moved to the creepy, sleepy town of Rayville, La. Since the death of his wife two years ago, he’s looking for a quieter place to raise his 9-year-old daughter.

“Out of the Furnace”: Scott Cooper’s film is the story of two brothers who through outside circumstances end up committing life-changing actions.

“Beyond Outrage”: Crackdown on organized crime ignites underworld power struggle.

“The Science of Measurement”: Look at the history of seven interna-tional units of measurement.

“Abner the Invisible Dog”: Chad and his loyal, canine sidekick must save the day.

“Enemies Closer”: Tom Everett Scott plays a man who must battle for his life.

“Transformers Armada: The Com-plete Series”: Autobots fight to save the universe.

“Siberia”: Fictional reality show set in Siberia.

“Digimon Data Squad”: Heroes face a massive conflict between Earth and the Digital World.

“101st: A-Company”: Raid on a Nazi fortress where attempts are being made

to raise a demon army.“Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with

Roo”: Rabbit decides it’s “Spring Clean-ing Day.”

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Mayhem”: Turtles face real danger from villains all over the city.

“Talks About Nothing”: Features philosophical discussions with celebri-ties, scientists, writers and today’s lead-ing thinkers on the concept of nothing.

“Hazmat”: When a prank goes horri-bly wrong, a group of friends must fight for their lives.

“Dirty Jobs Down Under”: Mike Rowe looks for dirty jobs in Australia.

“Against the Wild”: Three people battle for survival when their plane crashes.

“Samson and Delilah”: Story of the strongman and the woman who seduces and betrays him.

“100 Years Of Wrigley Field”: Chronicles the history of Wrigley Field.

“Commitment”: Singer decides to follow in his father’s footsteps in the spy thriller.

“JFK: The Smoking Gun”: Chronicle of the assassination of John F. Kennedy through forensic analysis.

“In Fear”: Psychological horror about a young couple’s fight to make it through the night.

“Eric Clapton — The 1970s Review”: Follows Clapton’s journey through the ’70s.

n Rick Bentley: The Fresno Bee

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK

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

MARCH 18Frozen - DisneyHere Comes the Devil - MagnoliaMandela: Long Walk to Freedom - Anchor BaySaving Mr. Banks - Disney

MARCH 25Chinese Zodiac -- UniversalDelivery Man -- DisneyWalking With Dinosaurs -- FoxWelcome to the Jungle -- UniversalThe Wolf of Wall Street -- Paramount

APRIL 1Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues -- ParamountAt Middleton -- Starz / Anchor BayThe Bag Man -- Universal47 Ronin -- Universal

n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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

Get Involved ....................................... 6

Music, Video Game Reviews ..........8-9

On Stage ........................................... 10

Tuning Up......................................... 11

Travel ...........................................12-13

Hot Tickets ....................................... 14

At the Lincoln Theatre ..................... 15

Movie Listings, Reviews .............16-17

Out & About ................................18-19

Country singer Collin Raye will perform Saturday night at Anacortes High School

This Weekend Page 5

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, March 13, 2014 - E3

COMMUNITY

ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS IN THE AREA

Embrace the Irish in youST. PAT’S CELEBRATION

Geoffrey Castle’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration will take place from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Enjoy a performance by electric violinist Geof-frey Castle and his band, with special guest vocalist Connor Dunworley, the Snohomish Firefighters Pipe & Drum Band and a fractal and light show by MixedUp Productions.

Tickets: $20, brownpapertickets.com/event/585849 or at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Anacortes first responders.

FUN RUN/WALKThe Shamrock Shuffle Fun Run/Walk

to benefit Bethany Christian Preschool will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Port of Skagit Nature Trails, 15000 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. Prizes for top finishers and best costumes. Green attire encouraged. Runners, walkers and strollers welcome. Day-of registration from 9 to 10 a.m.; online registration at runsignup.com/Race/WA/Burling-ton/BCP5K. $20, free for ages 10 and younger, accompanied by an adult. 360-424-9399.

IRISH COOKING CLASSESLearn from Laura Hartner how to

prepare traditional Irish recipes, then celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with more recipes and samples of beer to accom-pany each one at Gretchen’s Kitchen, 509 S. First St., Mount Vernon. To regis-

ter, call 360-336-8747 or visit gretchen-skitchen.com.

Brunch Club: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sat-urday, March 15. Learn how to prepare corned beef hash, eggs with Dubliner cheese and sweet Irish soda bread. $25, Coffee, tea and mimosa included.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 17. On the menu — Irish soda bread with rarebit, homemade corned beef, colcannon and whiskey cake, as well as sampling a selection of beers perfect for the eve-ning’s celebrations. $35.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CONCERTJoin the party with Celtic music by

Lindsay Street from 2 to 5 p.m. Satur-day, March 15, at Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage soup and bring an Irish-style potluck dish to share if you like. $5 cover. Wine available for purchase. 360-856-6248 or eaglehaven-winery.com.

FIDALGO FLINGCelebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the

Fidalgo DanceWorks’ third annual gala benefit from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Enjoy music by The Weatherheads, dancing and more. $75, $125 couple. Tickets are available at Fidalgo Dance-Works, 901 Third St., Anacortes, or by calling 360-299-8447.

Skagit Valley Herald staff

St. Patrick’s Day is Monday, March 17. At this time of the year, there are numerous reasons to embrace the Irish in you — U2’s recent performance on the Acadamy Awards, for one — and listed below are several more.


ON STAGE

By CRAIG PARRISHEntertainment/Lifestyles Editor

Peter Noone has one of those voices that practically beams though the telephone line.

Reached last week while walk-ing on a beach in Santa Barbara, Calif., the longtime singer for Her-man’s Hermits said he was on his way the following day to Toronto, then “to England for a few days. I don’t know where I’m going after that,” he quipped. “I’m getting plenty of miles on my body these days.”

Noone did allude to one of the stops he’s making, that being a two-performance run for the band at the Skagit Valley Casino Resort on Friday and Saturday.

Herman’s Hermits is one of the most enduring acts that first made a worldwide splash during the 1960s British Invasion.

Noone and the band have sold more than 50 million records, and its catalogue includes such long-standing hits as “I’m Henry the VII, I Am,” “I’m Into Something Good” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” It could be easily argued that Herman’s Hermits belongs in the highest ech-elon of bands that produced two-minute pop hits.

The reason the band continues

to tour, Noone said, is that it’s the favorite thing they do, and they’re confident that they’re pretty good at it.

“I can’t really do anything else; I’ve gotten really good at what I do and I figured I’m not really a multitasker, I should stay within show business,” Noone said with a chuckle. “I’ve never managed to figure a way out of it.”

Noone said even though he’s been performing since he was a teenager — he’s 66 — the charge he gets from being on stage has never wavered.

“I enjoy the actual concerts; they’re all a big adventure to me,” he said. “I’m from the school where we thought musicians were like athletes, and to be ready for each concert as if it was a major game.”

Because audiences deserve a great show every time, Noone said, he works at being healthy and con-tinues to hone his craft.

“I train for the show, I do vocal exercises, and I do research about the place I’m going to so people think I know about the place, you know?” Noone joked. “As long as I’m in it, I’m 100 percent in the game.”

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter NooneWhen: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 14-15Where: Pacific Showroom, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow.Tickets: $44-$50. theskagit.com

They’re set for a ‘big adventure’Herman’s Hermits was part of ’60s British Invasion

“I enjoy the actual concerts; they’re all a

big adventure to me. I’m from the school where we thought musicians were like athletes, and

to be ready for each concert as if it was a

major game.”PETER NOONE


THIS WEEKEND in the areaFRIENDS OF SKAGIT BEACHES LECTURE Dr. M. Brady Olson, marine scientist at Western Washington University’s Shannon Point Marine Center, will present “Salish Sea Oceanography and Marine Ecosystem Stressors: Partners in a Changing Marine Landscape” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the NWESD building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Chemical, physical and geological processes operate in the Salish Sea to create a biologically rich and productive ecosystem. Learn how these processes combine with environmental stressors such as ocean acidification and low oxygen levels to make the Salish Sea a bellwether for climate change. Free. skagitbeaches.org.

BIG BAND DANCE The Stanwood Area Historical Society will host a big band dance featuring The Moonlight Swing Orchestra from 6 to 9 p.m. Sat-urday, March 15, at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd. Ave. NW, Stanwood. Hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks will available along with a raffle for a variety of gift certificates and other items. $20, $35 couple. 360-629- 3074 or sahs-fncc.org.

MONA STYLE The 30th anniversary showcase of wearable art and home fashions handmade by Northwest artists will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15-16, at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Informal modeling will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in sev-eral local restaurants: La Conner Brewing Co., Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub, La Traviata and Seeds Bistro & Bar. Family art activities will be offered beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Art Studio. Raf-fle drawings will be held both days. Free admission.

A ticketed evening fashion show from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, a vin-tage fashion show and silent auction. $30. 360-466-4446 or museumofnwart.org.

S-W FILM SCREENING The premier film showing of “Tugboats on the Skagit River” is set for noon Saturday, March 15, at the Sedro-Woolley Muse-um, 725 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley. Elmer Engen and film narrator Dan Vandenburg will be on hand to answer questions. $5, limited seating. For reser-vations, call 360-855-2390.

Collin Raye in concert

Noted country music artist Collin Raye will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Brodniak Hall on the Anacortes High School campus, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Tickets: $30-$50.

A preconcert meet and greet will take place at 4 p.m. at the Majestic Hotel: $120, includes reserved concert seating. Pro-ceeds will benefit the Skagit Adult Day Program, serving individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. 360-428-5972 or collin rayebenefitconcert.brownpaper tickets.com.


