The annual August Wilson Birthday Celebration Block Party will kick off August Wilson House’s Year of Celebration when the annual festival takes over the historic Hill District from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30.
The free, family-friendly event has attracted thousands since its inception in 2015. It marks the anniversary of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s birthday, and he would have turned 77 this month. This year’s event will feature numerous vendors, children’s activities, and performances, including the dance group Pittsburgh BlackOut, Damage Dance Crew, gospel artist Midway, opera artist Robyn Long and several rap artists such as BrothaMans, Lando Ash, and Ys1 Yusef Shelton Da first.
“Dollar Bank is proud to support the opening of August Wilson House and, once again, serve as the presenting sponsor for the Annual Block Party,” said Morton Stanfield Jr., Dollar Bank Senior Vice President of Community Development. “This is a great achievement, and we commend the Daisy Wilson Artist Community on their vision and execution in bringing this project to fruition.”
Block party-goers also will get a chance to support the restoration of Wilson’s childhood home at 1727 Bedford Ave. through the Legacy Brick Campaign. People can help make August Wilson House a home by purchasing a personalized brick that will be incorporated into the house’s restoration.
To launch the campaign, August Wilson House partnered with actor Russell Hornsby – who played Lyons in Denzel Washington’s 2010 Broadway and 2016 film adaptations of Wilson’s Fences – to help spread the word. Beyond acting in multiple Wilson works, Hornsby also has a soft spot for Western Pennsylvania because his dad hailed from Aliquippa.“We hope you’ll help us build on the legacy of August Wilson by celebrating his sharing of Black storytelling in his hometown and across the world,” Hornsby said about the campaign.
August Wilson House’s Year of Celebration will feature many programs planned from April 2022 to April 2023. An Opening House Party is slated for mid-summer to celebrate the completion of August Wilson House’s restoration. Another highlight will be Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre’s production of Wilson’s Jitney. More details on these and other events are forthcoming. Learn more about the project at augustwilsonhouse.org.
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