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Home » Programs
Jazz Poetry 2025: Zara Zaharieva Quartet, Reginald Dwayne Betts, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, Anouar Rahmani

Jazz Poetry 2025: Zara Zaharieva Quartet, Reginald Dwayne Betts, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, Anouar Rahmani

Poets Reginald Dwayne Betts, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, and Anouar Rahmani take to the stage with violinist Zara Zaharieva and her international quartet ...
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Jazz Poetry 2025: House of Waters ft. Priya Darshini, Safia Elhillo, Haleh Liza Gafori, Rania Mamoun, Nathan Osorio

Jazz Poetry 2025: House of Waters ft. Priya Darshini, Safia Elhillo, Haleh Liza Gafori, Rania Mamoun, Nathan Osorio

Grammy Nominated band House of Waters and poets Safia Elhillo, Haleh Liza Gafori, Nathan Osorio, and Rania Mamoun collaborate in this improvisational Jazz Poetry concert ...
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Understanding Exile: Essential Youth Connections with the LIGHT Education Initiative

Understanding Exile: Essential Youth Connections with the LIGHT Education Initiative

City of Asylum writer-in-residence Rania Mamoun and Residency Manager Catherine Skolnicki join the LIGHT Education Initiative in a crucial discussion on how to inspire, prepare, and empower the next generation of humanitarians ...
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The Role of Music, Art & Journalism in Political Dissent

The Role of Music, Art & Journalism in Political Dissent

Mai Khôi, Khaled Harara, Nazeeha Saeed, and Yasmine El Baramawy discuss how they use their creative practices to advocate for human rights and creative freedom of expression ...
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TWIST: Building Empathy Through Literature with Colum McCann

TWIST: Building Empathy Through Literature with Colum McCann

Award-winning Irish novelist, Colum McCann discusses his nonprofit work and upcoming empathy-building novel 'Twist." ...
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30 Programs found.

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Today

September 2024

Fri 27
September 27, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm EDT

The 2024 Freedom To Create Fundraising Gala Featuring Caryl Phillips and Doralee Brooks

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

Annual Gala fundraiser, featuring Booker Prize nominee Caryl Phillips

Sat 28
September 28, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Writing Our Own Story: The Art of the Memoir with Damon Young, Francine Prose, & Abdelrahman ElGendy

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

Memoirists Damon Young, Francine Prose, and Abdelrahman ElGendy discuss the different stages of memoir

Sat 28
September 28, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: The Evolution of True Crime Literary Fiction with Nicola Lagioia

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

Italian author Nicola Lagioia comes to City of Asylum to discuss American and Italian literary scenes and his novel "The City of the Living."

Sat 28
September 28, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Translation Slam with Ann Goldstein, Michael Moore, Nicola Lagioia, Rania Mamoun, Mayada Ibrahim, & Amani Attia

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

Translators Ann Goldstein and Michael Moore go head-to-head to see who can produce the best translation of Italian author Nicola Lagioia's work.

Sat 28
September 28, 2024 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Transylvanian Folk Songs Meet Jazz Poetry with Lucian Ban, Mat Maneri, Joy Priest, & the International Writing Program

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

Musicians Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri play tracks from their new album and collaborate with Joy Priest and International Writing Program poets in this jazz poetry-esque performance.

Sun 29
September 29, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Drag Queen Story Time with Akasha L Van-Cartier & Indi Skies

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

Children and families of all ages are welcome to join the fun as Miss Akasha L Van-Cartier reads some of her favorite picture books.

Sun 29
September 29, 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Black Poetry in Appalachia with Frank X Walker

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

"Affrilachian" poet Frank X Walker visits City of Asylum to discuss life in Appalachia and his latest book "Load in 9 Times."

Sun 29
September 29, 2024 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Music & Activism with Benjamin Barson

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

Musician and Activist Benjamin Barson plays in this special reading and concert at City of Asylum, celebrating the release of his book "Brassroots Democracy."

Sun 29
September 29, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EDT

LitFest 2024: Pulitzer Prize-Winner Richard Powers Presents “Playground”

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
In-Person Tickets are AT CAPACITYFree Livestream TicketsBuy the Book

Pulitzer Prize-Winner Richard Powers shares his latest Booker Prize nominated novel, "Playground"

October 2024

Sun 13
October 13, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

International Poetry Forum Presents Terrance Hayes

Alphabet City 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
In-Person Tickets are AT CAPACITY

Terrance Hayes returns to Pittsburgh for this reading and relaunch of the International Poetry Forum at City of Asylum.

