All Pikes Peak Makes, Homeschool Resource Fair, National Poetry Month celebrations with the Pikes Peak Poetry Summit and others, Peggy Shivers Concert Series, Toy Library launch, and Meet the Author featuring Barbara Bowen
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) presents many options to engage people of all ages and interests across El Paso County. Here are some upcoming opportunities this month:
All Pikes Peak Makes
District-wide annual event
Sat., April 29 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Library 21c
More info: ppld.librarymarket.com/all-pikes-peak-makes-20
After several years of virtual and smaller programs due to the pandemic, Pikes Peak Library District’s annual celebration of making, All Pikes Peak Makes, will once again be a daylong, in-person event on Sat., April 29 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Library 21c. This highly anticipated all-ages event provides an opportunity for community members to get together and celebrate the creative world of making. Making is an umbrella term most often associated with creating things in a makerspace, but it can include a variety of other innovative projects, from woodwork to robotics. Members of the community can register to share projects like 3D prints, LEGO builds, cardboard creations, whittling work, cosplay, and other creative projects, and spend the day learning about science, engineering, and making with other passionate creators. Learn more at ppld.org/appm
Homeschool Resource Fair
Homeschool event
Fri., April 14 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Library 21c: Venue
More info: ppld.librarymarket.com/annual-homeschool-resource-fair
Pikes Peak Library District invites homeschool families and families interested in starting homeschooling to the Annual Homeschool Resource Fair on Fri., April 14 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Library 21c. A wide variety of local exhibitors will be in attendance offering educational and extracurricular opportunities for homeschooling families. Families will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from organizations and businesses that offer homeschooling services and support, including arts and science activities, sports groups, enrichment programs, tutoring, support groups, and more. There will be fun hands-on activities for kids in the atrium as well.
National Poetry Month
District-wide initiative
More info: ppld.org/national-poetry-month
Throughout April, Pikes Peak Library District is celebrating National Poetry Month. Discover new poems, poets, and poetic forms while exploring the resources on the National Poetry Month page. The Pikes Peak Poetry Summit, an all-day celebration of poetry and poetic form, will take place on Sat., April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Hall at PPLD (formerly known as Knights of Columbus Hall). The 2023 theme is “Art is a Bridge to New Perspectives,” celebrating poetry across Colorado with special workshops and an art market featuring local poets, authors, and artists. Later in the month, the Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest Award Ceremony will celebrate the 4th and 5th grade winners of this year’s contest on Sat., April 29, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hall at PPLD (Must RSVP to attend. Please contact Christa Funke, cfunke@ppld.org, by Tue., April 25).
30th Anniversary Shivers Concert Series – Spring Concert
Fri., April 21 at 7 p.m.
Ent Center for the Arts
More info: tinyurl.com/shivers-ent
2023 marks the 30th anniversary of The Shivers Concert Series, which supports the Shivers Fund at Pikes Peak Library District. The fund helps expand educational and cultural opportunities for young people to encourage tolerance and diversity. The first of three concerts expected this year, the Spring Concert will feature soprano Leberta Loral, baritone James Alston, and violinist David Siegel, accompanied by pianist Susan Grace. This concert takes place on Fri., April 21 at 7 p.m. at Ent Center for the Arts. Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/shivers-ent
Toy Library added to Library resources
New resource
Starting Sat., April 1
More info: ppld.org/Toy-Library-Launch
The Library is adding a new resource to help young children age 0 – 5 develop their motor skills: the Toy Library. This collection of toys will help children practice the large motor skills necessary to learn how to control the body movements that will lay the foundation for fine motor skills later. Parents and caretakers age 18+ can use their library card to check out toys at the Library’s six Family Place Library locations: Cheyenne, East, Fountain, Penrose, and Sand Creek libraries, as well as Library 21c.
Friends of the PPLD features Barbara Bowen at Meet the Author
Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District
Sat., April 8 at 1 p.m.
East Library
More info: call (719) 531-6333, x1461
Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District will present Barbara Bowen as the guest speaker for its Meet the Author event on Sat., April 8 at 1 p.m. at East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.
Bowen is a local freelance writer, author, and accomplished professional oboist who played with the Colorado Springs Symphony for 19 years. Drawing on her quirky fellow musicians and orchestral experiences, she created the mystery series, Musical Murders. The first book, Musical Murders was published in 2021, followed by Ballistics at the Ballet in 2022. Her third book, Fireworks on the Fourth, comes out in May.
Bowen, who also writes inspirational articles, was a finalist and took honorable mention in the 2018 Focus: Eddy Awards for her article, “Letting Go with Grace,” published in Unity Magazine.
The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP online so that we may accommodate all who wish to attend and supply free refreshments for everyone.
NOTE: This event is sponsored by the Friends of the PPLD, not the Library itself. Friends is a separate, nonprofit group that supports the Library District.