GET INVOLVED

ARTCALL FOR INSTRUC-

TORS: Burlington Parks and Recreation is looking for qualified instructors to expand its enrichment classes for youths and adults. To download an instructor’s packet, visit the Parks and Recreation Department web page at burlingtonwa.gov and click on the open “Instructors Needed” tab. For informa-tion, call 360-755-9649 or email recreation@burling tonwa.gov.

CALL FOR PHOTOS: In conjunction with the April screening of the documen-tary film “Walking the Camino: Six Ways to San-tiago,” the Lincoln Theatre seeks images from pilgrims who have walked “The Road” for a planned slide-show before the screenings.

Officially, the Camino is any passage in Europe that leads to the city of Santiago de Compostela. However, what most peo-ple refer to as the Camino de Santiago is just one of these routes called the Camino Francés — the 500-mile path that starts just over the border of Spain in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. From there, the Camino winds through four of Spain’s 15 regions.

Send electronic images via email to [email protected] or drop off photographs to be scanned at the theater office, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Be sure to include a brief description or caption for each image. The Lincoln is also looking for other memorabilia to display — maps, books, walking sticks, etc., as well as suggestions for other special events to go along with the screen-ings. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

SEEKING GARAGE SALE VENDORS: The Skagit

County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon is seeking vendors of all kinds for the annual “World’s Larg-est Garage Sale, Antiques & More” event, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 11-12. For a vendor application form, visit skagitcounty.net/fair-grounds. For information, call 360-336-9414 or email [email protected].

CALL FOR YOUNG VEN-DORS: Kids younger than 18 can rent a vendor space at the Kids Giant Garage Sale, set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at the Burlington Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Kids can sell their unwant-ed books, video games, bikes, clothes, toys and more. $15 for a 6-foot table in an 8-by-8 foot space. Free admission to the pub-lic. 360-755-9469.

AUDITIONS“ENCHANTED APRIL”:

Auditions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 7-8, at the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. Parts are avail-able for three men and five women. Auditioners for the part of Costanza should use their best Ital-ian accent. All others are asked to use their best English accent (but it is not required). Rehearsals for the romantic comedy will run through part of April and May, with per-formances the first three weekends in June. Scripts are available for preview at the Playhouse. For infor-mation, call 360-679-2237, email [email protected] or visit whidbey playhouse.com.

SHELTER BAY CHORUS:

Practices are held from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. every Thursday

at the Shelter Bay Club-house in La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident. 360-466-3805.

WOMEN SING FOUR-PART HARMONY: Join the women of Harmony Northwest Chorus from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Mon-day at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleve-land Ave. The group seeks women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome.

DANCECOMMUNITY DANCE:

Dance to the big band sounds of Camano Junc-tion from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $12, $10 members; includes light snacks. 360-387-0222.

TANGO: Experience Tango dancing at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at 1412 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. Presented by Tango Popo-lare. Free orientation class at 8 p.m. No partner or tango experience required. $10, $7 students. 360-708-8076 or [email protected].

BELLY DANCING: Check out a free introductory class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18. Classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays for five weeks beginning March 25 at the Anacortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. $66. Preregistration required: 360-770-9867 or anacortescenterforhappi ness.org.

MUSICSECOND FRIDAY DRUM

CIRCLE: 7 to 9 p.m. Fri-day, March 14, Unity Church, 704 W. Division St., Mount Vernon. Shake off the energy of the week

through drumming, songs, chants. Freewill donation. For information, email [email protected].

RECREATIONMV PARKS FOCUS

GROUPS: The Mount Ver-non Parks and Recreation Department invites com-munity members to discuss ways to improve Mount Vernon’s city parks. Parks and Rec will host a series of focus group meetings to address different aspects of the department’s com-prehensive plan. Meetings will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Vaux Retreat Center at Baker-view Park, 3011 E. Fir St., Mount Vernon.

Next up:March 18: Seniors.March 25: Teens.For information, call

360-336-6215 or email [email protected].

FREE PARK ADMIS-SION: In recognition of Washington State Parks’ birthday, the Washington State Parks and Recre-ation Commission will offer free admission to all state parks Wednesday, March 19. The Discover Pass will not be required to enter state parks, but it will be required to access lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. parks.wa.gov.

SENIOR HIKE: Join Friends of the Forest from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 14, for an easy hike at Pine Ridge Loop near Anacortes. Meet at the base of Mount Erie on Ray Auld Drive and enjoy a hike to this unique secret spot off the beaten path. Free. No dogs. 360-293-3725 or friendsofacfl.org.

FUN RUN/WALK: The

Shamrock Shuffle Fun Run/Walk to benefit Bethany Christian Pre-school will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Port of Skagit Nature Trails, 15000 Crosswind Drive, Burlington. Prizes for top finishers and best costumes. Green attire encouraged. Runners, walkers and strollers wel-come. Day-of registration from 9 to 10 a.m.; online registration at runsignup.com/Race/WA/Burlington/BCP5K. $20, free for ages 10 and younger, accompa-nied by an adult. 360-424-9399.

SALMON HABITAT RES-TORATION: Join Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group to help restore native riparian plants in the Skagit and Samish watersheds. These plants provide shade and cover for salmon and leaf litter for aquatic insects, which in turn provide food for salmon.

These riparian zones also improve water qual-ity by controlling erosion and filtering pollutants. All planting events take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. For information or to sign up, call 360-336-0172, ext. 304, or email [email protected].

Next up:March 15: Planting at

Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport.

ANACORTES FOR-EST LANDS: Naturalist Denise Crowe will pres-ent “Exploring Anacortes Community Forest Lands” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Crowe will provide an overview of local forest history, ecology and community. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org.

ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES: Skagit County Parks and Recreation is accepting applications through March 21 for adult softball leagues, set to kick off with a jamboree the week of March 31-April 3, followed by regular-season play beginning Friday, April 11. Coed divisions will be offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, and men’s divisions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. A women’s league may be offered on Tuesdays or Thurs-days after the start of the regular season if space is available. For information, call 360-336-9414 or visit skagitcounty.net/parks.

THEATERSPRING BREAK DRAMA

CAMP: Theater Arts Guild will offer a Spring Break Drama Camp for ages 6 to 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 31-April 4, at Mount Vernon Pres-byterian Church, 1511 E. Broadway. Classes will include audition workshop, dance and movement, acting, singing, visual arts and Shakespeare. A final performance for friends and family will take place Friday, April 4. $175. For information or to regis-ter, contact Matthew at 206-819-1889 or email [email protected]. theaterartsguild.org.

FREE ADULT ACTING CLASSES: Anacortes Com-munity Theatre offers free acting classes for adults from 10 a.m. to noon the third Saturday each month at 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Classes include scripted scenes and a variety of act-ing games, 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.


Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 11-4

Skagit County Fairgrounds 1410 Virginia Street • Mount Vernon, WA

$5/Person or $8/Family Tickets Available at the Gate FREE PARKING!

Also Featuring:5TH ANNUAL PLAYHOUSE COMPETITIONProceeds to benefi t fi ve local charities

More information & $2 OFF ENTRY coupons atwww.sicbahomeshow.org

Speakers Presented By:

34th Annual

Garden34th Annual

GardenGarden&Garden™™Show

MARCH 21, 22 & 23 • 2014

Presented by:Presented by:Skagit / Island Counties

Builders Association

Presented by:

&Major Sponsor:

Charity Playhouse Competition

Kid’s ActivitiesKid’s Activities

Ciscoe Morris • 2pm Sunday

Visit over 150 Booths!

By RANDY LEWISLos Angeles Times

“Keith Richards” and “children’s book” may sound like the starting point for a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, but in fact the Rolling Stones songwriter and guitarist, who delivered a bestselling memoir in 2011 with “Life,” is now set to write a children’s book slated to publish in September.

“Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar” will be a collabora-tion between Richards and his daughter, Theodora Richards, who is supplying the illustrations for the picture book that relates the story of Keith’s introduction to music by his grandfather, Theodore Augusts Dupree, who had played in a jazz big band.

In delving into the relationship between grandparent and grandchild, Richards said in a statement, “I have just become a grandfather for the fifth time, so I know what I’m talking about. The bond, the spe-cial bond, between kids and grandparents is unique and should be treasured. This is

a story of one of those magical moments. May I be as great a grandfather as Gus was to me.”

It’s the first book for Theodora Rich-ards, who was named after her great-grand-father and is the daughter of Richards and his wife, Patti Hansen. “To be able to explore my father’s relationship with his grandfather was a gift in itself,” she said in the same statement. “The things that I’ve learnt during this whole process have just been life affirming.”

“Gus & Me” is scheduled for publica-tion on Sept. 9 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and it is to be published simultaneously in hardcover and e-book editions. The hardcover will be packaged with a CD that includes bonus content.

“Who wouldn’t welcome the opportu-nity to meet Keith Richards as a young boy?” said Megan Tingley, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers executive vice president and publisher. “‘Gus & Me’ invites readers to be in the room at the electrifying moment that Keith holds a gui-tar in his hands for the first time.”

Keith Richards, daughter team for ‘Gus & Me’ children’s book


REVIEWS: MUSIC

Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio“Missing in Action”

With its first studio album in 25 years, Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio could have started slow, mindful of the time that’s passed.

But why bother when the energy is vibrant, the spirit willing and Bozzio — the lone original member of the newly reformed band — bursting to show there’s energy comparable to the 1980s-era original incarnation that released “Walking in L.A.,” ”Words” and “Destination Unknown.”

The 12-track release is largely a showcase for Bozzio and Billy Sherwood, who’s cred-ited not only with drums, bass, guitars, key-boards, percussion and backing vocals, but having written most of the songs, too. That means the title track is an apt one, at least in regard to the original band’s lineup.

The focus, however, is on Bozzio. Her 1980s new wave chirping and visualized kinetic persona propelled that version of Missing Persons to stardom on MTV.

