The Liars Bench

“A Live, Authentic Traditional Southern Appalachian Storytelling, Music, Poetry, Drama, and Folk Arts Presentation”

The Liars Bench, Southern Appalachian variety show, to present “Folklore, Lies, and Tall Tales” theme at September 1 Mountain Heritage Center show.

Sylva, August 29, 2011—Thursday September 1 at 7:00 pm The Liars Bench continues at WCUs Mountain Heritage Center in Cullowhee with a “Folklore, Lies, and Tall Tales” show theme. September firsts’ presentation will be the third of The Liars Bench shows at the prestigious Mountain Heritage Center auditorium and a first with four noted storytellers on the stage of the MHC auditorium.

Local author and storyteller Curtis Blanton will share some of his famous porch tales about growing up in and around Beta in Jackson County. David Hirt dramatist, and storyteller, who grew up in Cullowhee, will tell dramatic stories learned at his Uncle Gordon’s knee.

The Liars Bench show creator and artistic director Dr. Gary Carden and Cherokee master storyteller Lloyd Arneach will bring more stories of Southern Appalachia to the stage.

Paul Iarussi performs his great old-time claw hammer guitar music. Barbara Duncan, poet, song-writer and performer, sings haunting ballads of the past. William Ritter plays old and new mountain ballads for all.

Carden said “I started The Liars Bench because I saw the culture and tradition of my people, the people of the Southern Appalachians, slipping away. I decided to showcase it, keep it alive, and introduce aspects of the old ways to people who might never have heard of it.”

Regular cast members include Gary Carden, Lloyd Arneach, Paul Iarussi, Barbara Duncan, Dave Waldrop, Steve Brady, and the show’s mascot Bodine. The Liars Bench recognizes established regional artists and performers and encourages new talent also. The Liars Bench has been a crowd pleaser from the very first show in June of 2010 promoting any and all aspects of Appalachian culture.

“The Liars Bench is a unique blend of culturally accurate mountain Americana with traditional Southern Appalachian entertainment for everyone. We attempt to treat Appalachian culture with integrity and authenticity and to be an accurate reflection of the Southern Highlanders and their ways. No matter how successful the show becomes I want people to know that The Liars Bench is an honest rendering of Appalachian culture and tradition” said Carden.

The Liars Bench was created in the early summer of 2010 by Dr. Gary Carden to promote Southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, and folk arts.

Coming Saturday September 24 at the MHC a special Mountain Heritage Day presentation of The Liars Bench.

http://theliarsbenchgazette.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/liarsbenchbunch/

The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129

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theliarsbenchpr@gmail.com

garycarden14@yahoo.com