Press Releases
2024
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
2023
August Wilson African American Cultural Center Unveils an Inspiring ’23-’24 Season Celebrating Arts and Culture
September 27, 2023 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is proud to announce its captivating ’23-’24 season lineup, showcasing an array of remarkable events, exhibitions,…
The 6th Black Bottom Film Festival Presented By Citizens
Celebrating the Tapestry of African American Cinema October 10, 2023 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The Black Bottom Film Festival (BBFF), proudly presented by Citizens, returns for its sixth edition, illuminating and…
LEDISI Returns to Pittsburgh with a Tribute to Nina Simone
The Evening Continues with the Taste of Jazz Party Featuring Selecta, Hubb’s Groove, Kevin Howard and Jonathan Barber, Plus Food and Beverage Tastings Presented by Area Restaurants Tickets Are On Sale Now…
PITTSBURGH OPERA SEEKS BIPOC DANCERS FOR ITS PRODUCTION OF WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED AS PART OF ITS 2022-23 SEASON
We Shall Not Be Moved premiered at Opera Philadelphia in 2017 and was directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, who will direct and choreograph Pittsburgh Opera’s production in the…
August Wilson Society (AWS) Announces 2023 Biennial Colloquium: March 2-4, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA – The August Wilson Society (AWS), in collaboration with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) and University of Pittsburgh Library System (ULS), is pleased to announce…
REFLECTIONS ON THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC ARE INSPRIATION FOR DR. IMO IMEH’S NEW EXHBITION THE HOPE OF RADIANCE
The Hope of Radiance brings together art works and texts created between 2020 – 2022 that are part of Dr. Imo Nse Imeh’s developing project titled Benediction January 18, 2023…
2022
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Expanded To Include “D Byrd@90: Tribute To Donald Byrd And The Blackbyrds” With Musical Direction By Sean Jones And Special Performances Featuring Gary Bartz, Nate Smith, Endea Owens, Frank Lacy, Louis Cato, Brett Williams & The Donald Byrd Cultural Foundation
Pittsburgh’s preeminent Jazz Festival to include A Taste of Jazz featuring food from the City’s most innovative eateries following performance from Ron Carter Foursight at the August Wilson African American…
Poetry on the Vineyard: A Def Poetry Reunion Benefit Performance
Spoken Word Concert with the Original Cast of the beloved HBO show Oaks Bluff, MA – We are excited to announce a special night of Poetry on the Vineyard: A…
August Wilson African American Cultural Center Announces Line-up For Highmark Blues & Heritage Festival – September 14-15, 2022
Featuring funk and reggae legends Steel Pulse; award-winning singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster & roots and soul singer Shemekia Copeland; blues, funk, and R&B singer/guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington; multi-Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito; guitarist,…
August Wilson African American Cultural Center Launches First Work in New Residency Program: Missy Mazzoli’s Song From the Uproar: the Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt
All-female cast & crew present opera inspired by the life of Swiss explorer and writer May 21 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. ET Produced by DEMASKUS Theater Collective, Amanda…
Ron Carter Foursight Quartet, Ledisi, Stanley Clarke, Samara Joy, Incognito With Maysa Leak and More to Perform as Part of August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival September 16-18, 2022
Lineup includes Average White Band, Buster Williams, Orrin Evans Trio, Aymée Nuviola with Gonzalo Rubalcaba and more April 26, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA –The August Wilson African American Cultural Center…
August Wilson African American Cultural Center Renames 1839 Gallery to Honor Exhibition Designer Victoria Renée Edwards
Inaugural Exhibition to Feature Works in Collaboration by Multidisciplinary Artists Li Harris and Alisha B. Wormsley, on view April 8 – August 28, 2022 April 1, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA…
August Wilson African American Cultural Center Opens August Wilson: the Writer’s Landscape Saturday, April 16 First-ever Permanent Exhibition Dedicated to Life of Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright
February 24, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) announced today that August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape, the first-ever permanent exhibition dedicated to the…