Now, her voice is matured, measured even, and accomplished. Bozzio doesn’t have to prove anything and that’s evident from the opening track “Do or Die,” a fast-paced, keyboard-laced back-and-forth that brings to mind whirling and swirling. “Looking to the left, looking to the right, looking for the fire to ignite,” she sings, a wall of vibrating sound enhancing the effect of spinning. It’s a song that would not seem out of place in either 1985 or 2014.

In all, the album is solidly done. The range of the tracks move from dance-floor staples to slow-dance grippers. Bozzio’s still got her form and the music is not out of place.

n Matt Moore, Associated Press

Donnie McClurkin“Duets”

Donnie McClur-kin’s vocals continue to soar smoothly on his sixth studio album, “Duets.”

McClurkin, a three-time Grammy win-ner best known for the 2000 hit “We Fall Down,” collaborates with a strong support-ing cast on this impressive piece of soul-pleasing work. The 10-track set features some of gospel’s top artists, including Mar-vin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Israel Houghton and

McClurkin’s cousin, John P. Kee. “Duets” even features Tina and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary on separate songs.

McClurkin offers inspirational mes-sages of maintaining a winning attitude on the Tribbett-assisted “We Are Victorious,” learning how to appreciate others more on “All About the Love” and living a stress-free life on the standout track, “Let It Go,” featuring Dorinda Clark-Cole.

n Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press

Rick Ross“Mastermind”

All of the songs on Rick Ross’ sixth album are built with strong production and the rapper’s normal shoot-from-the-hip approach. However, the performer is unable to move the needle on “Mastermind” like he did on previous releases, including 2012’s top-notch “God Forgives, I Don’t.”

Ross’ 16-track set doesn’t transcend his message as a man of growth, wanting to expect more out of life than money, women and luxury cars. It comes as a surprise since the new album was co-executive produced by Diddy, who has helped mold albums for the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, the Lox, Mary J. Blige and others.

Ross taps some of the top beat makers in hip-hop from Kanye West, Scott Storch, the Weeknd and production group J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League for his latest effort. Some songs entertain with introductions: Diddy is full of himself — in a serious tone — on “Nobody,” and comedian Katt Williams is silly when he talks about staying in a home with 109 rooms on “Supreme,” and Ross boasts about having more than $92 million in his bank account on “Drug Dealers Dream.”

Ross upholds his gangster mentality with gunshots ringing on several songs such as “Rich Is Gangsta,” “Walkin’ On Air,” fea-turing Meek Mill, and “Mafia Music III,” with Sizzla and Mavado. The production work by Mike WiLL Made-It (Miley Cyrus, Juicy J) is superb on “War Ready” featur-ing Young Jeezy — a rapper who Ross once had beef with.

The West and Big Sean-assisted “Sancti-fied” is one of the album’s best tracks, as each rapper talks about how the fast-paced lifestyle has impacted them. Ross also raps about beating the odds as a young man on “Thug Cry,” which co-stars Lil Wayne.

While these are bright spots, most of “Mastermind” is Ross middling.

n Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press

Don Williams“Reflections”

After talk of retirement — he even embarked on a farewell tour in 2006 — Don Williams, the Country Music Hall of Fame member, suddenly is busy again, releasing his second album in the last two years with “Reflec-tions.” If anything, the new collection is an even better reminder of Williams’ special gifts than 2012’s comeback album, “And So It Goes.”

Sounding as lively and engaging as the laid-back 74-year-old is likely to get, Wil-liams picks out an outstanding collection of songs, including those by his old favorite Townes Van Zandt (“I’ll Be Here In The Morning”), Guy Clark (“Talk Is Cheap”, co-written with Chris Stapleton and Morgane Hayes), Merle Haggard (the classic “Sing Me Back Home”) and Jesse Winchester (“If I Were Free”).

“Reflections” was co-produced with a deft touch by Williams’ longtime studio partner Garth Fundis. He captures the veteran singer’s rich voice — sounding as smooth and subtly emotional as ever — and backs him with the tasteful, restrained con-tributions of a stellar studio band.

As often has been the case, Williams displays a great ability to string together songs that make a statement about living a simple, humble life tied to family, love and the land. “Reflections” is a perfect title from a man who continues to represent the timeless strengths of good country music.

n Michael McCall, Associated Press

Jason Eady“Daylight and Dark”

On the best coun-try album of the year so far, the alcohol begins flowing right away, and, fittingly, it’s the hard stuff. Jason Eady starts off “Day-

light and Dark” with the terrific barroom honky-tonker “OK Whiskey” (it “treats me better than that old 3.2”). That’s followed shortly by “Temptation” and then a really killer drinking song, “One, Two … Many.”

That concludes the portion of the track listing headed “Causes.” What follows are “Consequences,” and Eady’s take on them is as unsparing as the music is uncompro-mising, hard-core country. In other words, this isn’t a Luke Bryan record. “Now I’m left with the damage I’ve done,” Eady laments on “Liars and Fools.” The title song points up the existential struggle of these characters as they try to find their way in a world that is not always black and white: “It’s a worn-out situation when you don’t know where you are.”

The “Recovery” portion of the program doesn’t sound much cheerier. “Late Night Diner” is colored by mournful steel guitar as the singer ponders more of the heavy costs of his behavior. The bonus track, “A Memory Now,” concludes things on a brighter note, musically at least, framing the biting kiss-off of the lyrics in a jaunty two-step with guest vocalists Hayes Carll and Evan Felker.

n Nick Cristiano, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Spotlight Kid“Ten Thousand Hours”

While shoegaze influences are front and center for Spot-light Kid, a better point of reference for “Ten Thousand Hours” might be Smashing Pumpkins, circa “Siamese Dream.” Even with its swirling, ethereal melodies, Spotlight Kid’s third album is more dream-rock than dream-pop, considering the muscle and heft of its soundscapes.

And with the Kate Bush-like cadences of Katty Heath’s vocals as a prominent part of the mix, there’s a real sense of drama and dynamism to “Ten Thousand Hours.”

n Arnold Pan, popmatters.com

Other notable releasesn Ambrose Akinmusire — “imagined sav-ior is far easier to paint”n Aloe Blacc — “Lift Your Spirit”n Elbow — “The Take Off and Landing of Everything”n Sara Evans — “Slow Me Down”n Ledisi — “The Truth”n Metronomy — “Love Letters”

n Ozomatli — “Place in the Sun”n 311 — “Stereo-lithic”n Dean Wareham — “Dean Wareham”n Young Money — “Rise of an Empire”

n popmatters.com


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REVIEWS: VIDEO GAMES

‘South Park: The Stick of Truth’Platform: Ubisoft, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PCPrice: $59.99Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)On the Web: southpark.ubi.com/ stickoftruth

Remember when “South Park” debuted on Com-edy Central in 1997? Remem-ber how shock-ing the cursing, toilet humor and black com-edy seemed?

Take that level of shock and multiply it by, oh, 20 and you’ll have some idea of what you should expect from “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” the new video game written by series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Even fans of the theatrical “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” may be taken aback by the level of raunch on display here.

Like its cable TV counterpart, “The Stick of Truth” gleefully tackles issues like gun control, racism, sexism and pedophil-ia. If you’re not a “South Park” fan, by all means avoid it. Even if you’re a fan, there are moments that will make you say “ick” — even as you’re laughing at the game’s audacity.

Your character is the new kid in town. Cartman, grand wizard of the Kingdom of Kupa Keep (yes, the KKK), invites you on a quest to recover the titular stick from a tribe of elves, led by Kyle and Stan. The war between the two gangs evolves into something more dangerous, though, once aliens invade and unleash a plague of Nazi zombies. The ensuing romp reels in almost every character from the cartoon’s 17-year run.

The gameplay was designed by Obsid-ian Entertainment, the California studio known for role-playing games like “Fall-out: New Vegas” and “Dungeon Siege III.” ”The Stick of Truth” is RPG lite. You get to create the new kid from scratch, build-ing from scores of facial features, clothing items and accessories. As the game pro-gresses, you get more resilient armor and more dangerous weapons. And you learn increasingly effective magic spells that, true to form, typically involve flatulence.

Whenever you encounter an enemy, the

screen switches to battle mode, in which you and one partner take turns attacking and casting spells at the bad guys. Most actions, whether offensive or defense, require pressing a button at a certain time to achieve maximum power. The combat recalls Nintendo’s “Paper Mario” and “Mario & Luigi” series, and demands more strategy than you might expect.

Those Nintendo franchises have pro-duced some of the funniest games on the market, so perhaps there’s something about the turn-based RPG that lends itself to comedy. In any case, over the 12 hours I played “The Stick of Truth,” I found myself laughing dozens of times — some-times at its broad slapstick, other times at more subtle gags.

For example, there are hundreds of col-lectible items hidden in South Park, and nearly every one has a joke attached. (The profane text accompanying “Phil Collins’ Oscar” indicates Parker and Stone are still bugged about losing the 1999 best original song trophy to him.) Some of the targets are outdated — what have Al Gore and Rob Schneider done to anyone lately? But that could be the result of the game’s long, somewhat turbulent development history.

“South Park” has always been aware of video-game culture, and some of the fun-niest elements of “The Stick of Truth” play off familiar tropes from the likes of “Call of Duty,” “Final Fantasy” and “Skyrim.” A tremendous joke about Canada two-thirds of the way through is the cleverest twist I’ve seen in a AAA game in years. But even before then, this game is packed with so much comedy that you’ll forgive some uninspired gameplay.

Just don’t play in front of your kids. Or your parents.

n Lou Kesten, Associated Press

Video game releases These games are scheduled for release this week, according to Game-stop.com:n Putty Squad (PlayStation 4; rated E10+)n Dark Souls II (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360; rated T)n Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky (PlayStation 3; rated E10+)n Titanfall (PC, Xbox One; rated M)n Yoshi’s New Island (Nintendo 3DS; rated E)

n Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Ky.)

