Library Happenings in August 2024

Annual Summer Concerts Return to Palmer Lake, the Shivers Concert Series Supports Local Arts and Culture, and Latina Voices Celebrates Successful Women

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:

The Palmer Lake Library Village Green Concert Series returns with free summer music
No-cost outdoor concerts; family friendly
Fri., Aug. 23; Fri., Aug. 30; and Fri., Sept. 6
The Village Green Gazebo (66 Lower Glenway St., Palmer Lake)
More info: ppld.org/enjoy-music-2024-palmer-lake-library-village-green-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 summer enrichment for all ages. All concerts are on Fridays from 6 – 7 p.m. in late August and early September. In the case of adverse weather conditions, a concert may be canceled.

• The first concert on Fri., Aug. 23 features jazz and big band music by Academy Jazz Ensemble.
• The next concert will take place on Fri., Aug. 30 and feature folk music by Tender Foot Bluegrass.
• This year’s series will conclude on Fri., Sept. 6 with a performance by two-time Kerrville New Folk Finalist and Posi Award Winner Jeremy Facknitz (with David Siegel).

The Shivers Concert Series Summer Concert
Fundraiser; local arts; live music
Sun., Aug. 25 at 4 p.m.
Packard Hall at Colorado College
More info: ppld.org/Shivers-Concert

The Shivers Fund at PPLD will host the next event in the Shivers Concert Series on Sun., Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. at Packard Hall at Colorado College. The summer concert, titled An Evening of Inspirational Word & Song, will feature live performances by an assortment of special guests.

Special guests include the vocal ensemble Sankey Sisters, rap artist B.J. Cameron, reenactor John C. Thomas, and vocalists Serenity Holloway and Matt Booker. There will be an ice cream social in the courtyard sponsored by Herman Tiemens’ group, an art exhibit of work by artists Sereen Gualtieri and Clarence Shivers, and book signings by authors Durthy Washington, author of Culturally Responsive Reading: Teaching Literature for Social Justice and Patricia Meredith, author of the Goose and Penny Mysteries series.

Proceeds from these events help the Shivers Fund continue to support opportunities for our community to celebrate diversity, culture, and the arts.

Latina Voices Celebrates Successful Women
13th annual program; cultural celebration; social interest
Sat., Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Library 21c (1175 Chapel Hills Drive)
More info: Linda Duval LinDuval@comcast.net

The 13th annual Latina Voices program will celebrate the talents and achievements of Latinas in the Pikes Peak region.

The free event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 21 at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Linda Urrutia-Varhall, a native of Pueblo who graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and went on to become the first Latina two-star general in the U.S. Air Force.

Among other accomplishments, Urrutia-Varhall served three secretaries of defense and the director of national intelligence, advising cabinet-level officials, intelligence officers, national intelligence agencies, Congress, and the White House on aligning objectives, developing and executing strategies and policies, and diplomacy initiatives.

Also presenting will be Rubba Ahram, a dedicated public health advocate with 14 years of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, quality improvement, and leadership.

With Colombian and Middle Eastern heritage, Ahram is deeply committed to serving the Latino, immigrant, and underserved populations. As a public health planner for El Paso County, Ahram plays a driving role in fostering community partnerships and promoting community health improvement locally.

In addition, there will be a performance by Ritmo y Sabor Hispano, a folklorico dance group comprised of 20 students from Harrison High School.

According to Director Marcia Bates and co-sponsor Sophia Alberico, “through dance, our group can promote empathy, cooperation, and the ability to share with others culture, traditions, and the affirmation of ethnic identity.”

Coffee and pastries will be served. The event is sponsored by the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Pikes Peak Library District.

NOTE: This event is not sponsored by Pikes Peak Library District. Contact linduval@comcast.net for images or interviews.