360 December 4, 2014

ENJOY A MERRY ‘MONKEE’ CHRISTMAS AT THE SKAGIT PAGE 4

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday December 4, 2014

COMING UP

ON STAGE The North Cascades Concert Band performs Saturday in Anacortes PAGE 10

Skagit Valley Academy of Dance presents a Christmas tradition: “The Nutcracker” PAGE 3

TUNING UP Marcia Kester plays the Mount Vernon Elks on Friday night PAGE 11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “The Hundred-Foot “The Hero of Color Journey”: An Indian City”: Crayon box Upcoming releases family launches a restransforms into a col Following is a partial schedtaurant across the street orful world. ule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subfrom a popular French “Fifi Howls From ject to change: restaurant. Helen MirHappiness”: Look at ren stars.

Iranian artist, Bahman DEC. 9 Director Lasse HallMohasses.

Guardians of the Galaxy Dolphin Tale 2 strom has put together “The Strain: Season When the Game Stands Tall his latest cinematic 1”: Mysterious virus is I Origins dish as a tasty threeunleashed.

Frank course meal that only “Field of Lost DEC. 16 slows between the Shoes”: Teen cadets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles main course and desmust defend ShenanThe Maze Runner sert. Hallstrom blends doah Valley.

This Is Where I Leave You romance and cooking “The Dark Matter Magic in the Moonlight to create a sweet tale of of Love”: DocumenDEC. 23 love that’s fifty shades tary follows three The Good Lie of gravy. It’s the rare children from Russia The Trip to Italy case where both sides and the family that are justified in their DEC. 30 adopted them.

The Equalizer personal and culinary “The Simpsons: Tusk opinions. That makes it Season 17”: Contains Last Weekend easy to root for them 22 episodes of the n McClatchy-Tribune News to find a way to come FOX animated series.

Service together.

“San Francisco Most of the film is Giants World Series predictable, but that’s Collector’s Edition”: like looking at a menu Follows the winning efforts of the and ordering items you’ve had many Giants. times before. The familiar can be just as “Resurrecting Richard III”: Scientists good if presented the right way. When look at the king’s physical condition.

Mirren is involved, characters are ele“Star Trek: The Next Generation: vated to the highest quality.

Season Seven”: Final voyages of the “Cantinflas”: The Spanish-language Enterprise can be seen on Blu-ray. movie (it comes with English subtitles) “Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece provides a context of why Mario MoreCollection”: The best films of the noted no belongs among the names of the director, including “Full Metal Jacket.” great film comedians. Director Sebastian “Lalaloopsy Girls: Welcome to del Amo skillfully shows the professionL.A.L.A. Prep School”: Based on the al highs and emotional lows that went Lalaloopsy Girls dolls. into making Cantinflas such a national “My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: treasure. Del Amo doesn’t allow the Season Four”: Twilight Sparkle still movie to drift into melancholy, always wants to have fun. slipping back to the whimsical work of “Tales from the Crypt”/”Vault of Cantinflas or the parallel story of Todd’s Horror”: Includes two horror films. efforts to lure Hollywood’s elite to his “Gutshot Straight”: Gambler makes movie. The film’s biggest flaw is that the bad deal. AnnaLynne McCord stars.

“80 Days” story isn’t quite as interesting.

“Drawing With Mark: Let’s Go to the It would have been better to explore the Zoo & Zoo Stories”: Former Disney rise of Cantinflas in more detail. illustrator, Mark Marderosian, teaches “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”: children to draw.

The updated tale of how apes surpass “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”: man as the dominant species has plenty Jimmy Stewart film is available on Bluof big battle sequences. But it also ray to mark the 75th anniversary. gives equal time to personal issues like “Into the Woods”: Bernadette Peters respect, loyalty and family. The comstars in this film version of the stage bination makes “Dawn” a solid pick. production.

Director Matt Reeves (“Let Me In”) “Robin Williams Remembered: A gives “Dawn” a very human touch, both Pioneers of Television Special”: Onethrough the emotional complexities of hour look at the comedian’s life, work. the humans and the social structure of the apes.

n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

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

This Weekend / Page 5 Marcia Kester plays the Mount Vernon Elks on Friday night

Inside

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

This Weekend...................................... 3 Out & About.....................................5-7 Get Involved.....................................8-9 On Stage, Tuning Up....................10-11 Holiday Events.............................12-13 Travel................................................. 14 Hot Tickets........................................ 16 At the Lincoln.................................... 16 Music Reviews................................... 17 Movies..........................................18-19 ON THE COVER: Micky Dolenz of The Monkees Photo courtesy DIS Company

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E3

COMING UPin the area ‘The Nutcracker’

JINGLE BELL RUN/ WALK The 2014 Skagit Jingle

Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. Registration begins at 8 a.m.: $25, 5K run and walk; $35, dog trot; $15, 1K kids Fun Run With the Elves; $25, stay home and Jingle in your Jammies.

360-733-2866 or skagitjinglebellrun.org.

EAGLE WATCHING The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center will host guided walks at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Dec. 6, at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. The center will feature speakers at 1 p.m. Saturdays. During January, the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 360-853-7626 or skagiteagle.org.

RUSSIAN FOOD & CULTURE The Northwest Language Academy will present “Yolka, Language of Food: Russia” from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the NWLA Cultural Center, 5023 Langley Road, Langley. Enjoy a traditional Russian celebration of winter, including a Vertep performance by children from the Russian community, winter holiday food, singing, dancing, music and more. $65 adults, $35 children. w A pre-event cooking class will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Learn the secrets of Russian cuisine as a team of Russian cooks focuses on traditional holiday recipes. $35, includes a unique cookbook filled with Russian recipes. Preregistration required. 360-321-2101 or nwlanguageacademy. com.

GUYS NIGHT Guys can enjoy a laid-back holiday shopping experience from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in downtown Mount Vernon.

Check out in-store specials, including free gift wrap, shopping assistance and guy-themed snacks and refreshments. Gift registries are available for the ladies in your life at participating merchants.

For information, contact Janey Dodge at 360-5884383 or email janey@pavemv.com.

Skagit Valley Academy of Dance presents its 25th anniversary performance of the classic Christmas story Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$37.

A “Silver Celebration” with light refreshments will be held before Saturday’s performance at 5:30 p.m.

A free “meet and greet” with cast members will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

ON STAGE

A MICKY DOLENZ MONKEES CHRISTMAS AT THE SKAGIT

By MARK STAYTON @Mark_SVH

Photo courtesy DIS Company

Actor, musician, film producer and now fine furniture maker Micky Dolenz of The Monkees fame is bringing his considerable talents to Skagit County for a pair of rocking Christmas concerts.

Drummer and vocalist of the 1960s made-for-TV foursome, Dolenz said the concert will bring together Monkees favorites like “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville” with contemporary Christmas tunes.

“It’s a Christmas show. It will include not only the great big Monkee hits people expect, but also a lot of rock and roll-type Christmas songs, like ‘Run Run Rudolf,’ ” Dolenz said, talking on a train running him from an autograph event in Boston to a Thanksgiving celebration with his wife’s family in New York.

The holidays hold a special meaning for Dolenz and his family, so it is fitting his sister Coco Dolenz will be joining him in providing vocals.

“She’s a singer. We sang together all our lives. In fact she sang background on my early records,” Dolenz said. “I have a big family, four kids, three sisters. It’s always a pretty busy and festive time of year.”

Dolenz said he has been performing holiday music for years, first trying out true classics before retooling to focus on rock-and-roll standards.

“I’ve tried a lot of material over the years. We settled on mostly contemporary songs. We found that went down better with my particular demographic,” Dolenz said.

Like Dolenz himself, The Monkees blurred the lines between television and music.

Originating in 1966 as a television series, “The Monkees” followed the lives of four young men living in California and trying to make it in

Micky Dolenz Monkees Christmas When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6 Where: Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. Tickets: $44-$50. 877-275-2448

the music business. Their first four albums reached the top of the charts and launched three No. 1 singles.

Although the show was cancelled after two seasons, main actors Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork formed a real band of the same name and recorded through 1970. The foursome last toured together in 2011, before Jones died of a heart attack in 2012.

Dolenz, 69, is far from slowing down.

In June, he finished a short tour across the U.S. with surviving original band members Nesmith and Tork, following successful tours in prior years.

“It went very well. We always tend to do pretty good. We have all those songs that are so famous,” Dolenz said of his latest tour with The Monkees. “How could you not have fun with it? That’s why they call it playing.”

Dolenz released his first solo album, “Remember,” in 2012, “King for a Day” a year later, and said he has been producing and working on scripts for television and film.

With his daughter Georgia Dolenz, he started Dolenz & Daughters Fine Furniture in Los Angeles, designing and crafting wood furniture by hand.

“It started out as a joke and now we have a full-blown business going,” he said. “That is a true love of my life.

Not just my daughter, but also the furniture.”

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E5

OUT & ABOUT ART “A FESTIVE COLLECTION”: A collection of new paintings by Anne Martin McCool, McCool Gallery artists and guests will open during the First Friday Gallery Walk and the annual Holiday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5-6, at 711 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

Participating artists include Peter Belknap and Cathy Schoenberg, paintings; Tracy Powell, sculptures; Stephen Roxborough and Bryce Mann, photography; Patsy Chamberlain, Cathy Schoenberg and Barbara Hathaway, ceramics; George Way and Art Learmonth, wood; Carole Cunningham and Debbie Aldrich, jewelry; Martha Tottenham, hand-woven scarves; Jane Hyde, baskets; Vicki Hampel, gourd art; and other artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday. 360-293-3577 or annemartinmccool.com.

and three-dimensional artwork — ceramics, textiles, haberdashery, housewares and furniture, as well as art objects and sculptures. Purchased items can be taken home immediately. Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 24, closed on Christmas day and open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26. 360-766-6230 or smithandvallee.com.

PAINTINGS & VESSELS

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

JENNIFER BOWMAN: ACRYLICS: The show will ART EXHIBITION: open with a reception dur“Kinda Vital/Slightly Preing the Chamber of Comcise” will open during the merce Holiday Artwalk Anacortes Holiday Art from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Fri5, and continue through Jan. day, Dec. 5, and continue 27 at Scott Milo Gallery, through Dec. 28 at Anchor 420 Commercial Ave., AnaArt Space, 216 Commercial cortes. The exhibition feaAve., Anacortes. Worktures Bowman’s brilliantly ing across processes, Jean colored floral, landscape Behnke brings together and nautical paintings. Also materials and objects to showing are acrylics by form an authentic work Cynthia Richardson, oils with methods of drawing, and pastels by Amanda assemblage and installaHouston, photo encaustics tion. Also on display is a

by Kathy Hastings, and phoselection of new work by tography by Lewis Jones, Russell Prather, MargaDick Garvey and Randy ret Davidson and Sandra Dana. The gallery is open Westford. Gallery hours from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. are noon to 5 p.m. Friday Monday through Saturday through Sunday or by or by appointment. 360-293appointment. 360-755-3140 6938 or scottmilo.com. or anchorartspace.org.