E10 Thursday, March 13, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, March 13, 2014 E11

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area March 13-20 TUNING UP Playing at area venues March 13-20

Thursday.13THEATER

Disney’s “The AristoCats Kids”: Skagit Family Learning Center, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” (com-edy): Anacortes High School Theatre Department, 7:30 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Rated PG-13 (mild language). Admission by donation at the door. 360-293-2166.

“The Language Archive”: Outcast Productions, 7 p.m., Whidbey Island Fairgrounds, Black Box Theater, 819 Camano Ave., Langley. $18, $14 students and seniors. brownpapertickets.com/event/561263.

Friday.14MUSIC

Caladh Nua (traditional and contem-porary Irish music): 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical):

Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, Theater Arts Guild: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. Tickets: [email protected] or theater artsguild.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper-tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.



Saturday.15MUSIC

FYS Early Spring Concert: Fidalgo and Mount Baker youth symphonies: 1 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15, $10 seniors, $1 stu-dents and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Skagit Symphony Masterpiece Con-cert: with Matthey Olson, violin, and Skagit Symphony Chorus, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$40, $10 students, $5 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical): Ria

Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. Tickets: tag [email protected] or theaterartsguild.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 2:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper-tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” (comedy): Anacortes High School Theatre Depart-ment, 7:30 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Rated PG-13 (mild language). Admission by donation at the door. 360-293-2166.

“The Language Archive”: Outcast Productions, 7 p.m., Whidbey Island Fair-grounds, Black Box Theater, 819 Camano Ave., Langley. $18, $14 students and seniors. brownpapertickets.com/event/561263.

Sunday.16COMEDY

Brian Regan: 7 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Belling-ham. $39.75. 360-734-6080 or mount bakertheatre.com.

MUSICCollin Raye: 6 p.m., Brodniak Hall,

1600 20th St., Anacortes. $30-$50. Pre-concert meet and greet at 4 p.m. at the Majestic Hotel: $120, includes reserved concert seating. Proceeds benefit Skagit Adult Day Program. 360-428-5972 or collinrayebenefitconcert.brownpaper tickets.com.

Wednesday.19MUSIC

Jazz at the Center: Randy Porter Trio, 7 p.m., Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $20, $10 students. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

Thursday.20THEATER


THURSDAY.13

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

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: 8 p.m., Pacific Showroom, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50. theskagit.com.

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

The Scott Pemberton Trio: 8:30 p.m., Con-way Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Geoffrey Castle’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: with vocalist Connor Dunworleya and the Snohomish Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $20 at the door. Proceeds ben-efit local first responders. 360-755-3956.

Erin Hyre and Skip Hamilton: 8 to 11 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

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

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: 8 p.m., Pacific Show-room, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50. theskagit.com.

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

Mark DuFresne (blues): 8:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Con-way. $12. 360-445-3000.

Fanny Alger: 9 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Nitecrew (top 40 dance band): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

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

Navigator Communicator, Otto: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Belling-ham. $3. 360-778-1067.

Barefeet: 9 p.m. to mid-night, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

Matney Cook and the Mudflat Walkers: 8 to 11 p.m., Big Rock Cafe, 14779 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. No cover, all ages. 360-424-7872 or bigrockcafe.com.

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

Puirt na Gael (traditional Celtic music): 6 p.m., Con-way Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Atz Kilcher (folk, bluegrass, western, classic country): 7 p.m., Conway Muse, Renais-sance Room, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15. 360-445-3000.

Smoke Wagon: St. Patrick’s Day Party, 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

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

Blues/rock jam with CC Adams and Friends: 5 to 9 p.m., Station House, 315 Morris St., La Con-ner. 360-466-4488.

FRIDAY.14CALADH NUA

7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $25. 360-416-7727,

ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY.13-15“ANNE OF GREEN GABLES”Mount Vernon Christian School, Hamming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpapertickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157. Check individual listing for time.

FRIDAY.14

SATURDAY.15

SUNDAY.16

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


Nick Vigarino: 7 to 9 p.m., Big Rock Cafe, 14779 Washington 9, Mount Vernon. No cover, all ages. 360-424-7872 or bigrockcafe.com.

WEDNESDAY.19 THURSDAY.20

FRIDAY.14THE SCOTT PEMBERTON TRIO8:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

FRIDAY.14GEOFFREY CASTLE’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONwith vocalist Connor Dunworleya and the Snohomish Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit local first responders. 360-755-3956.

E10 Thursday, March 13, 2014 Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com Thursday, March 13, 2014 E11

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area March 13-20 TUNING UP Playing at area venues March 13-20

Thursday.13THEATER

Disney’s “The AristoCats Kids”: Skagit Family Learning Center, 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Free. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.



Friday.14MUSIC

Caladh Nua (traditional and contem-porary Irish music): 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $25. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical):

Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, Theater Arts Guild: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. Tickets: [email protected] or theater artsguild.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper-tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.



Saturday.15MUSIC

FYS Early Spring Concert: Fidalgo and Mount Baker youth symphonies: 1 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15, $10 seniors, $1 stu-dents and children. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Skagit Symphony Masterpiece Con-cert: with Matthey Olson, violin, and Skagit Symphony Chorus, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$40, $10 students, $5 ages 16 and younger. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER“Always… Patsy Cline” (musical): Ria

Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon, Theater Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $20. Tickets: tag [email protected] or theaterartsguild.org.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 2:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Christian School, Ham-ming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpaper-tickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” (comedy): Anacortes High School Theatre Depart-ment, 7:30 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Rated PG-13 (mild language). Admission by donation at the door. 360-293-2166.

“The Language Archive”: Outcast Productions, 7 p.m., Whidbey Island Fair-grounds, Black Box Theater, 819 Camano Ave., Langley. $18, $14 students and seniors. brownpapertickets.com/event/561263.

Sunday.16COMEDY

Brian Regan: 7 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Belling-ham. $39.75. 360-734-6080 or mount bakertheatre.com.

MUSICCollin Raye: 6 p.m., Brodniak Hall,

1600 20th St., Anacortes. $30-$50. Pre-concert meet and greet at 4 p.m. at the Majestic Hotel: $120, includes reserved concert seating. Proceeds benefit Skagit Adult Day Program. 360-428-5972 or collinrayebenefitconcert.brownpaper tickets.com.

Wednesday.19MUSIC


Thursday.20THEATER


THURSDAY.13

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

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: 8 p.m., Pacific Showroom, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50. theskagit.com.

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

The Scott Pemberton Trio: 8:30 p.m., Con-way Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Geoffrey Castle’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: with vocalist Connor Dunworleya and the Snohomish Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $20 at the door. Proceeds ben-efit local first responders. 360-755-3956.

Erin Hyre and Skip Hamilton: 8 to 11 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

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

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: 8 p.m., Pacific Show-room, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50. theskagit.com.

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

Mark DuFresne (blues): 8:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Con-way. $12. 360-445-3000.

Fanny Alger: 9 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Nitecrew (top 40 dance band): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

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

Navigator Communicator, Otto: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Belling-ham. $3. 360-778-1067.

Barefeet: 9 p.m. to mid-night, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

Matney Cook and the Mudflat Walkers: 8 to 11 p.m., Big Rock Cafe, 14779 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. No cover, all ages. 360-424-7872 or bigrockcafe.com.

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

Puirt na Gael (traditional Celtic music): 6 p.m., Con-way Muse, Parlor, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Atz Kilcher (folk, bluegrass, western, classic country): 7 p.m., Conway Muse, Renais-sance Room, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $15. 360-445-3000.

Smoke Wagon: St. Patrick’s Day Party, 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

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

Blues/rock jam with CC Adams and Friends: 5 to 9 p.m., Station House, 315 Morris St., La Con-ner. 360-466-4488.

FRIDAY.14CALADH NUA

7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $25. 360-416-7727,

ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY.13-15“ANNE OF GREEN GABLES”Mount Vernon Christian School, Hamming Commons, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. Tickets: $10, brownpapertickets.com or at the door. 360-424-9157. Check individual listing for time.

FRIDAY.14

SATURDAY.15

SUNDAY.16

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


Nick Vigarino: 7 to 9 p.m., Big Rock Cafe, 14779 Washington 9, Mount Vernon. No cover, all ages. 360-424-7872 or bigrockcafe.com.

WEDNESDAY.19 THURSDAY.20

FRIDAY.14THE SCOTT PEMBERTON TRIO8:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

FRIDAY.14GEOFFREY CASTLE’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONwith vocalist Connor Dunworleya and the Snohomish Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit local first responders. 360-755-3956.


By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZAssociated Press

MATAMOROS, Mexico — The side-walks are empty on Alvaro Obregon Avenue. Restaurants and souvenir shops lining the once popular thoroughfare are gutted and shuttered.

The sign in front of an abandoned kara-oke bar is now ripped and dilapidated, riddled underneath with three spray-painted tombstones.

The thousands of spring breakers who flooded over each March from the nearby Texas resorts are gone. The drug war drove them off, leaving a void of tourism in a city that years ago gave up trying to cater to such crowds.

But in the midst of a three-year increase in American tourism in Mexico, communities along the Rio Grande see potential to win back some of the tourists and revitalize an industry that has gone dormant since the cartel violence erupted south of the border.

In Matamoros, a new tourism director is pouring $2 million into luring Mexican visitors for Holy Week in April, with an eye toward implementing a similar plan next year that would focus on spring breakers who flock to South Padre Island, Texas.

“We used to see waves of people along the main boulevard,” said Julio Mejia, who took over as tourism director in December. “But the area wasn’t promoted properly.”

Matamoros, nestled just south of the Texas border and along the Gulf of Mex-ico, plans to open a children’s water park and build a pier at Costa Azul beach to attract tourists from nearby Coahuila and Nuevo Leon states.

