360 January 9 2013 full

Enjoy some crab, the Seahawks and music on Saturday at the Camano Center PAGE 4

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday January 9, 2014

Music

Eagle Festival

Tuning Up

From Joan Jett to Stryper, the most overlooked albums of 2013

Annual event offers something for everyone this weekend

Mia Vermillion plays Washington Sips on Saturday in La Conner

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “The Following: The Complete First Season”: It was beginning to look like cable was the only place to find great drama, with shows such as “Breaking Bad” and “American Horror Story.” But Fox showed in “The Following” that there is still some creative life in the networks.

Kevin Bacon stars in his first TV series, playing burned-out FBI agent Ryan Hardy. He’s on the track of an escaped killer who has a huge cult following.

The thriller is the most addictive network show to come along since “Lost.”

But while the mystery is as thick, it certainly isn’t confusing. This is just a smart story about the battle between good and evil. It should be your next TV addiction.

“Closed Circuit”: Two barristers must defend a man accused of masterminding a bombing. Eric Bana stars.

A director’s done a proper job when the simple act of bringing a pitcher of water and glasses into a room triggers thoughts of subterfuge, espionage and sinister actions. That’s what John Crowley has accomplished in his legal/ spy thriller “Closed Circuit.” His deft ability to build suspense is Hitchcockian in nature, from the explosive opening to the unexpected ending.

Give partial credit to writer Steven Knight, who has created a smart tale that gets amplified by the way Crowley put the movie together. His use of footage from the array of cameras that hang over London streets adds accents to the movie’s main theme that someone is always watching. The problem is that it’s often impossible to tell who’s being watched and who’s doing the watching.

“Thanks for Sharing”: Most of the story is told through Adam (Mark Ruffalo), a successful businessman who has been “sexually sober” for five years. It’s not been easy. His battle with his urges are so tough that he can’t even have a television in his room out of fear he will watch — and react — to inappropriate material. His battle has been so consuming that he’s had little time for a social life.

It’s a difficult challenge to start from a point of disgust and to win over an audience. But director and co-writer Stuart Blumberg does it by telling rich and powerful stories that cast a harsh light on the realities of addiction. He shows that there’s never any true winners, just those who manage not to fail for another day.

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

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

Eagle Festival / Page 9

JAN. 7 Closed Circuit - Universal Inequality For All - Starz / Anchor Bay Runner Runner - Fox Thanks for Sharing - Lionsgate

Check out all the 2014 Skagit Eagle Festival has to offer this weekend

JAN. 14 A.C.O.D. - Paramount Blue Caprice - IFC Carrie - MGM Enough Said - Fox Fruitvale Station - Anchor Bay Lee Daniels’ The Butler - Anchor Bay Riddick - Universal Short Term 12 - New Video Group The Spectacular Now - Lionsgate 20 Feet From Stardom - Starz/Anchor Bay You’re Next - Lionsgate JAN. 21 Best Man Down - Magnolia Blue Jasmine - Sony Captain Phillips - Sony Charlie Countryman - Millennium In a World … - Sony Instructions Not Included - Lionsgate Machete Kills - Universal JAN. 28 Bad Grandpa - Paramount Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 - Sony The Fifth Estate - Disney Last Vegas - Sony Rush - Universal

Inside

FEB. 4 About Time - Universal Baggage Claim - Fox Dallas Buyers Club - Universal Free Birds - Fox Escape Plan - Summit / Lionsgate Romeo & Juliet - Fox

Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

n MCT Information Services

“House of Lies: Season Two”: Don Cheadle stars in the Showtime series.

“To Love and To Cherish”: Modern woman tries to keep her marriage alive.

“Linsanity”: Portrait of NBA player Jeremy Lin. “Copper: Season 2”: BBC America crime drama set in the 19th century.

“The Act of Killing”: Filmmakers examine a country where Indonesian death squad leaders are celebrated as heroes.

“The Virginian”: Trace Adkins stars in this made-for-TV western.

“Duck Dynasty: Season 4”: More adventures of the Robertsons.

“Murph: The Protector”: Documentary on Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com, vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

This Weekend...................................... 5 Overlooked albums of 2013............6-7 Get Involved........................................ 8 At the Lincoln...................................... 9 On Stage, Tuning Up......................... 11 Travel............................................12-13 Hot Tickets........................................ 14 Movies..........................................16-17 Out & About.................................18-19

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, January 9, 2014 - E3

MOVIES

14 movie titles worth waiting for in 2014

By ROGER MOORE McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Everything old is new again at this movies this year. And we’re not just talking about sequels.

Hollywood has taken its “rely on established ‘brand’ names” thing to the next level.

So we have a new “Hercules” (this Friday) and a new Jack Ryan (Chris Pine, “Shadow Recruit,” Jan. 17).

Aaron Eckhart is a new Frankenstein (“I, Frankenstein,” Jan. 24).

There’s a new “Godzilla” (May) and a new “Annie” (December) to go along with that rebooted “SpiderMan” (May) duking it out for box office supremacy with those new “X-Men” (May).

And if you think about it, “Divergent” (March) could be the new “Hunger Games,” with Shailene Woodley taking a sci-fi turn to match Jennifer Lawrence’s big bow-and-arrow payday.

Skipping past the almost Biblical deluge of sequels, from “Captain America” (“The Winter Soldier,” April) to “Madagascar” (“Island of Lemurs,” April), “The Hunger Games” (“Mockingjay, Part 1,” November) to “The Hobbit” (“There and Back Again,” December), ignoring even the last desperate gasp of Jim Carrey and the Farrelly Brothers (“Dumb and Dumber To,” November), there’s still a lot to look forward to on the big screen.

The engaging documentaries and breakout foreign films will find their way to us more indirectly. But here are 14 titles with firmer

10) is the new farce from the “This is the End” team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. James Franco plays a talk show host, Rogen his producer and Lizzy Caplan is the C.I.A. agent who drags them into her assassination plot. Yeah, it’ll be dark, profane and, chances are, fiercely funny.

“Interstellar” (Nov. 7) is Christopher Nolan’s latest thinking-person’s sci-fi epic, about wormholes and the possibilities of where humans can once we harness them. Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are the headliners in the cast.

“Exodus” (Dec. 12) has Oscar winner Christian Bale as Moses, leading the Chosen People out of Egypt. Joel Edgerton should make a fearsome where Melissa McCarthy Ramses, and Ridley Scott cashes in on her epic 2013 at the box office, co-writing found work for his old pal Sigourney Weaver and starring in this road trip comedy about a newly (“Alien”) for this, the final unemployed, newly ditched Bible epic of the year.

“Unbroken” (Dec. 25) woman who hits the road is based on the true story with her foul-mouthed, of an American Olympic hard-drinking diabetic hopeful who survives being grandma (Oscar winner Kathy Bates). If McCarthy shot down in the Pacific and imprisoned and toris still a hot commodity, this will be the comedy that tured by the Japanese.

Relative unknown Jack devours the summer.

O’Connell won the role, “Magic in the Moonlight” (July 26) lets Emma and Angelina Jolie (“In Stone and Hamish Linklat- the Land of Blood and Honey”) directs this film er, along with Oscar winners Colin Firth and Marcia based on Laura HillenGay Harden, get their turn brand’s best-seller.

“Into the Woods” (Dec. in a Woody Allen summer 25) offers up a little Sondcomedy. heim twist on classic fairy “Gone Girl” (Oct. 3) tales, a more highbrow gives us David (“Zodiac”) “Wicked” if you will, with Fincher’s take on Gillian Flynn’s best-selling thriller songs by one of America’s greatest Broadway composabout a missing woman ers. Meryl Streep, Johnny (Rosamund Pike) and the Depp, Emily Blunt, Chris husband (Ben Affleck) everybody thinks did her in. Pine and Anna Kendrick Hitchcockian? Count on it. are the stars of this Rob Marshall musical.

“The Interview” (Oct.

Chris Pine stars in “Shadow Recruit,” which opens Jan. 17.

release dates, films tempting enough to tease us through 2014: “The Monuments Men” (Feb. 7) would have gotten lost among the other Oscar contenders over Christmas. So say good-bye to its Oscar chances, but “hello” to having a potentially artsy and cerebral action film with George Clooney leading John Goodman, among others, as they try to save Europe’s cultural treasures from the Nazis and combat damage in the last days of World War II. A true story.

“300: Rise of an Empire” (March 7) is not the only sequel to have history (Greco-Persian conflict) as its subtext. But this brawny, two-fisted “How the Greeks Saved Western Civilization” could have more going for it than “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” where the mutants, um, save mutant Western civilization.

“Veronica Mars” (March

14) could turn out to be the ultimate expression of fandom, a paradigm-shifting movie with implications for the future of film. Fans financed Kristen Bell’s return to the character that made her famous, going outside the studio system to get something they want to see on the screen. They paid to get a movie based on a TV show about a young, (now older), sassy private investigator made. And based on the trailer, they, and the rest of us, won’t be disappointed.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (March 7) is Wes Anderson’s latest foxtrot into “twee.” And he takes Ralph Fiennes, in a rare comic turn, with him as Fiennes plays the legendary concierge at a legendarily daffy Old World hotel. Bill Murray and Jeff Goldlum are here, of course. Angela Lansbury, too.

“Noah” (March 28) could be, if we’re pessimists, this

year’s “Lone Ranger” or “John Carter” or “Battleship,” that head-scratching fiasco that seemed like a hare-brained idea from the get-go. Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”) directing Oscar winner Russell Crowe in a no-expensespared Biblical epic? Then again, it could be great, and Hollywood is at least trying to reach that supposedly built-in Christian film audience, as evidenced by February’s “The Son of God” and April’s “Heaven is for Real.”

“The Fault in Our Stars” (June 6) is a promising summer teen romance from the writer-director of “Stuck in Love.” The always-real Shailene Woodley stars as a cancer patient who falls for a lad (Nat Wolff of “Stuck in Love”) in her support group. We’re about to find out if teenagers will show up for a date movie that’s a weeper.

“Tammy” (July 2) is

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

MOVIES

Memorable moviemaking often is the result of learning from mistakes

By JOHN HORN Los Angeles Times

They are among the season’s most acclaimed directors. But if you ask the six filmmakers who participated in The Envelope’s fifth annual Directors Round Table, all would say they learned more from movies that didn’t work than from movies that did. In our conversation, the directors also talked about how some of the best scenes in their films were made up on the spot.

Here are edited excerpts from our conversation with J.C. Chandor (“All Is Lost”), Paul Greengrass (“Captain Phillips”), John Lee Hancock (“Saving Mr. Banks”), Nicole Holofcener (“Enough Said”), Spike Jonze (“Her”) and Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”): Q: Do you learn as much from failure as you do from success?

Greengrass: You learn much, much more from failure.

Q: What do you learn?

Greengrass: The depths of your own inadequacy. I made a film that was a staggering failure early on. I was brought up in the British documentary tradition, and I was very comfortable there. I sort of took my first steps there and started writing and making films.

But I always felt that I was wearing a suit at a wedding, do you know what I mean?

It was the moment when you’re at the wedding when you’re wearing the suit and you go, “This is just not me.” And it made me resolve to create the syn-

thesis in my mind between dramatic storytelling and the traditions that I grew up with, marrying that in a way that was authentic to me.

Chandor: I came from a middle-class family, had a wonderful education, had every opportunity, came out of college with some momentum and then basically went 15 years of absolute mediocrity and failure.

I’d been thinking about (“Margin Call”) for about two years, but I wrote an 82-page draft over four days and it was literally my last chance. I remember halfway through the first day of shooting on that movie, I walked around and I realized that, actually, I’ve learned so much over the last 10 years of kind of flopping around. You thought it was this colossal waste of time, and now I actually know what I’m doing.

Hancock: It’s like there’s great power in understanding what pleases you and embracing that. You have to know what you want to say, because there’ll be lots of people telling you, “This is good. This is right for you,” and oftentimes — almost always — it’s not.

Holofcener: I feel like I keep making some similar mistakes. I guess my mistakes are the things that don’t work or scenes, and I think, “Where was my head?” and “Next time I’m never going to let this happen again. I knew something was wrong.” Why do I keep moving on when I have that sinking feeling?