Anchor Art Space will ART AT THE DEPOT: The host a closing party from 2 Anacortes Arts Commisto 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. sion will present holiday art

from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5-6, at the Depot Art & Community Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. Look for unique wall art, scarves, jewelry, wearable art, fibers, cards, desktop calendars, wood and more from local artists. Free admission. anacortesartscommission.com.

HOLIDAY ART SHOW: Eleven local artists will offer a variety of works from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fridays through Sundays, through Dec. 21, at Ballenger Studio, 15502 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. The show features original creations in wood, ceramics, acrylics, jewelry, fiber and glass. 360-422-7030.

UPSTAIRS ART: Check out a selection of artwork opening during the Anacortes Chamber of Com-

merce Holiday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and continuing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, through Dec. 31, at Upstairs Art Studios and Gallery, 1010 Fifth St., Anacortes. Participating artists include Paula Anderson, Jo Anderson, Cathy Schoenberg, John DeLourme, Sylvia Griffen, Thaddeus Hink, Elizabeth Ockwell and guest artists Caroline Garland and Lance Ekhart.

For information, email pau laandersonart@gmail.com.

INVITATIONAL ART SHOW: “Objectification: 7” will open with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and continue through Dec. 28 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Featuring more than 20 local and regional artists, the annual show focuses on functional

Dec. 13, at 801 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley. The event will feature a variety of handmade gifts including stained glass, quilted items, hand-carved wooden birds, cloth baskets, handmade soap and more. 360854-7873.

HOLIDAY ART FESTIVAL: The 35th annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 24, at 4145 Meridian HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR: St., Bellingham. The festival The Jansen Art Center features the work of more Holiday Artisan Fair will than 100 local artisans and take place from 10 a.m. to craftspeople offering hand4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at made products including the Jansen Art Center, 321 jewelry, paintings, wearable Front St., Lynden. Meet the art, specialty foods, repurartists and check out a wide posed art and more. Enjoy variety of handmade artlive music, artist demos works perfect for holiday and workshops, and fun art giving. Free admission. projects for kids. 360-676360-354-3600 or jansenart 8548 or alliedarts.org. center.org.

SMALL ARTWORKS: STANWOOD POTTERY The 24th annual “Honey, SHOW: The 14th annual I Shrunk The Art” small Mark Eikeland Pottery works show continues Show will take place from through Jan. 18 at Matzke 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Fine Art Gallery & SculpDec. 7, across from 10024 ture Park, 2345 Blanche 270th St. NW, Stanwood.

Way, Camano Island. The Choose from a wide range show features creations by of functional and decorasome 40 artists working in tive handcrafted ceramics. glass, ceramics, sculptures The show will continue and paintings. The gallery is by appointment through open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

December. 360-708-3209.

Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays by appointment.

NEW PAINTINGS: A 360-387-2759 or matzke show of paintings by Bellfineart.com. ingham artist Kathryn Hackney will open with a ISLAND ART SHOW: reception from 5 to 8 p.m.

“Fine Art in the Season of Saturday, Dec. 13, at The Light” continues through Shop, 18623 Main St., Con- Jan. 1 at Rob Schouten way. Also on display are a Gallery, 765 Wonn Road, variety of works by other Greenbank. Choose from gallery artists. Gallery a wide range of artwork by hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whidbey Island and NorthThursday through Saturday. west artists, including glass, 360-391-2691 or theshopjewelry, paintings, sculpconway.com. tures, encaustics, ceramics, fiber arts, woodwork, handCRAFT FAIR: Studio made prints and books, Outback’s annual Craft cards and more.

Fair will take place from Continued on Pages 6 and 7 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

OUT & ABOUT A holiday reception, featuring music by Keith Bowers and Kristi O’Donnell, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. 360-222-3070 or robschoutengallery.com.

and process of Northwest artists. The contemporary artists were asked to respond to a piece in the collection and to create new work based on that response. The exhibition looks closely at the ways in which both the ephemeral and the tangible experiences of living in a particular place influence communities of artists. “To Be Alone Together” is co-curated by artist Emma Jane Levitt and curator Shelly Leavens, through the Dana and Toni Ann Rust Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Northwest Art. Free admission. 360-4664446 or monamuseum.org.

“Vox Stellarum”: Textile artist Elin Noble has transformed the third-floor galleries into an installation using itajime-dyed silk organza. Her black and white silk panels, featuring irregular horizontal and vertical geometrical shapes, are hung in sets, allowing a NEW MoNA EXHIBITS: play of overlapping shapes Two new exhibits continue and moiré patterns. Also through Jan. 4, 2015, at the on view are pod-like threeMuseum of Northwest Art, dimensional poetic forms.

121 S. First St., La Conner: The exhibition continues “Accreted Terrane”: through Dec. 28.

Featuring work by 42 artists “Hawaiian Quilting: Trawith ties to the Northwest, ditions Continue”: Grace the exhibit explores proHawley first took up Hawaicesses of accumulation and ian quilting in 1985, while erosion, dispersal and gathliving in Kwajalein, Marshall ering. The passage of time is Islands. Hawaiian quilts marked in a variety of ways, “SPACE AND FORM”: An traditionally feature hand from layer upon layer of art installation by Francis applique work with designs paint, to the archaeological X Donovan is on display from nature, and the quilting exposure of 20th century through Friday, Dec. 5, at lines often echo the applique artifacts, to the capture of the Skagit Valley College design, both on and outside hot-sculpted glass in the Art Gallery in the Gary of the applique work. The moment, to the interplay of Knutzen Cardinal Center, exhibition continues through light and shadow unfolding 2405 E. College Way, Mount Dec. 28. in a video loop. Guest cura- Vernon. Donovan has been Museum hours are 11 tor David Francis suggests called a “modern primitive a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday that the cumulative effect and a sidewalk botanist through Sunday. $7, $5 stu“evokes a world from which as he seeks to express the dents and military with ID, human beings are notably extraordinary in the ordifree for members and ages absent or indirectly present, nary, capture the eye and 11 and younger. 360-466perhaps even estranged.” touch the soul.” The gallery 4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

“To Be Alone Together”: is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The exhibition pairs 11 Monday through Friday.

OUTDOOR SCULPTURE contemporary Northwest 360-416-7812.

EXHIBIT: The La Conner artists with 11 works chosen Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit from MoNA’s permanent HAWAIIAN QUILTS, is on display through March collection on the basis of UNIQUE TEXTILE ART: Two 1, 2015, at public locations three ideas: light, solitude special exhibits are on disaround La Conner. The and community, which the play at the La Conner Quilt annual juried exhibition curators find to be prevail& Textile Museum, 703 S. features work by some ing themes in the philosophy Second St., La Conner. of the Northwest’s most

AFTERNOON CHRISTMAS TEA Olde Towne Grainery

Tea Room & Galleria

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and nestle in for an afternoon with family and friends with

HIGH TEA and DELIGHTFUL MUSIC! Every Sunday in December until Christmas.

SUNDAYS, 1pm - 3pm Advance Reservations Required $40 per Adult - $20 Children under 10

Call 360-419-9090 or go to facebook.com/OldeTowneGrainery for more information or to order tickets.

accomplished artists. For information, including a map of the sculptures and works available for sale, call 360466-3125 or visit townof laconner.org.

Natura,” written by Roman poet Lucretius more than 2,000 years ago. Translated as “The Nature of Things,” this work captures a philosophy and intellectual understanding that became a basis for our contempoLECTURES rary, rational understandAND TALKS ing of the material world.

SKAGIT WILDLIFE: Wild- Neumann will discuss the life biologist Martha Jordan, merits of Lucretius’ poem, coordinator for Washington summarizing key Epicurean Swan Stewards, the local philosophies, the role of scibranch of The Trumpeter ence in dispelling fear and Swan Society, will offer two the function of pleasure in presentations about Skagit living a meaningful life. Free.

Valley’s migrant bird popu- 360-354-3600 or jansenart lations on Saturday, Dec. 6, center.org. at Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount CHOOSING A NEW CAMVernon: ERA: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Swans of the Skagit: Dec. 10, Anacortes Public 10:30 a.m. to noon. Jordan Library, 1220 10th St., Anawill describe the largest cortes. Photographer Tony waterfowl in the world — Locke offers tips on how to and Skagit Valley’s best decide what kind of camera places to view them. $8. you need and how to choose Snow Geese of the from among the many Skagit: 1 to 2 p.m. Snow options. Free. 360-293-1910, geese migrate to Skagit Val- ext. 21, or library.cityof ley farmlands from Alaska anacortes.org. and Wrangell Island, Russia.

Learn more about their life ANACORTES HOUSE HIShistory and challenges. $8.

TORY: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. Reservations required: 13, Anacortes Museum, 1305 360-466-3821 or 800-585Eighth St., Anacortes. Learn 8200. For information, visit about the Anacortes House christiansonsnursery.com.

History and Plaque Program and how to research the hisHOW IT’S MADE: Yvette tory of your home in a preNeumann: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, sentation by the Anacortes Dec. 9, Jansen Art Center, Historic Preservation Board.

321 Front St., Lynden. ArtFind out if your home might ist Yvette Neumann’s latbe eligible for the Anacortes est work was inspired by Historic Register, and how the epic poem “De Rerum you might qualify for tax

breaks for your renovation project. Free. 360-293-1915 or museum.cityofanacortes.org.

MORE FUN RUSSIAN FOOD & CULTURE: The Northwest Language Academy will present “Yolka, Language of Food: Russia” from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the NWLA Cultural Center, 5023 Langley Road, Langley.

Enjoy a traditional Russian celebration of winter, including a Vertep performance by children from the Russian community, delicious winter holiday food, singing, dancing, music and more. $65 adults, $35 children.

A pre-event cooking class will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Learn the secrets of Russian cuisine as a team of Russian cooks focuses on traditional holiday recipes. $35, includes a unique cookbook filled with Russian recipes. Preregistration required. 360-321-2101 or nwlanguageacademy.com.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The WhatcomSkagit Model Railroad Club will host a special Christmas open house from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger.

Check out the club’s large, permanent HO- and N-scale indoor railroad layouts.

Admission is by donation to maintain and expand the layouts. whatcomskagitmrc. org.

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E7

OUT & ABOUT HOLIDAY RECEPTION: The Anacortes Museum Foundation’s annual holiday reception will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Anacortes Museum, 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes.

The celebration will be preceded by the Museum Foundation’s annual meeting and election at 6:30 p.m.

Members will vote on foundation board officers, with nominations accepted from the floor. 360-293-1915 or museum.cityofanacortes. org.

railroad layouts. Admission is by donation to maintain and expand the layouts. whatcomskagitmrc.org.

GATHERING OF REMEMBRANCE: Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park will hold a Holiday Gathering of Remembrance at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the reception room at 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. The gathering will allow us to remember those we have lost in past years.

Attendees are invited to bring a picture or memorial MODEL RAILROAD object of their lost loved OPEN HOUSE: The Whatone. Everyone welcome. com-Skagit Model Railroad Light refreshments will be Club will host a Christmas served. For information, season open house from contact David Lukov at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 360-424-1154.

Dec. 13, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger. Check out the STAR PARTY: Explore club’s large, permanent the night sky and view HO- and N-scale indoor distant galaxies, nebulas

and planets beginning at dark Friday, Dec. 19, at Fort Nugent Park, 2075 SW Fort Nugent Road, Oak Harbor.

