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City of Asylum

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Home » Programs
LitFest 2025: Black Womanhood in Pittsburgh with Yona Harvey & Tahirah J. Walker

LitFest 2025: Black Womanhood in Pittsburgh with Yona Harvey & Tahirah J. Walker

Poet Yona Harvey and scholar Tahira J. Walker explore what it means to be a Black woman living in a city deemed most unlivable for them. The pair will discuss their respective works and the intersection of history, community, marginalization, ...
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LitFest 2025: Books From My Country You Should Know with Olena Boryshpolets (Ukraine), Bertony Louis (Haiti), Anouar Rahmani (Algeria) & Mukhtar Shehata (Egypt)

LitFest 2025: Books From My Country You Should Know with Olena Boryshpolets (Ukraine), Bertony Louis (Haiti), Anouar Rahmani (Algeria) & Mukhtar Shehata (Egypt)

What are we missing when we limit the literary canon to American works? In this reading and discussion, City of Asylum Writers-in-Residence share the books and writers from their home countries—Algeria, Egypt, Haiti, and Ukraine—that made an impact on their ...
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LitFest 2025: Trans/Nonbinary Ecopoetics in the Garden with Julian Talamantez Brolaski, Aaron El Sabrout & imogen xtian smith

LitFest 2025: Trans/Nonbinary Ecopoetics in the Garden with Julian Talamantez Brolaski, Aaron El Sabrout & imogen xtian smith

Poets Aaron El Sabrout, imogen xtian smith, and Julian Talamantez Brolaski take to the Alphabet Reading Garden for a poetic exploration of trans and nonbinary ecologies and understanding one’s own ecosystems ...
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LitFest 2025: Translation Slam (Ukrainian) with Author Volodymyr Rafeyenko & Translators Mark Andryczyk, Dominique Hoffman & Halyna Hryn

LitFest 2025: Translation Slam (Ukrainian) with Author Volodymyr Rafeyenko & Translators Mark Andryczyk, Dominique Hoffman & Halyna Hryn

Writer-in-Residence Volodymyr Rafeyenko has supplied a 600-word essay in Ukrainian to be translated by Mark Andryczyk, Dominique Hoffman, and Halyna Hryn. In this program, Mark, Dominique, and Halyna go head-to-head to defend their revealed translations. Who will come out on ...
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LitFest 2025: Bringing the Classics to Today with MacArthur Genius Anne Carson ("Cassandra Float Can," "Antigonick")

LitFest 2025: Bringing the Classics to Today with MacArthur Genius Anne Carson (“Cassandra Float Can,” “Antigonick”)

Anne Carson, one of the most celebrated classicists of our times, will participate in staged readings from her works "Cassandra Float Can" (based on Aeschylus’s "Cassandra") and "Antigonick" (based on Sophokles’s "Antigone") ...
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30 Programs found.

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Today
  • March 2024
  • Sun 3
    March 3, 2024 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm EST

    Free Association Reading Series March 2024

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    This month’s Free Association Reading features exceptional regional writers Jane Bernstein, Ace Boggess, Doralee Brooks, and Jane McCafferty.

    Mon 4
    March 4, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

    New Directions: Liliana Colanzi “You Glow in the Dark”

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Bolivian author Liliana Colanzi introduces her new book "You Glow in the Dark" in a reading at City of Asylum.

    Thu 7
    March 7, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

    Thursday Night Jazz: Stephan Crump

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    City of Asylum welcomes Grammy-nominated bassist and composer Stephan Crump to perform pieces from his recent album, "Rocket Love."

    Sun 10
    March 10, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT

    Yan Pang: “One-Log Bridge” Concert Premiere

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    City of Asylum presents the first ever concert adaption of "One-Log Bridge," a play by composer and performer Yan Pang.

    Mon 11
    March 11, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Poems of Diasporic Joy

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Poets Arthur Kayzakian, Diana Khoi Nguyen, Joy Priest, and Gaia Rajan reclaim diasporic poetry as a powerful conduit for joy and community. 

    Thu 14
    March 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Roger Humphries & RH Factor (Part III)

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    In-Person Tickets are SOLD OUTFree Livestream Tickets

    Roger Humphries returns for his latest concert at City of Asylum as part of our ongoing Thursday Night Jazz series.

    Tue 19
    March 19, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Story Club PGH Story Slam: Lost in Translation

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    In-Person Tickets are SOLD OUTFree Livestream Tickets

    Story Club Pittsburgh (created by the former producers of The Moth Pittsburgh), organizes and hosts a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. The theme for March 2024 is Lost in Translation.

    Wed 20
    March 20, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Freedom to Care: Dialogues on Incarceration & Motherhood

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    In this panel co-presented with the Anthropology of Motherhood, panelists will share their personal experiences with carceral motherhood.

    Thu 21
    March 21, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: SLP Honors Emily Remler

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    SLP returns for Thursday Night Jazz at City of Asylum, their final of three concerts this season as part of the series.

    Sun 24
    March 24, 2024 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm EDT

    Shayla Lawz: Dream Space Residency Poems

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    After a two-week residency on Sampsonia Way, prize-winning poet Shayla Lawz presents new works in a reading at City of Asylum.