So I clearly don’t learn, actually.

Jonze: The worst failures are when you fail yourself.

And when you fail your intention. And I feel like I’ve sort of come to realize that what success is to me is how close did I get to that initial feeling that I started with. The first movie I worked on was a movie that didn’t get made, called “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” It was a children’s film that was going to go back and forth between live action and animation.

I worked on it for a year and a half, and when we finally got the plug pulled, I had this amazing sense of relief. And we took this giant purple crayon and took it up to the roof of the 12-story building we were in and just threw it off and watched it shatter in the parking lot. I had let the studio keep giving me all their anxieties of, “It’s got to be funnier.” “It’s got to be snappier dialogue.” “It’s got to be this; it’s got to be that.” And it happened millimeter by millimeter, so by the time it was a year and a half later, I realized this thing is so far away from what I wanted to do. I got to learn that lesson without making the movie I didn’t want to make.

Hancock: I think that the fact that you can get a movie made is not the reason to make a movie. The fact that you must make it is the only reason to make a movie, and you fight that fight.

Q: If necessity is the mother of invention, is there a specific scene in your film that was more accident than design?

Greengrass: Well, the last scene of my movie came because we were shooting a different scene

on the ship that didn’t work.

And the clock ticks on, and we had a hard out. We had to be off that ship at 7, and I think it was about half past 5. We were talking to the captain. We said, “Well, you know, where else?” And he said, “When he first came on (back to the ship after being held in the lifeboat), he would have gone to the infirmary.” So I said, “Can we go down there and just try something there?” It’s kind of like a last throw of the dice, really. And he said, “Yeah, sure. There’ll be a medic on duty. You can use her.” Of course, at that moment, blind panic sets in. But what happens is you stop thinking about it and you start being entirely instinctive.

Q: So this is the scene with Tom Hanks in the infirmary. You have no script? You have no dialogue? And you don’t have an actor to play the nurse?

And you get what is probably the most memorable scene in the movie?

Greengrass: The first take it all went horribly wrong. I said to the medical officer, “Imagine it’s a training exercise. Just ignore the fact it’s Tom Hanks.” And she went white. It was all just a disaster. But you could tell just in that moment, there was something in the room that was real.

Holofcener: But how did Tom get to that place of blind panic?

Greengrass: We had a conversation after the first take. He said, “Oh, it just feels different here because it’s tiny. And suddenly someone’s being nice to me after weeks and weeks and

Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

Joaquin Phoenix stars in “Her.” weeks of having a gun put in my face.” And it just all poured out.

Q: Steve, there are those beautiful shots that “12 Years” cinematographer Sean Bobbitt and you created of Chiwetel just standing there. Were they planned?

McQueen: I don’t do shot lists, really. I feel that sometimes you have to do a little bit of tai chi within the environment where it’s almost like the camera’s on a tripod and the wind blows it this way. I mean an example of that is Chiwetel Ejiofor with a close-up — I think it’s 2 minutes and 20 seconds. We shot it in a car park, toward the end of the shoot.

Q: It wasn’t even on location?

McQueen: He was the character at that point. It was a minimal crew. Just natural light. There’s no noise. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I knew that I wanted his face on the camera. You switch the camera on and you find it. It’s just him in his head.

And it holds you.

Spike, was there something in the making of “Her,” whether unplanned

or unscripted, that you said, “This is beautiful, let’s keep it in the movie”?

Jonze: There’s a scene at the end of the movie where (Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson) are having this very emotional conversation. We’d shot the scene, and I was really happy with what we got. And our script supervisor said, “Well, at one point you had mentioned wanting to do this (scene) with him not saying the dialogue verbally, just thinking it and hearing his dialogue.” Even as we were shooting, it was in the back of my head, but I was like, we’ve got to move on. And I went and I said, “Joaquin, actually, hold on.

Let’s not wrap.” It was this take that we just didn’t cut.

We just kept rolling, and he didn’t turn away. I was just so moved by him and so grateful that everything lined up to get us that.

Greengrass: Isn’t that the sort of magical paradox of filmmaking? You’re doing two entirely different things all the time. One is having a plan, the other is you listening to what the actors are feeling, what the script supervisor says to you, what the weather’s like.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area WINTER EXHIBITIONS AT MONA New

FIBER ARTS ON DISPLAY

exhibits will open with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, and continue through March 12, at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner.

“North American”: Film installation by Robinson Devor and Charles Mudede. Working outside the traditional narrative structure, the film installation follows a mentally exhausted airline pilot wandering through a massive public park. Visitors will experience the pilot’s journey on multiple screens.

The project was filmed entirely in Seattle’s Olmstead-designed park system. Devor and Mudede will introduce their film installation before the opening reception at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

“Shoreline from the Permanent Collection”: The exhibit offers a kaleidoscope experience of color, media and composition, including artwork by Guy Anderson, Bill Brennen, Kenneth Callahan, Richard Gilkey, Paul Havas, Charles Miller, Allen Moe, Mary Randlett, Jack Stangle, Mark Tobey and Hiroshi Yamano. Curated by Lisa Young.

Museum hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday and Monday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. $8 adults, $5 seniors, $3 students, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4446 or museum ofnwart.org.

Three new exhibits will open Saturday, Jan. 11, and continue through March 23, at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. Meet Sue Spargo and members of the Surface Design Association during a reception and tours from 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday.

“Creating Texture”: Self-taught stitcher, quilter and artist Sue Spargo is influenced by the beautiful, colorful work of primitive craft artists around the world. Spargo’s folk art style is rich with embroidery.

“Out of the Blue”: The one-of-akind artwork created by members of Whidbey Island’s Surface Design Association blend many techniques — collage, weaving, felting, beading, basketry, hand-dyed fabric and contemporary quilting. Each artist was challenged to literally or figuratively create artwork with “Out of the Blue” as its theme.

“Timeless Treasures: Crazy Quilts”: Each January, the museum features a selection of crazy quilts, a craze that became popular in America around the 1880s. While some Crazies might include fans or other recognizable patterns, the style often features random-sized patches sewn onto a foundation fabric with embroidery stitches around the patch edges. Patches also often include paintings, ink work or embroidery.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

Crab Fest

The Camano Center’s annual Crab Fest, including a live telecast of the Seattle Seahawks playoff game, will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. $30, includes one whole Dungeness crab, baked potato, salad, roll, dessert, two Seahawks brews and live bluegrass music

by Blueberry Hill. $25 without the brews. Only 350 tickets will be sold. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

‘OCEAN PLANKTON: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TINY MARINE ORGANISMS Dr. Jude Apple, marine scientist at the WWU Shannon Point Marine Science Center, will speak at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at the NWESD Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Apple will discuss what life is like in the planktonic realm. Learn about the plankton’s bizarre shapes and sizes, ways they communicate and the survival challenges these organisms face, as well as the impact marine plankton have on all of us. skagitbeaches.org.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

MUSIC Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

A look at 2013’s overlooked albums

“Unvarnished”

Joan Jett is at her best when she sounds angry (which is most of the time), and on “Unvarnished,” she turns her ire on two targets: reality TV and the extent to which social media has rendered nothing about many people’s lives offlimits.

“Reality Mentality” takes aim at trash TV: “Wanna be a star? We’ll just lower the bar.” And on “TMI” (as in too much information), she recoils in horror about what people will post about themselves for the world to see. “Soulmates to Strangers” is a wistful look at a relationship that withered and died, while “Make It Back” starts with insecurity that ends with certainty that things are going to be all right.

The prototypical toughchick-with-a-guitar, Joan Jett has always been about straight-ahead rock anthems, sweetened with just enough melody to burn them into your brain. From her teen days with the ’70s girl group The Runaways through hits like “I Hate Myself for Lovin’ You,” Jett has delivered the goods and the attitude, stood back and not cared about what people thought.

I wish there were 100 Joan Jetts, but since there’s niche with his unique only one, anytime she makes an album it’s worth brand of West Coast slang and relatable stories that a serious listen. entail street wisdom, and n Wayne Parry he continued to showcase his talent in 2013 with the three-disc independent set, E-40 “The Block Brochure: Wel- “The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 4, 5 & 6.” come to the Soil 4, It’s packed with 45 songs 5 & 6” featuring T.I., Chris Brown, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and E-40 is one of the most Young Jeezy. respected rappers in hipThe cameos are enterhop. He’s carved out a

The Associated Press

of young, female singersongwriters in Nashville who are making today’s most interesting countryinfluenced music.

Like most of those songwriters, Shires isn’t getting any attention from the country radio folks, and that’s a shame.

She’s at her best on songs like “Bulletproof,” “Look Like a Bird” and “Wasted and Rollin’,” infusing short storylike lyrics with a playful sense of rhythm and experimentation that should make more people take notice. n Chris Talbott

Eldar Djangirov Trio “Breakthrough”

taining, from the Ross and French Montana-assisted “Champagne” and “Put It in the Air,” featuring Mac Mall and San Quinn.

But when E-40 raps on a track alone, the 46-yearold, who has delivered 20 studio albums, is top-notch.

That’s certainly apparent on “What Kind of World,” where the Bay Area rapper examines a variety of topics from failed marriages to

poverty. On “Don’t Shoot the Messenger,” the hiphop veteran talks about his childhood, life’s troubles and the afterlife.

E-40 is enduring. n Jonathan Landrum

Amanda Shires

“Down Fell the Doves” Amanda Shires was a big part of two albums you

shouldn’t have missed in 2013.

She plays the muse — and a little bit of fiddle to boot — on husband Jason Isbell’s “Southeastern,” an album inspired by all the changes in his life spurred by his new love.

A few months later, she released her own “Down Fell the Doves,” further proving she should be counted among the group

Eighty-eight keys are a handful, but when jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov holds down the sustain pedal at the end of his original composition “In Pursuit,” every note seems to linger. Like a great home-run hitter, Djangirov touches ’em all, and often.

His spectacular technique has never been displayed more impressively than on “Breakthrough,” a trio album that can barely contain the many ideas at Djangirov’s fingertips.

Notes rise and fall in torrents, but his playing is always headed downhill.

There’s astounding rhythmic complexity, with bassist Armando Gola and drummer Ludwig Afonso joining their bandleader in more stops and starts than a car chase.

Djangirov’s hardly a showboat, however. The 26-year-old Soviet emigrant tackles the Great American Songbook on Gershwin’s “Somebody Loves Me” and Berlin’s “What’ll I Do,” never straying far from the melody but squeezing plenty of beauty from both chestnuts.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E7

MUSIC Elsewhere there are hints of Ravel and Prokofiev, no surprise because Djangirov also released a fine classical solo album in 2013. This is jazz rooted in Europe, rather than the blues, but there’s nothing austere or conservative about these performances.

Djangirov will pause over a sumptuous chord, then bolt in pursuit of another idea. On “Breakthrough,” he swings hard — and connects. n Steven Wine

recognizable sound that has become their trademark. “Saved by Love” is a full-speed-ahead rocker fueled by tasty solos from Fox, truly one of the most underrated metal guitarists of all time, and the obligatory power ballad “The One” has the same spirit as their ’80s hit “Honestly.” n Wayne Parry

Kim Richey

“Thorn in My Heart”

Kim Richey’s latest album finds beauty in Stryper heartbreak. The lovely “No More Hell to Pay” melodies throb with sadness, and the slight twang in For 30 years now, Stryper Richey’s gentle alto adds to has been mixing solos and the ache. scripture, volume and venWhile the tempos are eration, head-banging and mostly slow on “Thorn in hallelujahs, and the ChrisMy Heart,” the music has tian rockers are at it again an appealing variety, thanks on an album that preserves to imaginative instrumentatheir classic ’80s-metal tion. Trumpet, banjo, keysound while spreading the boards, mandolin, clarinet, word to a new generation. fiddle and pedal steel take You don’t have to be a turns altering the mood.