Island County Astronomical Society members will provide an assortment of telescopes for viewing. All ages are welcome. Free.

The event will be canceled if cloudy. 360-679-7664 or icas-wa.webs.com.

WINTER SOLSTICE SOUND PRAYER: Join Rev. Elke Macartney at 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Anacortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Elke will sound a prayer for world peace using crystal bowls, drumming and chanting. Bring a small votive candle holder and your intentions for the coming year. $10 suggested donation/$15 family. 360464-2229 or anacortes centerforhappiness.org.

2014 MOUNT VERNON HOLIDAY EVENTS ALL WEEKEND

Theatre Arts Guild production of “White Christmas”: (360) 336-8955 Lincoln Theatre, Friday & Saturday, Dec. 5-6, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

Breakfast with Santa: 8-11 a.m., $5/person Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation: (360) 336-6215 Hillcrest Park Lodge Children’s Shopping Extravaganza: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

All items are priced at $5 or under Hillcrest Park Skylight Room “Polar Express”, FREE MOVIE at the Lincoln Theatre, 3 p.m.: (360) 336-6211 Presented by the Mount Vernon Downtown Association & Ken’s Hairstyling

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Meet & Greet and Book-Signing with Chad Lindberg, author “October Sky” Presented by the Mount Vernon Dowtown Association: (360) 336-3801 3:30 p.m., Tattered Page Bookstore, 514 S. 1st, a benefit for the Mount Vernon Public Library Foundation Old-Fashioned Holiday Kick-Off, Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting 5-7 p.m., (360) 336-3801, with Grand Marshall Chad Lindberg Kids visit with Santa in Pine Square following Parade

MountVernonDowntown.org • (360) 336-3801

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

GET INVOLVED ART

ARSHIP: The Professional Photographers of WashingCALL FOR ANACORTES ton is accepting applications ARTISTS: The Anacortes through Feb. 14, 2015, for its Arts Commission seeks 2015 Student Photographer submissions from Anacortes of the Year Award, which artists for a new ongoing art exhibition at Anacortes is open to Washington high City Hall. Two-dimensional school seniors graduating in 2015. One student will work will be displayed in receive the $2,000 scholarthe main hallway and the ship grant, which will be council chambers, rotatused to further the appliing twice a year. The first themed exhibit, “Anacortes cant’s study in the photoInside Out,” will be installed graphic arts. For information or an application, contact in January and hang for Anita Weston at 425-776approximately six months.

4426 or visit ppw.org.

Artists residing in the 98221 ZIP code may subCALL FOR INSTRUCmit up to three images for TORS: Burlington Parks consideration by Dec. 31. and Recreation is looking For information, including complete submission guide- for qualified instructors to expand its enrichment lines, contact Mary Snyder classes for youth and adults. at Anacortes Parks and To download an instrucRecreation, 360-293-1918, tor’s packet, visit burlingor Rita James, james123@ tonwa.gov and click on the wavecable.com.

“Instructors Needed” tab.

PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOL- 360-755-9649 or recreation@

burlingtonwa.gov.

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

AUDITIONS “THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT”: The Skagit Valley College Drama Department will hold auditions at 3 and 6 p.m. today, Dec. 4, in the Phillip Tarro Theatre, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Available parts include Judas Iscariot, Satan, Mother Teresa, Caiaphas, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate and the Saints: Peter, Matthew, Thomas, Monica and special guest, Jesus

of Nazareth. Monologues are encouraged, but not required. The play will run Feb. 20-March 1, 2015. For information, email Damond Morris at damond.morris@ skagit.edu.

DANCE FOLK DANCING: SkagitAnacortes Folkdancers meet at 7 p.m. most Tuesdays at Bayview Civic Hall, 12615 C St., Bay View.

Learn to folkdance to a variety of international music. Instruction begins at 7 p.m. followed by review and request dances until 9:30. The first session is free, $3 thereafter. All are welcome. No partners needed.

For information, contact Gary or Ginny at 360-7666866.

THURSDAY DANCE: Dance to the Skippers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays

THE TOWN OF SEDRO-WHOOLLEYVILLE PRESENTS

FIRST FRIDAY

Parade Dec 6th, 5PM

GALLERY WALK

Dec. 5 6-9pm

DOWNTOWN SEDRO-WOOLLEY

Pony Rides · Trolley Rides · Train Rides Starts at 3:00pm

Anne Martin McCool Gallery

Arts and Crafts with the Boys and Girls Club Visit Santa after the Parade at SW Eagles

Scott Milo Gallery

Sponsored By:

Gallery KP Burton Jewelers The Majestic Inn and Spa Apothecary Spa

(2nd floor Majestic Inn)

@Whoolleyville / DISTRICT 304

Gallery at the Depot Arts Festival Office www.anacortesart.com

at Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information, contact Gisela at 360-424-5696.

BEGINNER SQUARE DANCE LESSONS: 7 p.m.

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 6, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. Couples and singles welcome. First two weeks are free, then $4 per lesson.

Sponsored by Mt. Baker Singles and Skagit Squares.

360-424-4608, 360-424-9675 or rosie@valleyint.com.

MUSIC TIME FOR FIDDLERS: The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play acoustic oldtime music at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland. St. Free; donations accepted. 360-6309494.

SECOND FRIDAY DRUM CIRCLE: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Unity Church, 704 W. Division St., Mount Vernon. Shake off the energy of the week through drumming, songs, chants. Freewill donation. heatmiser@inbox. com.

and tuba players to join a group of about 12 musicians, playing a variety of styles.

Rehearsals are the first and third Mondays in Burlington, with regular performances. Contact David Soiseth at 360-757-0351 or dsois@comcast.net.

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

OPEN MIC: Jam night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays, Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway.

360-445-4733.

RECREATION SEEKING MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS: The Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club seeks new members for its On30 narrow gauge group in Bellingham. The club has constructed a modular layout with 14 modules, each 5 feet by 30 inches, designed to be set up in a variety of configurations. The modules still need some work and refinement, and the club is looking for new members interested in completing the work and showing the layout at area train shows.

Contact Karl Kleeman at trainswas@gmail.com or Mike O’Brien at sales@ xtrains.com.

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

FRIENDS OF THE FOR360-466-3805.

EST HIKES: Join the Friends of the Forest for scenic LOVE TO SING? Join the hikes in the forest lands women of Harmony North- around Anacortes. Dress for west Chorus from 6:30 to 9 the weather and wear sturdy p.m. Mondays at the Mount shoes. Free. For information, Vernon Senior Center, 1401 call 360-293-3725 or visit Cleveland Ave. Seeking friendsoftheacfl.org. Next women who like to sing a up: cappella music. All skill levSenior/Adult Hike: els welcome.

Whistle Lake, 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 5. Meet at BRASS CHOIR: The the Whistle Lake parking lot Basically Brass Choir seeks at the end of Whistle Lake trombone, French horn Road.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E9

GET INVOLVED HATCHERY TOUR GUIDE TRAINING: Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group will offer hatchery tour guide training from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Marblemount Hatchery, 8319 Fish Hatchery Lane, Marblemount. After training, volunteers will sign up to lead hatchery tours on at least two weekend days during the 2014-15 eagle watching season, Dec. 7-Feb. 1. For information or to register, contact Katie at 360-3360172, ext. 304, or email edu cation@skagitfisheries.org.

$25, stay home and Jingle in your Jammies. 360-733-2866 or skagitjinglebellrun.org.

Saturday, Dec. 20, in Mount Vernon. First-time players in grades three to six will be introduced to volleyball WINTER WALK: Join fundamentals and learn the Friends of Camano Island right way to pass, set, hit, Parks on a guided communi- block, serve and dig, with ty walk at 9:50 a.m. Saturday, an emphasis on teamwork.

Dec. 6, at Elger Bay Preserve, Third- and fourth-graders Camano Island. Meet at the will meet from 10 a.m. junction of Dry Lake Road to noon; fifth- and sixthand Elger Bay Road, just graders will meet from 1 to 3 north of Elger Bay Elemen- p.m. $28-$30. 360-336-6215. tary School. The two-hour, 2- to 2.5-mile walk includes the signed interpretive Elger THEATER FREE ADULT ACTING Bay Nature Trail, a demonstration area of the Camano CLASSES: Anacortes Community Theatre offers free Wildlife Habitat project.

JINGLE BELL RUN/ The fairly level trail includes acting classes for adults from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third WALK: Registration is open one 50-foot elevation gain.

Saturday each month at 918 for the 2014 Skagit Jingle The walk takes place rain M Ave., Anacortes. Hosted Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, or shine. Wear appropriate

by Nello Bottari, classes set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at clothes and sturdy shoes or include theme monologues, the Burlington Chamber of boots. No dogs. friendsof scripted scenes, improv Commerce, 520 E. Fairhaven camanoislandparks.org. games and more, with a difAve., Burlington. Registration: $25, 5K run and walk; VOLLEYBALL CAMP: The ferent topic each month.

360-840-0089 or acttheatre. $35, dog trot; $15, 1K kids Skagit Spikers Winter VolFun Run With the Elves; leyball Camp will take place com.

EXPLORE it all AT SWINOMISH CASINO & LODGE

CHRISTMAS BUFFET

MAIN STAGE MUSIC

month of december The Pop Offs December 12-13 The Penguins December 26-27

Love La Conner This Holiday Season

DJ Kevin Collins & The Aphrodisiacs December 31

DECEMBER

18+ TO PLAY

6: Kiwanis Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar – La Conner Elementary School, 9:30am – 2pm Santa Breakfast – Maple Hall, 8am – 11am Christmas Tree Lighting at Gilkey Square – 4pm music, 5pm Santa 7: Christmas for Kids – Skagit County Historical Museum Season of Giving – Holiday Shopping benefitting Hospice of NW WA 11: “After Hours” Holiday Shopping – at various merchants, 5-8pm 13: Lighted Boat Parade – Swinomish Channel

from 1pm - 9pm Adults $24.95; Children 6-12 $9.95; Ages 5 & under FREE Choose from chef carved prime rib, herb roasted turkey, apple and Gouda stuffed pork loin and much more!

14: Season of Giving – Holiday Shopping benefitting Bella Hamerly

LoveLaConner.com

gaming floor now open to all 18 and older!

EXPLORE our Rewards!

360.466.4778

Dates and times may change. Check website for up-to-date information and our complete CALENDAR!

SwinomishCasinoandLodge.com *Management reserves all rights

1.888.288.8883

E8 Thursday, December 4, 2014

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area December 4-11

TUNING UP Playing at area venues December 4-11

Thursday.4

Sunday.7

MUSIC

BALLET

“Celtic Christmas Celebration”: Violinist Geoffrey Castle, 7 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. $15$20. 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre. com.

“Drosselmeyer”: Opus Performing Arts and Dimensions Dance, 2 p.m., Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. $15 adult, $10 senior/ military/child. opusbellingham.com/ drosselmeyer-performance.html.

THEATER

DANCE

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 3 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$37. Free “meet and greet” with “Nutcracker” characters at 1 p.m. 360416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu.edu/ theatredance.

