What's New at PPLD!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, will offer these free workshops for children this summer at Pikes Peak Library District. They are funded by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Registration is required; call 684-9342 or register online through the links below.

July 21, 4:30 p.m. at Ute Pass Branch, 8010 Severy Road in Cascade
Chameleon Improv (Children entering grades 3-12)
Learn to act without a script. This workshop is for young actors of all levels. Registration is limited to 60 participants. Register by clicking here.

July 22, 4 p.m. at Sand Creek Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd.
Mime Your Own Business (Children entering grades 9-12)
Learn the art of mime by exploring mime techniques and performance. Registration is limited to 30 participants. Register by clicking here.

July 23, 4:30 p.m. at Ute Pass Branch, 8010 Severy Road in Cascade
Let’s Make Up (Children entering grades 1-12)
This participatory workshop teaches students of all ages corrective, old age, and fantasy make-up. Registration is limited to 60 participants. Register by clicking here.

David Lubar, popular author of The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies and many other books, will be making two appearances in the area. No registration is required for these free programs, which are sponsored by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

• Monday, June 29, 5 – 7 p.m. Lubar will participate in a meet and great mixer at Ute Pass Branch (8010 Severy Ave. in Cascade). PPLD Foundation will provide a picnic dinner, with refreshments from the Ute Pass Friends of the Library.
• Tuesday, June 30, 10 a.m. Lubar will speak, followed by a book signing and discussion at Ute Pass Elementary School (9230 Chipita Park Road).
• Tuesday, June 30, 2 p.m. Lubar will speak, followed by a book signing and discussion in the East Teen Center at East Library (5550 N. Union Blvd.).

Remember Earth Day by meeting these gentle creatures, hearing about their low impact as pack animals, and learning how their coats can be used for felting, spinning and weaving. Marlice Van Zandt and Michael Shealy from Touch the Earth Ranch in the Black Forest will introduce you to these charming animals.

• Sunday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. – Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave.
• Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 a.m. – Ute Pass Branch, 8010 Severy Rd. in Cascade
• Saturday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd.
• Sunday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd.

Hello Earth! A Puppet Show with Patti Smithsonian
Little Red Riding Hood learns from the Wolf about recycling paper instead of chopping down forests. The Three Little Pigs learn about wasting disposable goods and their impact on the environment. The Ant and the Grasshopper remind us to enjoy life. This engaging ‘fairytale with a twist’ puppet show introduces ideas around the important topic of environmental stewardship.

• Mon., March 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Monument Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Fountain Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Penrose Library
• Fri., March 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Sat. March 28 at 10:30 a.m.– Ute Pass Branch

Puppet Variations with Bob Aiken
Try a lighthearted piece of Puppet Theater that the whole family can enjoy together. Four puppet styles and four performing techniques form a visual smorgasbord. Its simple approach and positive attitude has touched and brought smiles to folks across the country, at venues ranging from birthday parties to art festivals.

• Tue., March 24 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Tue., March 24 at 6:30 p.m. – Old Colorado City Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Fountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Monument Branch

Rhythm Fun and More With Helen Trencher, “The Percussion Lady”
Spark your imagination and ignite your creativity! Participants will experience a magical time filled with song, story, and rhythm. This interactive program is great for the entire family – ages 2 through 92! Come ready to let your imagination run wild through the joy of rhythmic expression.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Monument Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 2 p.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m – Penrose Library
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch

Alphabet Songs! A children’s concert with Steve Weeks
Join in this fun, interactive show filled with music, stories and humor for the whole family! Learning your letters has never been so much fun! Steve is a USA Songwriting Competition winner, and included Parents’ Choice and Nappa Honors Winner.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 1 p.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 4 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 7 p.m. – East Library

A Patchwork Quilt of Rhythm, Rhyme, Story and Song
Bonnie Phipps tickles your imagination with a diverse repertoire of participatory songs and stories using her unusual instruments to heighten the action in her tales. Bonnie is a Parent’s Choice Awards winner, a published author, recording artist, a national Autoharp Champion, a contemporary folk singer, a spoons, paper bag, limber-jack, and jaw harp player, a storyteller, a former kindergarten teacher, and an undeniable hit with children.

• Tue., March 24 at 10 and 11 a.m. – Briargate Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 10:20 a.m. – Palmer Lake Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Old Colorado City Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch

Origami with a Twist!
Join storyteller Denise Gard, as she tells stories using the ancient art of
Origami. Learn the techniques and create a Samurai Helmet. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Registration required.

Funky Fairytales 19 presents Snoring Beauties and Other Strange Stuff
Now in their 19th year of performing, Pikes Peak Library District’s favorite acting troupe presents Bruce Hale’s Snoring Beauty and other frankly funny tales to tickle your fancy! Recommended for ages 4 and older.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 2 p.m. – Penrose Library
• Fri., March 27 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Fri., March 27 at 2 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Fri., March 27 at 4 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch

Dream City
Just imagine a city far, far into the future. Design your vision of what that city would look like in this creative hands-on workshop. Register at your library. Recommended for ages 8 and older.

• Mon., March 23 at 2 p.m. – Cheyenne Branch
• Mon., March 23 at 2 :30 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – East Library
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Fountain Branch
• Fri., March 27 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch

The Star Wars Storm Troopers from the Mountain Garrison of the 501st Legion (and, of course, Darth Vader) visited East Library on Sunday, January 11. Science Matters also gave a presentation to the 272 people in attendance. The Storm Troopers will be making additional appearances at PPLD facilities as the District celebrates science and technology this month.

Science Matters and the Storm Troopers

• Saturday, January 17, 1:30 p.m., Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Sunday, January 18, 1:30 p.m., Penrose Library
• Saturday, January 24, 1:30 p.m. , Ruth Holley Branch

Astronaut Bob Stewart and the Storm Troopers

• Tuesday, January 13, 6:30 p.m., Old Colorado City Branch
• Saturday, January 17, 1:30 p.m., Rockrimmon Branch
• Saturday, January 24, 10:30 a.m., Ute Pass Branch

Santa Claus gets most of the publicity, but his wife is equally adept at spreading holiday cheer. Want proof? At 5 p.m. on December 19, 22, and 24, gather the kids around the TV (tuned to The Library Channel, Comcast 17, of course) and enjoy The Mrs. Claus Storytime and Singalong Spectacular. This instant holiday classic, shot at the Ute Pass Branch, features Santa’s better half singing songs and reading stories while spellbound children dress up like reindeer.

Join storyteller Cathy Kelsay as she brings Mrs. Claus to life to tell stories, sing, and share puppets for the holidays.

• Sat., December 6 at 10 a.m. – Ute Pass Branch
• Tue., December 9 at 6:30 p.m. – Old Colo. City Branch
• Sat., December 13 at 1:30 p.m. – Monument Branch
• Sat., December 20 at 10:30 a.m. – Briargate Branch
• Sat., December 20 at 1:30 p.m. – Cheyenne Mtn. Branch