City of Asylum
Giving Voice.
The trials of the outcast might be a tale as old as time, but never before has there been a story quite like Joseph Earl Thomas’ memoir, "Sink." In a series of exacting and fierce vignettes, Joseph guides readers through the unceasing cruelty that defined his circumstances, laying bare the depths of his loneliness and illuminating the vital reprieve geek culture offered him.
Presented in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Modern Languages, this concert celebrates the release of "Montréal Encore." The album is a collaborative international project of Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Christopher Mark Jones and Montreal poet Bernard Pozier.
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. March’s screening presents "Sweetheart," the 2021 dramedy directed by Marley Morrison.
Jade Song shares her visceral debut novel, "Chlorine." This chilling and addictive work blurs the line between a literary coming-of-age narrative and a dark unsettling horror tale, creating a shrewd commentary on the trials of growing up in a society that puts monstrous pressure on young women and their bodies.
The Free Association Reading Series returns for this year’s fourth installment of intimate readings. This month’s program features exceptional local writers Carolyn P. Speranza, Heather McNaugher, Cedric Rudolph, & Jolene McIlwain. This series is co-curated by Pat Hart and Marc Nieson.
After being cooped up and kept away from the stage during the pandemic, the Dan Pugach Nonet makes a joyful return to City of Asylum to reconnect and reinstate that sense of community we have all been missing. The nonet is led by GRAMMY® nominated drummer and composer Dan Pugach.
City of Asylum hosts a night of American Sign Language (ASL) performances in the third and final installment of our City of ASL series curated by ASL Poet Laureate of Allegheny County Mj Shahen. April’s performance features Peter Cook and Kenny Lerner, in addition to two Pittsburgh-based performers.
In a much welcomed return, Aimée Allen takes the stage for a transformative night of jazz featuring song poetry and lively improvisation, as she performs selections from her newly released album, "Love & the Catalyst."
For this night of subversive and subaquatic verse, award-winning poet Ed Roberson shares new poems from his latest collection, "Aquarium Works." This reading is followed by a moderated conversation with Allegheny County’s Poet Laureate Doralee Brooks.
Anita Levels’ presents “ConverSing,” a presentation of thought, conversation, and music, exploring the origins of jazz music from the Black American experience.
This program features a screening of "EXODUS: Mass Migration and the Ripple Effect in the Americas," a series of three short photo documentaries based on Rosso’s work, directed and produced by Jose Muniain.
To live is to tell stories. Embracing that truth, 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 April 2023 is "Late Bloomer."
Lifelong activist Ruchira Gupta shares her debut novel, "I Kick and I Fly." This outstanding work of young adult fiction draws inspiration from Ruchira's experience making the Emmy-award winning documentary "The Selling of Innocents."
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.
Subscribe to email updates on upcoming events, new bookstore releases, and more.