Blog Posts

NEW PIANO FOR ROOM 623

3/14/2024

ROOM 623, Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club,
Is Gifted a New Acoustic Piano
by Generous Patron, Stuart Holland,
in Honor of His Family, His Love for Jazz and the Legacy of Harlem’s Rich Musical History

HARLEM, NY, March 8, 2024 – ROOM 623, Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club, located at 271 W. 119th Street (between Frederick Douglass and St. Nicholas Avenues), celebrated a very special and much-needed gift – a brand new Yamaha U1 PE upright piano – presented by Harlemite and arts patron Stuart Holland and officially unveiled on February 28 at a performance and reception attended by area residents, musicians, members of the press and other special guests. In addition to remarks by the club owner and manager and the Holland family, the evening also showcased performances by three of Harlem’s great pianists: Bertha Hope, Danny Mixon and Luther S. Allison, sponsored by Karen Hayes and Lynnea Greene.

February 26th, 2024

2/26/2024

Eight-Time Grammy Winning Bassist/Bandleader Christian McBride
To Perform a Swinging Evening of Jazz
at 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 has been the hardest working bass player in modern music. Influenced by the great Pittsburgh bassist Ray Brown, McBride will perform an inspired and expansive evening of jazz with his quintet at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) 980 Liberty Avenue, on Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm.

Sun-Music Presents Ray Greene

2/13/2024

Vocalist Ray Greene,
the Voice of Santana and Tower of Power,
Kicks Off Tour for United States Release of His Album STAY
at Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Sunday, February 25, 6:00 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC, February 8, 2024 – Blessed with a towering and tender tenor voice that is both down-home and up-South with a taste of Saturday night and Sunday morning, Georgia-born singer/trombonist Ray Greene, the voice of Santana and Tower of Power, kicks off his U.S. album release tour for Stay at the Stage Door Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 North Tryon Street, in Charlotte, NC, on Sunday, February 25, at 6:00 pm.

Kindred the Family Soul

2/8/2024

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 Family Soul — AKA Kindred - brings their compelling songs, inspiring lyrics and jazzy, hip-hop friendly beats to Pittsburgh, performing in the latest edition of the Soul Sessions series at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), 980 Liberty Avenue, on February 14, 2024 at 8:00 pm.

Meet Karla Ferguson

1/26/2024

Karla Ferguson: Curator, World Changer, Mother, Warrior

PITTSBURGH, PA, January 24, 2024 – A “curator” is a keeper or a custodian of a museum or other collections. Traditionally the work of a curator is invisible. Aloof discretion is the goal. Curators gently nudge viewers. They are art influencers rarely in the spotlight. A perfectly curated collection doesn’t show off the organizational skill of the curator. It allows the artist to shine

AWAACC Presents Highlights from 2023 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival

1/22/2024

Relive the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Presented by Citizens with Concert Highlights Airing FREE January 24 – January 25, 2024, 7:00 pm

PITTSBURGH, PA, January 19, 2024 – Relive the excitement of the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival presented by Citizens (PIJF) when The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) airs a special 24-hour presentation featuring highlights from Highmark Stadium on Wednesday, January 24, through Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 7:00 pm. To enjoy a second look or catch the festival for the first time, tune in FREE to https://pittsburghjazzfest.

Hooks and Phonics Festival at Pittsburgh's AWAACC

1/16/2024

Photo: Sunni Patterson, Spoken Word Poet

HOOKS & PHONICS FESTIVAL MAKES HIP-HOP AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY HISTORY AT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER JANUARY 19-21
P

January 15, 2024 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) is proud to announce the debut of the Hooks & Phonics Festival, a groundbreaking weekend celebration of Hip-Hop culture and the art of Spoken Word Poetry taking place January 19-21, 2024. This inaugural festival is dedicated to amplifying the powerful stories of trial and triumph narrated by BIPOC communities, whose orators and emcees speak truth to power without compromise.

Celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa at The AWAACC

12/11/2023

Bring Your Family, Tell Your Friends and Head to
HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DAY
A FREE Event Celebrating the Season
December 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

PITTSBURGH, PA, December 7, 2023 -- ‘Tis the season to spread love and joy, and there’s no better place to share those warm and fuzzy feelings than at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s (AWAACC) Holiday Community Day set for Saturday, December 16, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, at 980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. Made possible by the generous support of UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), Pittsburgh International Airport and Duolingo, the festivities are FREE and feature three hours of entertainment, shopping, photo booths and a variety of hands-on family activities.

JEFFREY OSBORNE, THE AVERAGE WHITE BAND and LOOSE ENDS

11/21/2023

Jeffrey Osborne, The Average White Band
and Loose Ends Featuring Jane Eugene
Headline The 5th Annual We Want the Funk Festival,
December 8-9, 8:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

PITTSBURGH, PA, November 20, 2023 – The 5th annual We Want the Funk Festival, which takes place at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), 980 Liberty Avenue, on December 8-9, 8:00 pm, will once again celebrate the rhythm-driven musical genre that evolved from the R&B, soul, and jazz scenes of the 1970s and continues to influence today’s artists. This year’s edition features two groups from The United Kingdom and a soulful singer from New England – proving that the music is still funky from either side of the pond.

