August Wilson Block Party to Celebrate Playwright’s Birth, Legacy

With the help of Duquesne’s Honors College students, the August Wilson Block Party will be held Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the author’s childhood home at 1727 Bedford Avenue in the Hill District.

For the seventh straight year, Honors College students are working with the Daisy Wilson Artist Community on the annual event, which is held near playwright August Wilson’s April 27 birthday to celebrate his life and legacy. The students helped plan and publicize the block party, and this year created a crowd funding campaign to support it.

In addition, Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy will team up with Giant Eagle Pharmacy and Paramount Rx, Inc., to provide complimentary healthcare screenings at the event. Student pharmacists, faculty and pharmacy residents will be on hand to offer blood pressure assessments, body composition analysis, glucose testing and cholesterol screenings.

The party will include two stages, with one stage dedicated to musical and performing acts. The second stage will feature a monologue contest, where performers will recite works inspired by Wilson’s plays and legacy. More than 60 vendors, food trucks and games and activities for children will also be a part of the Block Party.

The event comes just a few months after the University announced the initial August Wilson House Fellowships program, which will allow artists of color to develop their own creative work while engaging in research and educational activities in the community and on campus.