Christian to love the wallThe blend is so sparse smashing power chords, and carefully considered rapid-fire guitar solos and that on “Angels’ Share” ground-pounding drums even the bass drum plays on “No More Hell to Pay.” a pivotal role. The vocal Nor do you have to be a arrangements are distincheavy metal fan to connect tive, too, with harmonies with the band’s message. on most of the 12 songs, Most of this album is ranging from two-part to a pure, distilled Stryper, gospel chorus on “Take Me circa 1986, as a number of to the Other Side.” tracks would have been as Richey sings about at home on “To Hell With pledging allegiance, separathe Devil” as they are here. tion, parting and bouncing That’s not to say Stryper’s back. Third-rate romance is music hasn’t evolved; it the reality on “No Means most certainly has. “SymYes,” while first-rate pathy” is more complex romance is the elusive goal than anything the band has elsewhere. “Thorn in My attempted in a while. But Heart” provides a seducStryper remains true to a tive soundtrack for the sound and substance that search. made it the darling of MTV n Steven Wine during the hair-metal days.

Where other bands Craig Taborn Trio would be content to play “Chants” a power chord, Michael Sweet and lead guitarist Oz A musician’s musician, Fox play dueling, harmonic riffs to create an instantly pianist Craig Taborn has

appeared on more than 70 albums as a sideman in a 20-plus-year career, working with adventurous jazz musicians from saxophonists Tim Berne, Chris Potter, James Carter and David Binney to bassists Dave Holland and Michael Formanek. He stepped into the spotlight with his stunning 2011 ECM label debut, “Avenging Angel,” a risk-taking, spontaneously composed solo piano CD on which he coaxed all kinds of sounds out of his instrument.

Taborn returned in 2013 with “Chants,” a long overdue recording featuring his trio with drummer Gerald Cleaver and bassist Thomas Morgan who have developed an almost telepathic interplay after playing together for eight years.

Taborn takes the jazz piano trio tradition into new territory with nine thoughtprovoking compositions on which Cleaver and Morgan go beyond the role of supportive rhythm section to play a more equal part in shaping the melody and harmonies.

The centerpiece is the nearly 13-minute “All True Night/Future Perfect” that begins with a delicate piano solo that builds in intensity once Cleaver and Morgan add their voices in a piece full of shifting tempos and changing dynamics.

ol’ country boy climate dominating radio and proves that finely crafted storytelling is still the backbone of country music.

The stories delve into the traditional well for country songs, like falling in love, getting intoxicated, and cheating and/or being cheated on, but she avoids sounding derivative with her emotional-plying scenes, such as the weedsmoking housewife in “Get High” or the other woman in “What’ll Keep Me Out of Heaven.”

And the Morton, Wash., native is a killer hook writer with lyrics like these from “Pray to Jesus”: “We pray to Jesus and play the lotto, ’cause there ain’t but two ways we can change tomorrow.” n Kristin Hall

Holograms “Forever”

Sweden is home to some of modern music’s greatest filters, taking sounds popularized elsewhere and feeding them back to us as both tribute and something new.

In this case, Holograms has taken in the music of many mostly British postpunk bands of the 1970s and ’80s — think Joy Division, New Order and early Cure — and given us something back that’s pleasingly familiar but not paint-byn Charles J. Gans numbers revere.

There’s nothing mopey Brandy Clark here, as you might think “12 Stories” from that list of influences.

“Forever” comes not long Brandy Clark’s debut after the quartet released album, “12 Stories,” turns its self-titled debut in 2012, the spotlight on one of the and its 10 tracks are sufwittiest, most gifted songfused with a confident, writers in country music dark energy and a dancewho’s finally getting name able groove that wipes recognition after penning away any dreariness. hits for Miranda Lambert It’s mostly elemental. and Kacey Musgraves.

Initial single “Flesh and Clark’s album is a fresh Bone” opens with the breath apart from the good words “fire and stone, steel

and cold, flesh and bone” and builds to a peak that feels constructed from those raw materials. And the chorus from “Meditation” is built around the chant-shout chorus “Destruction! Destruction!

Destruction!”

Put on “Forever” and go find something to break.

rapid-fire lines. There are only two covers, including the closing “Monk’s Dream” on which the two pay tribute to Thelonious Monk’s percussive playing, dissonant harmonies and quirky angular melodies.

n Chris Talbott

“Melbourne”

Fred Hersch & Julian Lage “Free Flying”

n Charles J. Gans

Jackson Scott With a dash of ’60s psychedelic and a whole lot of reverb, North Carolina college dropout Jackson Scott turned in one of 2013’s most memorable albums with “Melbourne.”

Scott’s laid-back rock is constructed of various elements that threaten to interrupt but eventually meld into one another. His vocals lope along and are occasionally accompanied by a blistering fuzz of guitar when things begin to simmer.

“Forever never wrong, it’s only just a song,” Scott sings on the brief but addictive track “Never Ever.” That’s the only lyric, yet it somehow fits perfectly amid a crash of hi-hats as he intones it over and over again. Scott eschews anger for a more accepting approach, helping the listener feel comfortable with themes coupling hope and despair.

On “Sandy,” you can hear his influences the best.

The song about destructed relationships is awash with a late ’60s, early ’70s, double-handclapped cadence.

It is sad stuff, sung by a guy who sounds rejuvenated from a darker place.

This exquisite chamber jazz album matches rising guitar star Julian Lage and innovative veteran pianist Fred Hersch in a series of acrobatic duets recorded live in the intimate setting of New York’s Jazz at Kitano club.

Lage has the virtuoso technique and deep knowledge of jazz history to keep pace with jazz masters like Hersch and Gary Burton, appearing on the vibraphonist’s Grammynominated jazz instrumental album, “Guided Tour.” Hersch is a Grammy nominee for improvised jazz solo for “Free Flying’s” opening track, “Song Without Words #4: Duet,” which has a Bach-inspired classical feel with complex contrapuntal playing mixed with jazz improvisation.

Most of the nine selections are Hersch compositions, including “Down Home,” which playfully draws from folk, blues, gospel and early jazz styles such as stride piano, and the title track on which the duo draw on Latin-flavored rhythms n Ron Harris as they play intertwining

Please recycle this newspaper

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

GET INVOLVED ART

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR SCULPTURE EXHIBICALL FOR ARTISTS: The TION: Northwest sculptors Mount Vernon Downtown are invited to submit entries Association is developing

by Jan. 31 for La Conner’s a roster of artists from all ninth annual Outdoor media interested in showSculpture Exhibition, set ing their art in downtown to begin March 8. Artists Mount Vernon galleries from Washington, Oregon, and businesses during a Idaho, Alaska and British variety of 2014 art walks.

Columbia should submit Art will be displayed during digital images or slides of open hours at participattheir work for jury review. ing businesses, with a gala Several sculptures will be opening advertised in print selected for display, and the and social media. Artists city will actively promote who respond by Jan. 10 will their sale during the tworeceive first consideration year public display period. for placement in the Febru- For a prospectus, entry form ary Art/Wine Walk, “The and more information, conArt of Romance,” set for tact Lori at 360-466-3125, Tuesday, Feb. 11. For inforemail planning@townof mation, email dep.mvda@ laconner.org or visit town gmail.com. oflaconner.org.

RECYCLED ART CONTEST: Entries will be accepted through Jan. 23 for the fifth annual Recycled Art Contest, set for Jan. 25-26, at the Concrete Community Center.

Entries must include at least 60 percent recycled or repurposed materials and should be easily portable.

Entry forms are available at Annie’s Pizza Station or Northwest Garden Bling in Grasmere Village, Concrete. Prizes will be awarded by popular vote in youth and adult categories.

No entry fee. For information, entry forms and rules, call Athena at 360-708-3279 or email pizzaannieb@ netscape.net.

POSTER ART CONTEST: The Mount Vernon Farmers Market seeks submissions of artwork by Jan. 25 for its 2014 poster. Artists may submit up to three images in any medium. The winning artist will receive $500. Send images in jpeg format via email to mvfarmer1@hotmail.com. Snail-mail submissions should go to P.O. Box 2053, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. mountvernon farmersmarket.org.

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

360-466-3805.

CLOG DANCING FOR BEGINNERS: Free lesson from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by regular clog dancing from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays, at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St., Mount Vernon.

No fee, no partner needed.

WOMEN SING FOURFirst three lessons are free.

PART HARMONY: Harmony Wear comfortable shoes.

Northwest Chorus, which For information, call Rosie meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 360-424-4608. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, ON STAGE 1401 Cleveland Ave., seeks ANACORTES OPEN MIC: women who like to sing a 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Brown cappella music. All skill levLantern Ale House, 412 els welcome.

Commercial Ave., AnaCALL FOR YOUNG MUSI- cortes. 360-293-2544.

CIANS: The Mount VernonOPEN MIC: Jam Night, based Fidalgo Youth Symphony offers opportunities 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays, Conway Pub & Eatery, for ages 5 to 21 to study 18611 Main St., Conway. and perform orchestral AUDITIONS 360-445-4733. music. For information, “1776: A NEW MUSIincluding tuition costs and CAL”: Auditions will be BURLINGTON OPEN rehearsal schedules, contact held from 1 to 5 p.m. Satur- Sara Fisher at 360-682-6949 MIC: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, day and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, or Anita Tatum at 360-969- North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Jan. 11-12, at the Whidbey Burlington Blvd., Burling1681, or visit fysmusic.org.

Playhouse Star Studio, 730 ton. Hosted by Daniel BurnSE Midway Blvd, Oak Harson. Rock, blues, funk, folk, DANCE bor. Parts are available for ukelele, poetry and more.

FOLK DANCING: Skagit- 360-707-COVE (2683) or 23 men ages 15 to 70, and Anacortes Folkdancers two women, one age 30 to northcovecoffee.com. meet at 7 p.m. most Tues50 and the other 18 to 35.

Come prepared to sing 16 days at Bayview Civic Hall, OPEN MIC MOUNT VERbars of music; an accompa- 12615 C St., Mount Vernon. NON: 9 p.m. to midnight, nist will be provided. Wear Learn to folkdance to a Wednesdays, First Street comfortable clothing as a variety of international Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 light dance will be required. music. Instruction begins at S. First St., Mount Vernon.

Bring a resume and recent 7 p.m. followed by review Ages 21 and older. No photo. The play will run and request dances until cover. 360-336-3012 or riv April 4-27. 360-679-2237 or 9:30. The first session is free, erbelledinnertheatre.com. whidbeyplayhouse.com. $3 thereafter. No partners needed. For information, RECREATION CALL FOR THEATER contact Gary or Ginny at INTERPRETIVE CENTER: VOLUNTEERS: Whidbey 360-766-6866.

The Skagit River Bald Playhouse seeks a team of Eagle Interpretive Center behind-the-scenes folks BEGINNER SQUARE will be open from 10 a.m. for its April 2014 producDANCE LESSONS: 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and tion of the Tony-award Tuesdays, beginning Jan. Sundays through Jan. 26 at winning musical “1776” 7, at the Mount Vernon that celebrates the birth of Senior Center, 1401 Cleve- Howard Miller Steelhead our nation. Assistance is land St. Couples and singles Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. The center needed for set-building and welcome. First two weeks will present speakers, birddecorating, lighting, prop are free, then $4 per lesing information and guided acquisitions and costuming. son. Sponsored by the Mt. walks along the Skagit For information, contact the Baker Singles and Skagit River through the park. theater at 360- 679-2237 or Squares. 360-424-4608, 360-853-7626 or skagiteagle. email director Gaye Litka at 360-424-9675 or rosie@ whidbey995@comcast.net. valleyint.com. org.

DEEP FOREST AND EAGLE HABITAT EXPERIENCE: Enjoy guided interpretive walks and other activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, though Jan. 26, at Rockport State Park, 51905 Highway 20, Rockport.

Explore eagle habitat along the river as well as a variety of indoor displays and activities for families and children. Dress for winter hiking. A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the park. For information, call 360-853-8461 or visit parks.wa.gov/events.

THEATER YOUTH THEATRE: McIntyre Hall is offering a series of performing arts workshops for ages 6 to 12 at 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. All classes will be held at 1 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are free but required and available by calling 360-416-7727, ext. 2, or by visiting mcintyrehall. org.

Jan. 19: I Like to Move it!: Learn about dance and movement from the Northwest Ballet Theatre artists.

