| | | Monthly Update | January & February 2025 |
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January & February Events
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As we kick off 2026, the August Wilson Center comes alive with a dynamic season of poetry, performance, and visual storytelling. From intimate spoken word and groundbreaking musical collaborations to family-centered programming and gallery experiences, winter at the Center is an invitation to be inspired.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Poetry Unplugged, experience the launch of the Read to Dream Experience for children and families, explore the Cultural District through a Gallery Crawl, and witness the Pittsburgh debut of Ruckus with Davóne Tines. Throughout the season, three powerful exhibitions anchor the moment, including Peju Alatise: I Will Belong to Only Me, Picture This, and Lavett Ballard: a Rose is a Rose is a Rose, each offering bold perspectives on identity creative possibility. |
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TONIGHT, January 16 | 7-11PM |
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Poetry Unplugged: Still Dreaming! marks the 10th anniversary of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s beloved spoken word series. Sponsored by Citizens, this milestone evening honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through powerful poetry that speaks to today’s social climate and our collective resilience.
Curated and hosted by Orlando Watson, the program features a dynamic lineup of Pennsylvania-based poets, including special guest Khemist Mayfield, a 2026 GRAMMY-nominated songwriter from Philadelphia, alongside some of Pittsburgh’s most compelling voices. The evening is set to blend artistry and storytelling, with music by Selecta, followed by an afterparty and open mic with DJ Big Phill.
Get your tickets today to celebrate a decade of poetic expression with our community, as we continue dreaming forward.
Tickets will be available at the box office until 9pm.
Sponsored by Citizens.
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The Read to Dream Experience
Innaugraul Session January 24th | 11AM-2PM
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The Read to Dream Experience is a new monthly educational residency at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, presented in partnership with The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore. Designed for families with children from birth to age 10, the program invites young readers to explore the powerful connection between books and dreaming through interactive storytelling, guided discussion, and creative activities in a welcoming, culturally affirming space. Each session centers children’s voices while helping families strengthen reader identity, imagination, and personal aspiration, with a special focus on books featuring protagonists of African descent from around the world.
The Read to Dream Experience is a new monthly educational residency at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, launching January 24. Sessions take place monthly from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. The story time portion begins at 11:15am & 1:15pm. Each program will feature a unique theme and hands-on activities designed to engage children and families. The theme of the inaugural session is "Our Dreams Make the World Better." |
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Gallery Crawl January 30 | 5:30-9PM |
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Explore the Cultural District through a gallery crawl that celebrates art as a force for storytelling, connection, and imagination. One of the must-see stops is the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), where three dynamic exhibitions invite visitors to engage with themes of identity, memory, and belonging across generations and cultures. Inside AWAACC, Lavett Ballard: a Rose is a Rose is a Rose presents poetic mixed-media works exploring Black femininity and transformation; Picture This offers a free, all-ages exhibition spotlighting intergenerational connection through powerful Pittsburgh photography; and Peju Alatise: I Will Belong to Only Me marks the artist’s first U.S. solo survey, centering African girlhood through sculpture, installation, and storytelling rooted in Yorùbá cosmology.
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Ruckus with Davóne Tines in "What is Your Hand in this?"Tuesday, February 10 | 1PM-5PM
As the nation reflects on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Ruckus makes its Pittsburgh debut alongside bass-baritone Davóne Tines, hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the most powerful voices of our time." This bold collaboration uses revolutionary music to examine America’s past, present, and future. Audiences will journey through four centuries of reimagined songs, hymns, and ballads that explore how artistic expression shapes cultural identity and collective resilience.
Known for an approach that is "achingly delicate one moment, incisive and punchy the next" (The New York Times), Ruckus joins Tines in a thought-provoking meditation on the fragility and promise of the American experiment.
Presented in partnership with Chamber Music Pittsburgh and Calliope.
Use code AWAACC at checkout to receive 20% off tickets for this powerful and timely performance.
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I WILL BELONG TO ONLY ME
On view now through May 31, 2026 |
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Get your tickets now for I Will Belong To Only Me, a sweeping survey of Peju Alatise’s sculptural and narrative worlds, blending Yorùbá cosmology with contemporary womanist expression, and arriving later this month at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and trained in architecture, Alatise creates immersive worlds that merge structure and spirit. Her installations, built from resin, glass beads, and textile, become lyrical meditations on womanhood, spirituality, and belonging.