A more detailed plan will be worked out later for how to attract American tourists next year, but a pivotal part of the endeavor will involve working with business owners to reopen their restau-

rants and bars.The city previously attracted thousands

of spring breakers from South Padre Island for the “Two Nation Vacation,” but the number of such visitors began dwindling in 2005 as drug violence started making international headlines and U.S. authorities later began warning against traveling into northern Mexico. By 2010, it became rare to see a young American vacationer visiting this city’s tourist dis-trict.

And although violence in some border cities has quelled, spring breakers remain hesitant to take any chances this year.

David Lynch, an Eastern Kentucky University senior visiting South Padre Island this week, says he still sees too much news about Mexican violence and “won’t be crossing into Mexico.”

Jackie Raichandani, a University of Louisville senior also planning to visit South Padre, suggested to his friends that they go to Matamoros. “Some want to try it,” he says, “but others told me no way they are going.”

Photos by Olga Rodriguez / AP

A man walks by a boarded-up Garcia’s souvenir shop in Matamoros, Mexico. In the midst of a three-year increase in American tourism in Mexico, communities along the Rio Grande are trying to win back U.S. tourists and revitalize their tourism industry.

Ruben Garcia, manager and owner of Garcia’s souvenir shop, checks prices on clay dolls in his store in Matamoros, Mexico.

TRAVEL

Mexican border city hopes to lure spring breakers


TRAVEL

Local travel CHINA TOUR: Skagit Valley College is accepting applications for its Experience China Tour on Aug. 23-Sept. 9. The tour is open to students, faculty, staff and com-munity members ages 16 or older. College credit is available. The cost is $3,200 including international airfare. Applications and a $300 deposit are due by April 1. For information, contact Ted Maloney at 360-416-7774 or [email protected].

THINKING ABOUT TAKING AN ALASKAN CRUISE?: Doug Woods will explain every-thing you want to know about planning a cruise at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Woods also will present land-scape and wildlife photos from his various Alaskan cruises. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org.

“SIGHTS, SOUNDS & TASTES OF MON-GOLIA: A Peace Corps Adventure”: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, Upper Skagit Library, 45770B Main St., Concrete. Library director Brooke Pederson will share stories about life in Mongolia. She will cook tradi-tional food, show traditional clothing, talk about cultural taboos and more. Free. 360-853-7939 or upperskagit.lib.wa.us.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for participants ages 12 and older (adult super-vision required for ages 18 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For

information or to register, call 360-336-6215. Next up: Northwest Women’s Show and Historic Downtown Snohomish: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 21. Enjoy the 26th annual show with some 400 exhibits, three enter-tainment stages, seminars, shopping, fash-ion shows, food and wine sampling, beauty and spa services, giveaways and more. Then visit trendy “new” historic Snohomish, with boutiques, antique stores, bakeries and more. $65-$67. Register by March 14. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Grab your camera and binoculars, pack a sack lunch and join birder and raptor specialist Sue Cottrell for a fun, educational trip to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 300 species of birds, mammals, fish and amphibians. Check out the viewing platforms, climb the observation tower, walk along the trails and explore the visitor center and gift shop. Stop for an afternoon treat or coffee break on the way home. $61-$63. Register by March 21.

TRAVEL PACKING WORKSHOP: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, AAA Travel Store, 1600 E. College Way, Suite A, Mount Vernon. Kathleen Collum will share tips on how to make the most of your packing space and the latest accessories and gear to help you comply with new flying regulations. RSVP: 360-848-2090.

NEW ENGLAND TRIP: The Oak Harbor Senior Center is organizing a trip to New England from Sept. 26-Oct. 3. Contact Pat Gardner at 360-279-4582 or [email protected].

These sentiments echo what’s plain from the statistics: While more Americans are returning to popular destinations such as Mexico City, Cancun and Los Cabos, the border com-munities have yet to see sig-nificant rebounds. Mexico’s tourism agency reports a 9 percent increase in Ameri-cans visiting Mexico in 2013, but a steady decline in border tourists from 10 mil-lion in 2011 to 9.5 million last year.

The declines are being felt from this Gulf Coast community to the West Coast, where Rosarito Beach south of the Califor-nia border is no longer a mecca for spring breakers due to a turf war between rival drug gangs that sent business plummeting in the last decade.

But as drug-fueled blood-shed subsided in recent years the region’s tourism

industry hired a U.S. public relations firm and is attract-ing an increased number of wealthier, middle-aged trav-elers seeking world-class cuisine and wines in Tijuana and nearby Valle de Guada-lupe, which is often called Mexico’s Napa Valley.

The business climate is bleaker in Matamoros. Its once-thriving tourist market

now only offers a few ven-dors, while nearby a massive complex that houses a phar-macy, a crafts market, a bar and a restaurant remains in business but is seeing less of it.

“If I see a group of three or four spring breakers, I will have to take a picture with them because that would be a rare sighting,”

Raul Garcia, general man-ager of the Garcia’s com-plex, said as two customers perused his souvenir shop packed with colorful clay dolls, ceramic vases and plates.

“It will be difficult (to get them back), but we need to let people know people still live, work and have fun here.”

In a sign that fear may be easing, parade participants from nearby Brownsville, Texas, crossed last week into Matamoros to join the annual Charro Days fes-tivities. Such scenes were common several years ago, when floats decorated with the U.S. and Mexican flags, dancing horses and march-ing bands would parade through Brownsville and cross the bridge to join participants in Matamoros’ parade. Together they would march and dance down the city’s main avenue toward downtown, where the binational celebration lasted for hours.

Even in Ciudad Juarez, where killings have declined from 3,075 in 2010 to 483 last year, officials are mak-ing efforts to increase border crossings from El Paso, Texas. Once dubbed the most violent city in the hemisphere, Juarez has

opened a visitors’ center in El Paso and plans to offer shuttle services from there by the end of this year.

But authorities north of the border are not swayed. A State Department travel advisory cautioning Ameri-cans about visiting Mexico remains in place as cities still deal with cartel vio-lence that has kept heavily armed soldiers patrolling the Mexican border.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also cautions the thousands of spring breakers visiting the state this month to stay put, as it has the last few years.

“We have a responsibility to inform the public about safety and travel risks and threats,” the state agency said in a statement, cit-ing the “the unpredictable nature of cartel violence and other criminal ele-ments.”

Costumers sit at an almost empty bar in Matamoros, Mexico. In the midst of a three-year increase in American tourism in Mexico, communities along the Rio Grande are trying to win back U.S. tourists and revitalize their tourism industry.

A resource for visitors and newcomers.SKAGITVISITOR A resource for visitors & newcomers

Events & Activities • Community Profiles & Maps • Recreation

Smartphone scan code

Visit www.skagitvisitor.com


“LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” (musical): through June 15, ACT, A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle. 206-292-7676 or acttheatre.org.

HERMAN’S HERMITS: starring Peter Noone: March 14-15, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

GOLAZO GAMEDAYS: March 15, 29: Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

COLLIN RAYE: March 16, Brod-niak Hall, Anacortes. 360-428-5972 or collinrayebenefitconcert.brownpapertickets.com.

BRIAN REGAN: March 16, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbaker theatre.com.

THE SOUNDS: March 19, Neu-mos, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

MOISTURE FESTIVAL: March 20-April 13, at venues around Seattle. 206-297-1405 or moisturefestival.org.

MONETA: March 22, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BRING ME THE HORIZON: March 24, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

LORDE: March 24, WaMu The-ater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

WIDESPREAD PANIC: March 25, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

THE SING-OFF LIVE TOUR: March 25, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

INVSN: March 25, The Crocodile, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

ROBIN THICKE: March 26, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

GUNGOR: March 26, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

TOADIES, SUPERSUCKERS, BATTLEME: March 26, El Cora-zon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

BROAD CITY LIVE: March 26, Neumos, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

EMANCIPATOR ENSEMBLE: March 27, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BIG HEAD TODD & THE MON-STERS: March 28, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

KINGS OF LEON: March 28,

KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

THE PINK FLOYD EXPERI-ENCE: March 28, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THE DECIBEL MAGAZINE TOUR: featuring Carcass: March 29, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS: April 2-3, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: April 4, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

YOUNG THE GIANT: April 4-5, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BETTY WHO: April 5, The Bar-boza, Seattle. 206-709-9442 or thebarboza.com.

BEATS ANTIQUE: April 5, Show-box SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

CHUCK RAGAN & THE CAMA-RADERIE, THE WHITE BUFFALO: April 7, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BASTILLE: April 8, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

VNV NATION: April 8, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

IL DIVO: April 9, Benaroya Hall, Seattle. 866-833-4747 or live nation.com.

PETTY FEST: April 9, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND: April 10, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

INFECTED MUSHROOM: April 11, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

KRIS ORLOWSKI: April 12, The

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

THE WAILIN’ JENNYS: April 12-13, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Ver-non. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

VOLBEAT: Apil 14, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or tickets.com.

SCHOOLBOY Q: April 14, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

PINK MARTINI: April 15, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THE AFGHAN WHIGS: April 15, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

DIANA KRALL: April 16, Para-mount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

CHROMEO: April 16, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY: April 16, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SWITCHFOOT: April 18, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

RICK SPRINGFIELD: April 18-19, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

SNOOP DOGG & WIZ KHALIFA: April 19, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

MASSIVE MONKEYS: April 19, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA: April 20, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SLEEPER AGENT: April 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

ELLIE GOULDING: April 23, Para-mount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS: April 23, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

WHITE LIES: April 23, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

THE 1975: April 24, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

FRANZ FERDINAND: April 24, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

ARLO GUTHRIE: April 25, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THE WANTED, MIDNIGHT RED: April 26, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

ONE MORE TIME: A Tribute to Daft Punk: April 26, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

HIGGINS WATERPROOF BLACK MAGIC BAND: April 26, Columbia City Theater, Seattle. 800-838-3006 or columbiacitytheater.com.

SUDDEN VALLEY JAZZ SERIES: April 26/Nov. 15, Sudden Valley Dance Barn, Bellingham. 360-671-1709 or suddenvalleylibrary.org.

