City of Asylum
Giving Voice.
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.
2022–24 Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, Doralee Brooks, leads this two-part writing workshop. The workshop focuses on the practice of ekphrasis, a literary device accomplished through detailed descriptions of visual art.
HarmoniZing presents a new formation consisting of Mimi Jong (erhu), Huda Asfour (oud), and Bailey O'donnell (tabla). The trio shares a passion for intercultural collaboration, creating music mostly based on the Chinese, Arabic, and Indian traditions fused with today's global perspective.
Reel Stories is a free monthly film series dedicated to showcasing international queer cinema presented in partnership with Reel Q, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival. April's screening presents "Being Thunder," a moving documentary directed by Stéphanie Lamorré.
In this virtual fourth installment of our International Reading Series curated by Anderson Tepper, City of Asylum welcomes Yanick Lahens and Lyonel Trouillot. Yanick, Lyonel, and Anderson will discuss the authors’ recent novels and explore the concept of Haitian literature as a whole.
2022–24 Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, Doralee Brooks, leads this two-part writing workshop. The workshop focuses on the practice of ekphrasis, a literary device accomplished through detailed descriptions of visual art.
This performance is part of the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8) tour celebrating the release of their debut album, Elemental. This collection of music is inspired by the natural and spiritual elements of water, air, earth, and fire.
Jazz Poetry 2023 welcomes the master of rhythm, James Brandon Lewis, back to City of Asylum to kick off this festival of life. Accompanying James and his quartet in this overture are poets Terrance Hayes, George Abraham, and Cynthia Dewi Oka.
This workshop for music educators and musicians is led by Jazz Poetry Month musician Elina Duni. Subject matter will focus on the art of making music and the ways it can be adapted to suit mood or theme.
City of Asylum welcomes critically acclaimed Swiss-Albanian singer Elina Duni, who shares the stage with poets Mj Shahen, Yalie Saweda Kamara, and Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko
We welcome back Elina Duni her second night of Jazz Poetry. She is joined by poets Ben Okri and Jorge Olivera Castillo, whose fresh performances serve to reshape and reimagine this compelling refrain.
The fourth night of Jazz Poetry presents a refreshing and lively collection of performances. Brazilian-American singer-songwriter Alexia Bomtempo, literary trailblazer Eileen Myles, Chicana poet and activist Rachelle Escamilla, and writer-in-residence Olena Boryshpolets supply a night of emphatic verse and sound.
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