360 March 22, 2018

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G. Love & Special Sauce

Music schedule heats up as spring arrives

Knut Bell

Mama Dirty Skirt

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Classic Roads ‌

The Atlantics

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday March 22, 2018

ON STAGE PAGE 8 Whatcom Symphony to perform at Mount Baker Theater THIS WEEKEND PAGE 3 Skagit Regional Spelling Bee set for Saturday at Skagit Valley College

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK

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

Inside

”Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”: The film, just like the 1995 feature film “Jumanji” starring Robin Williams, is based on the 1981 book by Chris Van Allsburg, where it is win or game over for anyone who finds the mysterious board game. The big difference is while in the 1995 version, the board game came to life in the real world of the players, this version Jumanji is a video game. Instead of wild animals in the living room, four teens are pulled inside the Jumanji game that unfolds in a jungle world.

This is a brilliant move by the gaggle of screenwriters who worked on the script as it allows director Jake Kasdan (“Freaks and Geeks”) to take the action to a jungle setting. He can load the movie with everything from a knot of snakes to a crash of rhinos.

Don’t be surprised if you look for a reset button to start the film all over again. ”Pitch Perfect 3”: “Pitch Perfect 3” is to movie comedy what fingers on a chalkboard is to singing. And, if given the choice between seeing the movie and the fingernails, take the chalkboard option.

It all starts so innocently. The Bellas have graduated from college and gone their separate ways. None have been able to find the same kind of success on their own that they had when they were an a cappella group. Even the standout of the group, Becca (Anna Kendrick), has hit an impasse when it comes to her music producing career. Because they are failing as individuals, the Bellas reunite to go on a USO tour.

Gone in the obvious effort to squeeze a few more bucks out of the franchise is all the charm that made the first film so sweet and endearing and gave the sequel

Upcoming DVD releases MARCH 27 n Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi n Last Men in Aleppo n Acts Of Violence n The Americans Season 5 n The Last Movie Star — Tribune News Service

enough comedy harmony to be generally entertaining. The third movie is based on a painfully thin story from Kay Cannon (“Pitch Perfect 2”), but the cast is so likable they could have raised the film to at least a tolerable level had they at showed any signs of trying. Even the usually dependable Kendrick looks like she would rather be on a real USO tour to Antarctica – without a coat – than be in this movie. ”Downsizing”: Director Alexander Payne got our votes when he offered a brilliantly satirical look at politics and popularity with his insightful high school-based comedy “Election.” He showed with “Sideways” he could present a story as firm and dry as a prized red wine.

He’s done neither with his latest offering, “Downsizing.” All the Oscar-winning filmmaker has shown with the production is how he came up short whether trying to make social commentary, dealing with political satire or attempting just to be funny. The film is a massively muddled mess of ideas that might have made more of an impact if Matt Damon’s performance wasn’t so painfully bland. It probably wouldn’t have mattered with another actor, but it sure couldn’t have hurt.

“Downsizing” needed a smarter and lighter touch to make it a rich satire, but that doesn’t happen. Or, Payne could have just gone full-blown sight gags and made this a broad comedy. There are a few funny bits of physical humor – such as the moving van of mementos – but the moments are way to sparring. ”Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In: The Complete Third Season”: Guest stars featured in the 26 episodes include Johnny Carson and Peter Sellers. ”When Calls the Heart: The Heart of Homecoming”: Love story blooming in Hope Valley continues with the television special. ”The Vanishing of Sidney Hall”: Mysterious disappearance of an author is examined. ”Archer: Season Eight”: Set in 1940s Los Angeles, “Dreamland” lands Archer on a quest to find his partner’s killer. ”Ichi the Killer”: The film returns in a digitally restored special edition debuting on Blu-ray. ”Small Town Crime”: Disgraced ex-cop looks for the killers of a woman as one last shot at redemption. ”The ‘Burbs”: The 1989 film by director Joe Dante starring Tom Hanks is available as a collector’s edition Blu-ray.

RELEASED ON DIGITAL HD ”Insidious: The Last Key”: Elise must face her past to confront the most personal haunting of her career – in her childhood home. Available on DVD April 3. ”Welcome the Stranger”: Two siblings reconnect in an attempt to mend their relationship, only to begin experiencing bizarre visions.

— Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service

Out & About........................... 4-5 Get Involved............................... 6 On Stage...................................... 8 Tuning Up................................... 9 Travel.........................................10 Hot Tickets...............................11 Music Reviews.........................12 At the Lincoln..........................13 Movies................................. 14-15 ON THE COVER Mama Dirty Skirt photo by Picasa

SUBMISSIONS

Email: features@skagitpublishing.com Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Address Skagit Publishing 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 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?

Contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com

TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

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THIS WEEKENDin the area Kids seek to spell their way to national bee

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES Skagit County March For Our Lives, a student-led march advocating for gun reform in order to prevent school shootings, will begin at noon Saturday, March 24, at the main entrance of Mount Vernon High School, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. After a rally with speakers, the students will march to the Skagit County Courthouse. All ages are welcome.

WELLNESS FAIR Skagit Valley Food Co-op will host its 11th annual Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at 202 S. First St., Mount Vernon. The event will feature six hands-on wellness presentations, informational booths from a variety of health and wellness fields and free samples. Free. skagitfoodcoop. com.

RESOURCE FAIR

SCOTT TERRELL / SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD FILE

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The 40th annual Skagit Regional Spelling Bee will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 24, at the Philip Tarro Theatre on the Skagit Valley

SCOTT TERRELL / SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD FILE

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College campus in Mount Vernon. The regional champion will represent the Skagit region in the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

A resource fair for ages 55 and over will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Resource topics include health, exercise, transportation, estate planning, housing, leisure, volunteer opportunities and more. Admission and lunch are free.

“NOT JUST FOR KIDS” Anu Taranath, a member of the 2017-18 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, will speak at “Not Just for Kids: How Children’s Literature Inspires Bold Conversations” at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at the Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. Hosted by the Upper Skagit Library Foundation and Humanities Washington. Free. The event will include library updates and a brief business meeting. info@ upperskagitlibraryfoundation.org.

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OUT & ABOUT ART

SPRING SHOW: River Gallery, 19313 Landing Road, Mount Vernon, will host a spring show featuring 40 artists and their paintings, sculptures, jewelry and glass, including new artists Denise Takahashi, Kathleen Ritz and Carol Evans.

The show will open with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24. The gallery will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesdays to Sundays, March 24-April 29. rivergallerywa.com.

“WATERCOLORS AND ACRYLICS”: The Scott Milo Gallery is featuring renowned watercolorist Eric Wiegardt and his show “Watercolors and Acrylics” through April 3. Wiegardt is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (Dolphin Fellow), National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America (Master Status) and others.

He has been awarded the 2012 AWS Gold Medal of Honor and 2014 AWS Judge among many other national and international awards. Also showing: landscape oils by Karen Bakke, acrylics by Dianna Shyne, impressionistic pastels by Jan Wall and acrylics by Jim Walsh.

VINTAGE WATERCOLORISTS OF WASHINGTON: The show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Sunnyshore Studio, 2803 SE Camano Drive, Camano Island. The show is a collaboration between Sunnyshore Studio and the Northwest Watercolor Society, one of the 10 most prominent regional

watercolor societies in North America. The show will include work

by Nancy Axell, Thomas William Jones, Genny Rees, John Ringen and Jack Dorsey.

THE GOOD STUFF: The Good Stuff Arts, 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, presents “Flower Power,” with new works by 30 gallery artists featuring anything related to flowers. The featured artist is Cynthia Richardson, with her water, mountain, cloud and farm scenes. Also on display: Susan Raymond, ceramic; Sarah Bledsoe Swietzer, ceramic sculpture and jewelry; Jill West, pyrography and designs on gourd eggs and vases; Ron Radtke, natural wood turnings with turquoise inlay; and Seattle Glassblowing Studio’s blown glass sculptured vases. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Closed Sundays through March.

DOWNTOWN ART WALK: The Mount Vernon Downtown Association will host the First Saturday Art Walk from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in downtown Mount Vernon. Poster artist Charlotte Slade Decker will be exhibiting at Embellish. Perry and Carlson will showcase Debra Goldman with her collection “Ohana: Dreaming in Red.” Other artists include Robert DeFreest, Ben Mann, Feliks Kaparchuk and Elina Dmitruk, Brittney Nelson, Karen Neugebauer, Jo Jones, Becky Taft and Linde Husk.