MASTODON: April 28, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

THE GLITCH MOB: May 3, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

IRA GLASS: May 3, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THE GLITCH MOB: May 4, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

STEPHEN “RAGGA” MARLEY: May 6, The Showbox, Seattle. 206-224-5481 or aeglive.com.

STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS: Featuring Edie Brickell: May 10, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

DANNY BROWN: May 10, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

OLD 97s: May 12, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

PRISCILLA AHN: May 13, Columbia City Theater, Seattle. 800-838-3006 or columbiacity theater.com.

MICKEY AVALON: May 15, The Crocodile, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or LiveNation.com.

KARLA BONOFF & JIMMY WEBB: May 15, Mount Baker The-atre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or

mountbakertheatre.com.LIL JON - DJ SET: May 16,

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

NICKEL CREEK: May 17, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

LINDSEY STIRLING: May 21, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

TECH N9NE: May 23-24, Show-box SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL: May 23-25 and July 4-6, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. sasquatch festival.com.

THE NYLONS: May 24, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

LANA DEL REY: May 27, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

LADY GAGA’S artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball: May 28, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

LIONEL RITCHIE: with CeeLo Green: May 30, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

“IN MY LIFE”: A Musical Trib-ute to the Beatles: June 5, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

GRIEVES: June 7, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show boxonline.com.

BRIT FLOYD: June 9, McCaw Hall, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

ONEREPUBLIC: June 12, Com-cast Arena at Everett. 866-332-8499 or comcastarenaeverett.com.

DIGITOUR: June 20, The Show-box, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

SARAH McLACHLAN: June 20-21, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

MERLE HAGGARD, EMMYLOU HARRIS: June 22, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

PARADISO FESTIVAL: June 27-28, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

CHER: June 28, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS: July 2, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or tickets.com.

JOURNEY, STEVE MILLER BAND: July 19, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn. 800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

HOT TICKETSTHE WAILIN’ JENNYSApril 12-13, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org


GEOFFREY CASTLE’SST. PATRICK’SCELEBRATION

314 Commercial, Anacortes • 360-755-3956 • More Information at anacortesH20.com

Friday, Mar. 147:30pm

$20 at the door or brownpapertickets.com

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Fri 3/14 & Sat 3/15The Sardines

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ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATIONWITH GEOFFREY CASTLEFRI. 3/14 - 7:30 PM

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‘The Aristocats Kids’7 p.m. Thursday, March 13

Skagit Family Learning Center presents Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids.” Madame’s jealous butler Edgar cat-naps Duchess and her kittens and aban-dons them in the Parisian countryside. Luckily, Thomas O’Malley and his rag-tag bunch of alley cats come to their rescue. Free admission.

‘American Hustle’7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 14-155:30 p.m. Sunday, March 167:30 p.m. Monday, March 17

“American Hustle” tells the story of con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive part-ner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), is forced to work for wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey power-brokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchant-ing. Caught between the con-artists and Feds is Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the volatile, New Jersey political operator, but it’s Irving’s unpredict-able wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) who could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down.

The film received 10 Academy Award nomina-

tions including Best Pic-ture.

Rated R. $10 general; $9 seniors, students and active military; $8 members; $7 children 12 and under. Bargain matinee prices (all shows before 6 p.m.): $8 general, $6 members, $5 children 12 and under.

‘Werther’9:55 a.m. Saturday, March 15

Two of opera’s greatest artists — Jonas Kaufmann and Elina Garanca — appear together for the first time at the Met in Massenet’s adaptation of Goethe’s revolutionary and tragic romance. It is directed and designed by Richard Eyre and Rob Howell, the same team that created the Met’s recent hit production of “Carmen.”

$23 adults; $19 seniors; $16 students with $2 off for Lincoln members.

‘Kiss the Water’7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18

In a small cottage on the northern coast of Scot-land, Megan Boyd twirled tiny bits of feather and fur, silver and gold into fishing flies that were at once works of art, magi-cal — and absolutely lethal. Wherever men and women cast their lines for the mighty Atlantic salmon, her name is whispered in mythic reverence, and sto-ries about her surface and swirl like fairy tales.

Director Eric Steel pro-files the renowned lure creator, whose detailed, handcrafted work has been ordered by such powerful figures as Prince Charles. Boyd explains how she became an artist in this field, and showcases how she still does by hand what companies have been mass-producing. Unrated.

Francois Duhamel photo

Jeremy Renner (left), Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence star in “American Hustle.”


MOVIES

By ROGER MOOREMcClatchy-Tribune News Service

For anybody tired of digital movie car chases that, while fast and furious, routinely defy the laws of physics, here’s one where the cars and stunts are real (most-ly) and spectacular. A cross-coun-try sprint followed by a daredevil dash through rural California by the superest of today’s supercars, “Need for Speed” is a car-lover’s dream, a showcase for everything from Bugatti Veyrons to vintage Camaros.

It’s a “Cannonball Run” throwback, with drivers punch-ing through gears and burning through tires as they dodge the cops in illegal street races. Given state-of-the-art stunts and 3-D cinematography, it’s a trip.

But “Need for Speed” also makes the journey from video

game to big screen without the curse of logic and without the benefit of a punchy, pithy script for its cliched characters to quote. Dumb? They’ve almost out-dumbed the dumbest “Fast and Furious” movie.

Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad” is Tobey, a car builder and racer from rural New York whose rivalry with the hometown boy (Dominic Cooper) who made it to the Indy 500 reveals the consequences of tearing it up on public highways. Somebody gets killed, on top of all the inno-cent bystanders and their SUVs, school buses and mommyvans that they run off the road.

Tobey gets out of jail, rounds up his posse (Scott Mescudi, Rami Malek, Ramon Rodriguez) and sets out for revenge.

First, he has to get a car. So he talks a billionaire collector into

lending him a Shelby Mustang that he customized. As if that would happen. Tobey’s team includes a pilot (Mescudi) who can tip him off about directions and police lying in wait, and a chase truck that can refuel that thirsty beast on the road. As if that’s practical.

And the car comes with its own “right seater,” a navigator/co-driver who is the owner’s hot blonde car acquisitions specialist, played by Imogen Poots.

That almost never happens.They’re dashing from upstate

New York, through New York City to Detroit, then Indiana, Monument Valley, Arizona, Utah’s Bonneville salt flats and into San Francisco, where the REAL race will start. Appar-ently, their sat-nav sucks.

The real race, the DeLeon, is run by a mysterious, manic

and motor-mouthed millionaire (Michael Keaton) who broad-casts the races online. “Nobody knows who he is,” even though his webcasts are on video and we can see him.

But get past those head-slap-pers, give up on hearing any dia-logue snappier that “Looks like a scene out of ‘Speed’ down there; hard left in 3, 2, 1 …” and this is a car fanatic’s dream.

Stuntman turned director Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”) makes this into a stunt team tour de force. No, nobody ever changes tires, no matter how much Tobey drifts that beefy, 900hp Mustang. And some of the bits where cars get airborne are preposterous outside of an auto stunt show. But these throaty machines are put through their paces, with enough of the driving tricks plainly performed by the

cast to make this a car culture picture of which Steve McQueen might approve.

The cast doesn’t have the sassy swagger of the “Fast & Furious” crew. Paul, surrounded by co-stars of the same modest height, isn’t particularly charismatic in this setting. He’s not a natural “quiet tough guy.”

But the actors are second bananas here — to the Koenig-segg Ageras, Saleens and Shelby Mustang that feed America’s “Need for Speed,” on screen and off. And whatever the screenwrit-er’s failings, the cars deliver.

DreamWorks II via AP

‘NEED FOR SPEED’HH

Cast: Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots, Dominic Cooper and Michael Keaton. Running time: 2:10 MPAA rating: PG-13 for sequences of reckless street racing, disturbing crash scenes, nudity and crude lan-guage.

‘Need for Speed’ needed a better script


MOVIES

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

“The Art of the Steal” — Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon, two actors who just make you smile when they show up in a movie, play half-brothers in a jaunty caper film that, alas, doesn’t work. Writer-director Jonathan Sobol keeps things moving, the editing is tight and crisp, and the cast do their best to sell every scene, but it’s a tough sell when the payoff is neither all that stunning nor all that plausible. Crime caper, R, 90 minutes. HH “August: Osage County” — The dialogue is some-times so sharp we wince, and the acting by an ensem-ble of world-class actors led by Meryl Streep, Julia Rob-erts, Ewan McGregor and Chris Cooper is for the most part superb. But this adap-tation of Tracy Letts’ play ultimately is sour, loud and draining. Nearly everyone in this story would be the most horrific person at your aver-age dinner party. Drama, R, 119 minutes. HH “Ender’s Game” — A first-rate cast of wily veterans (Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley) and fresh-faced youngsters (Asa Butterfield of “Hugo”) deliver a rousing, challeng-ing adventure that should satisfy most young fans of the beloved sci-fi novel while keeping the adults engrossed as well. The sim-ulated battles against scary aliens are beautifully shot and expertly choreographed. Sci-fi adventure, PG-13, 114 minutes. HHH “Frozen” — When a queen with icy powers (voice of Idina Menzel) accidentally freezes her kingdom, she runs away and her intrepid sister (Kristen Bell) goes to find her. Sure to delight kids and captivate adults, Disney’s musical “Frozen” is the instant favorite for the animated feature Oscar. Animated musical, PG, 102 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Her” — In writer-director Spike Jonze’s lovely and wondrous ultra-modern romance, a fragile fellow in the not-so-distant future (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with the voice of an operating system (Scarlett