Friday.5 DANCE

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$37. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

MUSIC

Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumble Christmas Show: 7 p.m., Eagles Lodge ballroom, 901 Seventh St., Anacortes. $20 advance, $25 day of show. 425-303-1848 or brownpapertickets.com/event/900544.

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, with reSound and flutist Stephanie Bethea, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15 suggested donation.

360-466-1783.

Whidbey Community Chorus annual Christmas concert: with Oak Harbor High School’s Harbor Singers, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free admission,, but donations accepted. 360-678-4148 or whidbeycommchorus.org.

Thursday, December 4, 2014 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC

SATURDAY.6 “STRIKE UP THE BAND” North Cascades Concert Band, conducted by Rob Pattermann, with featured vocalist Charyl Sager, 2 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes.

Free, donations appreciated. 360-652-9227 or nccband.org.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu.edu/ theatredance.

Saturday.6 BALLET

“Drosselmeyer”: Opus Performing Arts and Dimensions Dance, 7:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. $15 adult, $10 senior/ military/child. opusbellingham.com/ drosselmeyer-performance.html.

DANCE

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20$37. The “Silver Celebration” will precede the performance at 5:30 p.m. $15. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

MUSIC

“Strike Up The Band”: North Cascades Concert Band, conducted by Rob Pattermann, with featured vocalist Charyl Sager, 2 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Free, donations appreciated.

360-652-9227 or nccband.org.

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, with reSound and flutist Stephanie Bethea, 7:30 p.m., First Reformed Church, 250 SW Third Ave., Oak Harbor. $15 suggested donation.

360-466-1783.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 2 and 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu. edu/theatredance.

Whidbey Community Chorus annual Christmas concert: 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free admission, donations accepted. 360-678-4148 or whidbey commchorus.org.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“The Legacy of Love” (Christmas musical): 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Christ the King, 2111 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon. Free admission with a donation of warm hats, socks or gloves for women, and children sizes newborn to 2T. 360-848-5116.

“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Thursday.11

THURSDAY.4 Girl Guts, Foxhole Norman, STFU Robot: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-7781067.

SATURDAY.6

FRIDAY.5

MARK DUFRESNE 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12. 360-445-3000.

MARCIA KESTER 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. 360-848-8882.

Marvin J (swing, rock, blues): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360354-3600.

R McNamee photo

Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

FRIDAY.5 The Scarlet Locomotive (Americana): 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7.

360-445-3000.

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

360-422-6411.

John Delourne: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

The Colonel and Mary de la Fuente: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

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

Flannel (90s tribute), Friends Like Enemies, Haf-Sac: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

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

Micky Dolenz Monkees Christmas Show: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50.

877-275-2448.

Mark DuFresne (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $12. 360-4453000.

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

360-422-6411.

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

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

Nashville Northwest: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Big John Bates, Black Beast Revival: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6.

360-778-1067.

El Colonel Doubleshot with Mary De La Fuente: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6330.

SATURDAY.6 Micky Dolenz Monkees Christmas Show: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50.

877-275-2448.

MUSIC

Holiday Concert: Fidalgo Youth Symphony, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 students and children.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER

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

SUNDAY.7 MuseBird Cafe: Fernando Fidanza, Jacob Cummings and Andre Feriante, 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

WEDNESDAY.10

Bow Diddlers: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover.

360-766-6266.

Blues/rock jam with CC Adams and Friends: 4 to 9 p.m., La Conner Pantry & Pub, 315 Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-4488.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam Night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-4454733.

Sunday Brunch Jazz (’40s & ’50s American jazz): John Savage and Duane Melcher, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.

360-707-2683.

Desperate Measures (classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. No cover.

360-855-2263.

THURSDAY.11

The Stilly River Band: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, Deanne Savage and Friends: 6 p.m., Rock320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588fish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

1720.

360-588-1720.

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

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

360-354-3600.

E8 Thursday, December 4, 2014

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area December 4-11

TUNING UP Playing at area venues December 4-11

Thursday.4

Sunday.7

MUSIC

BALLET

“Celtic Christmas Celebration”: Violinist Geoffrey Castle, 7 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. $15$20. 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre. com.

“Drosselmeyer”: Opus Performing Arts and Dimensions Dance, 2 p.m., Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. $15 adult, $10 senior/ military/child. opusbellingham.com/ drosselmeyer-performance.html.

THEATER

DANCE

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 3 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$37. Free “meet and greet” with “Nutcracker” characters at 1 p.m. 360416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu.edu/ theatredance.

Friday.5 DANCE

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20-$37. 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

MUSIC

Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumble Christmas Show: 7 p.m., Eagles Lodge ballroom, 901 Seventh St., Anacortes. $20 advance, $25 day of show. 425-303-1848 or brownpapertickets.com/event/900544.

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, with reSound and flutist Stephanie Bethea, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 415 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon. $15 suggested donation.

360-466-1783.

Whidbey Community Chorus annual Christmas concert: with Oak Harbor High School’s Harbor Singers, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free admission,, but donations accepted. 360-678-4148 or whidbeycommchorus.org.

Thursday, December 4, 2014 E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC

SATURDAY.6 “STRIKE UP THE BAND” North Cascades Concert Band, conducted by Rob Pattermann, with featured vocalist Charyl Sager, 2 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes.

Free, donations appreciated. 360-652-9227 or nccband.org.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu.edu/ theatredance.

Saturday.6 BALLET

“Drosselmeyer”: Opus Performing Arts and Dimensions Dance, 7:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley High School, 1235 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. $15 adult, $10 senior/ military/child. opusbellingham.com/ drosselmeyer-performance.html.

DANCE

“The Nutcracker”: Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $20$37. The “Silver Celebration” will precede the performance at 5:30 p.m. $15. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

MUSIC

“Strike Up The Band”: North Cascades Concert Band, conducted by Rob Pattermann, with featured vocalist Charyl Sager, 2 p.m., Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Free, donations appreciated.

360-652-9227 or nccband.org.

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy”: Cantabile of Skagit Valley, with reSound and flutist Stephanie Bethea, 7:30 p.m., First Reformed Church, 250 SW Third Ave., Oak Harbor. $15 suggested donation.

360-466-1783.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

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

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 2 and 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham. $7-$20. 360-650-6146 or cfpa.wwu. edu/theatredance.

Whidbey Community Chorus annual Christmas concert: 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Free admission, donations accepted. 360-678-4148 or whidbey commchorus.org.

THEATER

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (musical): Theatre Arts Guild, 2 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10-$24. 360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“The Legacy of Love” (Christmas musical): 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Christ the King, 2111 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon. Free admission with a donation of warm hats, socks or gloves for women, and children sizes newborn to 2T. 360-848-5116.

“Bob’s Your Elf” (comedy): 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Thursday.11

THURSDAY.4 Girl Guts, Foxhole Norman, STFU Robot: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-7781067.

SATURDAY.6

FRIDAY.5

MARK DUFRESNE 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $12. 360-445-3000.

MARCIA KESTER 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. 360-848-8882.

Marvin J (swing, rock, blues): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360354-3600.

R McNamee photo

Craig Parrish / Skagit Valley Herald

FRIDAY.5 The Scarlet Locomotive (Americana): 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7.

360-445-3000.

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

360-422-6411.

John Delourne: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-3991805.

The Colonel and Mary de la Fuente: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

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

Flannel (90s tribute), Friends Like Enemies, Haf-Sac: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

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

Micky Dolenz Monkees Christmas Show: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50.

877-275-2448.

Mark DuFresne (blues): 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $12. 360-4453000.

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

360-422-6411.

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

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

Nashville Northwest: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Big John Bates, Black Beast Revival: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $6.

360-778-1067.

El Colonel Doubleshot with Mary De La Fuente: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6330.

SATURDAY.6 Micky Dolenz Monkees Christmas Show: 8 p.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Pacific Showroom, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. $44-$50.

877-275-2448.

MUSIC

Holiday Concert: Fidalgo Youth Symphony, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 students and children.

360-416-7727, ext. 2, or mcintyrehall.org.

THEATER

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

SUNDAY.7 MuseBird Cafe: Fernando Fidanza, Jacob Cummings and Andre Feriante, 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

WEDNESDAY.10

Bow Diddlers: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover.

360-766-6266.

Blues/rock jam with CC Adams and Friends: 4 to 9 p.m., La Conner Pantry & Pub, 315 Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-4488.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam Night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-4454733.

Sunday Brunch Jazz (’40s & ’50s American jazz): John Savage and Duane Melcher, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.

360-707-2683.

Desperate Measures (classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. No cover.

360-855-2263.

THURSDAY.11

The Stilly River Band: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill, Deanne Savage and Friends: 6 p.m., Rock320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588fish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

1720.

360-588-1720.

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

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

360-354-3600.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E12 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

HOLIDAY EVENTS TREE LIGHTING: Santa Claus will arrive to light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. today at Alpha Park on Fairhaven Avenue, Burlington. Coffee, cider, cocoa and treats will follow at the Visitor Information Center, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave. 360757-0994.

TREE LIGHTING: Celebrate the community Christmas tree lighting from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, 819 Commercial Ave. The town crier and students from Anacortes High School, Fidalgo and Island View schools will perform.

Free pictures with Santa and hot cocoa and cookies.

Free. 360-293-7911.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP: Skagit Valley Family YMCA will host Santa’s Workshop Family Night

The Nutcracker

Skagit Valley Academy of Dance December 5, 6, 7

Holiday Concert

Fidalgo Youth Symphony December 11 7:30pm

Holiday Concert Skagit Symphony December 12 7:30pm

360.416.7727 mcintyrehall.org

from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at 215 E. Fulton St., Mount Vernon. Kids ages 3 to 12, with parents, can make holiday decorations, decorate cookies, take photos with Santa and more.

Take a trip on Santa’s sleigh through the pool for a North Pole adventure and meet Rudolph’s cousins the Christmas Alpacas. $5 per child; bring a donation of nonperishable food, arts and crafts supplies, toiletries, and/or reusable water bottles to support the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter. 360-336-9622 or j.kerkvliet@skagitymca.org.

Festival of Trees public viewing: Enjoy a walk through the forest of intricately decorated trees from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 Ernst St. Free admission. Donations will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County.

HOLIDAY CONCERT: Cantabile of Skagit Valley will celebrate the holiday season in song, with reSound and flutist Stephanie Bethea, on the following dates: n 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, St. Paul’s Episcopal SWING INTO THE Church, 415 S. 18th, Mount HOLIDAYS: The Economic Vernon.

Development Association n 7:30 p.m. Saturday, of Skagit County will host Dec. 6, First Reformed its 14th annual “Swing Church, 250 SW Third Ave., Into The Holidays” dinner, Oak Harbor. dance and auction at 6 p.m.

Tickets: $15 suggested Friday, Dec. 5, at Swinomdonation. 360-466-1783 or ish Casino & Lodge, 12885 cantabileofskagitvalley.org.

Casino Drive, Anacortes.

Dress in your festive CELEBRATE THE SEAholiday attire and enjoy a SON: Anacortes Schools catered dinner, auction bid- Foundation will host ding, live music and danc“Celebrate the Season,” a ing. $75, $575 table of eight. holiday fundraiser, from 360-336-6114 or skagit.org. noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 7, and CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Saturday and Sunday, Eric Tingstad & Nancy Dec, 13-14, at the Port of Rumble will perform at 7 Anacortes’ Event Center p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the on First and Commercial.