TULIP ART SHOW: The Rexville Grange Art Show will take place

Friday through Sunday, April 6-15, at the grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon, featuring fine arts and crafts from 24 local artists. The opening night reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 6, will feature a chance to meet the artists and the Irish and Scottish music of Campbell Road.

Featured artists include Marguerite Goff, Irene Lawson (ceramics), Anne Martin McCool, Dan Tuttle and Susan MaManamen (paintings and prints), Jessamyn Tuttle (photography), Beth Hailey, Andrea Lawson (herbal products and flower wreaths), Carol Evans (glass art), Martha Tottenham, Deb Lowery and Marcy Johnson (wearable art, weaving and hand bags), Lucinda VanValkenburg (hand-turned wood), Carole Cunningham, Debbie Aldrich, Marcy Johnson, Mary M. Ashton, Marie Nelson, Lynne Irelan and Indy Behrendt (jewelry), Vicki Hampel (gord art), Carol and Steve Bryant (sculptures, garden art and bird feeders) and other artists. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day including April 6 before the opening. More information: rexvillegrangeartshow. com and on Facebook at Rexville Grange Art Show page.

TULIP POSTER ARTISTS: Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, will host “Tulip Poster Artists Past and Present” from April 6 to May 1. It will feature oils by 2018 artist Melissa Jander, still-life photographs by 2000 and 2003 artist Randy Dana, pastels by 2015 artist

RIVER GALLERY SPRING SHOW

River Gallery, 19313 Landing Road, Mount Vernon, will host a spring show featuring 40 artists and their paintings, sculptures, jewelry and glass, including new artists Denise Takahashi, Kathleen Ritz and Carol Evans. The show will open with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24. The gallery will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, March 24-April 29. rivergallerywa.com. Pictured: “Chinese Peacocks” by Maggie Mason.

Teresa Saia and watercolors by 2016 artist Sandy Haight. Also showing: quilts by Fidalgo Island Quilters. Meet the artists at the opening reception 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday, April 6. The gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. gallery@

scottmilo.com, scottmilo.com or Facebook/ Scott Milo Gallery.

LECTURES AND TALKS

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY: Local farmer Glen Johnson will host a public meeting to discuss

earthquake safety, fish biology and soil science at 7:30 p.m. today, March 22, at the La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 Second St., La Conner.

Johnson will be joined by structural engineer Jim Schemmer and Richard Haines, author of “Sudden Loss: Earthquake Realities.”

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OUT & ABOUT “NOT JUST FOR KIDS”: Anu Taranath, a member of the 2017-18 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, will speak at “Not Just for Kids: How Children’s Literature Inspires Bold Conversations” at 1 p.m.

Sunday, March 25, at the Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. Hosted by the Upper Skagit Library Foundation and Humanities Washington.

Free. The event will include library updates and a brief business meeting. info@upperskagitlibraryfoundation.org.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SERIES: The Outdoor Adventure Speaker Series is held at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Local authors, outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists use their adventures and expertise on topics including hiking, kayaking, nature photography, boating and more. marysvillewa.gov or 360-363-8400. Next up: — Tuesday, March 27: Dan Clements presents “BC’s Great Bear Rainforest: Home of Moksgm’ol – The White Spirit Bear.”

HISTORY OF JAZZ PIANO: Brent Jensen, a local saxophonist and band leader who was the director of Jazz Studies at the College of Southern Idaho for 18 years, will talk about the development of jazz piano style and technique through history, illustrated with audio and video recordings, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Free. The event is sponsored by the Manieri Endowment.

360-293-7836.

GARDENING SERIES: Skagit County Master Gardeners Valerie Rose and Ada Snyder will kick off the Spring Gardening Series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at the Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St., Mount Vernon. Learn the best conditions for starting your favorite plants, and take home some free seeds. If you have extras, bring them to share.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, Master Gardener Diana Wisen will cover shrubs for every season and will include a plant list to take home.

“MOROCCO AND THE SAHARA”: Anacortes Sister Cities Association will present “Rudy Gahler — Morocco and the Sahara” at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 5, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

Gahler will share his experiences traveling by camel and land-rover around and through the Altas mountains, at times following ancient caravan routes. Contact Barb at b.smart@juno.com.

PIONEER WOMAN: Historian Jesse Kennedy will share the tale of mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart crossing the Cascade Pass in 1916 at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave., Burlington. Presented by the Burlington Historical Preservation Advisory Board.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: The League of Women Voters of Skagit County will host a presentation about the process of redistricting

congressional and legislative districts in Washington state from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 9, at the PUD building, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon. The guest speakers will be Julie Anne Kempf and Linnea Hirst of the Washington State League of Women Voters.

ORGANIC FARMING: Taylor Barker and Arielle Luckmann of Waxwing Farm will talk about their organic farming journey at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Mount Vernon City Library, 315 Snoqualmie St., Mount Vernon. For more information, visit waxwingfarmllc.com.

THEATER

”THE LOST BOY”: The Alger Lookout Thespian Assocation will present “The Lost Boy” by Ron Paolillo, the back story of Peter Pan, at 7 p.m. on April 6-7, 12-14 and 20-21, and at 2:30 p.m. on April 8 and 22, at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane, Bellingham.

Tickets, information: altatheatre.com, brownpapertickets.com, 360-9411274 or altainfo2001@ gmail.com.

MORE FUN

PILOTING COURSE: A United States Power Squadron Piloting Course will be taught by the Skagit Bay Sail & Power Squadron from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, April 4 to June 6, at the Anacortes Marina, 2415 T Ave., Anacortes.

Course materials include two books (USPS Piloting and The Weekend Navigator), a set of

dividers, an USPS plotting tool, and information on how to download and start using the open source OpenCPN navigation software for laptops and tablets. $155 individual, $200 for two sharing a book.

For more information, contact Debbie Richey at 360-387-1260 or drichey@rocketmail.com.

WELLNESS FAIR: Skagit Valley Food Co-op will host its 11th annual Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 24, at 202 S. First Street, Mount Vernon. The event will feature six hands-on wellness presentations, informational booths from a variety of health and wellness fields and free samples. Free. skagitfoodcoop.com.

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES: Skagit County March For Our Lives, a student-led march advocating for gun reform in order to prevent school shootings, will begin at noon Saturday, March 24, at the main entrance of Mount Vernon High School, 314 N. Ninth St., Mount Vernon. After a rally with speakers, the students will march to the Skagit County Courthouse. All ages are welcome.

FARM TO PINT: The Skagit Valley Farm to Pint Fest will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Skagit Valley Malting, 11966 Westar Lane, Burlington.

The event will feature the first-ever gathering of all 11 Skagit breweries paired with Skagit Valley restaurants and/or farmers highlighting Skagit ingredients and featuring three Skagit-grown

bands. Skagit Farm to Pint Fest is the opening gala and kickoff party for Skagit Beer Week. Bands include The Hoe & the Harrow, Sky Colony and Whiskey Fever. Tickets must be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com.

RESOURCE FAIR: A resource fair for ages 55 and over will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

Resource topics include health, exercise, transportation, estate planning, housing, leisure, volunteer opportunities and more. Admission and lunch are free.

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: The 57th annual Mt. Baker Rock & Gem Club show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2425, at the Bloedel Donovan Community Center, 2214 Electric Ave., Bellingham. The show will feature fine jewelry, rocks from worldwide sources, minerals, fossils, gems, 30 exhibits, fluorescent light shows, gold panning, dealers, door prizes, raffle, silent auctions, lapidary demonstrations in the club’s on-site shop, special activities for kids and more. For more information, contact Lori Nettles, 360-961-7873, or Dick Carr, 360-398-7914.

Free admission. mtbakerrockclub.org.

POETRY READING AND CONCERT: Bill Porter will read his poetry and Jacob Navarro will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Pelican Bay Books and Coffeehouse, 520 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETS PARADE: Sedro-Woolley American Legion Post 43 will recognize Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day with a parade beginning at 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 31, in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Line up at 12:30 p.m. by the Eagles Lodge, 1000 Metcalf St., to walk in the parade. A program at the American Legion, 701 Murdock St., will begin at 2 p.m. There will be guest speakers, history, social time and refreshments.

360-856-2762.

KIDS’ GIANT GARAGE SALE: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31, Burlington Parks and Recreation Center, 900 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington. 360-755-9649.

