E ntertainment Skagit County offers a wildly imaginative and eclectic menu of entertainment options.
theater groups and venues that have a flair for the ambitious.
Music, dance, art and professional and community theater are in abundance. Visit nearly any city in the county, and you’re bound to find a variety of galleries, art studios, clubs that feature live music and
Music and dance thrive. A professional symphony, opera groups, orchestra, an abundance of talented community theater groups, volunteer chorales and choruses combine to create a rich cultural environment.
VENUES MCINTYRE HALL McIntyre Hall is Skagit County’s premier performing arts hall, located on the Skagit Valley College campus in Mount Vernon. It has a seating capacity of 651 and a conference center that can accommodate up to 300 people. McIntyre has a consistently outstanding performance schedule. In 2017, the venue featured multiple versions of “The Nutcracker,” the Skagit Symphony, the Skagit Valley Chorale and numerous jazz and holiday concerts by touring, regional and local artists. Producers, directors, stage crews and actors have raved about McIntyre as one of the top venues for live performance in the region. It has a bar in the spacious lobby, where audiences can often watch backstage activity on a large television screen during intermissions. 360-416-7727, ext. 2; 866-624-6897, ext. 2; mcintyrehall.org
LINCOLN THEATRE The Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon is a legendary performing arts venue and movie house. Built in 1926, this historic vaudeville and silent movie house has been renovated through the years into a premier stage for a variety of performances and events. At the same time, the theater is a unique venue to catch showings of both independent and the latest films, and live, high-definition broadcasts of some of the world’s best opera from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and the National Theatre in London.
In 2013, the theater upgraded to a digital movie projection system, and there is a current campaign to raise funds to upgrade and modernize the theater’s audio system. 360-336-8955, lincolntheatre.org
ANACORTES COMMUNITY THEATRE The Anacortes Community Theatre was founded by a group of local theater aficionados in 1964 and has since evolved into a thriving theater organization with its own colorful building, offering up a variety of staged productions year-round. Visitors can expect to see a helping of large-scale musicals, smaller comedies and dramas, and even shows written and produced by locals. 360-293-6829, acttheatre.com.
MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST ART The Museum of Northwest Art is one of the most influential art museums in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on exhibiting, preserving and interpreting Northwest art and artists. Since it was founded in 1981 by a group of local artists, the museum has moved to its current location along First Street in La Conner and has grown to include a permanent collection of more than 2,500 pieces. It also offers a full season of art workshops, activities and exhibits from artists. Admission is free. 360-466-4446, monamuseum.org
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PHILLIP TARRO THEATRE Skagit Valley College’s 210-seat Phillip Tarro Theatre, located on the college’s Mount Vernon campus, is an intimate venue perfect for smaller productions, panels or workshops. The theater is home to the college’s drama department, led by Skagit Valley native Damond Morris, and its seasonal stage productions. 360-416-7723, skagit.edu.
CONWAY MUSE The Conway Muse is a multifaceted venue with live music, dinner theater, improvisation and comedy. Located at the west end of Conway, 12 minutes south of Mount Vernon, the music lineup at the Muse features blues, country and western, acoustic and more. The food menu features barbecue, sandwiches and creative twists on burgers. 360-445-3000, theconwaymuse.com
CASINOS THE SKAGIT CASINO RESORT
5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow 877-275-2448, 360-724-7777, theskagit.com
The Skagit Casino Resort includes a 103-room hotel and conference center, 900 slot machines in the casino, three restaurants and live entertainment in several rooms. Take Interstate 5 to Bow Hill Road (exit 236) and head east for two blocks, then turn left onto Darrk Lane.
skagitvisitor.com