Johansson). One of the more original, hilarious and even heartbreaking stories of the year. It works both as a love story and as a commentary on the ways technology isolates us from human con-tact. Comedy-romance, R, 119 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Inside Llewyn Davis” — With this dry comedy about the American folk music scene of the early 1960s, Ethan and Joel Coen have crafted another unique period piece. Oscar Isaac gives a memorable perfor-mance as the title charac-ter, a thoroughly unlikable, selfish, socially poisonous miscreant. The music is ter-rific. With Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman. Comedy, R, 105 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Lone Survivor” — This re-creation of a 2005 Navy SEAL mission builds to one of the most realistic, shock-ing, gruesome and devastat-ing depictions of war ever put on film. Instead of going for the big-picture perspec-tive, director Peter Berg focuses on the unflinching bravery of soldiers executing their mission and looking out for one another. Mark Wahl-berg stars, with Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. War drama, R, 121 minutes. HHH “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” — The old TV cartoon about a genius dog, his adopted son and their time-traveling adventures becomes a whip-smart, consistently funny and good-natured film with terrific voice performances led by Ty Burrell as Peabody. Lots of sight gags and goofy puns, with some clever one-liners intended for the parents in the audience. Animated adventure, PG, 90 minutes. HHH “Nebraska” — What a joy it is to watch Bruce Dern playing such a miserable SOB in the best role of his long career. Woody Grant is a crabby, boozy, sometimes delusional old guy on a road trip with his son (Will Forte) to collect a sweepstakes prize. Alexander Payne’s latest film is a modern American classic about the dynamic between a father from the generation that didn’t speak about its feel-ings and a grown son who’s still trying to get his father

to explain himself. Stark, beautiful and memorable. Drama, R, 115 minutes. HHHH “Non-Stop” — I can’t pre-tend the checklist of cliches didn’t tickle me in this genre thriller about a mysterious terrorist threatening midflight murder. As the federal air marshal onboard, Liam Nee-son continues his late mid-dle-age run as the baddest action hero on the planet. (Thriller, PG-13, 107 minutes HHH “RoboCop” — The 2014 version of “RoboCop” takes advantage of the superior technology available now, but doesn’t match up to the original when it comes to story and cast. As Alex Murphy, the wounded officer converted into RoboCop, Joel Kinnaman comes across as a wooden human being AND a wooden robot. Sci-fi action, PG-13, 118 minutes. HH “Son of God” — The first feature in recent memory telling us a life-spanning story of Jesus Christ recounts the events with great reverence but, alas, is not a good movie. The special effects are just OK, and in the title role, Portu-guese-born heartthrob Diogo Morgado hits a lot of wrong notes. Historical drama, PG-13, 138 minutes. H1⁄2 “That Awkward Moment” — Strives to straddle the line between breezy, broman-tic comedy and “Hangover”-esque guy humor – and fails miserably on both counts. Talented, charismatic actors including Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan star in a not particularly offensive but utterly unmemorable film. Comedy, R, 94 minutes. H1⁄2 “The Bag Man” — One can’t help but wonder what Robert De Niro and John Cusack saw in the script for “The Bag Man” that made two of our most interesting actors sign up for this irritat-ing mess of a movie. It’s warmed-over Tarantino mixed with a third-rate tribute to the Coen brothers with a dose of David Lynch-ian madness. Thriller, R, 108 minutes. H “The Monuments Men” — One of the most old-fashioned and at times almost breezy World War II films in recent memory is

about middle-aged curators recovering art stolen by the Nazis. George Clooney directs himself and his co-stars (including Matt Damon and Bill Murray) as if he had watched “The Dirty Dozen” on a continuous loop for a week. Historical action, PG-13, 118 minutes. HHH “3 Days to Kill” — The term “guilty pleasure” was invented for this kind of movie. Nearly every other scene is so audaciously terrible, you don’t know whether to cringe or chortle. But the star power of Kevin Costner as an aging CIA hit man turns schlock into pure entertainment. Action, PG-13, 117 minutes. HHH “300: Rise of an Empire” — If you loved the gloriously and gratuitously blood-spat-tered visual style of Zack Snyder’s epic “300,” you’ll probably enjoy the heck out of “300: Rise of an Empire,” which manages to be some-thing of a prequel, a sequel and a parallel story all at once. The performances, especially Eva Green as the warrior Artemisia, are uni-formly good, but this epic is foremost a triumph of design and CGI. Action fantasy, R, 103 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “12 Years a Slave” — is a film about great bravery, featuring some of the brav-est performances you’ll ever have the privilege to wit-ness. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as a free man in New York state in the 1840s, who is kidnapped and shipped to the South, where he is beaten, given a new name and forced into slavery. Unflinchingly directed by Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave” is what we talk about when we talk about great-ness in film. With Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cum-berbatch and Paul Giamatti. Drama, R, 134 minutes. HHHH “Winter’s Tale” — A good old-fashioned train wreck of a film. Despite the beloved source material, a talented writer-director (Akiva Golds-man) and an A-list cast headed by Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe, there’s no stopping the tide of the over-whelmingly cheesy story of love, romance and our place in the universe. It’s a gooey mess. Romance, PG-13, 118 minutes. H

AT AREA THEATERS

ANACORTES CINEMASMarch 14-20 The Metropolitan Opera: Werther (NR): Saturday: 9:55 a.m. 300: Rise of an Empire (R): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:15, 6:50, 9:05; Sunday-Wednesday: 1:00, 3:15, 6:50; Thurs-day: 1:00, 3:15 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG): Friday-Saturday: 1:10, 3:25, 6:40, 8:50; Sunday-Monday: 1:10, 3:25, 6:40; Tues-day: 1:10, 3:25; Wednesday: 1:10, 3:25, 6:40; Thursday: 1:10, 3:25 Son of God (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 12:50, 3:20, 6:30, 9:00; Sunday-Wednesday: 12:50, 3:20, 6:30; Thursday: 12:50, 3:20 Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano (NR): Tuesday: 7 p.m. Divergent (PG-13): Thursday: 8 p.m. Muppets Most Wanted (PG): Thursday: 7 p.m. Royal Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty (NR): Thursday: 7 p.m. 360-293-6620

BLUE FOX DRIVE-INOak HarborMarch 14-16 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG) and Need for Speed (PG-13): First movie starts at 7:15 p.m. 360-675-5667

CONCRETE THEATREMarch 14-16 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG): Friday: 7:30 p.m. (3D); Saturday: 5 p.m. (2D) and 7:30 p.m. (3D); Sunday: 4 p.m. (2D) and 6:30 p.m. (3D) 360-941-0403

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

OAK HARBOR CINEMASMarch 14-20 Need for Speed (PG-13): Friday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:40, 9:20; Saturday: 10:20, 1:00, 3:40, 6:40, 9:20; Sunday: 10:20, 1:00, 3:40, 6:40; Monday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:40, 6:40 300: Rise of an Empire (R): Friday: 1:10, 3:20, 6:50, 9:05; Saturday: 10:30, 1:10, 3:20, 6:50, 9:05; Sunday: 10:30, 1:10, 3:20, 6:50; Monday-Wednesday: 1:10, 3:20, 6:50; Thursday: 1:10, 3:20 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG): Friday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:30, 8:40; Saturday: 10:40, 1:20, 3:30, 6:30, 8:40; Sunday: 10:40, 1:20, 3:30, 6:30; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:30 Divergent (PG-13): Thursday: 8 p.m. 360-279-2226

STANWOOD CINEMASMarch 14-20 Need for Speed (PG-13): Friday-Wednesday: 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:30 300: Rise of an Empire (R): 1:10, 3:25, 6:55, 9:05 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG): 1:20, 3:35, 6:25, 8:35 Non-Stop (PG-13): Friday-Wednesday: 1:40, 3:55, 6:45, 9:00; Thursday: 1:40, 3:55, 9:30 Son of God (PG-13): Friday-Monday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:35, 9:20; Tuesday: 1:00, 3:45, 9:20; Wednesday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:35, 9:20; Thursday: 1:00, 3:45 Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano (NR): Tuesday: 7 p.m. Divergent (PG-13): Thursday: 8 p.m. Muppets Most Wanted (PG): Thursday: 7 p.m. Royal Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty (NR): Thursday: 7 p.m. 360-629-0514


OUT & ABOUT

ARTOUTDOOR SCULPTURE

EXHIBIT: The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is on display through March 1, 2015, at public locations around La Con-ner. The annual juried exhibition features work by some of the Northwest’s most accomplished artists. For information, including a map of the sculptures and works available for sale, call 360-466-3125 or visit townoflaconner.org.

IN THE ART BAR: In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Lin-coln Theatre is featuring a collaborative art display showcasing the creativity of women through March 31 in the Art Bar, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

PAINTINGS & SCULP-TURES: Check out palette knife paintings and small metal statues by Roger Small during March at Skagit Running Company, 702 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Satur-day. artbyrogersmall.com.

SCULPTURE ON DISPLAY: Peregrine O’Gormley’s original wood sculpture “How Much Longer?” is on display through March 31 at KP Studios, 705 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. The city of Anacortes is raising funds to purchase the bronze version of the sculpture, which is on temporary loan to the city and on display in front of How It Works, located on Fourth Street between Commercial and O avenues.

“ATMOSPHERES”: A show of new paintings by

Tyree Callahan, Todd Hor-ton and Sharon Kingston continues through March 30 at Smith & Vallee Gal-lery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. The exhibition concentrates on the artists’ expressions of the interplay between atmospheric light and the Northwest land-scape. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 360-766-6230 or smithandvallee.com.

PHOTO EXHIBIT: Dick Garvey — Photography: “A Collector’s Dream” continues through April 1 at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Ana-cortes. The show features a collection of photographs from the estate of Dick Garvey (1952-2011), with special pricing for all work hanging in the show. Gal-lery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appoint-ment. 360-293-6938 or scottmilo.com.

NEW PAINTINGS: A show of new acrylic paint-ings on canvas and paper by Anne Martin McCool continues through March at the McCool Gallery, 711 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. The show also will feature work by other gallery artists includ-ing sculptures, glass and ceramics, baskets and fiber art, jewelry, paintings and more. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. mccoolart.com.

