LIARS BENCH, MARCH 28, PERFORMS AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY'S MOUNTAIN HERITAGE CENTER

THE LIARS BENCH which has been called “an Appalachian variety show” will kick off its third season with guest appearances by two of Appalachia’s most gifted talents:  Shelia Kay Adams, a seventh generation ballad singer from Madison County and Marvin Cole, noted throughout this region for his depiction of Mark Twain. 

In addition to these two remarkable performers, Gary Carden, the founder of the Liars Bench, intends to introduce a few samples of his latest project, “An Appalachian Bestiary” which is a collection of “whimsical and imaginary critters.”  

Carden notes, “I have about 48 now, and they range from birds that fly backwards to snakes that milk cows.”



Shelia Kay taught school for 17 years before she became a full-time performer. She is the author of two remarkable books:  Come Go Home With Me, which is a collection of community stories from Madison County, and My Old True Love, which is called “a Civil War love story.” Since she is also a gifted storyteller, she has a collection of tales called “Don’t Get Above Your Raising.” 

For more than 40 years, she has been nationally known and sought after by the country’s colleges and universities for her ability to combine exceptional musical skills (banjo) and traditional ballad singing...and, as Daniel Patterson says, “for good reason.  She is North Carolina’s greatest musical treasure.”



Many people in this region have had the pleasure of seeing Marvin Cole do “An Evening With Mark Twain.” Dr. Cole has performed throughout the United States ...especially on Mississippi river boats.  However, Marvin is leaving his trademark “ice cream suit” at home, and he intends to explore new territory.  When asked about his topic for his Liars Bench performance, Marvin said he wanted to perform a “meditation on outhouses.”



The Liars Bench show is scheduled for March 28th at 7:00 in the Mountain Heritage Center at WCU.  Other scheduled performers will include Paul Iarussi (claw hammer guitar) and William Ritter, a Liars Bench regular (and gifted fiddler) who is scheduled to play “The Belled Buzzard.”  
The audience is advised to come early as this will be a popular show.

Gary Carden
gcarden498@aol.com

Coffee with the Poets, Another Great Day for Writers

Once again we had a delightful poet featured at Coffee with the Poets Wednesday.
Carol Bjorlie brought her cello and honored us with two pieces played flawlessly. Her new poetry book The Poet Behind the Cello encompasses her love of music and writing. She gave us humor and a serious side as well.Our room at Blue Mountain restaurant filled completely with regular attendees plus four new guests. The waitresses at Blue Mountain took good care of us, serving coffee and sweets before we began.
 
The Poet Behind the Cello is a collection of poems for those who love the sound of words as much as the hum of a cello. In this collection is humor, love in abundance, attentiveness to sound, singing, and gratitude. Carol has been behind the cello since she was ten years old. She began writing when her father died days after her sixteenth birthday.

I appreciate those attending who buy a coffee or drink and leave the nice staff a tip. Eight of us stayed for lunch and had fun socializing. While waiting for our meals we used the time to – guess what? – write.
It looks like Coffee with the Poets has found a good home. Thank you Mary and staff at Blue Mountain.
April is poetry month. Brenda Kay Ledford will be the featured poet. She has another book, Beckoning, www.finishinglinepress.org, which I think is one of her best. I hope to see you there.

Glenda Beall