Thu 17
October 17, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Thursday Night Jazz: Yoko Suzuki Spotlights the Music of Toshiko Akiyoshi

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

This latest concert in Yoko’s ongoing series features the compositions of Toshiko Akiyoshi as well as some beloved jazz standards.

Sun 20
October 20, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT

World Literature: Sandra Cisneros Celebrates 40 Years of The House on Mango Street

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

Author Sandra Cisneros celebrates the 40th anniversary of her renowned novel "The House on Mango Street."

Tue 22
October 22, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Story Club PGH Story Slam: Surprise!

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. October's theme is Surprise!

Thu 24
October 24, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Thursday Night Jazz: Thomas Wendt’s “Off Minor” Honors Barry Harris

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

Thursday Night Jazz returns with Thomas Wendt's "Off Minor" to honor jazz legend Barry Harris

November 2024

Sun 3
November 3, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST

Aaron Robertson & Joseph Earl Thomas Talk Utopia vs. Reality

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

Authors Joseph Earl Thomas and Aaron Robertson discuss the reality and utopia of Black life and its representation in their respective novels.

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

Thursday Night Jazz: James Johnson III ft. Carolyn Perteete & Pittsburgh Symphony Musicians

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

James Johnson III returns to City of Asylum for a performance with vocalist Carolyn Perteete and Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

Tue 12
November 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

World Cinema: Reel Q Presents “Desire Lines”

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

From filmmaker Jules Rosskam, Desire Lines is a hybrid feature documentary that blends personal interviews, archival materials, and narrative fiction as a framework for exploring the complicated and often unwritten history of transmasculine sexuality.

Wed 13
November 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

World Music: Travel with HarmoniZing through China, Kazakhstan, & Turkey

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

The HarmoniZing ensemble performs lead by erhu player and founding member Mimi Jong.

Thu 14
November 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Thursday Night Jazz: “Off Minor” & Antonio Hart Celebrate Johnny Hodges & Billy Strayhorn

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

Alto saxophonist Antonio Hart celebrates the music of jazz icons Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn in this Off Minor concert.

Sun 17
November 17, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST

World Literature: Jamaica Kincaid (Antigua/USA) “An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children”

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

Lannan Literary Award winner Jamaica Kincaid comes to City of Asylum to share her latest book, in conversation with Anderson Tepper.

Tue 19
November 19, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Story Club PGH Story Slam: Family Secrets

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. November's theme is Family Secrets.

Thu 21
November 21, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Thursday Night Jazz: Lynn Speakman Quintet “All About That Bass”

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

The Lynn Speakman Quintet performs a jazz concert with a focus on bass and melody at City of Asylum.

December 2024

Tue 3
December 3, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Damon Young’s “How to Survive in America” with Joy Priest, Adriana Ramirez, & Jesse Washington

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

Pittsburgh author Damon Young revives his "How to Survive in America" series with a discussion among friends and fellow writers Joy Priest, Adriana Ramirez, and Jesse Washington.

Thu 5
December 5, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Thursday Night Jazz: Mila Shadel Takes on Pop

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

One of Pittsburgh’s best emerging jazz musicians and lifelong guitarist, Mila Shadel, takes to the Alphabet City stage with one mission: to merge the worlds of jazz and pop.

Tue 10
December 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Christopher Rivas Talks Being Brown & Making it in America with Betty Cruz

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

Author Christopher Rivas shares his debut book "Brown Enough" in this reading and conversation at City of Asylum.

Wed 11
December 11, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

World Music: HarmoniZing with Mimi Jong

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

The HarmoniZing Ensemble, directed by Mimi Jong, presents reinterpretations of traditional songs from China, Iran, and Turkey and original compositions by local musicians Jeff Berman, Tomchess, and John Marcinizyn.

Thu 12
December 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Thursday Night Jazz: Off Minor & Emmett Goods Honor J.C. Moses

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

Musician Emmett goods joins Tom Wendt for a Thursday Night Jazz concert in honor of his grandfather, J.C. Moses.

Sun 15
December 15, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST

World Literature: Joseph O’Neill Shares “Godwin”

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

Joseph O’Neill, acclaimed author of "Netherland," comes to City of Asylum to share his latest novel, Godwin.

Tue 17
December 17, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Story Club PGH Story Slam: That’s A Wrap

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. December's theme is That's A Wrap!

Wed 18
December 18, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

World Music: Hugo Cruz & Caminos

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

Percussionist Hugo Cruz and his band the Caminos return to City of Asylum for a concert of jazz, funk, and afro-cuban inspired original music.

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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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