EASTER EGG HUNT in S-W: Sedro-Woolley’s annual Easter egg hunt will take place at 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 31, at Riverfront Park, 901 River Road. Ages 0-12. Free.

EASTER EGG HUNT IN MV: A neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Mount Vernon First United Methodist Church, 1607 E Division St, Mount Vernon. There will be activities and games, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny and bouncy house in addition to the egg hunt. Hosted

by Trinity Lutheran Church and Preschool, Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and Mount Vernon First United Methodist Church.

B-E KIWANIS EASTER EGG HUNT AT MAIBEN PARK: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31. Ages up to 8 are welcome.

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GET INVOLVED ART

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Friends of the Anacortes Library’s Art Committee is launching an art exhibit program in the community room of the Anacortes Public Library. Artists residing in the 98221 ZIP code are eligible to submit digital photos of their two-dimensional art for consideration. Email folartcommittee@gmail. com for information on how to apply. Submission deadline is April 20; the first exhibition will be May 10-Sept. 13.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Anacortes Arts Commission seeks new artists for a show April 6-7 at the Depot Arts & Community Center. The theme is “New Purpose” using any medium that incorporates something recycled or repurposed.

Contact Karla Locke, kklocke1@mac.com or 360-588-6968. All spots are first-come, firstserved.

CALL FOR MOSAIC ARTISTS: Northwest Garden Bling and Wolf Designs’ annual Mosaic Challenge is underway and will culminate with a juried presentation of artwork May 1-13.

First, second, third and People’s Choice awards will be given. 360-7083279, nwgardenbling@ frontier.com or stop in at Northwest Garden Bling at 44574 Highway 20 in Grassmere Village, Concrete.

ARTS COMMISSION: The Mount Vernon Arts Commission meets at 4:30 p.m the third Tuesday of each month at Hillcrest Park Administration Office, 1717 S.

13th St., Mount Vernon.

360-336-6215.

Vernon. 360-416-6556, ext. 5, or dakotaartcenter.com.

ART CLASSES

STANWOOD CAMANO ARTS GUILD: A Guilded Gallery, 8700 271st St. NW, Stanwood, offers a variety of art classes and workshops.

For information or to register: 360-629-2787 or stanwoodcamanoarts.com.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUILT AND FIBER ARTS MUSEUM: Varied exhibits and classes are available to the public at 703 S. Second St., La Conner. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and children ages 11 and under. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

— Fiber Fridays: bring any type of fiber art project to work on while visiting with other fiber artists from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday.

Free and open to all.

CLASSES: Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts offers a variety of art classes and workshops for artists of every level at 12636 Chilberg Road, Mount Vernon.

Online courses are also available. For information and a complete schedule: 360-466-0110 or gailcreativestudies. com.

CLASSES: Choose from painting, photography, fiber and 3D art workshops taught by professional artists at the Pacific NorthWest Art School, 15 NW Birch St., Coupeville.

For information and a complete schedule: 360-678-3396 or pacificnorthwestartschool. com.

CLASSES: Dakota Art Center offers a variety of art classes and workshops at 17873 Highway 536, Mount

AUDITIONS

“ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA (MUSICAL)”: 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25, Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd, Oak Harbor.

360-679-2237, whidbeyplayhouse.com.

BOOKS

GREAT BOOKS READING GROUP MEETING: The group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the fourth Monday at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave. All welcome. 360-941-1437, shunji.asari@gmail.com.

DANCE

FOLK DANCING: The Skagit-Anacortes Folk Dancers will hold a dance party featuring the Eugene, Ore.-based band KEF on Saturday, March 24. Potluck at 6 p.m., dancing begins at 7:15 p.m. at Bay View Civic Hall, 12615 C St., Mount Vernon. 360 202-3388. Requested donation $12.

The group meets Tuesdays at Bay View Civic Hall. Learn to folk dance to a variety of international music.

Instruction begins at 7 p.m. followed by re-

view and request dances until 9:30 p.m. The first session is free, $5 thereafter. All welcome.

No partners needed. For information, contact Gary or Ginny at 360766-6866.

SCOTTISH DANCING: Bellingham Scottish Country Dancers meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at the Fairhaven Library auditorium (upstairs), 1117 12th St., Bellingham. Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes without heels. $8 per class. For information, call Mary Anderson at 360-9331779 or visit bellinghamscd.org.

JOLLY TIME CLUB: Dance to live music from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

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

MUSIC

UKULELE FUN & SONG CIRCLE: 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. Free. Beginners welcome and loaner ukuleles available. Song sheets provided. 206-790-4862 or yogaheartspace0@ gmail.com.

BARBERSHOP HARMONY: Join the An-OChords, a four-part barbershop harmony group that meets at 7 p.m.

Thursdays at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 18th St., Mount Vernon. No experience necessary, no auditions required. Learn by rote, you don’t have to read music. All ages welcome. anochords.org.

360-466-0109.

TIME FOR FIDDLERS: The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland.

St. Free; donations accepted. 360-630-1156.

SHELTER BAY CHORUS: Practices are held from 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursdays at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse, 1000 Shoshone Drive, La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident.

360-223-3230.

LOVE TO SING?: Join the women of Harmony Northwest Chorus from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Seeking women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome. 360-201-5861 or harmonynorthwest. org.

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

360-293-2544.

OPEN MIC: Jam Night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays, Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES, TALKS EARTHQUAKE SAFETY: Local farmer Glen Johnson will host a public meeting to discuss earthquake safety, fish biology and soil science at 7:30 p.m. to-

day, March 22, at the La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 Second St., La Conner. Johnson will be joined by structural engineer Jim Schemmer and Richard Haines, author of “Sudden Loss: Earthquake Realities.”

“DISCOVER YOUR WILD BACKYARD”: Join a slideshow trail tour around Bellingham, Western Whatcom County, Skagit Valley and Fidalgo Island with award-winning guidebook author Craig Romano at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 Washington Ave., Burlington. Romano is one of the most prolific trails writers in the Northwest, having authored 16 books and co-authored four others.

RECREATION

WALK THE PRESERVE: Join Russ Holmes, retired forest service botanist, for a 1to 2-mile walk through Four Springs Lake Preserve trails to identify some of the common Camano mosses, lichens, liverworts and fungi. The trail has some elevation gain and loss and can be wet and slippery in places. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, bring a hand lens if you have one. Meet at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 25, in the main parking lot, 585 Lewis Lane. Tour will take place rain or shine, no reservations required. 360-387-2236, camanowildlifehabitat. org or camanowildlifehabitat@gmail.com.

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McTeer: ‘Jessica Jones’ role an exciting departure, but theater still first love

By MEREDITH BLAKE Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK — Janet McTeer has spent the last three decades with one foot in the screen and the other on the stage.

Raised in the north of England, the Tony Award winner first impressed American moviegoers with her Oscar-nominated turn as a free-spirited single mom in the Janet McTeer 1999 film “Tumbleweeds.” Since then, she’s mostly alternated between independent film (“Albert Nobbs,” “Songcatcher”) and theater (“Mary Stuart” and “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” on Broadway).

But lately, McTeer has been lured from her home in the woods of coastal Maine by TV roles, including her turn as a villain (of sorts) in the just-launched second season of “Marvel’s Jessica Jones.” The portrayal is an exciting departure for the 56-year-old actress.

“It’s enjoyable having to do something so physical,” said McTeer, who stands a smidge over 6 feet, during a recent visit to New York.

In one memorable scene, she even got to smash a piano (it was made of balsa wood).

It’s her first time playing a character with superpowers, and she credits showrunner Melissa Rosenberg with thinking outside the box.

“I honestly feel that if

this had been written by a man, my character would have been played by a middle-aged man,” said the actress, who will also appear in the second season of “Ozark” on Netflix and in the dark comedy “Sorry for Your Loss” for Facebook Watch. “I don’t feel like I’ve ever seen a woman play this part, and that’s pretty cool.”

Q: You haven’t done much work in genre films or shows. What excited you ‌ about “Jessica Jones”?

A: When I first started watching, I thought, “Oh, well, I’m never going to do this. I think this might be too broad strokes for me.”

And then I watched it and realized how dark and subtle it is. It wasn’t anything that I imagined it was going to be, tackling these subjects that were so prescient. I think it’s a program essentially about various forms of PTSD in all its shapes and forms, and abuse, and women, and how they cope and struggle, and families.