PAN AMERICAN NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY TOUR

11/13/2023

Angelface Records Presents
Joe McCarthy’s New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band
Seven-night PAN AMERICAN NUTCRACKER SUITE HOLIDAY TOUR
with Stops in New York City, Honolulu, Costa Mesa and Seattle

Experience Latin Jazz Versions of Tchaikovsky’s Famed The Nutcracker Including A Dazzling Combination of Music, Dance
and The Visual Arts

The Band’s “Waltz of the Flowers” Nominated for 2023 Latin Grammy - Best Arrangement

NEW YORK, NY, November 9, 2023 – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s immortal 1892, eight-part ballet suite, The Nutcracker, is loved the world over and has been performed in a wide variety of styles, including the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn 1960 LP. On September 9, 2022, drummer/bandleader Joe McCarthy and his New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band added a different groove when he released The Pan American Nutcracker Suite, a swinging adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece with Latin Jazz and African-derived rhythms from the United States, the Caribbean and South America.

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NEW PIANO FOR ROOM 623

ROOM 623, Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club,
Is Gifted a New Acoustic Piano
by Generous Patron, Stuart Holland,
in Honor of His Family, His Love for Jazz and the Legacy of Harlem’s Rich Musical History

February 26th, 2024

Eight-Time Grammy Winning Bassist/Bandleader Christian McBride
To Perform a Swinging Evening of Jazz
at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
on Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm

Sun-Music Presents Ray Greene

Vocalist Ray Greene,
the Voice of Santana and Tower of Power,
Kicks Off Tour for United States Release of His Album STAY
at Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Sunday, February 25, 6:00 pm

Kindred the Family Soul

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

Meet Karla Ferguson

Karla Ferguson: Curator, World Changer, Mother, Warrior

AWAACC Presents Highlights from 2023 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival

Relive the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Presented by Citizens with Concert Highlights Airing FREE January 24 – January 25, 2024, 7:00 pm

Hooks and Phonics Festival at Pittsburgh's AWAACC

HOOKS & PHONICS FESTIVAL MAKES HIP-HOP AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY HISTORY AT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER JANUARY 19-21
P

Celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa at The AWAACC

Bring Your Family, Tell Your Friends and Head to
HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DAY
A FREE Event Celebrating the Season
December 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

JEFFREY OSBORNE, THE AVERAGE WHITE BAND and LOOSE ENDS

Jeffrey Osborne, The Average White Band
and Loose Ends Featuring Jane Eugene
Headline The 5th Annual We Want the Funk Festival,
December 8-9, 8:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

PAN AMERICAN NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY TOUR

Archives

Categories

ROOM 623, Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club,Is Gifted a New Acoustic Piano ​by Generous Patron, Stuart Holland,in Honor of His Family, His Love for Jazz and the Legacy of Harlem’s Rich Musical History

Eight-Time Grammy Winning Bassist/Bandleader Christian McBrideTo Perform a Swinging Evening of Jazzat August Wilson African American Cultural Centeron Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm

Vocalist Ray Greene, the Voice of Santana and Tower of Power, Kicks Off Tour for United States Release of His Album STAYat Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterSunday, February 25, 6:00 pm

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

Karla Ferguson: Curator, World Changer, Mother, Warrior

Relive the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival​Presented by Citizens with Concert Highlights Airing FREE January 24 – January 25, 2024, 7:00 pm

HOOKS & PHONICS FESTIVAL MAKES HIP-HOP AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY HISTORY AT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER JANUARY 19-21P

Bring Your Family, Tell Your Friends and Head to​HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DAYA FREE Event Celebrating the SeasonDecember 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm,at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Jeffrey Osborne, The Average White Bandand Loose Ends Featuring Jane Eugene Headline The 5th Annual We Want the Funk Festival, December 8-9, 8:00 pm, at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Archives

Categories

ROOM 623, Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club,
Is Gifted a New Acoustic Piano
by Generous Patron, Stuart Holland,
in Honor of His Family, His Love for Jazz and the Legacy of Harlem’s Rich Musical History

Eight-Time Grammy Winning Bassist/Bandleader Christian McBride
To Perform a Swinging Evening of Jazz
at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
on Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm

Vocalist Ray Greene,
the Voice of Santana and Tower of Power,
Kicks Off Tour for United States Release of His Album STAY
at Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Sunday, February 25, 6:00 pm

Relive the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Presented by Citizens with Concert Highlights Airing FREE January 24 – January 25, 2024, 7:00 pm

HOOKS & PHONICS FESTIVAL MAKES HIP-HOP AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY HISTORY AT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER JANUARY 19-21
P

Bring Your Family, Tell Your Friends and Head to
HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DAY
A FREE Event Celebrating the Season
December 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Jeffrey Osborne, The Average White Band
and Loose Ends Featuring Jane Eugene
Headline The 5th Annual We Want the Funk Festival,
December 8-9, 8:00 pm,
at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center