Feb. 9: Let’s Play: Explore a variety of theater games and improvisational exercises with Philip Prudhomme from the Anacortes Community Theater.

Feb. 23: Global Rhythm: Discover music and basic music concepts with drummer Mary Ellen Hodges using drums, shakers and other instruments.

FREE ADULT ACTING CLASSES: Anacortes Community Theatre offers free acting classes for adults from 10 a.m. to noon the third Saturday each month at 918 M Ave., Anacortes.

Classes include scripted scenes and a variety of acting games, with a different topic each month. Each class is independent, so you don’t have to commit to

every session. 360-840-0089 or acttheatre.com.

IMPROV WORKSHOP: Experience the art of improvisation from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 1308 E St., Bellingham.

Build self-confidence, spontaneity, community and more through games, exercises and storytelling. Free.

360-756-0756 or improvplayworks.com.

WORKSHOPS MAKE A TUTU: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, An Artisan Craft Co-op, 808 Metcalf St., SedroWoolley. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

360-618-3695.

S-W PHOTO WORKSHOPS: Nationally known scenic photographer Andy Porter will offer photography workshops at the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce, 714-B Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. Bring your camera and instruction book to class.

Point and Shoot Camera: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, or Thursday, Jan. 30.

Digital SLR Camera: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, or Wednesday, Jan. 29. $25 per class, payable by cash or check. RSVP: 360809-0661 or email andyport erphotography@gmail. com.

IMPRESSIONIST GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25, Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Photographers of all levels can learn how to “paint with their camera,” using shutter speed to reveal flows of motion and form not otherwise noticed or recordable with automatic camera settings. $8.

RSVP: 360-466-3821.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E9

2014 Skagit Eagle Festival activities, Jan. 11-12 The 2014 Skagit Eagle Festival takes place every weekend during January, in and around Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities including eagle watching, free tours, walks and educational programs, arts and crafts, wine tasting, river rafting, music, dance and more. Bring your camera and dress for unpredictable January weather.

For the latest information, contact the Concrete Chamber of Commerce at 360-853-8784 or visit skagiteaglefestival.com.

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

‘About Time’

7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 10-11 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13

Saturday only

Hatchery are offered by Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group from 11 HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BIRD NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8319 Fish Hatchery PHOTOGRAPHY: 10 to 11 a.m., ConSTORYTELLING, MUSIC & MORE: 10 Road, Marblemount. Learn about crete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Cona.m. to 5 p.m., Marblemount Comthe life cycle of salmon and other crete. Learn how to photograph the munity Hall, 60055 Highway 20, migratory bird of Skagit Valley. Free. Marblemount. Enjoy local and natu- wildlife through guided and selfguided tours. 360-336-0172, ext. 304 360-941-0403 or concrete-theatre.com. ral arts and crafts, bake sale and fry or skagitfisheries.org. bread tacos.

DEEP FOREST TOURS: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Sockeye Saga puppet EAGLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER: 2 p.m., Rockport State Park, 51095 show.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Skagit River Bald Highway 20, Rockport. Enjoy a 3012:30 p.m.: Rosie James, storyEagle Interpretive Center, Howard to 60-minute tour deep into some of teller and drummer.

Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockthe 670 acres of old-growth forest at 2 p.m.: Peter Ali, Native flutist. port Park Road, Rockport. Learn Rockport State Park at the foot of 3:30 p.m.: Paul “Che oke ten” about eagles, watershed issues and Sauk Mountain. Free. Discover Pass Wagner (Saturday), Flutist and stolocal natural and cultural history or $10 day-use fee required to access ryteller; JP Falcon Grady (Sunday), through guided walks and presenthe park. 360-853-8461 or rockport@ acoustic guitarist. parks.wa.gov.

Free admission. Donations accept- tations. Free admission, donations appreciated. 360-853-7626 or skagiteed. 360-770-3173 or kathy_hunter@ agle.org.

BLUEGRASS & BOX LUNCH: The hotmail.com.

Prozac Mountain Boys will perform DRIFTBOAT EAGLE EXCURSIONS: at noon at the Concrete Theatre, EAGLE FESTIVAL INFORMATION: 45920 Main St., Concrete. Enjoy the Get free maps and visitor information Skagit River Guide Service offers a music along with a box lunch from from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Concrete three-hour tour in heated driftboats at 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Howard Washington Café & Bakery. $15.

Chamber of Commerce, Concrete Music only: $7. 360-941-0403 or www. Center, 45821 Railroad St., Concrete. Miller Steelhead Park, 52804 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. $65. 888concrete-theatre.com.

360-853-8784 or 360-466-8754.

675-2448 or skagiteagles.com.

COUNTRY HAYRIDE AND BONEAGLE WATCHER STATIONS: WINE TASTING: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., FIRE: 3 p.m., Ovenell’s Ranch, 46276 Staffed by volunteers from 10 a.m. to Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Concrete-Sauk Valley Road, Concrete. 3 p.m. at Howard Miller Steelhead Take a hayride through 250 acres of Park in Rockport and at the Marble- Road, Sedro-Woolley. 360-856-6248 or eaglehavenwinery.com. timber and see eagles, herons, deer, elk mount Fish Hatchery, 8319 Fish and more. Then enjoy cookies and hot Hatchery Road. Scopes and binocuEAGLE FLOAT TRIPS: Triad River drinks at the bonfire, children’s games lars available. Free. 360-854-2631.

Tours offers a variety of eagle viewand historic ranch display. Activities ing float trips. Reservations required: are weather-dependent. Free. 360-853SALMON HATCHERY TOURS: 8494 or ovenells-inn.com.

Free tours of the Marblemount Fish 360-510-1243 or triadrivertours.com.

Saturday and Sunday

At the age of 21, Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he can travel in time. The night after another unsatisfactory New Year party, Tim’s father (Bill Nighy) tells his son that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. Tim can’t change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his own life — so he decides to make his world a better place ... by getting a girlfriend. Moving from the Cornwall coast to London, Tim finally meets the beautiful but insecure Mary (Rachel McAdams). They fall in love, then an unfortunate time-travel incident means he’s never met her at all. So they meet for the first time again ... and again ... but finally, after a lot of cunning time-traveling, he wins her heart.

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

NT Live: ‘Frankenstein’ 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12

National Theatre Live’s 2011 broadcast of Frankenstein returns to cinemas as part of the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Academy Award winner Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) directs a production with Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek: Into Darkness,” BBC’s “Sherlock”) and Jonny Lee Miller (“Trainspotting,” CBS’s “Elementary”) alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation.

Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. $15 general; $13 seniors; $11 students with $2 off for Lincoln members.

E10 Thursday, January 9, 2014

Thursday, January 9, 2014 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE

in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area January 10-18

TUNING UP Playing at area venues January 9-16 WEDNESDAY.15 TRISH HATLEY 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Friday.10 MUSIC

Austin Jenckes: 7 p.m., Western Washington University Performing Arts Center main stage, WWU campus, Bellingham. $10, $7 WWU students. 360-650-6803 or tickets.wwu.edu.

Wednesday.15 MUSIC

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Paramount Pictures via AP

Hedonistic high of ‘Wolf’ provokes debate

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

In “The Wolf of Wall Street,” out-of-control stock broker Jordan Belfort is initially furious when a Forbes magazine profile turns out to be a hatchet job labeling him a “twisted Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of brokers.”

But Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is quickly schooled on the rules of publicity. The next morning his office is overrun with rabid young brokers desperately waving resumes, dying to join his merry band.

The reaction to Martin Scorsese’s portrait of Wall Street excess has been comically similar. It’s been judged by some critics and moviegoers as a glorification of unchecked greed. But the movie’s bad reputation as an orgy of drugs, sex and money

(not to mention a reportedly recordsetting 506 F-bombs) has also drawn eager crowds. In Scorsese two weeks, the film has made $63.3 million at the box office and will likely become if not an outright hit, one of Scorsese’s highest-grossing pictures.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” has turned into easily the most debated film in an award season otherwise lacking much controversy, aside from some scattered fact-bending concerns. Scorsese and DiCaprio have been on damage control in recent days, defending their film as a thought-provoking portrait of decadence run amok.

Nearly every film critic and countless moviegoers have

weighed in on the morality of “The Wolf of Wall Street”: whether the film enjoys Belfort’s hedonistic high a little too much, or if tapping into the thrill of self-indulgence is actually the point.

“He does it because he can,” Scorsese said in an interview with The AP. “If you can do anything because you can, what are we as people? Can we easily fall into it? I think so.”

The largest missive came when LA Weekly published an open letter by Christina McDowell, the daughter of a lawyer Belfort worked with, in which she described the hard realities of those victimized by the shady penny stock dealings of Belfort.

“Your film is a reckless attempt at continuing to pretend that these sorts of schemes are entertaining, even as the country is reeling from yet another round of Wall Street scandals,” wrote

McDowell.

To the critics of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the nearly three-hour film fails to sufficiently judge the actions of its characters or depict the victims of Belfort’s recklessness. The Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern called the film a “hollow spectacle.”

It should be noted, though, that the Journal’s dismissal might be considered a badge of honor for any movie about Wall Street.

And since the movie is based on Belfort’s memoir, the former broker (who was convicted of fraud and served 22 months in prison) has profited from the making of the film. He also makes a brief cameo.

The backlash, though, may be taking indignation for Belfort (who received a relatively soft sentence after giving evidence against his colleagues) and misplacing it on the movie. In an interview,

DiCaprio called the film “a biography of a scumbag.”

“I understood how Jordan must have felt,” DiCaprio said. “These people idolizing you even though I’m preaching to them about screwing people over to its ultimate degree.”

Much of the film focuses not just on Belfort’s rise from a lowly Long Island penny stock broker to a hugely wealthy and powerful figure, but on the panting excitement his audacity inspires. In one of the movie’s most famous scenes, one played frequently in advertisements, Jonah Hill’s character quits his job minutes after hearing how much money DiCaprio makes.

The ominous concluding image of the film (spoiler alert) is of a rapt audience soaking up Belfort’s motivational speaking. More than anything, the film questions this innate allure of greed,

leaving moviegoers to question their own culpability in a system that rewards Belfort’s behavior. The New Yorker’s Richard Brody wrote: “Those who are decrying its extremes are maintaining their own innocence, protesting all too much their immunity to its temptations.”

“I didn’t want to stand back and say, ‘This is bad behavior,’” says Scorsese.

“It’s not for us to say, it’s for us to present. And obviously it’s bad behavior. Obviously the values are twisted and turned upside down.”

It’s not every day that a 71-year-old filmmaker (whose “Goodfellas” shares much with his latest movie) releases a film that provokes like “The Wolf of Wall Street” has.

Says Scorsese: “If it raises the ire of some people, that might be a good thing because it makes you think about it.”

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

Friday.17 COMEDY

Comedy Night: Nate Jackson, 8 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956 or anacortesH2O.com.

MAGIC

“Imagine”: Youth magician Elliott Hofferth, 7 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon. $5. Tickets available at Kids Stuff in downtown Mount Vernon or at the door. Proceeds will benefit Cub Scout Pack 4100.

SATURDAY.11 MIA VERMILLION 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

THURSDAY.9

FRIDAY.10

Cheryl Hodge: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden.

No cover. 360354-3600.

The Sardines: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-4226411.

Adam Miller (folksinger, storyteller): 5 p.m. Lopez Island Library, 2225 Fisherman’s Bay Road, Lopez Island. Free. 360468-2265 or lopezlibrary.org.

Tokul Road: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7.

360-445-3000.

Solo Piano Night: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6266.

So Adult, SHORE, Girl Guts, Heavy Petting: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

Jukebox Duo: 7 to 10 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Open to the public. 360-8488882.

SATURDAY.11 The Sardines: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon.

360-422-6411.

Andre Feriante: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

Saturday.18 MUSIC

Joyride: 9 p.m. to midnight, Varsity Inn, 112 N. Cherry St., Burlington.

No cover.

360-755-0165.

The Randy Linder Band (high energy classic rock): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover.

877-275-2448.

Scott Pemberton: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Daddy Treetops: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6266.

1967: 9 p.m. to midnight, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison.