Eagles Lodge ballroom, Includes photos with Santa, 901 Seventh St., Anacortes. crafts, holiday shopping, Tickets: $20 advance, $25 games and refreshments. day of show. 425-303-1848 The “Dream It Dinner” or brownpapertickets.com/ will be held at 5:30 p.m. event/900544.

Saturday, Dec. 6, along with an auction and live music.

NORTH WHIDBEY FESTickets: $5 individual or TIVAL OF TREES: The $20 family for the public 16th annual black-tie gala events, $40 individual for will take place from 5:30 dinner fundraiser. Proceeds p.m. to midnight Friday, benefit enrichment proDec. 5, at the Oak Harbor grams for students in the Elks Lodge, 155 Ernst St. Anacortes School District.

The event includes dinner, 360-293-1200 or celebrate@ silent and live auctions of anacortesschoolsfoundaprofessionally decorated tion.org. trees and other items, music and dancing. $100. 360-279PANCAKES WITH 0644 or bbbsislandcounty.

SANTA: Enjoy a pancake org. breakfast with Santa from

8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Anacortes Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.

Kids can enjoy photos with Santa, art projects and live entertainment. $6. Advance ticket purchase required.

360-293-1967 or cityofana cortes.org.

SANTA BREAKFAST: The Rotary Club of La Conner will host Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Ave., La Conner. Face painting and free pictures with Santa. $7 adults, $3 children under 10 years.

360-770-6811.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Enjoy pancakes and ham and holiday music from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Hillcrest Park Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. Bring your camera for photos with Santa. Tickets: $5 at the door or in advance at the parks and recreation office at Hillcrest Park. 360-3366215.

CHILDREN’S SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Skylight Room at Hillcrest Park Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon.

Kids can shop for holiday gifts for everyone in the family — all priced at $5 or less. Free admission. 360336-6215.

TEDDY BEAR BREAKFAST: Seatings at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 Ernst St. Enjoy a buffet breakfast and child-friendly holiday show. $10 ages 13 and older, $6 ages 12 and younger, free for ages 1 and younger . 360-279-0644 or bbbsislandcounty.org.

AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS: 10 a.m. to

2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. Kids are invited to get free photos with Santa, lots of goodies, crafts, music, museum tours and more. Free. 360-6296110.

SANTA: Saving Pets One at a Time (S.P.O.T.) will offer pet photos with Santa from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the SPOT House, 830 S. Spruce St., Burlington. Dress your pets in their best holiday attire for professional photos, and pick up customized photo ST. NICHOLAS MASS: items at Walgreens on BurThe mass will be held at lington Boulevard. Dona10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at tions will support S.P.O.T. St. Mary Catholic Church, pet rescue efforts. 360-3364001 St. Mary’s Drive, Ana- 5388 or savingpetsoneat cortes. Following the mass, atime.org. a procession will carry the St. Nicholas icon to the BAND, CHOIR CONSeafarer’s Monument for CERT: The North Cascades the laying of a wreath and Concert Band and Anaroses for Our Lady of the cortes High School Choir Sea. After a short program, will present the winter conthe Icon will be returned cert “Strike Up The Bands” to its shrine at the Croatian at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. Cultural Center, 801 Fifth 6, at Brodniak Hall, AnaSt., where children can cortes High School, 1600 meet St. Nicholas and be 20th St., Anacortes. $12, gifted with tangerines and $10 seniors, $5 students. chocolate gold coins. Parnccband.org. ticipants can listen to the story of St. Nicholas and “POLAR EXPRESS”: enjoy a no-host luncheon Enjoy a free showing of of Croatian food and sea“The Polar Express 3-D” sonal pastries. 360-299-2525 at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, or croatianculturalcenter. at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 com.

S. First St., Mount Vernon.

360-336-8955.

CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Anacortes Lions TREE LIGHTING, SANTA Club’s annual Christmas ARRIVES: Enjoy holiday Parade will take place at 11 music, caroling and the a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, along arrival of Santa Claus by Commercial Avenue to antique fire truck to light Causland Memorial Park in the Christmas tree beginAnacortes. Lineup begins ning at 4 p.m. Saturday, at 10 a.m. anacortes.org.

Dec. 6, at Gilkey Square in La Conner. Hot cocoa will CHILDREN’S SHOPfollow the festivities. Free.

PING DAY: The Anacortes 360-466-4778.

Emblem Club will host its children’s Christmas shopSEDRO-WHOOLping day beginning after LEYVILLE’S MAGIC OF the Anacortes Christmas CHRISTMAS: The fun will parade on Saturday, Dec. start with pony, trolley and 6, at the Elks Lodge, 1009 train rides at 3 p.m. SaturSeventh St., Anacortes. The day, Dec. 6, on Woodworth event is for children age Street, along with free 12 and younger to shop crafts for kids and caroling for family. Prices start at with the Cascade Middle 25 cents and include giftSchool Choir. Everyone wrapping. is encouraged to don Dr. Seuss-inspired costumes PET PICTURES WITH (no Santas or Grinches, the

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E13

GET INVOLVED chamber says) and enter the Whooleyville Dress Up Contest. Judging will begin at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Chamber of Commerce, 714B Metcalf St. The tree lighting will begin at 5 p.m., marking the start of the Christmas parade, led by grand marshal Carolyn Freeman.

Parade check-in will open at 4:15 p.m. along Warner Street at Lemley Chapel, 1008 Third St. Prizes will be awarded for the top three entries in the Best Lit and Best Musical categories.

Applications are available until Dec. 4 at sedrowoolley.com or at the chamber office.

After the parade, kids can visit with Santa and get their pictures taken at Eagles Hall, 1000 Metcalf St. 360-855-1841 or sedrowoolley.com.

THE NUTCRACKER: Fidalgo DanceWorks will perform the musical at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7, at Anacortes High School’s Brodniak Hall, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. Tickets: $12$17 at brownpapertickets. com. Information: 360-2998447 or fidalgodance works.org.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE & COOKIE DECORATING PARTY: Ring in the holidays with a cookie party at noon, 1:30 or 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Gretchens Kitchen, 509 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $10. 360-336-8747 or gretchenskitchen.com.

KIDS’ CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES: Kids of all ages can enjoy hands-on SANTA & PANCAKES: crafts, cookie decorating The Immaculate Concepand more from 11 a.m. to 5 tion Regional School Parp.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the ent Teacher Organization Skagit County Historical will host the Santa Pancake Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., Breakfast from 9 a.m. to La Conner. Also on display noon Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. are special exhibits showJoseph Center, 215 N. 15th ing how early Skagitonians St., Mount Vernon. Break- celebrated the Yuletide seafast of pancakes, eggs, sau- son. $5, $4 seniors and ages sage, and beverages is free 6 to 12, $10 families, free for with a donation. Santa will members and ages 5 and be available for pictures; younger. 360-466-3365 or photo packages start at $25. skagitcounty.net/museum.

360-428-3912 or alyryan9@ gmail.com.

PICTURES WITH SANTA:

You are invited to the Sedro-Woolley Museum’s

Annual Holiday Home Tour Come stroll the streets, visit historical homes, ride in a Victorian carriage, listen to carols by the Blankenship Family, see Santa at the Museum and get into the Holiday Spirit!

Tickets $5

All proceeds benefit the Sedro-Woolley Museum

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

Tickets also available at the door.

Flashlights suggested, as this is a nonguided walking tour.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

360-855-0203

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

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Peter Johnson Road, Mount Vernon.

Bring the kids for photos with Santa. Enjoy hot cider, cookies and more. Free, but donations will be accepted to benefit The Friendship House in Mount Vernon.

360-424-6760 or skagitvalleygardens.com.

HOLIDAY AFTERNOON: Enjoy Christmas cheer and a movie from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Anacortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

Have a cup of hot chocolate, followed by holiday singing and a screening of the movie “Elf” starring Will Ferrell. $10 suggested donation, $12 family. Bring cookies to share. RSVP: 360-464-2229 or anacortes centerforhappiness.org.

CHRISTMAS PARADE, TREE LIGHTING: Enjoy the holiday parade at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7, down First Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Greet Santa afterward at the ceremonial tree lighting in Pine Square. Free.

360-336-3801 or mount vernondowntown.org.

BIG LAKE CHRISTMAS PARADE: Big Lake Fire Department’s annual Christmas Parade will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, leaving from the fire hall east of Mount Vernon, continuing south on West Big Lake Boulevard around Big Lake and up to Nookachamps Hills. Food donations will be collected along the route in conjunction with the Sedro-Woolley School District food drive. 360-422-5391.

“SKAGIT CHRISTMAS:

Over The River … to Grandmother’s House!”: Check out special exhibits showing how early Skagitonians celebrated the Yuletide season through Dec. 31 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $5, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger. 360-4663365 or skagitcounty.net/ museum.

HORSE-DRAWN TROLLEY RIDES: Enjoy free horsedrawn trolley rides from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 20 around downtown Anacortes, starting from participating Commercial Avenue locations. For information, call the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce at 360-293-7911.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E14 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

TRAVEL FAMILY TRAVEL 5

It’s time to find your winter wonderland

By LYNN O’ROURKE HAYES The Dallas Morning News

Plan a snowy escape with your family. Here are five wintry lodges to consider: 1) The National Park Inn; Mount Rainier National Park. Leave your technology behind and immerse yourselves in the beauty of this majestic setting in the park’s Longmire Historic District. Check in to one of 25 rooms in the two-story lodge. Relax in the lounge and sip hot cocoa near the massive stone fireplace while enjoying stories of the day and making plans for the next. Stop by the general store, a circa 1911 log cabin, for access to cross-country and snowshoeing rentals and other goodies. mtrainierguestservices.com/accommodations/ national-park-inn 2) Shore Lodge; McCall, Idaho. Nature fans are quick to fall for this small, picturesque town 100 miles north of Boise. While Payette Lake may serve as the recreational centerpiece, there is plenty to keep the family busy indoors or out.

Check in to a guest room or spacious cottage before setting out to explore via snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobiles. Hop on the shuttle to enjoy a day at the nearby Brundage Mountain Resort or relax in the spa and heated saltwater pool. shorelodge.com 3) Sundance Mountain Resort; Sundance, Utah.

You’ll find it difficult to leave the cozy lodge

warmed by a roaring fire, or your cabin crafted from indigenous materials. But when you do, choose from cross-country and snowshoe trails that run deep into the woods, or sunlit downhill runs on the slopes of Mount Timpanogos. The resort, founded by filmmaker and conservationist Robert Redford, offers family-friendly pottery, beading and printmaking classes in the Art Shack.

There’s also winter fly-fishing and dining menus with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced ingredients. sundanceresort.com 4) Bishop’s Lodge; Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Just 3 miles from the heart of Santa Fe, this 111-room lodge oozes old-school charm amid modern amenities. Thick adobe walls, dark beams and kiva fireplaces wafting the sweet smell of pinon provide an authentic backdrop for your winter getaway. Hike, ski or ride horseback on 450 acres out the back door, or make your way to the nearby Santa Fe Ski Basin for downhill thrills. Stop in town for internationally renowned art, restaurants and museums. bishopslodge.com 5) Devil’s Thumb Ranch; Tabernash, Colorado.

