FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 5, 2025
Contact:
Carla Bamesberger, PR & Marketing Manager
(719) 412-2646 | Cbamesberger@ppld.org
Amy Gillentine, Director of PR, Marketing & Promotions
(719) 482-5422 | agillentine@ppld.org
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN AUGUST
Rising Voices celebrates the diverse cultural landscape of the Pikes Peak region, Summer Concerts return to Palmer Lake, students can access Back-to-School resources at the Library, and PPLD returns to host Kids Con at Colorado Springs Comic Con
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:
Rising Voices Series Celebrates the Diverse Cultures of the Pikes Peak Region
Community Interest; Cultural Celebration; Family Events
Panel Discussion: Wed., Aug. 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at East Library
Cultural Celebration: Sat., Aug. 23, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Library 21c
More info: ppld.org/rising-voices
Pikes Peak Library District will celebrate the accomplishments, successes, and rich cultural diversity of the Pikes Peak region during the two-part Rising Voices series.
The series will start with a Panel Discussion on Wed., Aug. 20 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at East Library featuring local leaders and changemakers from our community. Jeweler and small business owner Luisa Graff, art therapist Kim Nguyen, and reporter Peter Choi will share their unique experiences in El Paso County.
This year’s series will conclude with a Cultural Celebration on Sat., Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Library 21c. Attendees will enjoy performances, food, crafts, and entertainment that showcases the tapestry of cultures that make up our region. Highlights include traditional Native American dance performed by Seven Falls Indian Dancers, Irish dance performances by Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance, dance lessons on two traditional Indian dance styles, Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and performances by The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale.
The Popular Palmer Lake Village Green Concert Series Returns to Palmer Lake
Live Music; Community Interest; Family Events
Aug. 29, Sept. 5, and Sept. 12, 6 – 7 p.m.
Palmer Lake Village Green
More info: ppld.org/palmer-lake-library-concert-series
The Palmer Lake Library Village Green Concert Series returns to Pikes Peak Library District this August and September for three no-cost summer concerts. This popular, well-attended concert series provides everyone in the community with outdoor enrichment for all ages to wrap up the summer. All the concerts are on Fridays from 6 – 7 p.m. in late August and early September. The concerts will be held outdoors at the Palmer Lake Village Green & Gazebo, located next to Palmer Lake Library at 66 Lower Glenway St. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to lounge on as they enjoy the performances. In the case of adverse weather conditions, a concert may be relocated to Palmer Lake Town Hall or canceled.
- Fri., Aug. 29: Peak Big Band, a dynamic ensemble known for performing a variety of big band music from Duke Ellington to Guns and Roses.
- Fri., Sept. 5: Ricky Sweum, an award-winning musician, composer, educator, and music producer known for many things, including jazz performances.
- Fri., Sept. 12: Some Sweet Day, an acoustic band playing “rockin’ mountain music, fiery old time/grass fiddle tunes from Appalachia, song and ballads mixed with some modern folk, and country music.”
PPLD Library Card Unlocks Academic Resources for Students
Back-to-School Guides; Education; Community Interest
More info: ppld.org/back-to-school
As students of all academic levels go back to school this fall, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is a useful resource for students and parents/guardians. To connect local students with its many resources for academic success, the Library has launched a back-to-school guide for students of all ages. The guide highlights the wide array of academic resources that students can access with their PPLD library card, all at no cost.
Students can access live online tutoring, databases for many different types of projects, language learning, college test prep and ACT/SAT practice tests, academic subject practice tests, technology video courses, college information, and hands-on learning tools to support skill building for academic success. The Library District also offers supportive services like public computers, reservable meeting and study rooms, portable WiFi hotspots, and up to $7 worth of free printing each week.
For homeschool families, the Library District offers a Homeschool Hub filled with resources and information on educational Library programs to support their learning journey. Annual opportunities for homeschoolers include Homeschool Game Day, the Homeschool Science Fair, the Homeschool Curriculum Swap, the Homeschool Resource Fair, and Homeschool Book Blast, as well as monthly learning opportunities.
El Paso County educators (including homeschool) will find resources at PPLD as well. Educators can find classroom sets of books for checkout and can apply for an Educator Card which provides access to Library materials for longer periods than an individual library card.
PPLD’s back-to-school guide also includes resources for students to relax with during homework breaks, from makerspaces and Teen Game Centers to board games for checkout and eBooks to download.
As part of its work supporting students in the area, PPLD also partners with several local school districts to provide their students with PowerPass. PowerPass is a just-for-students digital library card from PPLD that grants students at participating school districts with access to the Library District’s digital resources like databases, eBooks, and song and movie downloads.
The Shivers Concert Series Continues with a Free Inspirational Evening of Song and Dance
Live Music; Community Interest; Fundraising
Sun., Aug. 31 at 4 p.m.
Packard Hall at Colorado College
More info: ppld.org/shivers-concert-series-2025
The Shivers Concert Series presents its next concert – An Evening of Inspirational Word and Song – on Sun., Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. at Colorado College’s Packard Hall (5 W. Cache La Poudre St.). The concert is free to attend, and donations are welcome and appreciated.
The Shivers Concert Series has been raising funds to support local culture and arts for 32 years. These concerts benefit the Shivers Fund at PPLD started by Peggy and Clarence Shivers, which contributes to the African American collection at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), awards grants and scholarships to students, and encourages young people to pursue their interests in the arts. A book signing and reception will follow the concert, sponsored by the Tiemens Foundation.
Kids Can Get Creative with PPLD's Kids Con During Colorado Springs Comic Con
Community Engagement; Family
Aug. 15 - 17
Broadmoor World Arena (3185 Venetucci Blvd.)
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will return to Colorado Springs Comic Con this summer to host Kids Con from Aug. 15 - 17. The Library District has hosted Kids Con for the past four years, providing hands-on learning and creative opportunities for kids, teens, and families attending the annual convention. Attendees can visit the Kids Con space to take greenscreen photos, do craft activities, see a 3D printer in action, learn about Library resources, enter prize drawings, and find out how they can use PPLD makerspaces to bring their creative ideas to life. The Library is proud to return with this creative learning space and connect with pop culture fans throughout El Paso County.