No cover.

360-766-6330.

SUNDAY.12 Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam Night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway.

360-445-4733.

Mia Vermillion (blues): 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1037.

WEDNESDAY.15 Ford Giesbrecht: 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $5. 360-4453000.

File Gumbo, with Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

The Offshoots, the Ducks/Redux, Jasmine Greene: 7 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

Trish Hatley: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

Biagio Biondolillo and Michael Harris: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover.

360-354-3600.

THURSDAY.16 Hjardar Bruun: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

E10 Thursday, January 9, 2014

Thursday, January 9, 2014 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE

in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area January 10-18

TUNING UP Playing at area venues January 9-16 WEDNESDAY.15 TRISH HATLEY 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-588-1720.

Friday.10 MUSIC

Austin Jenckes: 7 p.m., Western Washington University Performing Arts Center main stage, WWU campus, Bellingham. $10, $7 WWU students. 360-650-6803 or tickets.wwu.edu.

Wednesday.15 MUSIC

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Paramount Pictures via AP

Hedonistic high of ‘Wolf’ provokes debate

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

In “The Wolf of Wall Street,” out-of-control stock broker Jordan Belfort is initially furious when a Forbes magazine profile turns out to be a hatchet job labeling him a “twisted Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of brokers.”

But Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is quickly schooled on the rules of publicity. The next morning his office is overrun with rabid young brokers desperately waving resumes, dying to join his merry band.

The reaction to Martin Scorsese’s portrait of Wall Street excess has been comically similar. It’s been judged by some critics and moviegoers as a glorification of unchecked greed. But the movie’s bad reputation as an orgy of drugs, sex and money

(not to mention a reportedly recordsetting 506 F-bombs) has also drawn eager crowds. In Scorsese two weeks, the film has made $63.3 million at the box office and will likely become if not an outright hit, one of Scorsese’s highest-grossing pictures.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” has turned into easily the most debated film in an award season otherwise lacking much controversy, aside from some scattered fact-bending concerns. Scorsese and DiCaprio have been on damage control in recent days, defending their film as a thought-provoking portrait of decadence run amok.

Nearly every film critic and countless moviegoers have

weighed in on the morality of “The Wolf of Wall Street”: whether the film enjoys Belfort’s hedonistic high a little too much, or if tapping into the thrill of self-indulgence is actually the point.

“He does it because he can,” Scorsese said in an interview with The AP. “If you can do anything because you can, what are we as people? Can we easily fall into it? I think so.”

The largest missive came when LA Weekly published an open letter by Christina McDowell, the daughter of a lawyer Belfort worked with, in which she described the hard realities of those victimized by the shady penny stock dealings of Belfort.

“Your film is a reckless attempt at continuing to pretend that these sorts of schemes are entertaining, even as the country is reeling from yet another round of Wall Street scandals,” wrote

McDowell.

To the critics of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the nearly three-hour film fails to sufficiently judge the actions of its characters or depict the victims of Belfort’s recklessness. The Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern called the film a “hollow spectacle.”

It should be noted, though, that the Journal’s dismissal might be considered a badge of honor for any movie about Wall Street.

And since the movie is based on Belfort’s memoir, the former broker (who was convicted of fraud and served 22 months in prison) has profited from the making of the film. He also makes a brief cameo.

The backlash, though, may be taking indignation for Belfort (who received a relatively soft sentence after giving evidence against his colleagues) and misplacing it on the movie. In an interview,

DiCaprio called the film “a biography of a scumbag.”

“I understood how Jordan must have felt,” DiCaprio said. “These people idolizing you even though I’m preaching to them about screwing people over to its ultimate degree.”

Much of the film focuses not just on Belfort’s rise from a lowly Long Island penny stock broker to a hugely wealthy and powerful figure, but on the panting excitement his audacity inspires. In one of the movie’s most famous scenes, one played frequently in advertisements, Jonah Hill’s character quits his job minutes after hearing how much money DiCaprio makes.

The ominous concluding image of the film (spoiler alert) is of a rapt audience soaking up Belfort’s motivational speaking. More than anything, the film questions this innate allure of greed,

leaving moviegoers to question their own culpability in a system that rewards Belfort’s behavior. The New Yorker’s Richard Brody wrote: “Those who are decrying its extremes are maintaining their own innocence, protesting all too much their immunity to its temptations.”

“I didn’t want to stand back and say, ‘This is bad behavior,’” says Scorsese.

“It’s not for us to say, it’s for us to present. And obviously it’s bad behavior. Obviously the values are twisted and turned upside down.”

It’s not every day that a 71-year-old filmmaker (whose “Goodfellas” shares much with his latest movie) releases a film that provokes like “The Wolf of Wall Street” has.

Says Scorsese: “If it raises the ire of some people, that might be a good thing because it makes you think about it.”

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

Friday.17 COMEDY

Comedy Night: Nate Jackson, 8 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956 or anacortesH2O.com.

MAGIC

“Imagine”: Youth magician Elliott Hofferth, 7 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon. $5. Tickets available at Kids Stuff in downtown Mount Vernon or at the door. Proceeds will benefit Cub Scout Pack 4100.

SATURDAY.11 MIA VERMILLION 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1037.

THURSDAY.9

FRIDAY.10

Cheryl Hodge: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden.

No cover. 360354-3600.

The Sardines: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-4226411.

Adam Miller (folksinger, storyteller): 5 p.m. Lopez Island Library, 2225 Fisherman’s Bay Road, Lopez Island. Free. 360468-2265 or lopezlibrary.org.

Tokul Road: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $7.

360-445-3000.

Solo Piano Night: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6266.

So Adult, SHORE, Girl Guts, Heavy Petting: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

Jukebox Duo: 7 to 10 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks, 2120 Market St., Mount Vernon. Open to the public. 360-8488882.

SATURDAY.11 The Sardines: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon.

360-422-6411.

Andre Feriante: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/ Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000.

Saturday.18 MUSIC

Joyride: 9 p.m. to midnight, Varsity Inn, 112 N. Cherry St., Burlington.

No cover.

360-755-0165.

The Randy Linder Band (high energy classic rock): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover.

877-275-2448.

Scott Pemberton: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

360-755-3956.

Daddy Treetops: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison.

360-766-6266.

1967: 9 p.m. to midnight, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, 5754 Cains Court, Edison.

No cover.

360-766-6330.

SUNDAY.12 Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam Night, 6 to 10 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway.

360-445-4733.

Mia Vermillion (blues): 7:30 p.m., Washington Sips, 608 S. First St., La Conner.

360-399-1037.

WEDNESDAY.15 Ford Giesbrecht: 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $5. 360-4453000.

File Gumbo, with Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

The Offshoots, the Ducks/Redux, Jasmine Greene: 7 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5.

360-778-1067.

Trish Hatley: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

Biagio Biondolillo and Michael Harris: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover.

360-354-3600.

THURSDAY.16 Hjardar Bruun: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.

E12 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TRAVEL

From palm trees to snow: Winter Olympics’ Sochi

By JIM HEINTZ Associated Press

SOCHI, Russia — For visitors to the Winter Olympics, Sochi may feel like a landscape from a dream — familiar and strange at once.

Palm trees evoke a tropical seaside resort, but the Black Sea itself is seriously cold; turn away from the palms and the jagged, snowcovered peaks of the Caucasus Mountains rise nearby.

Lively and garish modern buildings mix with Stalin Gothic piles, like trophy wives on the arms of elderly men. Billboards are written in an alphabet where some letters sound exactly like you think they do, others mean something else and the rest are flat-out alien.

What may seem oddest of all is the city’s cheerful and relaxed aura in a country stereotyped as dour.

Even a local statue of Vladimir Lenin catches the casual vibe. He’s not haranguing the masses, just standing under some trees with one hand in his pocket as if he’s killing time waiting for a date.

Some questions and answers about the resort city often called the Russian Sochi borough is more or Riviera: less the Manhattan of the city, home to the best restauAm I in Sochi? rants, coolest clubs and the Rather like New York main cultural institutions.

City, Sochi is a sprawling The urban part of Adler also municipality, incorporating has attractive restaurants. four boroughs. Confusingly, But while its attractions one of the four is called are relatively cosmopolitan, Sochi. So it’s possible to and its coastline is 90 miles both be in Sochi and say long, Sochi is not a big city “I’m going to Sochi.” population-wise, with only All the Olympic events about 350,000 inhabitants. take place in the Adler borough, though the snow Will they understand sports venues are often me (and vice versa)? referred to as being in speVolunteer staff at Olymcific settlements such as pics test events spoke excelKrasnaya Polyana and Esto- lent English and sometimes Sadok. struck up conversations just

ABOVE: The Rosa Khutor and Esto-Sadok resorts are seen from a cableway cabin, in Rosa Khutor, some 37 miles east of the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia.

LEFT: An old Soviet style statue is displayed over the sea port in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

AP file photos

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E13

TRAVEL to improve their skills (or show off). But outside the Olympic venues and large hotels, communication in languages other than Russian is likely to be difficult.

The Games’ organizing committee recommends that mobile device users download a translation app.

The Cyrillic alphabet isn’t as hard as it may look, and spending a couple of hours to master it brings sizeable rewards.

Russian has many loanwords from English, French and German, so being able to sound out words can make the place pop into better focus.

For example, knowing that “teatp” is pronounced “teater,” it’s a reasonable and correct guess that it means “theater.” Note that bars advertising “xayc” are offering “house” music and not a homey atmosphere.

Local travel

ABOVE: The Alexandriisky Mayak apartment complex (left) is shown in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

LEFT: A woman in a traditional folk costume welcomes guests with a beverage at a street in Rosa Khutor.

AP file photos

items, so potatoes and other vegetables must be ordered How’s the weather? separately.

Rain, snow, sun, fog, Russia has a wine industry warmish, cold — a few days of sorts, but refined palates at the Olympics likely will may find it disappointing. include them all.

Vodka, seen as both RusOn the coast, where the sia’s treasure and its curse, is ice sports and opening and often ordered by the gram, closing ceremonies take place, daytime temperatures with 3.5 ounces the standard to get the night started. should be around 50 F and Sochi also a good place to freezing is unlikely. sample the food of nearby In the mountains, temperatures generally don’t get Georgia, including the renowned cheese-filled hot severely cold; at the lower elevations, where ski-jump- bread called khachapuri and tsatsivi, chicken in walnut ing and sliding sports take sauce, and the plum-based place, the prospect of rain and above-freezing tempera- soup kharcho. tures is a concern.

What’s for dinner?

Russian cooking can be hard on the waistline but good for the taste buds.

Even nominally low-calorie soups such as the beet-based borscht boost their count when a typical large dollop of sour cream is added.

Pelmeni, dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables, meet almost everyone’s taste. Entrees often come without additional

What can I do besides watch sports?

Downtown Sochi and Adler both have long and appealing seaside promenades, complete with tacky souvenir stands, lively bars and restaurants. Sochi also has an attractive passenger harbor, whose spired terminal is one of the city’s standout buildings, and an art museum.

The most idiosyncratic attraction may be Sochi’s

extensive mountainside botanical garden, the Dendrarium, with an unusual array of plants showing the variable climate.

Sochi has long been a choice destination for Russia’s political elite. Joseph Stalin’s summer residence in Zeleni Mys even features a wax mannequin of the dictator at his desk.

A swim in the Black Sea may make an unusual Winter Olympics memory. The beaches are stony and the water temperature will be around 50 F; concerns have been raised about pollution in the sea around Dagomys, north of downtown Sochi.

Although most of Sochi’s sports facilities will be devoted to the games, the Gornaya Karusel ski area expects to have some slopes open to the public, organizers say.

A classic Russian way to while away an afternoon is a trip to the banya, like a sauna but somewhat steamier. If your hotel doesn’t have one, it can likely recommend a good one nearby.

A proper trip to the banya involves several hours of repeatedly heating up and cooling down, along with

snacking and having a few drinks.

Local tourist agencies offer other excursions. These include day trips to the separatist Georgian region of Abkhazia, but visitors will need a double-entry Russian visa to get back into Sochi, and travel to the rest of Georgia is forbidden to those who come to Abkhazia from the Russian side.