Stay in a cozy cabin or opt to sleep in the new 50,000-square-foot High Lonesome Lodge, where ranch guests take in expansive views of the Continental Divide and the Ranch Creek Valley below. The centerpiece of the lodge is a reconstructed Civil War-era barn. Choose from 31 guest rooms and four suites, each with private outdoor patios and Adirondack-style rockers. Grab the binoculars to catch a glimpse of wildlife roaming on this 6,000-acre expanse of Colorado beauty, or set out on the Nordic trails for an up-close view of winter scenes.

Travel books, for gifts or your own coffee table

By BETH J. HARPAZ AP Travel Editor

Shopping, romance, bucket lists, inspiration and information: All of these things and more can be found in books for travelers that are out this season in time for the holidays. In addition to being gift-worthy, some of the titles make a nice addition to your own coffee-table collection; others are useful for trip planning or may serve as fodder for travel dreams.

“111 Shops in New York That You Must Not Miss: Unique Finds and Local Treasures,” by Susan Lusk and Mark Gabor (Emons Publishers, $20), is a fun guide to retailers around the city, from well-known emporiums like Eataly and ABC Carpet & Home, to unusual specialty shops selling books, vintage jewelry, skateboards, hats, lingerie and more.

Local travel

“Places for Passion: The 75 Most Romantic Destinations in the World,” by Pepper Schwartz and Janet Lever (Frommer’s, $23), offers inspiration for couples’ getaways from sophisticated cities and exotic destinations to beaches, resorts and outdoor adventures around the world.

Schwartz, a “love and relationship expert” for AARP, is also one of the experts on A&E Networks’ FYI channel’s reality series “Married at First Sight.”

“World’s Best Cities: Celebrating 220 Great Destinations” (National Geographic, $40) is a gorgeously illustrated hardcover book that offers an inviting glance at cities around the world from New York to Abu Dhabi, along with curated lists of best cities in categories like eco-smart, oceanfront, high-altitude and all-American.

“You Only Live Once:

and theater, different cabin types, the heated “WALKING THE CAMINO solarium where heartier DE SANTIAGO”: 4 p.m. travelers camp out for the Tuesday, Dec. 9, La Conjourney north, and sign ner Retirement Inn, 204 up to take a tour of the N. First St., La Conner. bridge.

Hear about the journey Enjoy onboard snacks, of the Testermans, who kids’ activities and more. walked the pilgrim’s trail Free. Photo ID required. for 500 miles in Spain. ferryalaska.com.

Free. 360-466-5700.

“DISCOVERING IRE ALASKA FERRY TOUR: LAND IN 14 DAYS”: 7 Enjoy a free tour of the p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, MV Malaspina from noon Anacortes Public Library, to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. at the Bellingham Cruise Doug and Gay Woods Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., share details and photos Bellingham. Get an inside from their travels across look at one of the Alaskan the Emerald Isle on a ferries that depart Belling- Rick Steves tour. Free. ham each week, including 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or the observation lounges library.cityofanacortes.org.

A Lifetime of Experiences for the Explorer in All of Us” (Lonely Planet, $30) also a lavishly illustrated hardcover, describes experiences rather than places, from tasting the world’s hottest chili peppers to the best birding, safaris, train rides and castles.

Other books out this season from Lonely Planet include “Best in Travel 2015” ($15) with lists of top countries, cities, regions, freebies and more for the new year; “The Best Place to Be Today” ($20), with a recommendation for every day of the year; and “Best Ever Travel Tips” ($10), a small, cute flip book that offers advice on how to book trips, how to complain, how to stay healthy and even what to bring — like a $20 Casio F91-W watch “straight out of 1981” that works “for ages” and will never be stolen.

Finally, a travel book

that doesn’t fit neatly into the usual categories: “Travel: The Guide” by Doug Lansky (ebook, $5, hardcover, $60). “This guide won’t provide hotel suggestions, give you packing tips, or tell you where to go,” Lansky writes. “Instead, this book aspires to hold a mirror up to our travel behavior.” So, with colorful photos and clever graphics, the book offers interesting factoids on topics like travel safety (road accidents are the leading cause of tourist deaths worldwide); accounts of what it’s like to travel in a wheelchair or if you’re overweight; and photo comparisons of “English breakfasts” served by airlines worldwide.

Web buzz Name: Hotelwatchdog, www.airfarewatchdog.com/ hotels What it does: The hotel search engine gives you a top 20 list of hotels based on price, TripAdvisor ratings, and key attractions, restaurants and night life.

What’s hot: I love the top 20 approach to search results. The prices are clear, and you don’t have to click through to a second page to see photos of the hotel. You also can click through to see the complete list of hotels. Even better, the search remains deal-focused; beneath each hotel name you’ll see stats such as, “This hotel’s price is 64 percent less than rates at other nearby, similar hotels” or “This hotel’s price is 21 percent off its 45-day historic average.”

What’s not: There’s a pop-up box in the lower righthand side of the page that invites you to sign up for hotel value alerts by email. That’s fine, but even though I entered my email, the box continues to pop up with every page refresh. Annoying. n Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E15

13 TIME WINNER BEST OF ANACORTES FRIDAY DEC. 5 EL COLONEL & MARY DE LA FUENTE

OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY 8am-7pm

CHRISTMAS BUFFET: Noon-5:00 p.m.

Assorted Cheeses, Salmon Mousse, Antipasto Tray, Turkey, Ham, Corned Beef, Swedish Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Salads, Whiskey Bread Pudding, Pumpkin Pie & Other Desserts.

Adults $22.99 • Seniors $19.99 • Kids $9.99

ROCKFISH GRILL Local Food, Local Beer, Made Here

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL Prime Rib (1/2 lb) Dinner with glass of Champagne 5-9pm • $19.99

320 Commercial Ave 360.588.1720

www.anacortesrockfish.com

PLEASE CALL EARLY FOR RESERVATIONS

Our Gift Certificates make perfect stocking stuffers!

360.466.4411 • La Conner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

Follow the Fish

BRUNCH MENU & BLOODY MARY BAR EVERY SAT & SUN

Early Dinners 4 Courses $20

Macadamia Nut Halibut is back!

Dec. 7 & 14

Only minutes from Mount Vernon!

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES!

Craft beer • PNW wines House infused vodkas

Weekend Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar!

Every Day 3-6pm Reservations: 466-4014

Not Valid with Coupons or other Specials Full menu details at: laconnerseafood.com

SCANDINAVIAN BUFFET A mix of hearty polish family recipes and lighter fare menu items made in-house from FRESH, LOCAL ingredients.

614 S. First, La Conner

Innovative Food • Craft Cocktails

KARAOKE Fri/Sat • Blues sun Have your parties Here!!

1/2 Pound siMPly thE

Sat. & Sun. 11am-2pm Live music Fri & sat CheCk liStingS

24 Draft Handles • Live Music

aneliaskitchenandstage.com

314 Commercial • 360-755-3956

Kitchen open until last call 513 S 1st Street, La Conner 360.399.1805

Nashville Northwest December 6 @ 7:30pm

1/2”

Now Taking Reservations

Open 11am-11pm

stEak bEst Pan friEd

burgErs

oystErs

Conway Pub & EatEry breakfast I-5 Exit 221 9 aM 360-445-4733

Live Music Featuring Joachim Nordensson

LADIES NIGHT OUT: DEC. 17TH Happy Hour All Night ~ Featured Cocktails at Great Prices!

Live Music Starts at 6pm, First Come First Served 360-299-1400 majesticinnandspa.com 419 Commercial Ave., Anacortes

FRIDAY SPECIALS SATURDAY PRIME RIB

THURS NIGHTS: PRAWNS Reservations Required Fri 12/5 & Sat 12/6 Jimmy Wright is BACK!

422-6411 18247 State Route 9 Mount Vernon

SCANDINAVIAN BUFFET December 7th & 14th $30.95 Seniors $33.95 Adults $10.95 Children 12 & Under 12pm-6pm Reservations: 466-4411

OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY!

8am-7pm ORDER PRIME RIBS, TURKEYS, OR HAMS TO GO

360.466.4411

LaConner Whitney Rd. & Hwy. 20

Santa is Coming!

Santa will be at the airport Saturday Dec. 6 at 9am • Santa is flying into the airport • Enjoy breakfast and photo w/ Santa $10 • Prime Rib Sat. night • Brewers Night Dec. 5th 6-9pm ~featuring ASLAN BREWERY • Taking reservations for Christmas Eve & Christmas • Book your holiday party with us!

KITTY HAWK CAFÉ 15426 Airport Drive, Suite B Burlington, WA 98233 360.707.0348

3

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E16 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

HOT TICKETS MICKY DOLENZ MONKEES CHRISTMAS: Dec. 5-6, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

JEEZY: Dec. 6, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

SMOOCH BENEFIT: with Iron & Wine, Ben Bridwell, Shabazz Palaces, THEE Satisfaction: Dec. 6, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

KINA GRANNIS: Dec. 8, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

THE TEA PARTY: Dec. 12, The Showbox, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

SAY ANYTHING, SAVES THE DAY: Dec. 15, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

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

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

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

REIGNWOLF: Dec. 31, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

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

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

BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS: Jan. 15, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles: Jan. 20, Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360734-6080 or mountbaker theatre.com.

TRIBAL SEEDS: Jan. 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showbox online.com.

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

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

ECHOSMITH: March 21, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxon line.com.

MAROON 5: March 28, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma.

800-745-3000 or live nation.com.

THE DECIBEL TOUR: March 31, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BLUES HALL OF FAME TOUR: with Charlie MusSTEEL PANTHER selwhite, James Cotton and John Hammond: April 4, Jan. 17, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 Mount Baker Theatre, Bellor showboxonline.com. ingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

ARIANA GRANDE: April 14, KeyArena, Seattle. 800showboxonline.com.

745-3000 or showboxon 745-3000 or livenation.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL line.com. com.

SAUCE: with Matt Costa: COLD WAR KIDS: Feb. KAISER CHIEFS: April Jan. 30, The Showbox, 20, The Showbox, Seattle.

Seattle. 800-745-3000 or 800-745-3000 or showbox 22, The Showbox, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or showbox showboxonline.com. online.com. online.com.

“ROMEO & JULIET, THE 3 REDNECK TENORS: VOLBEAT: with Anthrax MUSICAL”: Jan. 30-Feb. “From Rags to Rednecks”: 15, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Feb. 21, Mt. Baker Theatre, and Crobot: April 29, Vernon. 360-336-8955 or Bellingham. 360-734-6080 WAMU Theater, Seattle. lincolntheatre.org. or mountbakertheatre.com. 800-745-3000 or ticket master.com.

BILL FRISELL: Jan. 31, LOTUS: Feb. 22, The “SOMETHING ROTTEN”: The Showbox, Seattle. 800- Showbox, Seattle. 800April 29-May 24, The 5th 745-3000 or showboxon 745-3000 or showbox Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth line.com. online.com.

“RODGERS & HAMMERGALACTIC: Feb. 27, The Ave., Seattle. 888-5844849 or 5thavenue.org.

