News & Stories
2025
Dance 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 moreJanis Burley on America’s Black Forum: Pittsburgh Strong and the Power of Black Storytelling
Janis Burley, President & CEO/Artistic Director of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), recently joined America’s Black Forum to highlight how AWAACC continues to honor August Wilson’s legacy…
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 moreHip-hop Music Camp Empowers Young Talent At AWAACC
Young artists dive deep into beat-making, recording, and creative collaboration From June 23–27, 2025, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center welcomed aspiring hip-hop artists and DJs to a transformational…
Pride 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 moreYouth Writers’ Camp Showcase Highlights Young Voices at AWAACC
On May 2, 2025, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) hosted the in-person Youth Writers’ Camp Showcase, marking the culmination of a four-week virtual camp where middle and…
Read moreCall for Pittsburgh Artists: Perform at the AWAACC
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center invites local Pittsburgh-based artists to submit for performance opportunities as part of our upcoming programming seasons. Selected artists may be featured in community…
Read moreEight Organizations Striking Major Chords in Contemporary Jazz Culture
Meet the organizations receiving $4 million of critical grants in order to continue their work of preserving and progressing of jazz culture In an essay for Time Magazine, Mellon Foundation…
Read moreDee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, Bilal, Kandace Springs, a Pittsburgh Tribute to George Benson, Actor Keith David, Jazzmeia Horn and More Headline at the 15th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Co-Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield September 18-21, 2025, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pianist Orrin Evans Hosts Third Annual THE JAZZ TRAIN™ Bringing Fans from New York City, Newark and Philadelphia to the Festival, on Amtrak September 18 VIP Tickets and Jazz Train…
“Showing Up, Showing Support And Being Real”: Janis Burley Wilson, Pittsburgh Arts Leader
Janis Burley Wilson is a native of Penn Hills, a suburban community east of Pittsburgh. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric…
Read moreWhat ‘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…
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…