• Skip to content
City of Asylum

City of Asylum

Giving Voice.

  • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Volunteering
    • Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Program Archive
  • Festivals
    • LitFest 2025
    • Jazz Poetry Month 2025
  • Residencies
  • Placemaking
    • City of Asylum House Publications
    • Alphabet City
    • Alphabet Reading Garden
    • River of Words
    • Digital Sanctuaries
    • Community Resources
  • Projects
    • Poet Laureate
    • Sampsonia Way Magazine
    • City of Asylum Book Publications
    • Pittsburgh Live/Ability: Encounters in Poetry & Prose
  • Visit Us
    • City of Asylum Bookstore
    • Cucina Alfabeto Restaurant
    • Directions
    • Transportation
  • Donate
  • 2025 Freedom to Create Gala
Home » Programs » Page 11
Writer-in-Residence: Olena Boryshpolets’s “New Calypso” with Christopher Rivas & Lesya Verba (Book Launch)

Writer-in-Residence: Olena Boryshpolets’s “New Calypso” with Christopher Rivas & Lesya Verba (Book Launch)

A captivating musical theater performance and book launch of Writer-in-Residence Olena Boryshpolets’s new long-form poem, featuring actor Christopher Rivas and bandura musician Lesya Verba ...
Learn more
PGHwrites: Andrew Swensen & Yan Pang's "Shelter" (Musical Theatre Showcase)

PGHwrites: Andrew Swensen & Yan Pang’s “Shelter” (Musical Theatre Showcase)

From the minds of Andrew Swensen and Yan Pang, City of Asylum hosts a showcase of “Shelter,” the story of scars carried from childhood into adulthood, how pain can distort our perception and damage our relationships, and how we find ...
Learn more
Thursday Night Jazz: Randy Napoleon, Jeff Pedraz & Thomas Wendt's Celebration of Detroit, Philly & Pittsburgh Jazz

Thursday Night Jazz: Randy Napoleon, Jeff Pedraz & Thomas Wendt’s Celebration of Detroit, Philly & Pittsburgh Jazz

Philadelphia, Detroit, and Pittsburgh are three of the most important cities in jazz, each churning out an astounding number of jazz masters. Guitarist Randy Napoleon (Detroit), bassist Jeff Pedraz (Philadelphia), and drummer Thomas Wendt (Pittsburgh) come together in this concert ...
Learn more
Drue Heinz Literature Prize Presents: 45th Anniversary Reading with Prizewinners Bill Gaythwaite, Caroline Kim & Kelly Sather

Drue Heinz Literature Prize Presents: 45th Anniversary Reading with Prizewinners Bill Gaythwaite, Caroline Kim & Kelly Sather

A reading and celebration of short fiction honoring 45 years of the Drue Heinz Prize, one of the most significant short fiction awards in the nation, with current and alumni prizewinners ...
Learn more
Thursday Night Jazz: Lou Stellute Quartet's Jazz Standards (plus Spontaneous, Beautiful & Funky Improvisations)

Thursday Night Jazz: Lou Stellute Quartet’s Jazz Standards (plus Spontaneous, Beautiful & Funky Improvisations)

Lou Stellute, Antonio Croes, Ava Lintz, and George Heid III take the stage for a set of jazz standards mixed in with a musically inventive, funky, free, and improvisational performance! ...
Learn more
30 Programs found.

Programs Search and Views Navigation

Program Views Navigation

  • List
  • Month

Filters

Changing any of the form inputs will cause the list of events to refresh with the filtered results.

Program Category

Cost ($)

Featured Programs

Event type

Today
  • March 2025
  • Tue 4
    March 4 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

    Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! (Reckless Choices)

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

    Story Club Pittsburgh organizes and hosts Story Slam, a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. The theme for March 2025 is Reckless Choices.

    Thu 6
    March 6 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

    Thursday Night Jazz: Sounds of Now with The Fully Celebrated Orchestra

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

    Introducing Tomas Fujiwara’s three-part concert series Sounds of Now. The first concert features The Fully Celebrated Orchestra.

