Contending with Monsters of Our Own Making with Jade Song

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

Jade Song shares her visceral debut novel, "Chlorine." This chilling and addictive work blurs the line between a literary coming-of-age narrative and a dark unsettling horror tale, creating a shrewd commentary on the trials of growing up in a society that puts monstrous pressure on young women and their bodies. 

Free Association Reading Series: Carolyn P. Speranza, Heather McNaugher, Cedric Rudolph, & Jolene McIlwain

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

The Free Association Reading Series returns for this year’s fourth installment of intimate readings. This month’s program features exceptional local writers Carolyn P. Speranza, Heather McNaugher, Cedric Rudolph, & Jolene McIlwain. This series is co-curated by Pat Hart and Marc Nieson. 

City of ASL: Letting Language Take Flight with Peter Cook & Kenny Lerner

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

City of Asylum hosts a night of American Sign Language (ASL) performances in the third and final installment of our City of ASL series curated by ASL Poet Laureate of Allegheny County Mj Shahen. April’s performance features Peter Cook and Kenny Lerner, in addition to two Pittsburgh-based performers. 

How Women Can Change Fate with Ruchira Gupta

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

Lifelong activist Ruchira Gupta shares her debut novel, "I Kick and I Fly." This outstanding work of young adult fiction draws inspiration from Ruchira's experience making the Emmy-award winning documentary "The Selling of Innocents."

The First of Four for Mingus with AJ Johnson

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

In support of his project “Four for Mingus,'' AJ Johnson kicks off the first in a series of four concerts. These performances are dedicated to visionary musician Charles Mingus, centering on political and protest music, spirituality and self-reflection, Charles Mingus’ own expansion of the blues, and the inspiration he took from Duke Ellington.

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