What about the rest of Russia?

A trip to Sochi can be a jumping-off point for exploring other parts of Russia, notably Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Unless there’s time to spare or the spirit of adventure overtakes you, the train isn’t a good option. The fastest train from Sochi to Moscow takes a full 24 hours; St. Petersburg is another halfday beyond.

February is the most severe of the winter months in both Moscow and St. Petersburg and visitors to these cities should be prepared for temperatures colder than anything they’re likely to experience even in the mountains of Sochi.

educational travel programs next summer in SHORT TRIPS: Mount Italy and Africa. Global Vernon Parks and Recre- Discovery trips are not ation offers travel oppor- for university credit or tunities for participants restricted to Western stuages 12 and older (adult dents. People of all ages supervision required for are invited to travel alongages 18 and younger). side Western faculty and Trips depart from and gain an understanding of return to Hillcrest Park, other cultures, including 1717 S. 13th St., Mount their art, ecology, food, Vernon. For information or history, language and to register, call 360-336- more. Trips include: 6215.

Mount Kilimanjaro Next up: Climb and Serengeti Snowshoeing and Safari Extension: Bavarian Ice Festival July 5-19. in Leavenworth: 10:30 Serengeti Safari and a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Kilimanjaro Culture Tour: Jan. 19. Enjoy an easy to July 14-26. moderate snowshoe hike Tuscany, Italy: Aug. with a picnic lunch along 31-Sept. 14. the trail, then head on to 360- 650-6409, global Leavenworth for the annu- discovery@wwu.edu or al Bavarian Ice Festival wwu.edu/GlobalDiscov with food, beverages and ery. shopping followed by fireworks at 6 p.m. $79-$81, EXTENDED TRIPS: includes snowshoes, The Oak Harbor Senior guides, trail passes and Center is organizing sevtransportation. Register eral small-group trips for

by Jan. 13.

2014: Trains of Colorado in July and Islands of New TRAVEL TALK: Learn England in September. about upcoming cruise Trips will depart from Oak options at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at AAA Trav- Harbor/Mount Vernon.

Contact Pat Gardner at el, 1600 E. College Way, 360-279-4582 or email Suite A, Mount Vernon. pgardner@oakharbor.org.

The free presentation will include limited-time PASSPORT APPLICAcruise benefits and speTIONS: The Anacortes cial offers. RSVP: 360Public Library accepts 848-2090. passport applications from noon to 6:30 p.m.

SEATTLE FLOWER Tuesdays and WednesSHOW: Buses to the days and 1 to 4 p.m.

Northwest Flower & GarSaturdays at 1220 10th den Show in Seattle will St., Anacortes. Passport leave at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. Wednes- forms and information on fees and how to apply are day through Friday, Feb. available at travel.state.

5-7, from Christianson’s gov, or pick up an applicaNursery, 15806 Best tion and passport guide Road, Mount Vernon. $53, includes show ticket at the library.

The Oak Harbor Senior and transportation. ResCenter accepts passport ervations required: 360applications, by appoint466-3821. ment, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday WWU FACULTY-LED through Friday at 51 SE TRAVEL PROGRAMS: Jerome St., Oak Harbor.

Western Washington University will offer three 360-279-4580.

Please recycle this newspaper

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E14 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

HOT TICKETS REEL BIG FISH: Jan. 11, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

PANIC! AT THE DISCO: Jan. 14, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

INTERNATIONAL CAT VIDEO FILM FESTIVAL: Jan. 15, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: Jan. 17, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DISNEY JUNIOR LIVE ON TOUR! PIRATE & PRINCESS ADVENTURE: Jan. 19, Comcast Arena at Everett.

866-332-8499 or comcastarena everett.com.

JAKE BUGG: Jan. 20, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

ROBERT DELONG: Jan. 23, The Barboza, Seattle. 206-709-9442 or thebarboza.com.

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS: Jan. 23, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

EXCISION: Jan. 24, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or livenation.com.

LORD HURON: Jan. 24, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

COLIN HAY (of Men At Work): Jan. 24-25, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or the skagit.com.

HOPSIN’S KNOCK MADNESS TOUR: Jan. 25, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT: Jan. 30-March 2, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle. 206-625-1900 or 5thavenue. org.

MYON & SHANE 54: Jan. 31, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT: with Brian Gore, Pino Forastiere, Mike Dawes and Quique Sinesi: Feb. 1, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

THE DEVIL MAKES THREE: Feb. 1, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

MARY LAMBERT: Feb. 1, Showboxat the Market, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

ANA POPOVIC: Feb. 6, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

WHITE LIES: Feb. 7, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET: Feb.8, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BIFFY CLYRO: Feb. 9, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

IMAGINE DRAGONS: Feb. 11, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or

800-745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

DOC SEVERINSEN (pictured), YOUNG THE GIANT: April 4-5, THE SAN MIGUEL FIVE Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

Feb. 21-22, Skagit Valley Casino BASTILLE: April 8, Showbox SoDo, Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxtheskagit.com. online.com.

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

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND: April 10, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

THE WAILIN’ JENNYS: April 12, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

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

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA: April 20, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

ELLIE GOULDING: April 23, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 877-7844849 or livenation.com.

THE 1975: April 24, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

FRANZ FERDINAND: April 24, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline.com.

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

SUDDEN VALLEY JAZZ SERIES: livenation.com. livenation.com.

Peter Noone: March 14-15, Skagit 2 CHAINZ: Feb. 13, Showbox THE ENGLISH BEAT: Feb. 21, Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275- April 26/Nov. 15, Sudden Valley Dance Barn, Bellingham. 360-671SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800- 2448 or theskagit.com.

1709 or suddenvalleylibrary.org. showboxonline.com.

745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BRING ME THE HORIZON: March KYARY PAMYU PAMYU: Feb. 13, DOC SEVERINSEN, THE SAN 24, Showbox at the Market, Seattle.

STEPHEN “RAGGA” MARLEY: May Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800- MIGUEL FIVE: Feb. 21-22, Skagit 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.

6, Showbox at the Market, Seattle.

745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275- com.

206-224-5481 or aeglive.com.

ERIC TINGSTAD & NANCY RUM2448 or theskagit.com.

LORDE: March 24, WaMu Theater, LINDSEY STIRLING: May 21, ShowBEL: Feb. 14, Lincoln Theatre, Mount THE WILD FEATHERS: Feb. 26, The Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ticketmas- box SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolnthe Crocodile, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ter.com. showboxonline.com. atre.org. livenation.com.

THE SING-OFF LIVE TOUR: March SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL: KARMIN: Feb. 14, Neumos, SeatWALK OFF THE EARTH: Feb. 26, 25, Showbox at the Market, Seattle.

May 23-25 and July 4-6, Gorge Amphitle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline. Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745800-745-3000 or showboxonline. theatre, George. sasquatchfestival. com.

3000 or showboxonline.com. com. com.

THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED JIM JEFFERIES: Feb. 27, Moore ROBIN THICKE: March 26, WaMu LADY GAGA’S artRAVE — The STATES OF AMERICA: Feb. 15, Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ARTPOP Ball: May 28, KeyArena, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. livenation.com. ticketmaster.com.

Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.

800-745-3000 or showboxonline.

MARCHFOURTH MARCHING GUNGOR: March 26, Showbox at com. com.

BAND: Feb. 28, Showbox at the Mar- the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 ONEREPUBLIC: June 12, Comcast MILEY CYRUS: Feb. 16, Tacoma ket, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or show- or showboxonline.com.

Arena at Everett. 866-332-8499 or Dome, Tacoma. 800-745-3000 or boxonline.com.

BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONcomcastarenaeverett.com. livenation.com.

GLASVEGAS: Feb. 28, Columbia STERS: March 28, Showbox at the PARADISO FESTIVAL: June 27-28, HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS: Feb. City Theater, Seattle. 800-838-3006 Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 80016, Comcast Arena at Everett. 866or columbiacitytheater.com. showboxonline.com.

745-3000 or livenation.com.

332-8499 or comcastarenaeverett.

SKINNY PUPPY: March 1, ShowKINGS OF LEON: March 28, CHER: June 28, KeyArena, Seattle. com. box at the Market, Seattle. 800-745- KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

BAND OF HORSES: Feb. 16, Moore 3000 or showboxonline.com. livenation.com.

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS: Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or G-EAZY: March 7, Showbox at the THE DECIBEL MAGAZINE TOUR: July 2, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. livenation.com.

Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or featuring CARCASS: March 29, AMOS LEE: Feb. 17, Paramount showboxonline.com.

Showbox at the Market, Seattle. 800- 877-784-4849 or tickets.com.

JOURNEY, STEVE MILLER BAND: Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or THE ATARIS: March 12, Showbox at 745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

July 19, White River Amphitheatre, livenation.com. the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 SHARON JONES & THE DAP Auburn. 800-745-3000 or livenation.

PAUL SIMON, STING: Feb. 19, or showboxonline.com.

KINGS: April 2-3, Showbox at the com.

KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or GALACTIC: March 13, Showbox at Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or ARCADE FIRE: Aug. 8, Gorge livenation.com. the Market, Seattle. 800-745-3000 showboxonline.com.

Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 PENTATONIX: Feb. 20, Paramount or showboxonline.com.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: April Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or HERMAN’S HERMITS, starring 4, Showbox at the Market, Seattle. or livenation.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E15

Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David team up on mystery project Los Angeles Times

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Comedian Jerry Seinfeld apparently has teamed up with his “Seinfeld” cocreator Larry David for a new project.

But any more information than that will have to wait.

Seinfeld participated in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” Q&A this week to promote his new Web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” During the online discussion, he was asked about his friendship with “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star David. Together, they once created one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1990s: “Seinfeld.”

In response to a question about the most mundane thing David and Seinfeld ever obsessed over, he wrote, “We never obsess over anything that isn’t mundane. Most recent was intentional mumbling. We wrote this script for this thing that you will eventually see but I can’t reveal what it is at this time. All I can do is tell you is that it’s big, huge, gigantic. Even bigger than that Amazon package.”

The last time Seinfeld and David collaborated on a script was for the hourlong season 7 “Seinfeld” episode “The Cadillac,” which aired in 1996.

Seinfeld and David first met as stand-up comedians in New York City in the late 1970s. Their collaboration, “Seinfeld,” was a top-rated hit and lasted on NBC for nine seasons.

Seinfeld also made a cameo on David’s HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and David has appeared as a guest on Seinfeld’s Web series.

3

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E16 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

MOVIES

Paramount Pictures via AP

Latest ‘Paranormal’ manages stereotypical laughs, frights

By ROGER MOORE McClatchy-Tribune News Service

With “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” this foundfootage franchise abandons the lull-you-to-sleep creepiness of found surveillance footage for full-on shaky cam and an altogether more conventional horror movie plot.

But as exhausted as this series and the genre it comes from are, it still manages a few decent jolts thanks to that new approach and a pretty good cast’s reactions to what they, and we, see through the video camera’s viewfinder.

Writer-director Christopher

But Anna, the crazy lady downstairs in Jesse’s complex, is HH truly out of the ordinary. They Cast: Andrew Jacobs, Gabrielle Walsh, Jorge Diaz, Carlos Pratts, hear weird noises, slip the camera Richard Cabral down the heat vents and tape a Running time: 1:24 strange sexual ritual. And then MPAA rating: R for pervasive language, some violence, graphic Anna dies, killed by Jesse and nudity and some drug use Hector’s class valedictorian, Oscar (Carlos Pratts). Looking Landon “latinizes” the tale, Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) gets a at Oscar, they can see, as we can setting this installment among camera for his high school gradu- see, that this boy isn’t right in the Angelinos in the barrio — teen- ation present. He and his pals head. agers, gang-bangers, abuelas and Hector (Jorge Diaz) and Marisol The boys-will-be-boys stuff the like. And even as he recycles (Gabrielle Walsh) play with it, is reasonably realistic. And the some of the funny stereotypes taping parties, pickup basketball stumbling panic about what is Marlon Wayans & Co. sent up games and the like. That gets happening with these people who in the “Paranormal” parody, “A under the skin of the occasional knew the late Anna, whom all Haunted House,” he finds frights gang-banger, but that comes with the kids called “bruja” (witch), is and fun in that found footage. the territory. sharply realized. Call the cops!