    Sun 9
    March 9 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

    Eulalia Press Presents: Edith Adams, Laura Cesarco Eglin & Lauren Shapiro (Triple Book Launch)

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

    City of Asylum celebrates new works from Eulalia Books, with translators Edith Adams, Laura Cesarco Eglin, and Lauren Shapiro.

    Thu 13
    March 13 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Sounds of Now with Miriam Elhajli

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

    Tomas Fujiwara’s 3-part jazz series presents folk singer, composer-improviser, and musicologist Miriam Elhajli.

    Tue 18
    March 18 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT

    PGHwrites: Free Association Reading Series

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

    The Free Association Reading series, founded by Pat Hart and Mark Nieson, showcases local writers sharing new writing and works in progress. This month’s reading spotlights writers Malcolm Culleton, Donna Wojnar Dzurilla, Catherine Gammon, and Camille Rankine. 

    Wed 19
    March 19 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    World of Music: Tomchess Trio (World Fusion Jazz)

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

    Renowned multi-instrumentalist musician Tomchess and his trio for a world fusion jazz concert at City of Asylum.

    Thu 20
    March 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Sounds of Now with David Leon & Yuma Uesaka (aka “Thumbs”)

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

    Multi-reedists David Leon and Yuma Uesaka take to the stage for the final installment of Tomas Fujiwara’s “Sounds of Now” three-part concert series showcasing what’s new and happening in the realm of jazz.

    Sun 23
    March 23 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

    PROGRAM CANCELLED: World Literature: Yoko Tawada (Japan,Germany) “Suggested in the Stars”

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

    In this reading and discussion, Yoko Tawada lights up the Alphabet City stage and guides us through this second installment in her Scattered series.

    Tue 25
    March 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    The Clarion Quartet Presents: Music of the Exiled

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

    The Clarion Quartet makes their highly anticipated return to City of Asylum to perform the music of the exiled.

    Wed 26
    March 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    World of Music: Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna (Chilean Singer-Songwriter)

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

    Singer-songwriter and fan-favorite Pascuala Ilabaca returns to City of Asylum accordion and full-bodied vocals in tow, accompanied by a full band, to regale us with all new songs.

    Thu 27
    March 27 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Orrin Evans Trio “Fifty Shades of O”

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

    Yamaha pianist Orrin Evans delivers “50 Shades of O” to Alphabet City audiences as part of his 2025 tour and birthday celebration.

    Sun 30
    March 30 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

    World Literature: Marcia Douglas (UK, Jamaica), “The Jamaica Kollection of the Shante Dream Arkive”

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

    Whiting Award-winner Marcia Douglas visits City of Asylum to discuss her forthcoming book "The Jamaica Kollection of the Shante Dream Arkive."

  • April 2025
  • Tue 1
    April 1 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! (Second Chances)

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

    Story Club PGH hosts a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. The theme for April 2025 is Second Chances.

    Thu 3
    April 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Mila Shadel Quartet’s Alternative Rock Favorites

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

    Lifelong guitarist and imaginative jazz musician Mila Shadel presents original arrangements of some of her favorite hard rock & grunge songs.

    Tue 8
    April 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT

    PGHwrites: Free Association Reading Series

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

    The Free Association Reading series, founded by Pat Hart and Mark Nieson, showcases local writers sharing new writing and works in progress. This month’s reading spotlights writers Ally Bair, Elizabeth Hoover, Deena November, and Steffan Triplett. 

    Wed 9
    April 9 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    World of Music: Taras Filenko (Ukrainian Contemporary Classical)

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

    Taras Filenko makes a long-awaited return to City of Asylum, joined by violinist Jennifer Orchard, pianist Pauline Rovkah, and Peter Fung and the Broad Street Collective, to perform a concert that connects North America and Ukraine.