And that seems to me to be pretty universal. All the women are traumatized in the whole piece.

Q: It seems like you have worked with a lot of women throughout your career, including on “Jessica Jones.” Is that just luck?

A: It’s not luck at all. It is because partly they’ve sought me and partly I’ve sought them. Strong women like working with strong women, and clearly I’m not a fading lily. I love

women. I think some people don’t. I think women are amazing, and the older I get, the more amazing we all are. It’s harder being a woman. Much harder.

And much more rewarding in many ways, I think.

Q: Do you ever feel like your height has inhibited you as an actor?

A: Oh, I’m sure it did when I was young and I didn’t notice. But the upside of it is, you can’t miss me on the stage, and that’s been a great advantage, and I feel lucky that my personality fits the way I look, you know what I mean?

I’ve probably lost a bunch of parts, but honestly, probably gotten a bunch of parts too. And certainly now at this phase of my life, it adds to your own sense of presence.

You just have to sit there and say nothing and people are intimidated. It’s fantastic.

Q: Have you been surprised by the scope of #MeToo in the industry?

A: As a woman of my generation, it really has challenged the way one thought certain things.

It’s really made me think about how much I’ve probably accepted without even thinking about it.

Or, without being quite as robust as I could have been, perhaps. It certainly makes you question all of that. Especially now when you get to my age and you get incredibly fiercely protective about the young actors who come behind you. I’ve found myself thinking, “Why wasn’t I angrier earlier?”

Q: Tell me about how you got into acting. Did you grow up in an artistic family?

A: No. My parents’ great love is golf. I think nobody was more shocked

than them when I said this is what I wanted to do. I think they were quite scared, bless them. They were very supportive, but looking back, I think I would have gone, “Oh, Christ.” I was a teenager when I got into it. I kinda fell into it at school, and then I sold coffees at my local theater. I felt at home there. I still feel at home in the theater. It’s still my first love.

Q: You’ve been living in the States for a while now. Do you think of it as home?

A: I feel like my home is wherever my family is.

I miss England. But I love Maine. I love New York.

I’ve always lived in more than one place. I enjoy the feeling of going back to Maine. You know, you put your jeans on, you take your dog out and never look in the mirror, and you know, you’re in the woods, or you’re in the ocean, or you go fishing.

And then you get [to New York] and you go, “Ooh, those shoes are nice,” “Where’s my cappuccino?”

Or, “That’s a good red lipstick.” I love the contrast.

Q: There’s obviously such a wonderful tradition of British stage actresses. Are there any other women who inspired your career?

A: I remember seeing Helen Mirren playing “The Duchess of Malfi” when I was a student and thinking, “Oh, my God, you’re amazing,” and seeing Judi Dench on stage.

Eileen Atkins, Harriet Walter, who I loved and who I got to work with [in “Mary Stuart”]. Julia Stevenson and Fiona Shaw, these amazing women that … I would just go and see and think, “I just want to be you.” That was my instinctive dream. Whereas

I think if my aim had been to be some very beautiful film star, then I probably would be a very disappointed actress. Because that never was my metier.

Emma Thompson and I both played Beatrice [in “Much Ado About Nothing”] at the same time, I played it onstage, and she was playing it on films. It was just gorgeous and so fabulous to be able to see two people interpret things differently.

Q: You seem to be interested in parts that explore gender and sexual identity.

A: Growing up the way I grew up in the north of England, it was all a bit risque. I think one of the things about being an arty-farty person coming from a very normal family is that you feel very much the odd one out. When I went to college, I met a lot of gay people, and it felt like they were the odd ones out. This was at the time of AIDS. There was a lot of gay-bashing. I felt that that was something I very, very, very much related to, on a very deep sort of emotional level.

For many, many years, people thought I was gay and I never once put anyone right. I never felt the need. People can feel what they like, I don’t care. It just made me smile. Mostly I used to think, “Do you not honestly think that if I was gay, given the parts that I play, do you not think I’d be standing up and shouting that out loud?” Of course I would.

The reason I kept quiet was because I just thought, “Well, then that puts me in the straight camp, I don’t wanna be in any camp.”

I’m hopefully a good actress, who’s playing good characters, whether they’re straight or gay or trans-

gender or whatever.

Q: When you were playing Hubert, a woman living as a man in 19th-century Dublin in “Albert Nobbs,” did you feel like you learned anything about what it’s like being a man?

A: Not specifically in that sense. It was very interesting to inhabit that in terms of the portrayal.

How do you walk? How do you move? What do you feel about yourself?

What will you do with your body? If you asked Hubert if he was gay or straight or transgender, he’d go, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m just me.” And I thought that was pretty cool. I wanted to create somebody who was totally happy with who they were, in a time when not many people were.

E8 - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area March 22-31

SUNDAY.25

WHATCOM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 3 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $15-49. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

Thursday.22 THEATER ”Cinderella”: 7 p.m., LaVenture Middle School, 200 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon. $5. 360-428-6116 or laventure.mountvernonschools.org.

”The Rules of Comedy”: 5 and 7:30 p.m., La Conner High School, 307 N. Sixth St., La Conner. $5-$8. 360-466-3173.

Friday.23 THEATER ”Cinderella”: 7 p.m., LaVenture Middle School, 200 N. LaVenture Road, Mount

Vernon. $5. 360-428-6116 or laventure.mountvernonschools.org.

non. $50-$60. 360-416-7727 or mcintyrehall.org.

”The Rules of Comedy”: 5 and 7:30 p.m., La Conner High School, 307 N. Sixth St., La Conner. $5-$8. 360-4663173.

Sunday.25

”The Book of Moron”: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $50-$60. 360-416-7727 or mcintyrehall.org.

MUSIC Whatcom Symphony Orchestra — Scheherazade & Shostakovich: 3 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $15-$49. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

Saturday.24

Monday.26

THEATER ”The Book of Moron”: 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Ver-

THEATER ”Frindle”: 10 a.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham.

$6-$7.50. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

Thursday.29 THEATER ”9 To 5 The Musical”: 7:30 p.m., ACT Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Free, dress rehearsal, first come, first served.

360-293-6829 or acttheatre. com.

”A Chorus Line”: 7 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $49.50-$79.50. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

Friday.30 THEATER ”9 To 5 The Musical”: 7:30 p.m., ACT Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Saturday.31 THEATER ”9 To 5 The Musical”: 7:30 p.m., ACT Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $20. 360293-6829 or acttheatre.com.

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - E9

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TUNING UP Playing at area venues March 22-28

FRIDAY.23

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE (pictured), RON ARTIS II & THE TRUTH 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $27.50.

360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805 or aneliaskitchenandstage.com.

Classic Roads: 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. $8. 425-7375144, 360-629-6500 or locobillys.com.

FRIDAY.23

THE ATLANTICS 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

Thursday.22

Summit of Two Plus: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. By donation.

360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

Metalachi, Cousin Marvin: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $15. 360746-8733 or wildbuffalo. net.

Friday.23

Soul Siren: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino-Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

Fantasy Band: 8:30 p.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

The Ginger Ups: 8 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Free. 360588-1720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

Saint John & The Revelations: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 First St., La Conner.

360-399-1805 or aneliaskitchenandstage.com.

Lee Howard: 6:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, 2120 Market St., Mount

Vernon. Members and signed-in guests only.

360-848-8882.

The Atlantics: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-4453000 or conwaymuse. com.

G. Love & Special Sauce, Ron Artis II & The Truth: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $27.50. 360746-8733 or wildbuffalo. net.

Saturday.24

Soul Siren: 9 p.m., Winner’s Lounge, The Skagit Casino-Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow. 877-275-2448 or

theskagit.com.

Mama Dirty Skirt: 8:30 p.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360422-6411.

Knut Bell and the Blue Collars: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave, Anacortes. anacortesh2o.com or 360755-3956.

Sleepy Alligator: 9:30 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-293-2544 or brownlantern.com.

Quickdraw String Band: 7:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513

Market Street Dixieland Jass Band: 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000 or conwaymuse.com.

Sunday.25

Alicia Dauber Quintet: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Orville Johnson Band: 5:30 p.m., The Old Edison, 5829 Cains Court, Bow. 360-7666266 or theoldedison. com.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $65. 360-746-8733 or wildbuffalo.net.

Tuesday.27

Steve Rudy Trio: 5 to 8 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100 or hotelbellwether.com.