‘PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES’

“Call the cops and tell them WHAT?” Jesse’s Spanish-speaking granny knows, and her approach to the problem is old school and old school horror.

The bottom line of any horror picture matches your neckline — as in, “Does it make the hairs of your neck stand up?”

The answer here, as silly and weary as these movies are, is “Yes, a few times.”

But the jokes, intentional and unintentional, give away why “The Marked Ones” was dumped on the first weekend of January.

It was never going to be much better than mediocre.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E17

MOVIES MINI-REVIEWS Compiled from news services.

Ratings are one to four stars.

“American Hustle” — Christian Bale gives a transcendent performance as a con man who falls hard for hard-time gal Amy Adams.

Director David O. Russell and his “Silver Linings Playbook” stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence went right back to work together on this wild tale about con artists helping the FBI on a sting.

Comedy, R, 138 minutes.

HHHH “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” — It’s a marvel the way Will Ferrell flings himself into playing the loathsome idiot for the ages Ron Burgundy, hired in this sequel to anchor on a cable news network in the early 1980s. The gang all returns: Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Christina Applegate. Funnier than the original, “Anchorman 2” is also, in its own loony way, a sobering look at the television business then — and now. (Comedy, PG-13, 119 minutes). HHH1⁄2 “August: Osage County” — The dialogue is sometimes so sharp we wince, and the acting by an ensemble of world-class actors led by Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor and Chris Cooper is for the most part superb. But this adaptation of Tracy Letts’ play ultimately is sour, loud and draining.

Nearly everyone in this story would be the most horrific person at your average dinner party. Drama, R, 119 minutes. HH “Dallas Buyers Club” — Matthew McConaughey plays Ron Woodroof, a grimy, shady, homophobic, substanceabusing horndog in 1985 Texas who learns he’s HIVpositive and procures unapproved means of treatment.

McConaughey’s masterful job of portraying one of the more deeply flawed anti-heroes in recent screen history reminds us why he became a movie star in the first place.

We start out loathing this guy and learn to love him. Jared Leto disappears into the role of a transgender drug addict and Jennifer Garner is Ron’s empathetic doctor. Drama, R,

AT AREA THEATERS ANACORTES CINEMAS Jan. 10-16 American Hustle (R): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:30, 9:20; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:45, 6:30 Saving Mr. Banks (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:10, 6:40, 9:15; Sunday-Thursday: 1:10, 6:40 The Book Thief (PG-13): 3:50 Philomena (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:50, 9:10; Sunday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:50 360-293-6620 BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor Jan. 10-12 Frozen (PG) and Saving Mr. Banks (PG-13): First movie starts at 6 p.m.

360-675-5667 CONCRETE THEATRE Jan. 10-12 Walking with Dinosaurs (PG): Friday at 7:30 p.m.

(3D): Saturday: 5 p.m. (2D) and 7:30 p.m. (3D); Sunday: 4 p.m. (2D) and 6:30 p.m. (3D) 360-941-0403 CASCADE MALL THEATRES Burlington For listings: 888-AMC-4FUN (888-262-4386).

OAK HARBOR CINEMAS Jan. 10-16 Lone Survivor (R): Friday-Saturday: 1:10, 3:40, 6:40, 9:10; Sunday-Thursday: 1:10, 3:40, 6:40 Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (R): FridaySaturday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:50, 8:55; Sunday-Thursday: 1:20, 3:30, 6:50 Saving Mr. Banks (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:30, 9:05; Sunday-Thursday: 1:00, 3:35, 6:30 360-279-2226 STANWOOD CINEMAS Jan. 10-16 Lone Survivor (R): 1:20, 3:55, 6:35, 9:15 The Wolf of Wall Street (R): 1:40, 5:10, 8:20 American Hustle (R): 1:00, 3:50, 6:40, 9:30 Saving Mr. Banks (PG-13): 1:10, 3:45, 6:30, 9:05 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG-13): 4:05, 8:00 The Book Thief (PG-13): 1:30 360-629-0514 117 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Ender’s Game” — A firstrate cast of wily veterans (Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley) and fresh-faced youngsters (Asa Butterfield of “Hugo”) deliver a rousing, challenging adventure that should satisfy most young fans of the beloved sci-fi novel while keeping the adults engrossed as well. The simulated battles against scary aliens are beautifully shot and expertly choreographed. Sci-fi adventure, PG-13, 114 minutes.

HHH “Frozen” — When a queen with icy powers (voice of

Idina Menzel) accidentally freezes her kingdom, she runs away and her intrepid sister (Kristen Bell) goes to find her. Sure to delight kids and captivate adults, Disney’s musical “Frozen” is the instant favorite for the animated feature Oscar.

Animated musical, PG, 102 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Gravity” — An accident sets two astronauts, a veteran (George Clooney) and a rookie (Sandra Bullock), adrift in space. Both a stunning visual treat and an unforgettable thrill ride, director Alfonso Cuaron’s

amazing space adventure evokes “Alien” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” During some harrowing sequences, you’ll have to remind yourself to breathe. Thriller, PG-13, 91 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Her” — In writer-director Spike Jonze’s lovely and wondrous ultra-modern romance, a fragile fellow in the notso-distant future (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with the voice of an operating system (Scarlett Johansson). One of the more original, hilarious and even heartbreaking stories of the year. It works both as a love story and as a commentary on the ways technology isolates us from human contact. Comedy-romance, R, 119 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Homefront” — A widowed ex-DEA agent (Jason Statham) and his adorable daughter get a hostile reception upon moving to a small Louisiana town. Director Gary Fleder knows his way around this kind of material, and the screenplay by Sylvester Stallone has some salt in it, but ultimately, “Homefront” flies off the rails. James Franco’s not right as the villain, and the movie travels awfully familiar turf. Action, R, 100 minutes. HH “Hours” — In one of his last roles, Paul Walker does some pretty solid work as a new dad desperately trying to save his newborn daughter in a New Orleans hospital abandoned during Hurricane Katrina. One only wishes Walker had stronger, betterdeveloped material to work with instead of a promising drama that eventually unravels. Drama, PG-13, 96 minutes. HH “Inside Llewyn Davis” — With this dry comedy about the American folk music scene of the early 1960s, Ethan and Joel Coen have crafted another unique period piece. Oscar Isaac gives a memorable performance as the title character, a thoroughly unlikable, selfish, socially poisonous miscreant. The music is terrific.

With Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman.

Comedy, R, 105 minutes.

HHH1⁄2 “Lone Survivor” — This re-creation of a 2005 Navy SEAL mission builds to one of the most realistic, shocking, gruesome and devastat-

ing depictions of war ever put on film. Instead of going for the big-picture perspective, director Peter Berg focuses on the unflinching bravery of soldiers executing their mission and looking out for one another. Mark Wahlberg stars, with Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. War drama, R, 121 minutes. HHH “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” — Idris Elba captures the fire and passion of Nelson Mandela as a young activist, his resilience as a political prisoner and his wisdom as a forgiving elder statesman in Justin Chadwick’s telling of Mandela’s epic life. This may be the most complete and compelling interpretation of Mandela the man and Mandela the symbol ever captured on film.

Biography, PG-13, 141 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “Nebraska” — What a joy it is to watch Bruce Dern playing such a miserable SOB in the best role of his long career. Woody Grant is a crabby, boozy, sometimes delusional old guy on a road trip with his son (Will Forte) to collect a sweepstakes prize. Alexander Payne’s latest film is a modern American classic about the dynamic between a father from the generation that didn’t speak about its feelings and a grown son who’s still trying to get his father to explain himself. Stark, beautiful and memorable. Drama, R, 115 minutes. HHHH “Saving Mr. Banks” — Emma Thompson is a perfect choice to play prissy P.L. Travers, who wrote the Mary Poppins books and resists the efforts of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) to give the magical nanny the Hollywood musical treatment. A lovingly rendered, sweet film, set in a stylized and gorgeous rendition of 1961 Los Angeles.

Comedy-biography, PG-12, 125 minutes. HHH “The Book Thief” — A wondrous, richly textured, sometimes heartbreakingly effective movie about good Germans in World War II, including a remarkable little girl and the couple who took her in while sheltering a teenage Jewish boy in their basement. Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson deserve Oscar consideration for their lovely,

layered performances. One of the year’s best movies.

Drama, PG-13, 131 minutes.

HHHH “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” — The latest adaptation of James Thurber’s short story about an imaginative daydreamer is an ambitious and sometimes effective, but wildly uneven adventure that plays like one extended ego trip for director and star Ben Stiller. He goes for big, predictable, easy and obvious too often here. Comedy, PG, 125 minutes. HH “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” — There’s far less fussing about in this movie than in its precursor “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” and although “Smaug” moves at a faster pace, it still feels overlong.

At least this leg of the quest features giant spiders and a hot elf. Can’t miss with that. Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage return to star, and Peter Jackson’s 3-D visuals are as breathtaking as ever. Fantasy adventure, PG-13, 161 minutes. HHH “The Wolf of Wall Street” — Martin Scorsese directs the story of an amoral Wall Street hustler (the ever-charismatic Leonardo DiCaprio) -— a user, a taker, a rat and a scoundrel. Though the little bleep sometimes wears out his welcome, we stick around to see if he gets his comeuppance and to marvel at Scorsese’s continuing mastery. Jonah Hill overdoes it as DiCaprio’s right-hand man, and Matthew McConaughey is mesmerizing as his first mentor. Crime-comedy, R, 180 minutes. HHH1⁄2 “12 Years a Slave” — is a film about great bravery, featuring some of the bravest performances you’ll ever have the privilege to witness.

Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as a free man in New York state in the 1840s, who is kidnapped and shipped to the South, where he is beaten, given a new name and forced into slavery. Unflinchingly directed by Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave” is what we talk about when we talk about greatness in film. With Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti. Drama, R, 134 minutes. HHHH

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E18 - Thursday, January 9, 2014

OUT & ABOUT ART IN THE ART BAR: Watercolors by Don Smith are on display through Jan. 31 in the Lincoln Theatre Art Bar, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Smith studied Western and Japanese watercolor painting with Val Welman and George Tsutakawa at the University of Washington School of Art in the 1970s, but says he wishes he had studied the medium more, according to a news release. He feels the artist’s job is to show others what they may not otherwise notice about the world around them.

360-336-8955 or lincoln theatre.org.

“CASTING: LABOR OF LOVE”: The multimedia exhibition by Seiko Atsuta Purdue continues through Feb. 2 at Anchor Art Space, 216 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Purdue’s installation explores themes of childhood and motherhood by casting the forms of plastic toys and clothes with paper in a blending of Japanese and American cultures.

Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Purdue will speak about the inspirations behind her work from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.

360-755-3140 or anchor artspace.org.

NEW PAINTINGS: A show of new paintings by Anne Martin McCool continues through Jan. 31 at Anne Martin McCool Gallery, 711 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. The show also features artwork by gallery artists George Way, Art Learmonth, Martha Tottenham, Carole Cunningham, Debbie Aldrich, Tracy Powell, Bob Metke, Vicki Hampel, Patsy Chamberlain, Barbara Hathaway, Jane Hyde and Cathy Schoen-

berg. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday or by appointment. 360-293-3577 or mccoolart.com.

“THE APOCALYPTIC SUBLIME”: In conjunction with the Whatcom Museum’s exhibition “Vanishing Ice,” Western Washington University presents a survey of David Maisel’s major aerial photography projects, “Black Maps: American Landscape and the Apocalyptic Sublime,” on display through Feb. 14 in the Western Gallery on the WWU Bellingham campus. Maisel will present a special lecture at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, in Academic West Room 210.

In these large-scaled photographs, “Black Maps” leads the viewer on a hallucinatory journey through terrains that have been radically altered by environmental issues and transformed by human agency.

Maisel’s aerial images of environmentally impacted zones frame the issues of contemporary landscape with equal measures of documentation and metaphor, beauty and despair.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 360-6503963 or westerngallery. wwu.edu.