    Thu 10
    April 10 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Thursday Night Jazz: Scott Boni Quartet’s Sounds of Pittsburgh

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

    This concert will feature all original compositions by Scott Boni in what will be his first performance as a bandleader at City of Asylum.

    Sat 26
    April 26 @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT

    Independent Bookstore Day at City of Asylum Bookstore!

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

    Discounted shoppping, free books, author signings, and more await attendees of Indie Bookstore Day at City of Asylum Bookstore!

  • May 2025
  • Thu 1
    May 1 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2025: Thumbscrew, Mahogany L. Browne, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko, Camille Rankine

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

    Opening night of Jazz Poetry 2025 features jazz trio Thumbscrew and poets Mahogany L. Browne, Camille Rankine, and Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko.

    Tue 6
    May 6 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! (Lost & Found)

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

    Story Club Pittsburgh organizes & hosts Story Slam, a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. May's theme is Lost & Found.

    Wed 7
    May 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2025: Nicole Mitchell Quintet, Chen Chen, Cameron Lovejoy, Roya Marsh, Ajibola Tolase

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

    City of Asylum welcomes jazz musician Nicole Mitchell and poets Chen Chen, Cameron Lovejoy and more for a collaborative, improvisational Jazz Poetry concert.

    Thu 8
    May 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2025: Stephanie Chou Quintet, Jan Beatty, Olena Boryshpolets, Mubanga Kalimamukwento

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

    Jazz musician Stephanie Chou and poets Jan Beatty, Olena Boryshpolets, and Mubanga Kalimamukwento share the stage for a collaborative and improvisational Jazz Poetry performance.

    Tue 13
    May 13 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

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

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

    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.

    Thu 15
    May 15 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT

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

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

    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.

    Tue 20
    May 20 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT

    The Role of Music, Art & Journalism in Political Dissent

    Alphabet City Pittsburgh, PA, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream Tickets

    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

    Tue 20
    May 20 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm EDT

    TWIST: Building Empathy Through Literature with Colum McCann

    Foerster Student Service Center Auditorium 839 Ridge Ave SSC 360, Pittsburgh, United States
    Free In-Person TicketsFree Livestream TicketsBuy the Book

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

    Free
    Tue 20
    May 20 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm EDT

    Jazz Poetry 2025: Jerome Jennings & iLL Philosophy, Carly Inghram, Montaser Abdel Mawgoud, Bo Mima, Ethan Pullman

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

    Jazz musician Jerome Jennings and his group iLL Philosophy perform in a signature jazz poetry collaborative, improvisational concert and reading.

    Wed 21
    May 21 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT

    Bridges – City of Asylum Pittsburgh Creative Summit Welcome Ceremony

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

    To officially kick off the Bridges – City of Asylum Pittsburgh Creative Summit, we’ll welcome guests from across the globe to Alphabet City for a morning of performances, readings, and special presentations from guest speakers from Pittsburgh and all over the world.

    Wed 21
    May 21 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

    Meet the Cities of Asylum Network

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

    Meet and hear the stories of the Cities of Asylum Network representatives from Ithaca, Pittsburgh, and Detroit.

    Wed 21
    May 21 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT

    Guantánamo: Mohamedou Ould Slahi & Larry Siems in Conversation with Adriana E. Ramirez

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

    Mohamedou Ould Slahi, Larry Siems, and Adriana Ramirez discuss creativity, resistance, the ongoing dark legacy of the prison camp in Guantánamo, and our never-finished, collective journey to freedom.

  • Previous Programs
  • Today
  • Next Programs

About City of Asylum
City of Asylum builds a just community by protecting and celebrating freedom of creative expression.
Contact City of Asylum
City of Asylum
40 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-435-1110
Email: contact@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
Follow City of Asylum
Subscribe to City of Asylum's mailing list to receive newsletter and event updates.
Twitter Instagram YouTube Email Google Maps
RAD Works Here logo

Copyright © 2025 · City of Asylum