Kitchen Dwellers, Rumpke Mountain Boys: 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $10. 360746-8733 or wildbuffalo. net.

Wednesday.28 Fidalgo Swing: 6 p.m., Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Free. 360588-1720 or anacortesrockfish.com.

Ronnie Nix: 9 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360293-2544 or brownlantern.com.

Nick Anthony: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Evelyn’s Tavern, 12667 Highway 9, Clear Lake. 360-3991321.

E10 - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

TRAVEL

FA M I LY T R AV E L FI V E

LOCAL TRAVEL BRIEFS

Girls just want to have fun schooner as your group sets sail in Casco Bay. Dine on fresh seafood and local ingredients harvested from the island farm or the garden behind the inn. Take in a yoga class on the lawn, ride bikes to the General Store for lunch or set out on island trails for a breath of fresh air. chebeagueislandinn. com

By LYNN O’ROURKE HAYES

FamilyTravel.com

Girls — as in grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces — just want to have fun and explore together. That, according to multiple research reports that indicate an increasing number of women are seeking new adventures at home and abroad. Here are five to consider:

Country Walkers offers immersive guided and self-guided walking and hiking adventures in destinations from Iceland (pictured) and Ireland to Zambia and New Zealand.

1. Intrepid Travel: This global adventure travel company has recently launched a series of women-only expeditions in Morocco, Iran and Jordan, encouraging female empowerment and showcasing the traditions and routines of local women in each destination. The itineraries, guided by female tour leaders, are designed to break the barriers of traditional tourism in these locations, offering a deeper understanding of female culture in each of the three Middle Eastern nations. For example, travelers will have the option to visit a traditional hammam with local women in Morocco, spend time with a female shepherd in Jordan and experience the nomadic life of rural people in Iran. intrepidtravel.com

off bucket lists, they are often eager to include other family members in their adventures. This, in part, has contributed to the significant rise in multigenerational travel. At active travel companies such as Country Walkers, more women are joining their well-curated trips, often in the company of sisters, daughters and nieces.

Immersive guided and self-guided walking and hiking adventures are possible in destinations from Iceland and Ireland to Zambia and New Zealand. The Travel Together program means a helpful consultant will coordinate the various needs, interests and requirements of family members. You’ll also garner savings when six or more join a guided walking adventure. countrywalkers.com

2. Country Walkers: As boomers check destinations and experiences

3. Exodus Travels: In response to a significant increase in women book-

ing their trips as well as requests for more cycling, walking, trekking and responsible wildlife tours, the 40-year-old company has added itineraries they believe will help women of all ages and interests to push their own personal boundaries. Consider trips to China, Myanmar, Iran, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and beyond. The departures, which will include four to 16 travelers, will be led by local female guides, creating more career opportunities for women across the globe. exodustravels.com 4. Chebeague Island Inn, Chebeague, Maine: For those family members eager to reconnect or celebrate a special life event, a getaway to this island inn might fit the bill. It will be easy to unplug and focus on good conversation around a beach bonfire or while sipping a glass of wine aboard a classic

5. Cowgirls Convene: Recent research revealed that when planning a trip, adventure outweighed luxury by 20 percent among the women surveyed. So why not dust off your boots, channel your inner cowgirl, and gather the gals for a ranch-style getaway.

From horseback riding and hiking to fly fishing and cattle rustling, a trip into wide open spaces is sure to inspire the wild hearts in your group.

Savor a cocktail on the porch, dine family style, and then share stories around the campfire. If rustic isn’t right up your alley, there are plenty of ranch destinations where gourmet meals, yoga and spa treatments, as well as luxury accommodations are on the menu. top50ranches.com; duderanch.org – Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (www.LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @ lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com

DOWN UNDER: AAA, 1600 E. College Way. Mount Vernon, will offer a trip presentation on Australia and New Zealand at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. RSVP: 360-848-2090.

FOR THE BIRDS: Skagit Guided Adventures offers a variety of birding tours daily around Skagit Valley and surrounding areas. Reservations required: 360-474-7479 or skagitguidedadventures.com.

WHATCOM SENIOR TOURS: Whatcom Senior Tours hosts a series of trips for seniors.

Sign up by calling 360-733-4030, ext. 1015 or visiting the tour office at 315 Halleck St., Bellingham.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 8 and older (adult supervision required for ages 17 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information or to register: 360336-6215.

RECREATION WITHOUT BORDERS: The organization offers recreational trips, tours and adventures throughout the Northwest and British Columbia. 360-766-7109 or recreationwithoutborders.com.

OAK HARBOR DAY TRIPS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., offers day trips for members. For details, call the travel desk at 360-279-4587.

STATE VISITOR CALL CENTER: The Washington Tourism Alliance’s ExperienceWA Call Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 1-800-544-1800 or tourisminfo@watourismalliance.com.

PASSPORT APPLICATIONS: Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes, accepts new passport applications and applications for passports that have been expired for more than five years by appointment from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Passport forms and information on fees and how to apply are available at travel.state.gov, or pick up an application and passport guide at the library.

Burlington Municipal Court accepts passport applications from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 311 Cedar St., Suite A, Burlington. New and renewal forms are available. 360-755-0492.

Post offices in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Oak Harbor accept passport applications by appointment. Contact individual offices for available days and times.

Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., Oak Harbor, accepts passport applications Monday through Friday. Appointments are recommended. 360-279-4580.

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

HOT TICKETS BURT BACHARCH: March 22-25, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

THE OH HELLOS: March 23, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

LEFTOVER SALMON, KELLER WILLIAMS: March 24, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

AIR: March 26, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

JOHN CLEESE: March 26, McCaw Hall, Seattle.

844-827-8118 or uniquelives.com.

MARCIA BALL: March 27-28, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

RUBEN STUDDARD: March 29-April 1, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

BRANDI CARLILE, MARLON WILLIAMS: March 30-31, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

LYDIA PENSE & COLD BLOOD: April 3-4, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

TODRICK HALL: April 4, Moore Theatre, Seattle.

360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

TOWER OF POWER: April 5-8, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

THE TRAILER PARK BOYS: April 5, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

PETER ASHER AND ALBERT LEE: April 7, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

KYGO: April 10, Accesso Showare Center, Kent.

866-973-9613 or livenation.com.

WHISKEY MYERS:

April 12, Neptune Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

KENNY G: April 12-15, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

ERASURE: Aug. 14, Moore Theatre, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

BILL MAHER: April 14, Paramount Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, BLACK STAR RIDERS: April 15, Accesso Showare Center, Kent.

866-973-9613 or livenation.com.

ROBERTO FONSECA: April 16-17, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

OTTMAR LEIBERT, LUNA NEGRA: April 1922, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

DENNIS DEYOUNG: April 20-21, Pacific Showroom, Skagit Casino and Resort, Bow. 877-2752448 or theskagit.com.

PINK MARTINI: April 22, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-7346080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE: April 23, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. mountbakertheatre.com or 360-734-6080.

DAYME AROCENA: April 24-25, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

ELIANE ELIAS: April 26-29, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

PAULA POUNDSTONE: April 28, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-3368955 or lincolntheatre. org.

POST MALONE, 21 SAVAGE: April 29, Accesso Showare Center, Kent.

866-973-9613 or livenation.com.

BIG SEAN: May 1, WaMu Theater, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

PEDRITO MARTINEZ GROUP: May 1-2, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

SHANIA TWAIN: May 3, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

KHALID: May 3, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

EARL KLUGH: May 3-6, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

KENDRICK LAMAR, SZA: May 5, White River Amphitheatre, Auburn.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

LAURA KING: May 7, McCaw Hall, Seattle. 844827-8118 or uniquelives. com.

JOEY DEFRANCESCO TRIO: May 8-9, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle.

206-441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

EUGE GROOVE: May 10-13, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

PINK: May 13, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

JOSE JAMES CELEBRATES BILL WITHERS: May 14-16, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206441-9729 or jazzalley. com.

DAVID BLAINE LIVE: May 16, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

MADELINE PEYROUX: May 17-20, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

PAUL SIMON: May 18, KeyArena, Seattle. 360745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

CAPTAIN SCOTT KELLY: May 23, McCaw Hall,

Seattle. 844-827-8118 or uniquelives.com.

BOBBY CALDWELL: May 24-27, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

MAROON 5: May 30, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

SPYRO GYRA: May 31-June 2, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-4419729 or jazzalley.com.

