CULLOWHEE – The new leader of Western Carolina University's Pride of the Mountains Marching Band is - drum roll, please - David Starnes, currently director of bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Ga.

Starnes will be filling the well-worn shoes of Bob Buckner, retiring this summer after 20 years as director of athletic bands at WCU. The appointment is effective July 1.

"We are extremely excited about our bright future with David Starnes," said Matt Henley, assistant marching band director. "His successes as a band director are astonishing, and his fresh and energetic view on marching bands will take our program to even greater places. He is a consummate music educator, and our current bandsmen will certainly learn a great deal from him."

Arts, crafts and food vendors are being sought to participate in Mountain Heritage Day, Western Carolina University’s annual fall festival of traditional Appalachian culture.

This year’s Mountain Heritage Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, on the WCU campus in Cullowhee. The festival typically attracts more than 20,000 visitors who come to enjoy two stages of continuous music and dance, exhibitions of Cherokee stickball and shape-note singing, a midway of juried arts and crafts, and home-style food.

Western Carolina University’s Division of Educational Outreach is offering the opportunity for members of the community to have fun while staying active this summer through a ballroom dance class.

The class will be held from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings May 24 through June 28.

Participants will learn several ballroom dance styles, including the waltz, tango, cha-cha, swing and fox-trot, as well as the basics of leading and following in a social ballroom dance setting.

Sponsored by the Arts Council & Macon County Schools

Showcase of Talent 2011 came off without a hitch last Saturday as Macon County school students and homeschoolers performed in a non-competitive talent show.

Up and coming singers, dancers and musicians gave their best to entertain the crowd gathered at the Franklin Fine Arts Center.