WELCOME TO A NEW
EVENT @ COTTONWOOD,

where you’ll hear big ideas from artists, historians, scholarss, and culture creators on the 2nd Friday of every month.

JOIN US! Free to the public—please register below.
$10 suggested dontation.

DECEMBER 13 | 7 pm | REGISTER FOR FREE

HEIDI ALMOSARA

Heidi Almosara has exhibited her artwork in over a hundred exhibitions across the continental US, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as, Russia, Peru, Japan, New Zealand, Finland, Germany, Taiwan, and Guatemala. She is a multidisciplinary artist, but the most notable is her connection with ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.  Heidi has over a decade of experience as a former fine arts professor and has been an active member in the Colorado Springs art community. 

Topic: Heidi's presentation is titled "Ode: No.41" and is inspired by her grandmother’s 1962 ikebana exhibition catalogue. Heidi did not discover that she and her grandmother had this connection until a decade after she passed away.

JANUARY 10 | 7 pm | REGISTER FOR FREE

HENRIQUE DE ALMEIDA

Globally renowned Brazilian drummer Henrique de Almeida, born and raised in Recife, Brazil, has performed several times at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. In the US, he has been the drummer for Gloria Estefan, Dave Valentin, Larry Coryell, Nelson Rangel, Benny Carter, Nando Lauria (Pat Metheny Group), and many others. His performances with Brazilian pop stars include Alceu Valenca, Gilberto Gill, Raul de Souza, Luiz Gonzaga, Hermeto Paschoal, Leo Blanco, Luciana Souza, Katy Webster, and Oscar Kartaia, among others.

For many years, Henrique was a jazz percussion professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he also is a graduate of jazz composition. He has a master’s degree in music performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. He writes articles for Modern Drummer magazine and has appeared in other publications such as the cover of Drumhead magazine with legendary drummer Steve Gadd.

Henrique is also a prominent music instructor. His educational products are highly ranked in Modern Drummer and his books are an integral part of the Berklee College of Music curriculum. In 2017, Henrique became the music director and president of the online school TheDrumSetCoach.com. And, in the spring of 2020, he opened his own music school in Palmer Lake, Colorado—The Drum Set Coach Academy.

Topic: "Brazilian Rythyms' Influence in Jazz". Henrique de Almeida will describe how the diverse rythyms and percussion instruments have influenced Jazz around the world. He will also perform with several Brazilian percussion instruments. 

FEBRUARY 14 | 7 PM | REGISTER FOR FREE

JENNIE MARTS

Topic: The Art of Writing a Romance Novel

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.” Her books have been two-time finalists in the Colorado Book Awards and have won the prestigious Holt Medallion Award. Other awards given to her books include the Book Buyers Best Award and the Booklist Starred Review. Her novels range from western romance to cozy mysteries, but they all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. This lecture, perfect for Valentine's Day, will educate aspiring writers and anyone who loves reading great books.

MARCH 14 | 7 PM | REGISTER FOR FREE

DR. THOMAS WYNN

**PLEASE NOTE LOCATION!**
UCCS Downtown, 102 S. Tejon, Ste. 105A

Topic: Dr. Wynn will present the art and science of ancient stone tools. There will be a collection of hand axes on site, many of which are 300,000 years old.