STEIN’S CAROUSEL”: Feb. Showbox, Seattle. 800NEIL DIAMOND: May 10, 5-March 1, 2015, The 5th 745-3000 or showboxon KeyArena, Seattle. 800Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth line.com.

Ave., Seattle. 888-584INTERNATIONAL GUITAR 745-3000 or livenation. com.

4849 or 5thavenue.org.

NIGHT: Feb. 28, Lincoln BETTE MIDLER: June 1, DR. DOG: Feb. 10, The Theatre, Mount Vernon.

KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745Showbox, Seattle. 800360-336-8955 or lincoln 3000 or livenation.com.

745-3000 or showboxon theatre.org.

NICKELBACK: June line.com.

JOSHUA RADIN: March 20, Gorge Amphitheatre, RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE: 1, The Showbox, Seattle.

Feb. 11, Showbox SoDo, 800-745-3000 or showbox George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

Seattle. 800-745-3000 or online.com.

“GREASE”: July 9-Aug. showboxonline.com.

CARIBOU: March 4, The 2, The 5th Avenue Theatre, BILLY IDOL: Feb. 13, Par- Showbox, Seattle. 8001308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. amount Theatre, Seattle.

745-3000 or showboxon 888-584-4849 or 5th 877-784-4849 or line.com. avenue.org. livenation.com.

LADYSMITH BLACK JOHN MELLENCAMP: MIRANDA LAMBERT: MAMBAZO: March 5, July 19, Benaroya Hall, Feb. 13, Tacoma Dome.

2015, Mount Baker The800-745-3000 or live atre, Bellingham. 360-734- Seattle. john mellencamp.com. nation.com.

6080 or mountbakerthe5 SECONDS OF SUMAUGUST BURNS RED: atre.com.

Feb. 16, The Showbox, KELLER WILLIAMS, THE MER: July 24, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or Seattle. 800-745-3000 or INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTlivenation.com. showboxonline.com.

ERS: March 6, The ShowTHE WHO: Sept. 27, MOTION CITY box, Seattle. 800-7452015, KeyArena, Seattle.

SOUNDTRACK: Feb. 17, 3000 or showboxonline.

The Showbox, Seattle. 800- com. thewho.com.

AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon 360-336-8955 n www.lincolntheatre.org

“Polar Express 3D” will be shown on Saturday.

‘White Christmas’

7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.

The score features well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano, “How Deep is the Ocean” and “White Christmas.” $24 first tier, $20 second tier, $10 third tier.

‘Polar Express 3D’ 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

The story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who boards a powerful magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. What unfolds is an an adventure that follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Rated PG; free admission.

NT Live: ‘John’

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 The internationally renowned DV8 Physical Theatre’s new production authentically depicts real-life stories, combining movement and spoken word to create an intense and moving theatrical experience.

Lloyd Newson, DV8’s artistic director, interviewed more than 50 men asking them frank questions, initially about love and sex. One of those men was John.

What emerged was a story that is both extraordinary and touching. Years of crime, drug use and struggling to survive lead John on a search in which his life converges with others, in an unexpected place, unknown by most.

Contains adult themes, strong language and nudity.

Suitable for ages 18 and up.

Advance tickets: $16 general, $14 seniors, $12 students, with $2 off for Lincoln members.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E17

MUSIC REVIEWS Wu-Tang Clan

help from some of Great Britain’s hottest singer-songwriters and producers, many of “A Better Tomorrow” whom Blige’s early work influenced.

In case there was any question about Old Dirty Bastard the new Mary, “The London Sessions” once proclaimed: Wuopens with “Therapy” — a gospel spiritual Tang is for the chilco-written with Sam Smith and Adele coldren. On their sixth laborator Eg White about the power of album, “A Better counseling where she asks, “Why would Tomorrow,” U-God reinforces the sentiI spend the rest of my days unhappy … ment: We “construct these jewels so they when I can go therapy?” can live through my descendants.” On It’s a sign of the power of “The London “Never Let Go,” Method Man echoes the Sessions” that it opens with four ballads, feeling, but reminds listeners: “The hood including the stunning, esteem-building is what made me.”

“Doubt,” without losing momentum. In Looking to the future by rememberfact, the most memorable moment on the ing the past is a feeling that pervades the album is “Whole Damn Year,” co-written album. It’s been 20-plus years since The Wu entered the stage with “36 Chambers,” with Emeli Sande and Knox Brown, when Blige declares, “Winter took most of my and they have stayed true to the foundaheart, and spring punched me right in the tion. stomach. Summer came looking for blood, The family affair is only part of the and by autumn I was left with nothing.” tale. This is still protect-your-neck, chase However, it’s the dance songs where C.R.E.A.M. chess boxing. Masta Killa is Blige makes her great leap forward. On “like Justin Tuck how they ducking the “Pick Me Up,” she rides Naughty Boy’s rush,” while INS bombs “like he “No. 81 from Detroit.” Ghostface Killah tabs him- updated house music groove with grand self Dragonfly Tone, sports karate slippers results. Her current single, “Right Now” — produced by Disclosure, whose early and rhymes “scarier” with “Syria.” Chef Raekwon lays in the cut “drinking scotch collaboration with Blige inspired the entire project — shows why she retains with the Muscle Milk.”

RZA is still the unifying center, and the her throne. production is massive. On “Ruckus in B n Glenn Gamboa, Newsday Minor,” he seamlessly flips the underlying script for every rapper, delivering each Azelia Banks MC a personalized cinematic backdrop.

“Broke With In other spots he bum-rushes the hook, Expensive Taste” deploys darting strings and digs up a choice O’Jays sample. The sure shots are So often in the “40th Street Black/We Will Fight” with its music business these marching-band momentum and “Crushed days, endless talk Egos” with its classic break and filthy about the business organ loop.

GZA, the Clan’s resident sage, encapsu- itself overshadows important stuff about how the music actually sounds. Such lates the Wu-Tang evolution: “The emergence of the earliest atoms/Transform to a was certainly the case with “Broke With level that is hard to fathom.” And the saga Expensive Taste,” which Harlem-raised rapper Azealia Banks first announced in continues.

2012, around the time the foulmouthed, n Jake O’Connell, Associated Press fast-paced track “212,” included here, announced her as the brightest young talent in hip-hop.

Mary J. Blige Since then, drawn-out record-label bat“The London tles and endless Twitter wars have ensued, Sessions” and Broke went missing for so long that another less-talented female rapper with a The balance on the similar sounding name — Iggy Azalea — Queen of Hip-Hop stole Banks’ thunder.

Soul’s recent albums Just when it seemed it would never was leaning too hipcome out, however, “Broke” made a surhop, too sleek and too clever. Sure, she had declared “No More Drama,” but pain prise arrival Nov. 6 on iTunes. And it turns (and the triumph over it) was an essential out to be a work of such impressive range and confidence that you have to wonder part of Blige’s story. On “The London what the holdup was all about. Banks Sessions,” she returns to it — with some

sings as well as raps, and she navigates a variety of styles with ease, spitting rhymes with dazzling speed and rhythmic complexity, or whispering enticingly on “Miss Camaraderie” as she moves from Latin to electronic to house-music grooves, and even dallying in, of all things, surf-rock on “Nude Beach A-Go-Go.” The long delay works in her favor, not only allowing her the time to make the album her own way, but also diminishing expectations — so that the surprise is all the more pleasant that Broke turns out possibly to be the hip-hop album of the year. n Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Parkay Quarts

Andrew Savage and Austin Brown team with a different rhythm section to record their surfeit of top-notch songs on a semi side project. They subtly and effectively update their sound, which still draws on driving Velvet Underground-style drone rock and Lou Reed-ish spoken-sung vocals, on tracks like “Pretty Machines,” which features honking saxophone.

There’s also a cover of the Lee Hazlewood-Nancy Sinatra feminist-kitsch classic “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ ” that has garnered radio play.

But the most heartening development is Savage’s stretch into brooding musichistory storytelling mode on “Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth.” n Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Content Nausea” That’s not a misspelling: Parkay Quarts is the alternate band lineup of punkish rock-and-roll band Parquet Courts, which released its excellent third album, “Sunbathing Animal,” earlier this year.

As Parkay Quarts, PC main men

CONTINUE THE CYCLE – PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

Warm Beach Camp presents:

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Holiday Theatre Dinner Theatre December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 2014; 6-9:45pm

Sunday Dessert Matinee December 7, 14, 21, 2014; 4-6:15pm Advanced reservations required.

"This blast from the past gets its wings with a letter-perfect production!"

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Reservations: 800.228.6724  WarmBeachLights.com

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E18 - Thursday, December 4, 2014

MOVIES

15 films you’ll want to see in December

By STEVEN REA The Philadelphia Inquirer

It’s the rush to the finish line, and the start of serious campaigning for awards season kudos, as 15-odd titles make their way to movie screens. There’s something for everybody, sort of, although the themes are darker, the offerings sparser than in previous end-of-year lineups: “THE BABADOOK” (Dec. 5): “It’s just a book, it can’t hurt you,” the single mum assures her 6-year-old son, scared silly by the spooky picture book they’ve been poring over at bedtime, and by its top-hatted namesake in Jennifer Kent’s awardwinning Australian horror pic. No MPAA rating.

“THE PYRAMID” (Dec. 5): A tale of vengeful pharaohs set on an archaeological dig in the Egyptian desert. “You’re crazy if you think I’m not going in there!” Abercrombie & Fitch model Ashley Hinshaw says, heading for the orifice of a creepy, three-sided tomb. “Help me!” one of her fellow excavators can be heard screaming a short time later from the labyrinthine bowels of the titular edifice, designed in ancient times to insure that no one, ever, gets out alive. R. “DIPLOMACY” (Dec. 12): Hitler’s command to destroy Nazi-occupied Paris before the Allies rolled in is the subject of Volker Schlöndorff’s historical pas de deux, with André Dussollier as the Swedish diplomat who entreats the German general, played by Niels Arestrup, not to proceed with the plan. No rating.

“EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS” (Dec. 12): What

strange accent doth Christian Bale speaketh in Ridley Scott’s biblical epic, playing Moses to Joel Edgerton’s Ramses in the CG-crazy Old Testament reenactment? “Remember this. I am prepared to fight. For eternity,” this warrior Moses cautions the Egyptian king, just before the sea parts and chariots chase 600,000 Israelites being led by an Oscarwinner to a new land. PG-13.

“TOP FIVE” (Dec. 12): Chris Rock stars — and wrote and directs — this roman à clef-y romantic comedy about a famous comic star who wants to be taken seriously, and then a beautiful newspaper reporter Rosario Dawson enters the picture to see what he is made of. R. “WILD” (Dec. 12): Reese Witherspoon is still the front-runner in the best actress awards race, starring as Cheryl Strayed in the adaptation of her best-selling memoir about a 1,100mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, trying to right a life that has gone woefully wrong. R. “THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES” (Dec. 17): Martin Freeman is the furry-footed hero in Peter Jackson’s final J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, leading the Company of Thorin out of the Lonely Mountain and into an epic dustup with orcs, wargs, elves, dwarfs, and men. PG-13.