TOM JONES: June 1, Paramount Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

TODD RUNDGREN’S UTOPIA: June 1, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 360-7453000 or ticketmaster.com.

STEELY DAN & THE DOOBIE BROTHERS: June 5, KeyArena, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

KEVIN HART: June 14, KeyArena, Seattle. 360-

DANNY CLINCH PHOTO

PEARL JAM Aug. 8 and 10, Safeco Field, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

VIOLA DAVIS: June 18, McCaw Hall, Seattle. 844827-8118 or uniquelives. com.

JIMMY BUFFETT: June 23, KeyArena, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DEAD & COMPANY:

MCINTYRE HALL PRESENTS

June 29, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DUA LIPA: July 2, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

— For complete listings, visit goskagit. com and click on “Entertainment.”

ROBERT DUB A C ’ S

IF THINKING WERE EASY EVERYONE WOULD DO IT

“A MASTER!” THE HUFFINGTON POST

“LAUGHTER FOR ALL… WITH INTELLIGENCE AND ABSURDITY!” THE NEW YORK TIMES Special Offer: $25 (reg.$50) Use Passcode: MORON

Friday, March 23 & Saturday, March 24 7:30pm Robert Dubac’s Off-Broadway hit, THE BOOK OF MORON, is for everyone who is tired of adolescent comedies generated by the mediocrity of television and yearn for some satire that cuts with a clever intelligent edge! Buckle up for a hilarious joy ride over the pot-holed highways of cultural hypocrisy in this fast-paced, politically smart production!

MCINTYREHALL.ORG 360.416.7727 2 5 0 1

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E12 - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MUSIC REVIEWS STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, “Stone Temple Pilots” — When Stone Temple Pilots were rolling out one grunge-tinged rock hit after another in the ’90s, you could depend on the DeLeo brothers’ raucous guitar work and singer Scott Weiland’s unpredictability.

With “Stone Temple Pilots” (Atlantic) — the band’s first album in eight years and its first since the deaths of not only Weiland, but his replacement Chester Bennington — Dean DeLeo’s guitar riffs and the rhythm section of bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz are as solid as ever.

But there’s something missing.

That’s not to put the blame on new singer Jeff Gutt, previously best known for his two stints on “The X Factor,” who has a strong voice and his own style. However, the combination just doesn’t have the same spark.

The new STP starts off well with “Middle of Nowhere,” built on a massive wall of guitars and thunderous drums.

Gutt’s soaring vocals nicely play off Dean DeLeo’s wailing guitar solos in “Guilty.” The first single “Meadow” has plenty of grungy swagger and Gutt hits some Weiland-esque notes, but it never catches fire even with another cool DeLeo solo. Maybe it’s the sweet harmonies and the mention of sunshine?

Oddly enough, the band seems to fare better when it sounds least like STP. The acoustic jangle of “Thought She’d Be Mine” sounds more like the ‘90s psychedelic pop of Jellyfish than the guys who did “Sex Type Thing.” “The Art of Letting Go” conjures up ‘80s power ballads, like it’s reinventing Skid Row’s “I Remember You.” Nothing wrong with that vein, especially when it results in catchy songs like “Finest Hour,” but it’s not quite on par with the heights of “Interstate Love Song.”

With “Stone Temple Pilots,” the band is moving past its years of tumult and loss; may-

worthwhile “Room,” a twosong, country-tinged released that’s packaged separately and available on all the streaming services. What’s impressive about Shamir’s creative burst is not only its quantity but the quality. “Resolution” is a quite polished product as DIY projects go while retaining a sense of rugged urgency and self-assured confidence. That’s true whether he’s looking outward on the sharply etched story song about police killings “I Can’t Breathe,” or reflective on the equal parts grungy-and-catchy refusal-to-be-defeated “Dead Inside.”

– Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer

be it’s only natural that they gravitate toward more sweetness and peace.

– Glenn Gamboa, Newsday THE DECEMBERISTS, “I’ll Be Your Girl” — When bands talk about shaking things up — the way The Decemberists did to announce their new album “I’ll Be Your Girl” (Capitol) — it’s usually bad news.

However, Colin Meloy and friends don’t fall into the expected trap of not taking enough chances to make the shake-up sound good. Actually, the New Order synth-pop of the first single “Severed” is right on target, as is the fuzzed-out glam rock of “We All Die Young,” which sounds like it could be the sequel to “Spirit in the Sky.” And the playful “Everything Is Awful,” with its mix of sweetness and bash-it-out rage, feels like it could be an anthem for 2018.

The problem on “I’ll Be Your Girl” is that the more traditional-sounding Decemberists songs seem to be lacking. Suddenly, the archaic phrasing of “Cutting Stone” sounds even more gimmicky when paired with synthesizer runs. The galloping

“Your Ghost” feels half-finished, especially when compared to the gorgeous “Sucker’s Prayer,” which conjures up The Band at its best.

Maybe The Decemberists should let go of their own brand of Americana and chase the new influences they seem to find so interesting.

– Glenn Gamboa, Newsday SHAMIR, “Resolution” — Shamir has now put out three full-length albums in less than a year. It started with “Hope,” which the South Philadelphia songwriter recorded and released in one weekend in May 2017, and continued with “Revelations,” which he let loose in November. And now the 23-year-old former electro-pop star’s evolution into a guitar-playing indie rock artist — which is what he actually was in the first place, he’ll tell you, before he was misrepresented on his 2015 debut album, “Ratchet” — reaches some sort of resolution with “Resolution.”

Shamir surprise-released the album this month exclusively on the online music site Bandcamp, and also put out the

BRAMDI CARLILE, “By the Way, I Forgive You” — The title of Brandi Carlile’s new album is a line that recurs throughout the opening track, “Every Time I Hear That Song.” It’s addressed to an ex-lover, and it contains sadness and regret and tenderness, but also a touch of gettingthe-last-laugh vindication. In other words, it’s full-blooded, emotionally nuanced, and true to life, and it sets the tone for the rest of this gripping set.

“Whatever You Do” is a stark portrait of someone caught between devotion and independence — “I love you whatever you do, but I’ve got a life to live too” — while “The Mother” is an unabashed celebration of renewal and redemption brought on by motherhood.

“Sugartooth” is a wrenching portrayal of an addict, with a strong strain of empathy that also runs through “The Joke” and maybe “Fulton County Jane Doe.” A chilling ambiguity underpins the latter — for all the sweet understanding of “Fulton County Jane” expressed by the singer, could she actually be dead, and did the singer kill her?

Carlile has worked with bigname producers before in T Bone Burnett and Rick Rubin, and here she teams with one of Nashville’s hottest right now,

Dave Cobb, as well as Shooter Jennings. The music incorporates country, folk, rock, and pop, and even when strings are employed, as they often are, the arrangements remain terse and spare, sharpening the focus on Carlile and her songs.

“I don’t always choose to stay on the sunny side,” Carlile warns on “Harder to Forgive.” That’s true, but it’s her ability to convey so many shades of emotion that makes her work here so powerful.

– Nick Cristiano, The Philadelphia Inquirer LIL YACHTY, “Lil Boat 2” — When Atlanta’s Lil Yachty came on the scene as the Instagram prince of bubblegum trap rap, his music was sweet, silly, and tinny. His mumbled fuzzy rhymes found focus (when focus was to be found; song structure and convergence aren’t his thing) in X-Men, Xbox, cotton candy, and “Peek a Boo.” For all this warm, dippy weirdness – and truly catchy tunes with an irresistibly slippery flow – Yachty won platinum-plated status and a brand ambassadorship for youthful effusion and good guy-ishness.

Two years of mixtapes and “Teenage Emotions” later, Yachty – at age 20 – has lost the keen of teendom and replaced it with a chilly, more calculated synth-sound and an often unflattering sense of braggadocio. Though “Boom” and “Oops” (featuring 2 Chainz and K Supreme) are as charming and gooey as anything in Boat’s saccharine past, “Get Money Bros” and “She Ready” (with Philly’s PnB Rock) are bitter and braggy in a boring adult fashion. Rather than having fun and getting cavities, all he seems to care about is cash. “I ain’t here to conversate if it ain’t about a dollar,” he croon-raps on “Count Me In.” Yachty could use a sugar rush to get his groove back.

– A.D. Amorosi, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - E13

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

AT THE LINCOLN

DINING GUIDE A menu of Polish family recipes and Northwest fare made in-house from fresh, local ingredients.

