City of Asylum
Giving Voice.
City of Asylum’s Writer-in-Residence series continues with an exciting preview of Algerian writer and activist Anouar Rahmani’s forthcoming new novel, "The End of the Third World"—a project seven years in the making.
Is it an address, a favorite place, or a loved one? This November, come ready to share (or judge!) stories exploring all the many things we call Home.
Paul Thompson, Scott Boni, Dan Wilson, Glenn Zaleski, and David Throckmorton pay tribute to 20-time Grammy award–winning guitarist (and longtime inspiration) Pat Metheny.
In the World Literature premiere of our fall programming season, novelist Carlos Manuel Álvaraz will join moderator Anderson Tepper and translator Natasha Wimmer in a reading and discussion of his thrilling new novel depicting the disintegration that comes from being uprooted.
City of Asylum welcomes legendary bassist Dwayne Dolphin, along with Dr. James Moore, Scott Boni, Antonio Croes, and George Heid III, for the album launch of Dwayne’s latest work, a joyous album celebrating jazz as the music of the people.
“The Atlantic” staff writer George Packer shares his new work of fiction, “The Emergency,” in conversation with writer, critic, and performance poet Adriana E. Ramírez.
Thomas Wendt and a multi-generational band pay homage to Norman Granz, jazz promoter, visionary, and advocate for equal treatment of musicians in Jim Crow–era America.
Story Club Pittsburgh (created by the former producers of The Moth Pittsburgh) wants you to take a closer look at your past. This December, come ready to share (or judge!) stories taking on Unfinished Business.
Saxophonist and composer Patrick Breiner takes to the stage with Antonio Croes and Mark Micchelli with sounds of the melodica, piano, saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet, in this Henry Threadgill–inspired jazz concert.
Congolese author Alain Mabanckou shares his ghostly reckoning with Congolese history, Dealing With the Dead, in conversation with moderator Anderson Tepper.
We welcome back our partners at Reel Q for an international film screening!
Pittsburgh-based alto saxophonist Yoko Suzuki returns to City of Asylum with a powerhouse ensemble of musicians to perform new arrangements of “Queen of the Organ” Shirley Scott’s music.
Celebrate a new year full of new stories with Story Club PGH’s Story Slam, a monthly nonfiction storytelling series hosted by Alan Olifson.
Pat Hart and Marc Nieson’s Free Association Reading Series is BACK for 2026, and we are excited to welcome regional writers to celebrate 10 years of readings.
It’s time to celebrate the Youth Poet Laureate 2025–2026 cohort at City of Asylum’s annual commencement reading! Welcome Youth Poet Laureate Ivanna Smith and Youth Poet Ambassadors Vanshika Jain, Monroe Law, Ashley Shim, and Lillia Strickland as they share new social justice–themed works.
Our On Topic series kicks off in 2026 with a moderated discussion among free speech experts, who will get into the weeds of current controversies and the role free expression plays in maintaining a democratic government.
In the first World Literature program of the year, Anderson Tepper will be in conversation with Cameroonian author Patrice Nganang to discuss his new memoir, “Scale Boy: An African Childhood.”
