News & Stories
2025
What ‘August Taught Us’ — new exhibition looks at legacy of Pittsburgh’s August Wilson
“Ekphrasis” is the fun term for a vivid written description of a visual artwork. I guess the term for a visual interpretation of written material is just “art.” But ekphrasis…
Read moreDS Kinsel Presents New Work at August Wilson Cultural Center
Renowned visual artist and cultural agitator DS Kinsel unveiled new work created as part of the August Wilson Archive Community Artist-Scholar Award program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Library…
Read moreThe August Wilson African American Cultural Center welcomes inaugural Marketing and Curatorial Fellows
Pittsburgh, PA—The August Wilson African American Cultural Center proudly introduces its first Marketing Fellow, Sandrah Nasimiyu, and its first Curatorial Fellow, Caleb Smith! Announced in the Fall of 2024, AWAACC’s…
Being/Seen – An Open Call for Art
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center invites artists of African descent living in the Greater Pittsburgh area to submit their work for Being/Seen, a group exhibition, opening May 2025….
Roger Guenveur Smith Brings Solo Performance IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center Thursday, February 27, 2025.
PITTSBURGH, PA, February 20, 2025 – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is proud to present acclaimed actor Roger Guenveur Smith in his latest solo performance, IN HONOR…
Save the Date for the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield – September 18-21, 2025
Tickets for THE JAZZ TRAIN, in Partnership with Amtrak, and VIP PASSES Are Available NOW at https://pittsburghjazzfest.org. Hosted by Renowned Pianist ORRIN EVANS, THE JAZZ TRAIN Departs September 18 with Stops…
16 Music Festivals Coming to Pennsylvania in 2025
Start planning your festival weekends now for these Pennsylvania music festivals that will highlight rock, jazz, blues, hip-hop, pop, folk, and more in 2025.
Read moreBlack Art Investment: The Rise in the Global Market
Black art continues to flourish in galleries, auction houses, and private collections worldwide, becoming a focal point for Black art investment. Works by Black artists are highly sought after, reflecting…
Read more2024
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….
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…
Read moreNine 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…
Read moreBest 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,…
Read moreBlues 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.
Read more‘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…
Read moreBlack 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…
Read moreNeo-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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…