CANMORE – As it is every year, the lineup of presenters is a secret.
Who the MC introducing those speakers and keeping the show hopping along will be is also a closely guarded secret – other than the tidbit that the person is a local celebrity.
But that is exactly the recipe for success that has kept the Night of Lies thriving for 19 years.
Some details about the unrivalled night of slide shows, videos and great prizes happening on Friday (Oct. 11) at the Cornerstone Theatre are known.
Nine presenters have signed up to take the risk and share their stories on stage. Two of them are female. The subjects of their presentations are, of course, a secret. The degree of truth to those stories will only be known to those holding the microphone, and probably their friends in the audience, who will be not only welcome to call them out, but enthusiastically encouraged.
Presentations from recent years have included an arm-wrestling round robin competition, a climbers’ version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s big jump, and a thoroughly modern marriage proposal.
New this year – and not a secret – is the addition of a dance party scheduled to bust out after the presentations.
“The local band, No Sudden Moves will play after the presentations,” said organizer Ross McEwen.
“Essentially we'll clear away the chairs and have the after party at the Cornerstone. Last call is at 1 a.m.”
As always, the money raised from sale of tickets and refreshments will go to a charity. This year’s funds will go to Enviros.org, a not-for-profit organization that promotes wilderness addiction therapy.
“We picked them as addiction therapy is something close to our heart and very relevant to life in the Bow Valley,” McEwan said.
Enviros launched in the fall and winter of 1976 with youth workers and volunteers taking eight youth into the wilderness of the Rockies’ foothills. More than a recreational outing, the trip was an exercise in self-discipline and personal growth that lasted eight months. While living in tents and attending school on-site, the youth persevered and in so doing they built the first Enviros wilderness facility.
Since then, Enviros has offered innovative, family orientated programming for children, youth, adults and families in Alberta. The services they offer today are designed to address a broad range of societal needs ranging from programs for young offenders, family support services, emergency foster care and helping young adults to become independent. Enviros works to build strong healthy relationships that support wellbeing and growth, to connect with people and community and to foster learning and development that will contribute to positive experiences, goal attainment and successful outcomes. Learn more at www.enviros.org.
Organized by the Rocky Mountain Section of the Alpine Club of Canada, tickets for the Night of Lies are $20 and available at Vertical Addiction or online at nightoflies.ca.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the storytelling and entertainment and tomfoolery begins at 8 p.m.
