By Claudia Young
Special to the Berthoud Recorder

The Berthoud Community Library District is ushering in the new year by hosting a family-oriented open house on Saturday, Jan. 17.

All area residents are invited to gather at the library to enjoy performances by the “River Story” Puppet Theater and Berthoud’s own Branden Sipes. “River Story” is a family puppetry performance based on the Bulgarian folk tale “Zlatka, The Girl Made Out of Gold.” The show creates a magical atmosphere that invites the audience to take a mythical and mystical journey featuring masks, puppets, shadow theatre, live singing and Bulgarian folk dancing and music.

Director Margarita Blush is a puppet and alternative theatre director who was born in Bulgaria. She is also the drama specialist at Ricks Center for Gifted Children in Denver.

Branden Sipes will perform original songs on the acoustic guitar combining rock, pop and folk influences. Songs from his new release have been featured on 93.3 KTCL and 88.9 KRFC as well as on Internet radio stations. Sipes is a graduate of both Berthoud High School and Colorado State University. He earned degrees in both music and business at CSU and has concentrated on his musical career by performing, recording and teaching guitar.

Library Director Sara Wright was excited to say, “About 100 new adult and children’s titles will be debuting and ready to circulate at the open house. With the new budget, we’ve already added new titles.” She also pointed out that individual instruction will be made available to those who want to learn more about the library’s online research sources during the open house.

“We are so happy to start the year off with a wonderful family program,” Wright shared. “It is even more exciting because it will now be possible to hold more Saturday afternoon programs because of our newly expanded hours.”

Share in the excitement and enjoy live theatre and music by visiting the open house celebration at the library on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 236 Welch Ave., Berthoud. The open house will be 2 to 5 p.m. with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.