Anchoring the exhibition is her celebrated installation Flying Girls, which depicts seven girls suspended midair, a poignant vision of freedom inspired by the story of a young domestic servant who dreams of flight. Through her fearless storytelling and architectural command of form, Alatise invites us to reimagine how Black womanhood, freedom, and spirituality inhabit space.
Don’t Miss the First U.S. Solo Exhibition of a Defining Voice in Contemporary African Art.
Tickets: $17
AWAACC Members enjoy free admission. |
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Grand Staircase Installation and Photo Op
On view now through March 2026 |
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At our 2025 Fuel the Future: Take Center Stage Gala, AWAACC unveiled a stunning new installation on our Grant Staircase. Be sure to come by to see it for yourself, and don't miss the opportunity to capture some truly unique family photos!
About the installation:
At the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, we champion artists and programs that—like Wilson’s own work—explore identity, memory, and the universal stories that bind us. This staircase installation brings that mission to life through the dynamic vision of acclaimed artist Lavett Ballard.
Ballard’s powerful photographic catalog of women across the African diaspora spans geography, generations, and histories. Her images do more than depict—they evolve. Through collage, paint, intentional destruction, and artistic rebirth, each print becomes a reimagined narrative, a layered retelling of personal and collective history. The result is a visual experience that invites you not just to look, but to ascend—literally and metaphorically—into deeper storytelling.
Works featured:
Precious Beings, 2022
Sweet Down Home, 2024
Beautiful & the Damned, 2022
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Picture This: An exhibition spotlighting intergenerational connection
November 8, 2025 – February 1, 2026 Yvonne and Christine Cook & Family Regional Changing Gallery, Jack and JoAnne Burley Regional Changing Gallery, 1st Floor
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From neighborhood sidewalks to living rooms and front porches, Pittsburghers of all ages are telling their stories in Picture This. Featuring vibrant photos by renowned Pittsburgh photographers, personal recordings, and interactive activations, this new exhibition reveals the power of connecting across generations. In its final weeks, come see this uplifting all-ages exhibition, which is free and open to the public!
The Picture This Exhibition was created in partnership with Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh and Casey Droege Cultural Productions, with support from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Placemaking Grant by Citizen’s Bank. |
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From Our Friends at City Winery |
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| City Winery Pittsburgh presents Grammy-winning R&B star Raheem DeVaughn for a night of unforgettable soul. Known for his platinum hits and electrifying performances, Raheem delivers music that moves the heart and uplifts the spirit. From chart-topping tracks to intimate live moments, this is a show you cannot miss. Celebrate artistry, community, and timeless R&B in one evening. Tickets are limited, so grab yours now and experience Raheem DeVaughn live at City Winery Pittsburgh. |
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| Experience Maysa live at City Winery Pittsburgh for a night of unforgettable soul and jazz. With her signature honey-toned mezzo-soprano and captivating stage presence, she has collaborated with legends like Stevie Wonder and released multiple Billboard-topping albums. From Grammy-nominated performances to her newest releases, Maysa brings passion, artistry, and storytelling to every song. Join us for an intimate evening where her powerful vocals and magnetic energy fill the room. Reserve your spot now and enjoy a rare chance to see one of R&B’s most celebrated voices live at City Winery Pittsburgh. |
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| City Winery Pittsburgh invites you to an evening with Najee, the Grammy and NAACP award-winning saxophonist and Contemporary Jazz pioneer. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Najee has collaborated with legends like Prince, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan. His newest album, Savoir Faire, takes listeners on a Pan-American musical journey with an all-star lineup of collaborators. Experience his smooth, soulful saxophone live as he brings passion, mastery, and unforgettable melodies to the stage. Don’t miss this chance to see one of jazz’s brightest stars in an intimate setting at City Winery Pittsburgh. |
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Start the new year with us, claim your part in our shared story. |
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We are delighted to offer a unique opportunity for our dedicated supporters, arts lovers, and community champions. Secure your own legacy at AWAACC by dedicating a seat in our theater.
As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary and advance the Fuel the Future fundraising drive, naming a seat allows you to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or affirm your commitment to Black arts and culture in Pittsburgh and beyond.
To claim your seat and secure your place in our story, please complete this form and make your gift today. |
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