    Mon 25
    March 25, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    I’M SORRY, I DON’T UNDERSTANDING: A Play by Olena Boryshpolets & Anouar Rahmani

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    The world premiere of an original play by City of Asylum writers-in-residence, Anouar Rahmani and Olena Boryshpolets.

    Tue 26
    March 26, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    World Literature with Anderson Tepper: Amitav Ghosh “Smoke and Ashes”

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Amitav Ghosh, author of the Ibis Trilogy, shares new book "Smoke and Ashes" in a reading at City of Asylum.

    Wed 27
    March 27, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Reel Q Reel Stories: A Place of Our Own

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Our March Reel Q screening is "A Place of Our Own."

    Thu 28
    March 28, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Paul Thompson & The Young Lions

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Pittsburgh bass icon Paul Thompson performs with mentored musicians The Young Lions in this jazz concert at City of Asylum.

  • April 2024
  • Mon 1
    April 1, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    POSTPONED: Happy Birthday Action Books!

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Join City of Asylum in celebrating 20 years of Action Books

    Thu 4
    April 4, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Patrick Breiner’s Sonic Postcards

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    In this special Thursday Night Jazz performance, The Pittsburgh Composers Quartet will collaborate with four City of Asylum writers-in-residence in an exploration of the power of small thoughts.

    Sun 7
    April 7, 2024 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm EDT

    Free Association Reading Series April 2024

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    The final Free Association Reading this season features exceptional regional writers Amy M. Alvarez, Philip Terman’s, Anjali Sachdeva, and Jake Mayard.

    Mon 8
    April 8, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Denis Mueller Presents Russell Banks: I Write To Be a Better Person

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    An evening of film to honor the life and legacy of acclaimed writer and friend Russell Banks

    Tue 9
    Story Club Story Slam Pittsburgh
    April 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Story Club PGH Story Slam: Fight or Flight

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Story Club Pittsburgh (created by the former producers of The Moth Pittsburgh) organizes and hosts Story Slam, a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. Aprils theme is Fight or Flight

    Sun 14
    April 14, 2024 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm EDT

    Susan Muaddi Darraj: Writing & Literature as Forms of Care

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    In this moderated discussion, Susan Muaddi Darraj explains how a culture of care features into her career as a writer, mother, and activist.

    Mon 15
    April 15, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Teiku: Ukrainian Liberation Music

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Just days after the album’s debut, City of Asylum welcomes Teiku for this exclusive celebratory album release performance.

    Tue 16
    April 16, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    World Literature with Anderson Tepper: Amitava Kumar “My Beloved Life”

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Author and journalist Amitava Kumar shares his new book, "My Beloved Life," in conversation with Anderson Tepper.

    Wed 17
    April 17, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Reel Q Reel Stories: Petit Mal

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    April's Reel Q Reel Stories screening is "Petit Mal"

    Thu 18
    April 18, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Roger Humphries & the RH Factor (Part IV)

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Roger Humphries plays his final of four Thursday Night Jazz concerts this spring

  • May 2024
  • Thu 2
    May 2, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024 Opening Night: James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Olena Boryshpolets, Amit Chaudhuri, Toi Derricotte, & Shara McCallum

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    This celebration of 20 years of Jazz Poetry kicks off with musician James Brandon Lewis and poets Olena Boryshpolets, Amit Chaudhuri, Toi Derricotte, and Shara McCallum

    Thu 9
    May 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024: Rakiem Walker Quartet, grace (ge) gilbert, Ladan Osman, Anouar Rahmani, & Astrid Roemer

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Jazz Poetry 2024 welcomes musician Rakiem Walker and poets grace (ge) gilbert, Ladan Osman, Anouar Rahmani, and Astrid Roemer.

    Mon 13
    May 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024: Leslie DeShazor Quintet, Fatimah Asghar, Rania Mamoun, Andrés Neuman, & Jeremy Lee Stone

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Jazz Poetry welcomes musician Leslie DeShazor and poets Fatimah Asghar, Rania Mamoun, Andrés Neuman, and Jeremy Lee Stone.

    Thu 16
    May 16, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024: Milena Casado Quartet, Rae Armantrout, Yahya Ashour, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko, & Richard Hamilton

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Jazz Poetry 2024 welcomes musician Milena Casado and poets Rae Armantrout, Yahya Ashour, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko, and Richard Hamilton.

    Sun 19
    May 19, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024: Andy Milne Trio, Noah Arhm Choi, Jonathan Moody, Justin Perez, & Monica Sok

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Jazz Poetry 2024 welcomes musician Andy Milne and poets Noah Arhm Choi, Jonathan Moody, Justin Perez, & Monica Sok.

    Tue 21
    May 21, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2024: Roger Humphries + RH Factor, Sahar Muradi, Xan Forest Phillips, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, & Mónica de la Torre

    Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    Jazz Poetry 2024 welcomes musician Roger Humphries and poets, Sahar Muradi, Xan Forest Phillips, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, and Mónica de la Torre.

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About City of Asylum
City of Asylum builds a just community by protecting and celebrating freedom of creative expression.
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Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-435-1110
Email: contact@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
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