PHOTOS ON DISPLAY: Think Studios, 1010 Fifth St., Suite 320, Anacortes, is showing images from pho-tographer Barb Thrall by appointment during March. The collection, “Places,” presents contemplations while stopping along the path between here and there. 360-770-4528.

“OUTSIDE IN”: An exhi-bition of artworks by Chris-topher Gildow, Thomas Christopher Haag and Fred Holcomb will open with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 14, and continue through April 20 at Anchor Art Space, 216 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. The exhibition addresses the intermediate place between then and now/outside and inside and the travelers who find themselves there. Curated by Greg Tate, the show includes landscape scenes from a moving car, mixed media composed of old ticket stubs and maps, and collaged works on modern forms that allude to a cul-tural past. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday

through Sunday.A curator’s talk will take

place from 6 to 9 p.m. Fri-day, April 4. 360-755-3140 or anchorartspace.org.

EXHIBITIONS AT MoNA: Three new exhibits will open with a reception at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and continue through June 15 at The Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner:

“Lucy Mae Martin: Hands On”: The artworks in the exhibition are wrapped and sandblasted stones representing a new side of the Skagit Valley artist’s heavy, creative work life. Martin says, “I am inspired to engrave relief-style because there are millions of years

tucked behind the surface of every beautiful, unique stone, and the sandblast-ing reveals these layers. I enjoy engraving Braille because it encourages total interaction with my work … I believe that everybody should be able to enjoy the arts in their own individual way.”

“Shapes of Abstraction from the Permanent Col-lection”: The exhibit offers a study of form and color of new acquisitions with an ekphrastic poem (descrip-tion of a visual work of art) by Kathleen Flenniken. Curated by exhibitions director Lisa Young.

“John Cole: A Historical Perspective”: Recognized as one of the Pacific North-west’s leading landscape artists, John Cole (1936-2007) painted in the region for almost four decades. Favoring abstraction over literal description, Cole’s distinctive, muscular style sublimely expresses the quintessential features of the majestic North-west landscape — water, mountains and trees. This historical survey includes not just iconic landscapes, but important figurative and still-life works that are less known, and traces the major influences on the artist as reflected in his oils, prints and drawings. Co-curated by Lisa Harris and Sarah Harvey of Lisa Harris Gallery with sup-port from Lucille Cole, the John D. Cole Estate, Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues-day through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Free admission. 360-466-4446 or museum ofnwart.org.

LECTURES AND TALKS

GETTING ELECTED:

Anthony Young and Janet McKinney will offer a presentation on “Getting Elected” at the Fidalgo Democrats meeting at 7 p.m. today, March 13, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

Young was a field direc-tor in a presidential and two gubernatorial cam-paigns in North Carolina, and campaigned locally for Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene, State Rep. Kris Lytton, Sheriff Will Reichardt and Mayor Laurie Gere. McKinney is a labor organizer and mem-ber of the Skagit County Democrats Getting Elected Action Team.

A moderated period of questions and comments will follow. Bring a nonper-ishable food donation for the food bank. For infor-mation, contact Corinne at 360-293-7114.

FRIENDS OF SKAGIT BEACHES LECTURE: Dr. M. Brady Olson, marine scientist at Western Wash-ington University’s Shan-non Point Marine Center, will present “Salish Sea Oceanography and Marine Ecosystem Stressors: Partners in a Changing Marine Landscape” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the NWESD building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Free. skagitbeaches.org.

ANACORTES FOREST LANDS: Naturalist Denise Crowe will present an indoor exploration of the Anacortes Community For-est Lands at 7 p.m. Wednes-day, March 19, at the Ana-cortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Get an overview of local forest his-tory, ecology and commu-nity, and learn about educa-tion programs, volunteer stewardship opportunities and more. Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes.org.

SPRING ART SHOWClayton James, Maggie Wilder and Marty Rogers are the featured artists in the River Gallery’s annual Spring Art Show, which opens with a gala reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and continues through April 27 at 19313 Landing Road, between Mount Vernon and La Conner. The exhibition will showcase oil paintings by Clayton James, oils by Maggie Wilder and watercolor works by Marty Rogers. The show will also includes works by more than two dozen other local artists. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 360-466-4524 or rivergallerywa.com. Pictured: “Pilchuck Creek Boulders” by James.


JSMF Jack & Shirley McIntyre

F o u n d a t i o nSkagit Regional

Public Facilities District

2 5 0 1 E C o l l e g e W a y , M o u n t V e r n o n360.416.7727 McIntyrehall.org

Caladh Nua Traditional Irish Music

Friday, March 147:30pm

McIntyre Hall Presents

10thseason2013-2014

Friday, March 14

“...plenty of flair And lots of

musical imagination”~ Irish Music Magazine

MEGAQUAKE: Seattle Times science reporter and author Sandi Doughton will discuss the possibility of a mega earthquake at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington. Free. 360-755-0760 or burlingtonwa.gov/library.

MUSICMUSICAL BENEFIT: The

Rick Epting Foundation For The Arts will present Lydia Pense & Cold Blood and The Margaret Wilder Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. The con-cert pairs the late ’60s/early ’70s funk/soul/R&B sound of Cold Blood with local R&B vocal sensation Margaret Wilder. $15-$35. Proceeds will benefit the Epting Foundation’s efforts to keep the arts alive in Skagit Valley. 360-336-8955.

HAWAIIAN GUITAR, DANCE: Hawaiian slack key guitarist Keola Beam-er and his partner, hula dancer Moanalani Beamer, will perform at 7 p.m. Sun-day, March 23, at Western Washington University’s Concert Hall in Belling-ham. Tickets: $32 at tickets.wwu.edu or at the door.

MORE FUNFASHION SHOW/AUC-

TION: The En Vogue Run-way Show & Benefit Auc-tion will be held at 6 p.m. today in the McIntyre Hall grand lobby, 2501 E. Col-lege Way, Mount Vernon. Local fashion designers will unveil their creations that have been “re-pur-posed” from secondhand clothing and materials. The

outfits will be auctioned off to benefit the Friend-ship House homeless shel-ter. $25 general admission. $50 VIP ticket includes reserved seating and one beverage. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

“OUR WILD QUILT GARDEN!”: The Quilters Anonymous Quilt Guild’s 33rd annual show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Sat-urday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14-16, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Building 604, Monroe. Featuring some 500 quilts ranging from traditional pieced to inno-vative art quilts, the event will include 25 vendors offering quilting supplies and notions. Admission: $8, good for all three days. quiltersanonymous.com.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The Whatcom-Skagit Model Railroad Club will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger. The club operates large, permanent HO- and N-scale model railroad layouts. Admission is by donation to help maintain and expand the layouts. whatcomskagitmrc.org.

FIDALGO FLING: Cel-ebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Fidalgo DanceWorks’ third annual gala benefit from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sat-urday, March 15, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. Enjoy music by The Weatherheads, dancing and more. $75, $125 couple. Tickets are available at Fidalgo DanceWorks, 901 Third St., Anacortes, or by

calling 360-299-8447.GREEN ROCKS &

GEMS: The Mt. Baker Rock & Gem Club will feature green rocks, gems and minerals at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Bloe-del Donovan Commu-nity Center Building, 2214 Electric Ave., Bellingham. For more information, con-tact Lori at 360-961-7873, email [email protected] or visit mtbakerrock club.org.

FLY-FISHING FILM: The Skagit Fisheries Enhance-ment Group will present the film “Kiss the Water” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Direc-tor Eric Steel profiles renowned Scottish fly-fishing lure creator Megan Boyd, whose detailed, handcrafted work was ordered by such powerful figures as Prince Charles. Admission: $10. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

BURLINGTON HIS-TORICAL SOCIETY: The Burlington Historic Pres-ervation Board will pres-ent “Do You See What I See? An Architect’s Eye View,” from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Tierra Nueva Ministries building, 701 E. Fairhaven, Burlington. Architect and historic preservation advo-cate Terry LeDesky, AIA, LEED, AP, will discuss the blended architectural styles of the historic First National Bank Building, now occupied by Tierra Nueva Ministries.

Immediately following the program, the Burling-ton Historical Society will hold its inaugural meet-ing, open to everyone. For

information, call 360-757-4757 or email edieedmund [email protected].

FILM SCREENING: Enjoy the award-winning movie “Happy” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Anacortes Center for Hap-piness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Celebrate the arrival of spring and International Happiness Day. Admission by dona-tion. 360-464-2229 or ana cortescenterforhappiness.org.

SCHOOL CARNIVAL: The Edison School Booster Club will hold the 35th annual Edison School Carnival with the theme of “Seuss on the Loose” from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Edison Elementary School, 5801 Main Ave., Edison. Tickets: 35 cents each or 15 for $5. 360-757-3375.

DISCO DANCE PARTY: Bring out your legwarm-ers, glittery headbands and your inner Travolta and dance from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Anacortes Center for Hap-piness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. All ages welcome. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, free for ages 11 and younger. 360-464-2229 or anacortes centerforhappiness.org.

TULIP FEST GALA: “Kaleidoscope of Nature,” the 2014 Tulip Festival Gala Opening Celebra-tion, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. Cel-ebrate the start of the 31st annual Tulip Festival with music by Marcia Kester, a sit-down dinner, dessert auction, raffles and more. $60. Advance purchase

required. Early bird spe-cials: Reserve a table for 10 for $550 or get five per-cent off individual tickets through March 14. 360-428-5959.

STASHFEST: Choose from a unique selection of fabrics and wearables for quilting, fashion and home décor from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29-30, at the La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 S. Second St., La Conner. The fund-raiser for the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum will feature a trunk show of artisan and vintage fabrics, a book and notions sale and hourly door prizes. Free admission.

A preview sale for 100 shoppers will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. $12. Get tickets at stashfest.com, 360-466-4288 or laconner quilts.com.

OUT & ABOUT

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