News & Stories
2025
Ailey II Brings Alvin Ailey’s Legacy and Bold New Works to Pittsburgh, October 7
The future of dance is taking center stage in Pittsburgh as the August Wilson African American Cultural Center proudly presents Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance. Pittsburgh, PA —…
Bridging Legacies Through Pittsburgh’s Vibrant Black History, Culture, and Thriving Businesses
When people think of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, its steel legacy and passionate sports culture usually spring to mind first. But with over 440 bridges linking its many communities, the “Steel City”…
Read moreJazz Notes: A look back at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Fest
I was about to make my first visit to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF), one of the major free jazz festivals in the country. However, there was some anxiety…
Read morePittsburgh International Jazz Fest Celebrates Artistic Freedom
Janis Burley, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival’s founder and artistic director, did not, as might be expected, spend the eve of her brainchild’s 15th edition fine-tuning details of the concerts…
Read moreAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center Announces Hip Hop Art Camp with Artist Juliandra Jones
From graffiti tags to public murals, participants will discover hip hop’s visual language and design their own bold artistic statements. PITTSBURGH, PA (October 2025) The August Wilson African American Cultural…
2025 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival in pictures
Now in its fifteenth season, the 2025 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (co-presented by Highmark and Blue Cross Blue Shield) had downtown Pittsburgh buzzing with excitement this past weekend. Liberty Avenue…
Read moreThe Pace Report: “The Hard Road Is The One Less Traveled” The Christone “Kingfish” Ingram Interview
Welcome to this special edition of The Pace Report reporting live from the 15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Clarksdale, Mississippi native Christone “Kingfish” Ingram not only is a Grammy-Award winning…
Read moreDee Dee Bridgewater, Keith David, and more celebrate jazz
This past weekend the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) hosted a three-day celebration with performances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Keith David, Eric Benet, Jazzmeia Horn, and more. Co-presented by Highmark…
Read moreA Look at the 2025 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Over the weekend, Liberty Avenue never sounded so good. A couple blocks on one of Pittsburgh’s main thoroughfares were blocked off to set the stage for the 2025 Pittsburgh International…
Read moreJar of Buttons: Kandace Springs & Beau McCall
Kandace Springs, recording artist, discusses the role of clothing buttons in her life. In conversation with artist Beau McCall. Recorded at the 2025 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival co-presented by Highmark…
Read moreAND THE WINNERS ARE … Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Announces Winners of First Annual Poster Competition Sponsored by Duolingo
Yeji Seo, a Student at University of Southern California, Takes Home $1500 Grand Prize; Peter Greenwood Is the Professional Artist Winner and Sofia Limena Wins Student Award Click Here to…
Jazz Festival takes over Liberty Avenue this Weekend
Jazz musician Dee Dee Bridgewater and actor Keith David talk about their love of and journeys in jazz ahead of the weekend’s performances. Grammy-winning saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Branford…
Read moreDance in the Street at Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Pittsburgh residents love to talk about the city’s past: places that aren’t here anymore; natives who left the city to seek their fortune; and the way things were … some…
Read moreJAZZ NOTES: Festivals Galore, Jazz Power, Avery Sommers
A combustion of jazz and everything in between happens at The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration held Sept. 18-21 with live music events held at the August Wilson African…
Read moreExperience The Electric Playground — Where Technology, Creativity, and Community Collide
August Wilson African American Cultural Center and Hazelwood Local present a free family-friendly event showcasing games, music, and innovation PITTSBURGH, PA — The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC),…
All aboard the Jazz Train with pianist Orrin Evans
WBGO’s Lezlie Harrison sits down with good friend Orrin Evans to talk about the Jazz Train to the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. Lezlie will be on board this year, along with…
Read moreThe Jazz Festival in Pittsburgh that Keeps on Swinging
Pittsburgh is a jazz city. Its musicians have been credited with helping to develop the jazz style of “bebop” and venues such as The Crawford Grill were a hotspot attracting…
Read moreAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center Opens New Exhibition, Lavett Ballard: a Rose is a Rose is a Rose with Engaging Artist Talk
The collection of Ballard’s poetic assemblages exploring Black womanhood and spirituality are on view through March 29, 2026 PITTSBURGH, PA — On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the August Wilson African…
August Wilson Center retrospective recalls Black sculptor John Rhoden’s artistic journey
This is WESA Arts, a weekly newsletter by Bill O’Driscoll providing in-depth reporting about the Pittsburgh area art scene. Sign up here to get it every Wednesday afternoon. A touring…
Read moreYou’ve Heard of Harlem and NOLA’s Legendary Jazz Scenes—but Don’t Forget About Pittsburgh
When most people think about the history of jazz, images of a young Louis Armstrong blowing his cornet through the Storyville streets of New Orleans spring to mind, or maybe…
Read morePride and Joy at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
On June 27, 2025, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center hosted its third annual Pride and Joy event—an evening of love, celebration, and empowerment dedicated to the Black LGBTQIA+…
Read moreAugust Wilson Center Honors Juneteenth During Monthly Intermission Event
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s most recent monthly Intermission event series fell on Juneteenth, a Federal holiday to commemorate the emancipation of slaves within the United States. The…
Read moreThe 15th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Presents An All-star Tribute Honoring Pittsburgh’s Own GEORGE BENSON Led by Jazz Guitarist DAN WILSON and Special Guest JONATHAN BUTLER Friday, September 19, 8:00 pm at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center
The Celebration Continues at 9:00 pm with the TASTE OF JAZZ PARTY, An Unforgettable Evening Where Foodies and Jazz Lovers Unite. PITTSBURGH, PA, May 16, 2025 – Foodies and jazz…
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden Honoring the Late Artist’s Devotion to the Craft
The landmark retrospective introduces Pittsburgh to the prolific, globe-trotting sculptor whose rebellious thinking and obsessive drive helped reshape the story of 20th-century American art. PITTSBURGH, PA — The August Wilson African…
What to do this weekend: Millvale Music Festival, ‘Anna Bolena’ opera, Black sculptor exhibit
The first major retrospective of the work of important 20th-century Black sculptor John Rhoden has come to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The Alabama-born ‘s life spanned the…
Read more