60's & 70's Folk Favorites - Adults/ all ages 

This themed concert rolls out one after another of 60's - 70's folk favorites. Expect your audience to clap and sing along as the music transports them into good memories of yesteryear!

Songwriting for Adults

This workshop begins with a basic overview of the art and craft of songwriting, then branches into either A) guided songwriting activities (for beginners), or B) techniques to improve lyrics and melodies (for intermediate and advanced songwriters).  If your group is blended, the workshop can contain elements of both. 

​Everyday Inspirations - Adult Writing Workshop
Discover your own story through inspiration found in everyday sights, sounds, objects, people, and places in your world.  Learn how important your unique perspective is, and how to use it to make your writing in any genre shine! With lots of opportunities for discussion and writing exercises, this is a perfect activity for literary-minded adult patrons or a library-sponsored writing group.

​Duration: standard version - 1 hour.  Extended version - 2 hours. 

Library Programs for Adults

Aspen Black, Coffeyville, KS

Adults learning to play ukulele in Aspen's workshop in the Silver City, NM library.

"Follow your dreams" - those are the words Aspen's mother said to her over and over for weeks before death as what she wanted to be her parting words. This concert program weaves songs from Aspen's new CD, "Born to be a Cowgirl" with stories of finding one's passion, having strength during adversity, balancing family with a calling, being a ship without a rudder, and going backwards to ultimately move forward.  ​Participants will leave inspired, empowered, and filled with ideas to find, and follow, the things they are truly passionate about in life.

Aspen Black at the Starburst Storytelling Festival, Anderson County Library, Anderson, SC

Songs & Stories of the American West - with Kerry Grombacher & Aspen Black - adults/all ages:
Two nationally-touring professional singer-songwriters team up for a concert that is top-notch, culturally educational, and fun for all.  Aspen, (horse trainer and former rodeo cowgirl), and Kerry (degree in American Cultural Studies and graduate studies in Ethno-musicology) give you an inside view of the people and places that define the west, both in modern times and throughout history. This duo has performed together all over the country since 2014. 

Duration: 1 hour, or customized to fit your schedule. 

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TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER 

A participant sharing lyrics written in the workshop.

Aspen Black & Kerry Grombacher in concert, Historic Homestake Opera House, Lead, SD

Aspen Black

Aspen Black at the Watertown Regional Library, Watertown, SD

​​Do your adult patrons want to make music of their own?

Ukelele for Adults -
Everyone loves to make music, and this fun workshop will have adults playing their first song within five minutes!  The easy zero and one-finger chords and familiar songs make it possible for even the most musically-challenged minds to get in the swing of things (pun intended) and make music! 30 soprano ukuleles provided for patron use during the program. While aimed at beginners, intermediate and experienced players are encouraged to attend, as well. Patrons and staff with their own ukuleles are welcome to bring them and jam along. The workshop ends with a group concert, as well as an opportunity to feature any participants who want to share their own song.

"American Journeys" Concert -adults/all ages:

From driving rhythms to gentle finger picking, all ages will laugh, think, feel, and realize a deeper appreciation of humanity as they gain first-hand insight into how observations of, and experiences within, the landscape, communities, and culture in a variety of American states and geographic regions blended with Aspen's own thoughts and feelings to create tightly-woven stories set to music.  A Q&A session follows the concert for patrons interested in a more in-depth look at the writing process.

Born to Be A Cowgirl  (Concert/Inspirational Stories Program)

Aspen Black performs solo or in a combination of duos, bringing you original country, contemporary western, folk, and Americana music, poetry and some well-known, crowd-pleasing favorites!