“ANNIE” (Dec. 19): Will Smith is one of the principals behind this new take on the 1977 musical based on Harold Gray’s vintage comic strip, Little Orphan Annie. Beasts of the Southern Wild’s Oscar sweetheart Quvenzhané Wallis has the title role and Jamie Foxx is

MINI-REVIEWS Compiled from news services.

Ratings are one to four stars.

Reese Witherspoon and Michiel Huisman star in “Wild.”

Fox Searchlight Pictures via AP

the Daddy Warbucks-ian Will Stacks, a multimillionaire running for mayor who thinks it would be good p.r. to have his photo taken with a cute waif. PG. “NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3: SECRET OF THE TOMB” (Dec. 19): The third and final installment in the hit series in which a former museum guard (Ben Stiller) hobs and nobs with figures from the past. This one has something to do with the waning magic powers of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah.

Ben Kingsley, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, and the late Robin Williams pop up to help, or hinder, or steal a few laughs.

PG. “BIG EYES” (Dec. 25): The story of celebrated kitsch artists Walter and Margaret Keane, famous in the 1950s for their mass-produced paintings of orb-eyed children and clowns. Walter claimed the artwork as his, but Margaret did most of the brushwork. And hence, a big, messy divorce.

“THE GAMBLER” (Dec. 25): Mark Wahlberg is a college professor with a bad gambling jones and a student (Brie Larson) who wants to seduce him, in director Rupert Wyatt’s tough-looking Los Angeles drama. John Goodman, Jessica Lange, and Michael Kenneth Williams also ante in. R. “THE IMITATION GAME” (Dec. 25): Benedict Cum-

berbatch stars as Alan Turing, the British mathematician and logician who cracked the Nazis’ Enigma code in World War II — and whose life in subsequent years, when he was outed as a homosexual, turned cruelly hellish. R. “THE INTERVIEW” (Dec. 25): Already condemned in North Korea, a comedy about two tabloid-TV nincompoops — James Franco, Seth Rogen — who land an exclusive interview with dictator Kim Jong-un, only to find themselves enlisted by the CIA in a plot to assassinate the Supreme Leader.

This could start a war. R. “INTO THE WOODS” (Dec. 25): The James Lapine/Stephen Sondheim Broadway smash gets the Rob Marshall movie musical treatment — but you wouldn’t know it from the trailer, which doesn’t even offer a snippet of a song.

With Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, and Johnny Depp singing and dancing their way through a Grimm universe. PG-13.

“UNBROKEN” (Dec. 25): A World War II survival drama from director Angelina Jolie. British newcomer Jack O’Connell stars as the real-life Olympic track star Louis Zamperini, who survived a plane crash in the Pacific, was adrift for 47 days, and then was taken prisoner by the Japanese. R.

“Big Hero 6” — Disney’s animated story about a teenager befriending a health-care robot is a big, gorgeous adventure with wonderful voice performances, some dark undertones that give the story more depth, an uplifting message and more than a few laughout-loud moments. Animation action comedy, PG, 108 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Dumb and Dumber To” — Maybe it’s the “Jackass” world we live in, or maybe it’s the aging of stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, but the slapstick seems more forced and sadder in this sequel. I cracked up a good half-dozen times, but there were long stretches when the movie was just spinning its wheels. Comedy, PG-13, 110 minutes. HH “Foxcatcher” — Disturbing and memorable, “Foxcatcher” is based on a bizarre true story, and even if you know exactly what happens, when it does happen, it’s shocking. Steve Carell nails the role of a rich eccentric, with Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo revelatory as the wrestlers he mentors. Sports drama, R, 134 minutes.

HHH1⁄2 “Fury” — In his attempt to portray the horrors of war — even a war in its final days — writer/director David Ayer has squandered a great opportunity with “Fury.”

There is much to potentially like about the film, in particular the actors. But it draws far too heavily from the war-movie-cliché list: the grizzled, no-nonsense veteran; the dim Southern bully; the meek newcomer who gets a quick and brutal indoctrination. Stars Brad Pitt, Shia LeBeouf, Logan Lerman and Michael Pena.

War drama, R, 2:13, HH “Horrible Bosses 2” — The sequel to the mediocre, uneven “Horrible Bosses” is so lazy it’s not even about horrible bosses.

It’s a slapstick kidnapping yarn as the three dimwits (Jason Bateman, Charlie

Day, Jason Sudeikis) plot revenge against a thieving business kingpin. Also back is Jennifer Aniston as the sex-addicted dentist, one of the most poorly drawn, pathetic characters of the year. Comedy, R, 108 minutes. H1⁄2 “Interstellar” — What a beautiful and epic film is “Interstellar,” filled with great performances, tingling our senses with masterful special effects, daring to be openly sentimental, asking gigantic questions about the meaning of life and leaving us drained and grateful for the experience. Adventure/mystery/ sci-fi, PG-13, 169 minutes.

HHHH “Kill the Messenger” — Jeremy Renner’s performance as 1990s investigative journalist Gary Webb is one of the more authentic portrayals of an old-fashioned, telephone-working reporter in recent memory.

This movie, a solid tribute to his work, is as much about what happens to Webb after the story breaks as it is about his investigative heroics. Biographic drama, R, 112 minutes.

HHH “Men, Women & Children” — We can reach others constantly, but we still struggle to truly communicate with one another.

This is the abiding theme of Jason Reitman’s perceptive, moving slice of modern life -- a time capsule of a film that understands how much technology dominates the lives of teenagers, as well as the parents trying their best to keep up with the times. Comedy drama, R, 116 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Nightcrawler” — As a freelance vulture who records video of crime and crash scenes for TV news, Jake Gyllenhaal plays one of the most disturbing movie characters of the year. But the film veers from dark satire to tense crime thriller before the tires come off near the end, leaving the entire vehicle just short of worth recommending. Crime thriller, R, 117 minutes. HH1⁄2 “St. Vincent” — This story of a chain-smoking gambler baby-sitting the neighbor kid is a prime

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - E19

MOVIES showcase for Bill Murray and BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN day: 10:40, 1:20, 3:20, 6:50, 8:50; his skill set. Nearly every AT AREA THEATERS Oak Harbor Sunday: 10:40, 1:20, 3:20, 6:50; scene is contrived, but writDec. 5-7 Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:20, 6:50 er-director Ted Melfi has a ANACORTES CINEMAS The Penguins of Madagascar (PG) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay nice way with dialogue, and Dec. 5-11 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (PG-13): Friday: 1:00, 3:30, 6:30, the cast -- including Melissa A Christmas Carol/Christmas in (PG-13). First movie starts at 6 p.m.

9:00; Saturday: 10:30, 1:00, 3:30, McCarthy and young Jaeden Connecticut (G): Sunday: 2:00 360-675-5667 6:30, 9:00; Sunday: 10:30, 1:00, Lieberher -- is uniformly out Penguins of Madagascar (PG): 3:30, 6:30; Monday-Thursday: 1:00, standing. Comedy, PG-13, Friday-Saturday: 1:15, 3:30, 6:40, 3:30, 6: 102 minutes. HHH1⁄2 8:45; Sunday: (1:15), 6:40; Monday- CONCRETE THEATRE Dec. 5-7 360-279-2226 “The Fault in Our Stars” Thursday: 1:15, 3:30, 6:40 Interstellar (PG-13): Friday: 7:30 — With lesser source mate The Hunger Games: Mockingjay STANWOOD CINEMAS rial, an average director and (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:45, p.m.; Saturday: 4 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 4 and 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5-11 an OK cast, the adaptation 6:30, 9:05; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 360-941-0403 A Christmas Carol/Christmas in of John Green’s novel about 3:45, 6:30 Connecticut (G): Sunday: 2:00 the glory and unfairness Birdman (R): Friday: 1:30, 4:00, OAK HARBOR CINEMAS Horrible Bosses 2 (R): 1:45, 4:15, of life could have lost me.

6:45, 9:15; Saturday: 1:30, 6:45, But everyone involved, from Dec. 5-11 7:00, 9:20 9:15; Sunday: 4:00, 6:45; Mondaydirector Josh Boone to A Christmas Carol/Christmas in Penguins of Madagascar (PG): Thursday: 1:30, 4:00, 6:45 transcendent star Shailene 1:30, 4:05, 6:50, 8:55 Meet the Mormons (PG): Saturday: Connecticut (G): Sunday: 2:00 Woodley and beyond, has Horrible Bosses 2 (R): Friday: 1:10, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: 4:00 talents way beyond the aver3:40, 6:40, 9:10; Saturday: 10:50, (PG-13): 1:00, 3:35, 6:30, 9:05 360-293-6620 age. Drama, PG-13, 125 1:10, 3:40, 6:40, 9:10; Sunday: Dumb and Dumber To (PG-13): minutes. HHHH 10:50, 1:10, 3:40, 6:40; MondayFriday-Saturday: 1:15, 8:45; Sunday: CASCADE MALL THEATRES “The Homesman” — Thursday: 1:10, 3:40, 6:40 8:45; Monday-Thursday: 1:15, 8:45 Burlington Tommy Lee Jones directs Penguins of Madagascar (PG): Big Hero 6 (PG): 3:55, 6:25 For listings: 888-AMC-4FUN (888and stars in “The HomesFriday: 1:20, 3:20, 6:50, 8:50; Satur- 360-629-0514 262-4386). man,” a stark, beautiful, bleak portrait of a hardworking farmer (Hilary Swank) in the Midwest in the 1850s.

With the help of a drifter Nebraska territory on a easy, comfortable viewing Drama, R, 120 minutes.

Mockingjay -- Part 1” — (Jones), she escorts three journey across the plains experience, and that’s part HHH1⁄2 The latest Katniss Everdeen women driven mad in the and back to Iowa. It’s not an of what makes it unique.

“The Hunger Games: adventure is a rousing yet

often bleak and downbeat film that focuses a lot more on tragedies and setbacks than applause-generating heroics. Ultimately it serves as a solid if unspectacular first lap around the track of a two-lap race. Fantasy adventure, PG-13, 123 minutes. HHH “The Theory of Everything” — Playing the young Stephen Hawking from reckless Cambridge student to brilliant physicist, Eddie Redmayne undergoes a remarkable transformation.

But it’s a memorable performance in a rather ordinary love story about his romance with future wife, Jane (Felicity Jones). Biography, PG-13, 123 minutes. HH1⁄2 “You're Not You” — Hilary Swank plays a pianist who develops ALS and comes to depend on her hot mess of a caregiver (Emmy Rossum).

Both performances are brilliant, and in its own unique way, "You're Not You" is one of the best buddy movies of the year. Drama, R, 104 minutes. HHH

C e l e b r a te T h e S e a s o n !

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earn TiCkeTs: Now – December 18

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Monkees christMas The Pacific Showroom

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3X

*

Player-Bucks!

Just use your rewards Club Card every time you play slots!

9 am - midnight

CASH-IN Your Player-Bucks! get Up to

100 in gaming • 9 am – Closing

$

$5 increments; $1 Player-Buck = $1 in Slot or Table Gaming.

Buy Show Tickets Service Charge Free at the Casino Box Office SVH-AE

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

Casino opens at 9 am daily. Must be 21 or older with valid ID. *Must be a Rewards Club Member. Visit Rewards Club Center for details. Management reserves all rights.

BHTF