August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape: The first-ever exhibition dedicated to the life and works of August Wilson is now open! Learn More

News & Stories

2024

Dec 20

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center welcomed three new Board Members in November 2024

Pittsburgh, PA – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is proud to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Directors. Mr. Derrick Wilson, Dr….

Nov 01

Robert Glasper Group: Shines at 14th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

Robert Andre Glasper, 46, is a super-talented pianist, record producer, music arranger and composer. During his recent stint at the 14th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, the Houston-born musician, with…

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Oct 23

Nine Lives, with Chris Coles and Sean Jones

WRTI’s Josh Jackson subs in for Greg, talking with Nate about their rich experience at the fest. And they sit down to converse with saxophonist Chris Coles and trumpeter Sean…

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Sep 16

Best Pittsburgh concerts this week: Pitbull, Sum 41, Spoon, Jazz Fest, Megadeth and more

The free festival is stacked with talent, headlined by Robert Glasper and Marsha Ambrosius, while also featuring the farewell tour of the Average White Band, Shemekia Copeland, Maysa, Chris Coles,…

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Sep 15

Blues singer Shemekia Copeland talks ahead of Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival appearance

With an album just released a few weeks ago, blues singer Shemekia Copeland can’t wait to play some of those songs live as part of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival.

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Sep 09

‘Collections in Black’ at August Wilson chronicles work of Black comic book artists, heroes and collectors

Not everything was glittering in the so-called Golden Age of comics, nor did all become sterling with its Silver Age. That’s one part of the message…

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Sep 09

Black comic book creators and characters showcased in new art exhibition

When Kimberly Jacobs, a curator for the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, first started putting together an exhibit featuring the work of Black comic book creators, she didn’t know…

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Sep 06

Neo-Soul Diva Marsha Ambrosius to Close The 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 22, 8:45 pm

Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Takes Place September 19-22, 2024, with Free Outdoor Concerts on Liberty Avenue and Paid Events at…

Sep 04

TASTE OF JAZZ PARTY, One of the City’s Hottest Social Events, Returns to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Friday, September 20

Vocalist Maysa Kicks Off the Evening at 8:00 pm followed by the Taste of Jazz Party with Music, Dancing, Food and Beverage Tastings, 9:00 pm  PITTSBURGH, PA, – Get your…

Aug 13

Hometown Favorites SEAN JONES, THOMAS WENDT, HOWIE ALEXANDER, SELECTA and DJ BIG PHILL Play Bop, Ballads and Beats at the 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Takes Place September 19-22, 2024, with Free Outdoor Concerts on Liberty Avenue and Paid Events at…

Aug 08

Multi Grammy Award-Winning Keyboardist, Bandleader and Composer ROBERT GLASPER Returns to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival with His Ebony Eclipse of Jazz, Pop and Hip-Hop for a FREE Concert September 21, 8:45 – 10:00 pm

Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Takes Place September 19-22, 2024, with Free Outdoor Concerts on Liberty Avenue and Paid Events at…

Aug 05

AVERAGE WHITE BAND Closes the Curtain on Amazing 50+-year Career During Their worldwide Farewell Tour at 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 22, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Takes Place September 19-22, 2024, with Free Outdoor Concerts on Liberty Avenue and Paid Events at…

Jul 26

DJ Big Phill Debuts His Documentary/Exhibit Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, July 26, 2024 – January 12, 2025

PITTSBURGH, PA – July 22, 2024 – Phillip Thompson, AKA DJ Big Phill, has been one of the hottest turntablists in Pittsburgh for two decades, and a renaissance man as…

Jul 16

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Extends Xippi, Heritage, and Metamorphosis: Voices in West African Art Through Sunday, July 14, 2024

PITTSBURGH, PA, July 3, 2024 – Due to popular demand, August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) has extended the exhibit Xippi, Heritage, and Metamorphosis: Voices in West African Art through…

Jun 18

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Celebrates Juneteenth, Pride Month and Black Music Month Throughout June

PITTSBURGH, PA, June 2024 – “June is bustin’ out all over” and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is bursting with great music celebrating Black Music Month and…

Jun 12

Howie Alexander and Phillip Thompson Showcase Their Homegrown Talents as Artists-in–Residence in the B.U.I.L.D. Residency Program, Made Possible by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center

PITTSBURGH, PA – June 12, 2024 – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s (AWAACC) fourth annual B.U.I.L.D. Residency Program, made possible with major support from the Richard King Mellon…

Apr 30

14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Returns September 19 – 22, 2024

THE HOMECOMING! 14th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Returns September 19 – 22, 2024 with FREE Concerts on Liberty Avenue and Pays Tribute to the 15th Anniversary of the Opening of…

Apr 01

August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents Three Outstanding Exhibits Featuring Artists of West African Descent

PITTSBURGH, PA, April 01, 2024 – Art lovers, get ready: Three expansive cultural exhibits at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) in Pittsburgh demonstrate once again AWAACC’s commitment…

Mar 28

Relive the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Presented by Citizens with Concert Highlights Airing FREE over 48 Hours Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21, 2024, 7:00 pm (EDT)

PITTSBURGH, PA, March 28, 2024 – In honor of National Jazz Appreciation Month, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is sharing another opportunity to enjoy the 2023 Pittsburgh International…

Mar 28

The Grammy Winning, Multi-Talented Singer, Songwriter and Producer MÝA Performs at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Soul Sessions Series on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 8:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA, March 28, 2024 – Performing at the top of her game, drawing from her hit-filled career spanning more than 25 years, the dynamic diva known as Mýa comes…

Feb 15

Eight-Time Grammy Winning Bassist/Bandleader Christian McBride To Perform a Swinging Evening of Jazz at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA – February 15, 2024 – Since he came on the scene in the late eighties, the eight-time Grammy winner, Philadelphia-born bassist, bandleader, educator and media host Christian McBride…

Feb 09

Karla Ferguson: Curator, World Changer, Mother, Warrior

Ferguson’s Work Shines in Tim Okamura’s Onna-Bugeisha: Warriors of Light on Display Now Through February 18, 2024 at Pittsburgh’s August Wilson African American Cultural Center Closing Reception with Ferguson and Okamura Set for February…

Feb 09

Bomb Magazine Interview with Tim Okamura & Jessica Lanay

My first encounter with Tim Okamura’s work was in a small, dimly lit gallery in a brooklyn museum in 2012. The moderate relief from his art’s build-up of paint gave…

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Feb 08

Neo-Soul Duo Kindred The Family Soul Kicks Off 2024 Soul Sessions at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024, 8:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA – February 8, 2024  — Following in the footsteps of Ashford & Simpson, Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon — better known as the Philadelphia-based, husband and wife duo, Kindred The…

Jan 15

Hooks & Phonics Festival Makes Hip-hop and Spoken Word Poetry History at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Poetry Unplugged returns with two additional days of headlining acts including Rapsody, aja monet and Slum Village: January 19 – 21, 2024 January 15, 2024 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The August Wilson…