FIBER ARTS ON DISPLAY: Three new exhibits will open Saturday, Jan. 11, and continue through March 23 at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. Meet Sue Spargo and members of the Surface Design Association during a reception and tours from 1 to 3 p.m. opening day.

“Creating Texture”: Self-taught stitcher, quilter and artist Sue Spargo is

Anacortes library winter film series

ated by members of Whidbey Island’s Surface Design Association blend many techniques — collage, weaving, felting, beading, basketry, hand-dyed fabric and contemporary quilting.

Each artist was challenged to literally or figuratively create artwork with “Out of the Blue” as its theme.

“Timeless Treasures: Crazy Quilts”: Each January, the museum features a selection of crazy quilts, a craze that became popular in America around the 1880s. While some Crazies might include fans or other recognizable patterns, the style often features random-sized patches sewn onto a foundation fabric with embroidery stitches around the patch edges.

Patches also often include paintings, ink work or embroidery.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and children ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

reception at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

“Shoreline from the Permanent Collection”: The exhibit will offer a kaleidoscope experience of color, media and composition, including artwork by Guy Anderson, Bill Brennen, Kenneth Callahan, Richard Gilkey, Paul Havas, Charles Miller, Allen Moe, Mary Randlett, Jack Stangle, Mark Tobey and Hiroshi Yamano. Curated by Lisa Young. (Pictured: “Washington Coast” by Paul Havas.)

“IN FIERI: IN BECOMING”: The exhibit featuring Enjoy free films at 7 p.m. Fridays at the Anacortes student work from TrinPublic Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Nick Alphin, ity Western University’s Academy Award nominee and member of the AcadSchool of the Arts, Media emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will introand Culture will open with duce each film and provide background information. a reception from 6:30 to 8 Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library.cityofanacortes. p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, and org. Next up: continue through Jan. 31 Jan. 10: “Twentieth Century”: This screwball comat the Jansen Art Center, edy stars John Barrymore as a Broadway impresario 321 Front St., Lynden. and Carole Lombard (both pictured) as one of his Comprised of work by 12 protégés. Though his career tanks when she leaves him women, this exhibit was for Hollywood stardom, their chance meeting on the born from a moment of 20th Century Limited, a train traveling from Chicago transition between who to New York, could change the trajectory of their lives. they have been in the past Directed by Howard Hawks. and who they are now Jan. 17: “The Fugitive”: Based on the TV series, becoming. The center is the thriller stars Harrison Ford as a respected surgeon open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. wrongfully convicted of killing his wife. He survives MoNA WINTER EXHIBMonday through Wednesa harrowing accident on the way to prison, escapes, ITS: Two new exhibits will day and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and becomes a fugitive trying to find the real killer. A open with a reception from Thursday through Saturday. team of U.S. Marshals led by a hardcore deputy mar3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 360-354-3600 or jansenart shal (Tommy Lee Jones) relentlessly pursues the fugi11, and continue through center.org. tive. Won one Oscar, nominated for six more.

March 12 at The Museum Jan. 24: “Hotel for Dogs”: The comedy stars of Northwest Art, 121 S. NEW ARTISTS, ANNIEmma Roberts and Jake T. Austin as orphans who First St., La Conner.

VERSARY SHOW: Artists hide their dog at an abandoned hotel. Transforming “North American”: Film Alfred Currier and Anne the hotel into a paradise for dogs, they take in all the installation by Robinson Schreivogl have joined La local strays, but the barking alerts animal control. The Devor and Charles MudConner Seaside Gallery two animal lovers must call on all their assets to save ede. Working outside the in partnership and reprethe secret shelter. traditional narrative struc- sentation, and will exhibit Jan. 31: “Hondo”: Based on a Louis L’Amour ture, the film installation their work along with the short story, this Western stars John Wayne as Hondo, a follows a mentally exhaust- three other artist-partners: dispatch rider for the Cavalry. He discovers a frontier ed airline pilot wandering photographer Mark Conley woman (Geraldine Page) and her young son living through a massive public and painters Mark Bistraalone in hostile Apache territory and becomes their park. Visitors will experinin and Dave Nichols. La protector. After some violent encounters, Hondo ence the pilot’s journey Conner Seaside Gallery, accompanies the woman and her son out of the terrion multiple screens. The 101 N. First St., La Conner, tory. Nominated for two Oscars. project was filmed entirely is featuring its anniversary in Seattle’s Olmsteadart show through Jan. 31. designed park system.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. influenced by the beautiful, style is rich with embroiDevor and Mudede will to 5 p.m. Thursday through colorful work of primitive dery. introduce their film instal- Monday. 360-202-2956 or “Out of the Blue”: The craft artists around the laconnerseasidegallery.com. one-of-a-kind artworks cre- lation before the opening world. Spargo’s folk art

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - E19

OUT & ABOUT JENNIFER BOWMAN ACRYLICS: A show of new acrylic paintings by Anacortes artist Jennifer Bowman will continue through Jan. 28 at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Bowman’s whimsical canvases feature colorful landscapes, florals and seascapes. Bowman will also exhibit her newest addition, silk scarves. The gallery will also showcase photo encaustics by Kathy Hastings, photographs by Randy Dana and Lewis Jones, oils and pastels by Amanda Houston, jewelry

by Enid Oates and Kate Grinzell and custom tables and chairs by Gary Leake.

Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. 360-293-6938 or scottmilo.com.

SMALL ARTWORKS: The 23rd annual “Honey, I Shrunk The Art” show continues through Jan. 19 at the Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island. The show features small-format paintings, glass art and sculptures by 40 artists. The fourth annual closing of the show potluck party will take place from 4 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday or by appointment. 360-387-2759 or matzkefineart.com.

LA CONNER OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT: The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is on display through March 1 at public locations around La Conner. The annual juried exhibition features work by some of the Northwest’s most accomplished artists.

For information, including a map of the sculptures and works available for sale, call 360-466-3125 or visit townoflaconner.org.

LECTURES AND TALKS

open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, “OCEAN PLANKTON: Alger. The club operates THE LIFE AND TIMES OF large, permanent HO- and TINY MARINE ORGANN-scale model railroad ISMS”: Dr. Jude Apple, layouts. Admission is by marine scientist at the donation to help continue WWU Shannon Point building the layouts. what Marine Science Center, will comskagitmrc.org. speak at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at the NWESD build“MUSIC & MEMORIES”: ing, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. The Adult Day Program Benefit Dinner and AucApple will discuss what tion will take place from 5 life is like in the plankto 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, tonic realm. Learn about at St. Joseph Center, 215 plankton’s bizarre shapes N. 15th St., Mount Vernon. and sizes, ways they comEnjoy dinner, music by municate and the survival challenges these organisms Trish, Hans and Phil, and bidding on a variety of face, as well as the impact goods and services. $50. marine plankton have on all of us. skagitbeaches.org. Proceeds will benefit the Gentry House and the Bradford House: A Skagit “HOW IT’S MADE: ARTIST LECTURE”: Steve Rudy Adult Day Program for sufferers of Alzheimer’s will talk about songwriting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 and other forms of dementia. 360-428-5972 or skagit at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. Rudy adultdaycare.org. will utilize the piano to talk NATIVE ART: Awardabout the process of writing winning Pacific Northwest songs and how jazz differs from other musical forms. $5 artists will show and sell a variety of Native and adults, $3 students, seniors Native inspired art at “The and children. 360-354-3600 Gathering,” from 11 a.m. or jansenartcenter.org. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, at the “OCEAN ACIDIFICASkagit County Historical TION: WHAT’S HAPPENMuseum, 501 S. Fourth St., ING IN PUGET SOUND?”: Roger Kelley, youth educa- La Conner.

Watch the artists carve, tion coordinator for the weave, make baskets or Snohomish Conservation hats, knit and create a District, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at variety of unique objects. the Camano Multipurpose Visitors can also participate in a silent auction of Center, 141 E. Camano the artists’ works. ParDrive, Camano Island.

Find out what acidification ticipating artists include Vicki Charles-Trudeau means for the ocean, its (S’Klallam), Robert inhabitants and us. Free.

Eagle Bear (Lummi), Bill Sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks. 360- James (Lummi), Kevin Paul (Swinomish), Mary 387-2236 or camanowildSnowden (NI), Maxine lifehabitat.org.

Stremler (Lummi), Lisa Telford (Haida) and others.

MORE FUN Admission: $5, $4 ages 6 MODEL RAILROAD to 12, $10 families, free for OPEN HOUSE: The members and ages 5 and Whatcom-Skagit Model younger. 360-466-3365 or Railroad Club will host an skagitcounty.net/museum.

ROCKS AND GEMS: The Mt. Baker Rock & Gem Club will feature a “show & tell” about garnets at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Bloedel Donovan Community Center Building, 2214 Electric Ave., Bellingham. The evening will include door prizes, refreshments, a silent auction and a brief business meeting. Visitors welcome, with or without rocks. For information, contact Lori at 360-961-7873, email lorinhardy@yahoo.com or visit mtbakerrockclub.org.

GALAXIES, NEBULAS AND PLANETS: Explore the night sky and check out distant galaxies, nebulas and planets beginning at dark Friday, Jan. 24, 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 welcome. Free. The event will be canceled if cloudy. 360-679-7664 or icas-wa.webs.com.

NEW MOON CELEBRATION: The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Anacortes Center for Happiness, 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Join Rev. Elke Macartney to drum and set your intentions for the month ahead. Bring your own hand drums and rattles or borrow hers. $5-$10 suggested donation. 360464-2229 or anacortes centerforhappiness.org.

EAGLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER: The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Jan. 26, at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport. The center will present speakers, birding information and guided

walks along the Skagit River with interior, a drover through the park. 360-853caboose and turntable, and 7626 or skagiteagle.org. a 12- by 24-inch diorama depicting an old hay barn HATCHERY TOURS: and billboard that once Skagit Fisheries Enhancestood along Highway 20. ment Group is offering tours The museum is open from of the Marblemount Fish 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday Hatchery facility by trained through Saturday and 1 to 4 volunteer tour guides from p.m. Sunday. Free admission.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sat360-293-1915 or museum. urdays and Sundays, through cityofanacortes.org.

Jan. 26, at 8319 Fish Hatchery Road, Marblemount.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT: Learn about the operations “We’re’ Still Here: The of the hatchery and SFEG, Survival of Washington salmon and their life cycle, Indians” continues through the habitat needs of salmon April 2014 in the Anacortes and other local wildlife, Museum’s Carnegie Gallery, and the bald eagle. Visitors 1305 Eighth St., Anacortes. may see part, if not all, of The main exhibit, created by the salmon life cycle at the the Washington State Herihatchery, along with other tage Center, follows Washwildlife. Self-guided tours ington’s original inhabitants are available daily and start through a war over land, in the visitors center. Free. a clash over culture and a 360-336-0172, ext. 304. revival of Native tradition today. Anacortes Museum MODEL TRAIN DISPLAY: staff worked with repreCheck out a variety of sentatives of the Samish model railroad pieces on and Swinomish tribes to display in the Anacortes develop exhibit panels and Presents display case at the artifact displays interpreting Anacortes Museum, 1305 the experiences of Fidalgo Eighth St., Anacortes. The and Guemes islands’ first museum’s rotating display people. Museum hours are currently features an assort- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday ment of items from the through Saturday and 1 to 4 Anacortes & Fidalgo Model p.m. Sunday. Free admission.

Railroad Club — track360-293-1915 or museum. maintenance equipment, cityofanacortes.org. steam and diesel locomotives, logging cars, a tugboat, MUSEUM CLOSED FOR passenger-type equipment REMODEL: The Skagit and miscellaneous vehicles, County Historical Museum, as well as several model 501 S. Fourth St., La Conrailroad structures. ner, is closed for remodelTrains displayed range ing through Jan. 17. The from N-scale (smallest) to museum will reopen with O-scale (biggest). Highthe annual Gathering of lights include scratch-built Native Artists and dedicamodels of the Anacortes tion of new South Wing Great Northern Depot, a exhibits at 11 a.m. Saturday, Mi-Jack container crane, a Jan. 18. 360-466-3365 or Great Northern caboose skagitcounty.net/museum.

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