Craft beer • Pnw wines House infused vodkas

Celebrate Easter Sunday (April 1) at Anelia’s Brunch & Dinner Specials

LIVE MUSIC FRI & SAT CHECK LISTINGS aneliaskitchenandstage.com

7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 23-24 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 25 7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, March 26-28 In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of isolation.

Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.

Rated R. $10.50 general; $9.50 seniors, students and active military; $8 ages 12 and under. Lincoln members receive a $2 discount. Sunday bargain

1 p.m. Saturday, March 24 Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.

As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralyzed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state. $18 adults, $16 seniors, $14 students.

Lincoln members receive a $2 discount.

FRI. 3/23 8PM THE GINGER UPS WEDS. 3/28 6PM FIDALGO SWING FRI. 3/30 8PM AMIGOS NOBLES

EastEr BuffEt aPrIL 1 • 9am-3:30pm

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The MET Live in HD: ‘Semiramide’

1 p.m. Sunday, March 25 The all-star cast features Angela Meade in the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon, who squares off in duets with Arsace, a trouser role sung

by Elizabeth DeShong. Javier Camarena, Ildar Abdrazakov, and Ryan Speedo Green complete the cast.

Adults $23, seniors $21, students (with ID) $19, children (12 and under) $17. Lincoln members receive a $2 discount.

— The Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St., downtown Mount Vernon. lincolntheatre.org or 360-336-8955.

OPEN FOR BREAKFAST EVERY DAY

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6:30 p.m. today, March 22 The six-documentary series that shines a light on issues important to Skagit County finishes tonight with its sixth installment. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Researchers recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood, according to a news release. As the documentary “Resilience” reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. $5 suggested donation.

Closed Tuesdays

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Spotlight Film Festival: “Resilience”

OPEN 11AM - LAST CALL

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“The Shape of Water” will play Friday through Wednesday.

E14 - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

REVIEW

‘7 Days in Entebbe’: Negotiating a hijacking thriller, timidly

By MICHAEL PHILLIPS Chicago Tribune

Unless it’s complicated by something like human feeling, and a recognition of the human beings on both sides of any bloody ideological conflict, truelife heroism has a tendency to look a little synthetic on screen. It’s what sells, of course. And it’s an easy emotional sale if The Other in the story — the Viet Cong in “The Green Berets”; virtually everyone on the receiving end of Chris Kyle’s rifle in “American Sniper” — remains a vaguely subhuman blank.

Is this why the successful Israeli commando raid on the Entebbe, Uganda, airport, saving dozens of Israeli passengers held hostage in the 1976 pro-Palestine terrorist hijacking of an Air France passenger jet, has so much trouble working as a movie?

This much can be said of the latest attempt, “7 Days in Entebbe.” It excuses nothing the terrorists did, but the film juggles points of view and toggles between various factions caught up in a diplomatic crisis. Some pro-Israel newspapers covering the film’s Berlin Film Festival premiere earlier this year noted its muted triumphalism, and noted further the film’s depiction of the climactic raid, which shows Israel Defense Forces unit commander Yonatan Netanyahu (the brother of Benjamin) as dying early in the raid, not

FOCUS FEATURES

German radicals Wilfried Bose (Daniel Bruhl) and Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike) foment a hostage crisis in “7 Days in Entebbe,” a docudrama about the 1976 hijacking of an Air France flight ultimately grounded in Entebbe, Uganda.

near the end.

Such details will mean a great deal to some of the film’s potential audience, and less so to others.

Either way, “7 Days in Entebbe” is an honorable, evenhanded but curiously flat interpretation of events.

Screenwriter Gregory Burke ticks off the days of the title, beginning with the midair hijacking conducted by two Palestinian members of the revolutionary Popular Front and, primary in the narrative, two German-born members of the ultra-left Revolutionary Cells. Daniel Bruhl (“The Alienist”) and Rosamund Pike receive top billing as Wilifried Bose and Brigitte Kuhlmann, ideologues who find themselves over their heads very quickly.

Air France Flight 139 took off from Tel Aviv, Israel, for Paris, with an Athens, Greece, stop en route. The jetliner ultimately landed in Entebbe

where, with the blessing of Ugandan President Idi Amin (Nonso Anozie), the terrorists held 106 hostages, overwhelmingly Israeli, for ransom.

Working from Burke’s screenplay, the Brazilian director Jose Padilha (“Narcos”) cuts between the increasingly tense passengers, confined to a sweaty corner of the Entebbe airport terminal; the infighting among the terrorists; and the high-level political and military planning put into action

by Israeli Defense Minister Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan), a no-negotiation hard-liner, and Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi), depicted here as the conflicted pragmatist.

Padilha’s key invention is the composite character of a commando soldier (Ben Schnetzer), whose dancer girlfriend (Zina Zinchenko) appears in choreographed sequences used as prologue, epilogue

and, more dubiously, montage fodder mixed up with the raid preparations. The choreography’s well-known: Performed on screen by the Batsheva Dance Company, Ohad Naharin’s “Echad Mi Yodea” places 15 dancers in a semicircle, dressed as Haredim, throwing off their garb as if under attack.

It’s a striking element, but it big-foots the movie, which is never terrible, nor never more than dramatically adequate.

Putting the characters played by Bruhl and Pike at the center of things has the unfortunate effect of German-splaining the Middle Eastern conflict; putting distractingly inauthentic eyebrows on Marsan’s face has the unfortunate effect of pulling focus in a subtly undermining way.

It’s odd, really: The team assembled for this project looked ideal on paper. Padilha’s hijacking documentary “Bus 174” helped convince producers Tim Bevan and Kate Solomon (“United 93”) that he was their director.

Screenwriter Burke wrote the tense, effective “’71,” set in Belfast during the “troubles.” “7 Days in Entebbe” is the work of smart people who never quite figured out how to tell this story, or these stories.

— 1:47. MPAA rating: PG-13 (for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language) HH

MINI-REVIEWS Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars. ”Gringo” — A down-and-dirty, cheerfully nasty, violent action comedy that doesn’t expect you to take it seriously for a second. Charlize Theron and David Oyelowo head an A-list cast having fun with this B-movie material in roles you might not immediately associate with their onscreen personas. Action comedy, R, 111 minutes). HHH ”Tomb Raider” — Star Alicia Vikander is absolutely terrific in this stripped-down origin story of the video game heroine. But the special effects sequences aren’t all that special, and many seem designed to distract us from the hokey, dopey, paper-thin plot. Action adventure, PG13, 118 minutes). HH ”The Death of Stalin” — Director Armando Iannucci delivers an audacious and hilarious send-up of the grab for power that followed the Soviet leader’s demise in 1953. But as in the case of all satires that resonate, “The Death of Stalin” goes deeper than balloon-popping punch lines.Historical satire, R, 97 minutes. HHH½ “Love, Simon” — From the comfortable suburban setting to the likable protagonist, from the intelligent teenagers to the warm and well-meaning but sometimes out-of-touch adults, “Love, Simon” is clearly a cinematic descendant of John Hughes High. Nick Robinson gives a winning performance as the smart and charismatic and conflicted 17-year-old lead character in this wonderful, uplifting, endearing, thoroughly entertaining story.

Drama, PG-13, 110 minutes. HHH½ “The Strangers: Prey at Night” — Three masked villains from 2008’s “The Strangers” return to stalk their prey at a downscale summer resort that looks EXACTLY like the setting for a horror movie. This stylish and well-choreographed throwback splatter film doesn’t come close to avoiding a number of cliches. Horror, R, 85 minutes.

HH “A Wrinkle in Time” — Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon star in this adaptation of the young adult classic by Madeleine L’Engle. We should be moved and exhilarated by a story involving leaps of faith and the powerful magic of love, but this journey is felled by a torrent of New Age babble, underwhelming special effects and a final act that falls flat. Fantasy action, PG, 115 minutes. HH “Death Wish” — Bruce Willis takes over the Charles Bronson role as a civilian who takes up vigilantism after an attack on his wife and daughter. No doubt some will be startled and perhaps offended by the violence, not to mention the numerous instances in which first-degree murder is played for applause and even laughter. Again and again, “Death Wish” feels anything but real. Action drama, R, 107 minutes. HH “Half Magic” — Directing her own script inspired by the sexism she encountered in Hollywood, Heather Graham also stars in this uneven but timely and quite funny feminist satire. She trades some hilariously X-rated dialogue with co-stars Angela Kinsey (“The Office”) and Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”). Comedy, R, 99 minutes. HHH

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - E15

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

REVIEW

Talented Tessa Thompson, Melissa Leo can’t rise above plodding material

By JUSTIN CHANG Los Angeles Times

What happens when you send Melissa Leo and Tessa Thompson on a weekend road trip?

The talent pairing alone seemed tantalizing enough to warrant further investigation, and I wish “Furlough” had supplied a better answer.

In this thin, meandering twohander, Thompson plays a corrections officer assigned to escort Leo’s prisoner on an authorized family visit, setting in motion a journey that will be beset by rude interruptions and bizarre digressions before ending, as it must, in sentimental tears.

All of which might well have yielded a fine movie, or at least an entertaining one, with better story

sense, sharper jokes and a director willing to push even routine comic situations past their limits.

What makes “Furlough” such a wan, dispiriting experience is how indecisive and fundamentally timid it seems. Rather than subtly braiding drama and comedy together, as real life often does, the movie oscillates jerkily between the modes, as though hesitant to commit to either one.

Through it all, the excellent leads meet the challenge with unfailing professionalism and determined smiles. Nicole Stevens (Thompson), a part-time guard at an upstate New York prison, spends every non-working minute caring for her hapless, needy mother (Whoopi Goldberg). But she’s forced to leave her mom at home and take on a last-minute assignment, with the promise of a

“Game Night” — When the Game Night that Max (Jason Bateman) usually hosts with his wife (Rachel McAdams) is commandeered by his cocky brother (Kyle Chandler), the merriment quickly spins out of control. The movie runs a little long, but there are more than enough laughs and clever surprises in this broad and sometimes violent farce to warrant a recommendation. Comedy, R, 100 minutes. HHH “Annihilation” — In this bold and innovative sci-fi horror thriller from the director of “Ex Machina,” Natalie Portman plays a biologist venturing into a mysterious environmental disaster zone to find her missing husband. Her work here rivals her Oscar-winning turn in “Black Swan.” Sci-fi thriller, R, 115 mintues.

HHHH “Rogers Park” — This Chicago character study has such a comfortably lived-in feel, such an authentic vibe, you’ll feel as if you’re eavesdropping on the complicated, messy and sometimes heartbreaking and mildly absurd lives of the mostly sympathetic early middle-aged characters at the center of the story. Comedy drama, not rated, 87 minutes. HHH½ “Looking Glass” — In a compelling and offbeat little thriller, Nicolas Cage plays the new owner of a desert motel frequented by vaguely menacing figures. Thriller, R, 103 minutes. HHHH “Mercury in Retrograde” — Three Chicago couples drive to Michigan for a three-day mini-vacation of bonding and trysting and brutally honest confrontations. We get some absolutely beautiful if heartbreaking moments in this smart, funny, quietly effective and authentic slice of older millennial life. Comedy drama, not rated, 105 minutes. HHH “Black Panther” — Even if you’re not normally into the superhero genre, if you appreciate finely honed storytelling, winning performances and tons of whiz-bang action sequences and good humor, then you should see “Black Panther.” It’s one

full-time position if she pulls it off: She will accompany a longtime inmate, Joan Anderson (Leo, cornrowed and bedraggled), to see her dying mother one last time.

(Given the movie’s buddy-comedy setup and day-and-a-half time frame, a better title might have been “36 Hrs.”) Thompson, whose star has been very much on the rise with supporting roles in lavish mega-productions like “Westworld” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” deserves a much better lead showcase than this one. There are only so many exasperated expressions in any actor’s tool kit, and Thompson has little choice but to fall back on them repeatedly, whether Stevens is trying to cut loose from her overbearing mother and scowling sister (La La Anthony) or to assert her authority over her increasingly

troublesome prisoner.

What little comic tension “Furlough” generates stems from our uncertainty as to what Anderson might do, especially once Stevens unwisely agrees to uncuff her hands and legs. But Leo, who can go electrifyingly over-the-top in movies like “The Fighter,” doesn’t uncork the sort of full-throttle performance she could surely give if the script called for it. Anderson may be tough, but she’s also a simpering, self-deprecating soul who’s gotten a few points for good behavior over the years.

And with only six months left to serve, she isn’t considered a major flight risk. Really, after years behind bars and a lifetime of regrets, she’s just trying to enjoy her 36 hours on the outside, whether that means getting a quick but glorious makeover or picking

up a hunky veterinarian (Edgar Ramirez) at a group for recovering sex addicts.

But the strained, awkward way in which that zany encounter plays out signals the lack of comic inspiration in either Barry Strugatz’s screenplay or Laurie Collyer’s direction. Collyer remains best known for the excellent “Sherrybaby” (2006), whose tale of an ex-con trying to reintegrate into society and do right by her child has some clear points of overlap with this very different mother-daughter dramedy.

A lot of talented people have clearly been marshaled in service of “Furlough,” but the material leaves even the best of them in chains.

Copyright 2018 Tribune Content Agency.

At area theaters ANACORTES CINEMAS March 23-29 Ready Player One (PG-13): Wednesday: 7:00; Thursday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 Pacific Rim: Uprising (PG-13): FridaySaturday: 1:50, 4:25, 7:00, 9:25; SundayWednesday: 1:50, 4:25, 7:00; Thursday: 1:10, 4:10, 6:50 Sherlock Gnomes (PG): FridaySaturday: 2:00, 4:35, 6:40, 8:45; SundayWednesday: 2:00, 4:35, 6:40; Thursday: 1:20, 4:20, 6:40 The Riot and Dance: Monday: 7 p.m.

Tomb Raider (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:30; Sunday: 1:40, 4:15, 6:50; Monday: 1:40, 4:15; Tuesday: 1:40, 4:15, 6:50; Wednesday: 1:40, 4:15 360-293-7000 CONCRETE THEATRE March 23-25 Black Panther (PG-13): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 5 p.m.

360-941-0403

OAK HARBOR CINEMAS March 23-29 Ready Player One (PG-13): Wednesday: 7:00; Thursday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 Pacific Rim: Uprising (PG-13): FridaySaturday: 1:50, 4:25, 7:00, 9:25; SundayWednesday: 1:50, 4:25, 7:00; Thursday: 1:10, 4:10, 6:50 Sherlock Gnomes (PG): FridaySaturday: 2:00, 4:35, 6:40, 8:45; SundayWednesday: 2:00, 4:35, 6:40; Thursday: 1:20, 4:20, 6:40 Tomb Raider (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:30; Sunday-Tuesday: 1:40, 4:15, 6:50; Wednesday: 1:40, 4:15 360-279-2226 BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor March 23-25 Pacific Rim: Uprising (PG-13) and Tomb Raider (PG-13): First movie begins at approximately 7:30 p.m.

360-675-5667 * Show times subject to change

of the best times I’ve had at the movies this decade. Superhero action, PG-13, 140 minutes. HHHH “Basmati Blues” — Yes, this is a real film, a quasi-Bollywood musical starring Brie Larson (made well before her Oscar-win-

STANWOOD CINEMAS March 23-29 Ready Player One (PG-13): Wednesday: 7 p.m.

Pacific Rim: Uprising (PG-13): FridayWednesday: 1:10, 3:55, 6:40 Pacific Rim: Uprising 3D (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 9:20 p.m.

Sherlock Gnomes (PG): Friday-Saturday: 1:30, 3:45, 6:50, 8:55; Sunday-Thursday: 1:30, 3:45, 6:50 Tomb Raider (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:20, 4:05, 7:10, 9:45; Sunday-Wednesday: 1:20, 4:05, 7:10 A Wrinkle in Time (PG): Friday-Saturday: 1:40, 4:25, 7:00, 9:10; Sunday-Thursday: 1:40, 4:25, 7:00 Black Panther (PG-13): Friday-Saturday: 1:00, 4w:15, 6:30, 9:25; SundayTuesday: 1:00, 4:15, 6:30; Wednesday: 1:00, 4:15 360-629-0514 CASCADE MALL THEATERS Burlington For showings: amctheatres.com/movietheatres/seattle-tacoma/amc-loews-cascade-mall-14

ning turn in “Room”) as a guitar-strumming American scientist who journeys to India to spread the word about a genetically modified rice. It’s terrible. And wackier than it sounds. Musical comedy, not rated, 105 minutes. H½

E16 - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

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