This week I visited the Holiday Inn in Oakland at Bridges, Ava Lounge in East Liberty, Kenny’s in the Hill District, Ace & Deuces Lounge in the Hill District, CJ’s in the Strip District and The Corner Cafe on the South Side.

My first stop was at the Holiday Inn in Oakland at Bridges where B-PEP (The Black Political Empowerment Project) held their annual Jazz Fun-Raiser with many powerful jazz musicians, guest emcees and other local celebrities. Tim Stevens is the president and chairman of this organization and I’m glad to be a member.

Birthday celebrations were taking place at CJ’s in the Strip District.

Nomination deadline

APRIL 23 is the deadline for The New Pittsburgh Courier’s “50 Women of Excellence” Nominations at 5 p.m. This is your chance to select Pittsburgh’s powerbrokers in the church, arts, business, politics, non-profits, law, sports, philanthropy, health care, education and media. Nominations are welcome from individuals, businesses, professional/fraternal groups or neighborhood and community organizations. Nominations must be mailed or hand delivered to the New Pittsburgh Courier, Attn: 50 Women of Excellence, 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; fax to 412-481-1360; or e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the close of business and must include one’s name, telephone number and, in 200 words or less, explain how the metro Pittsburgher of your choice has made a significant contribution in their field of expertise. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Jazz in the United States dates back to the late 1800s. A combination of music in the African-American community with that of European immigrants, jazz has evolved a great deal. Jazz comes in many forms, from ragtime to bop, be-bop, swing, fusion and many others. But is it still thriving…particularly in Pittsburgh?

“Jazz in Pittsburgh has, is, and will always thrive due to the nature of the city,” said jazz trumpeter, Sean Jones, who will be appearing at the Theater Square Cabaret along with bassist, Dwayne Dolphin April 13. “The city has a certain fight to it that most cities don’t have. There’s a blistering pride in the city that fuels folks’ fires. We have never been second to anyone. From sports, technology, to the arts, Pittsburgh has always produced individuals who are at the forefront of their professions. This type of spirit energizes the jazz scene, which continues to produce wonderful new talent. From the venues, to the artists, to the audiences, Pittsburgh’s jazz scene is alive and well, offering jazz seven nights a week!”

SEAN JONES

“What we hope to do is foster change in [housing] providers and in the general public,” said Jay Dworin, program director, Enforcement Division of the Pittsburgh Fair Housing Partnership.

In honor of Fair Housing Month, and to promote greater awareness, PFHP will present its “Fourth Annual Poetry Slam, From Words to Actions: Remaking Communities for Everyone” competition at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty April 8, at 8 p.m. Prior to the poetry slam, at 7 pm, audiences will be entertained by the Guinea West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, headed by Aboubacar “Oscar” Camara. Peter Harvey of PFHP invited GWADDE to be a sort of opening act for poetry slam after seeing them perform at the Carnegie Library in Oakland during Black History Month.

SYMPHONY IN THE HILL—The Third Annual Hill District Community Engagement Concert was held at St. Benedict the Moor Church March 25. Poet Toi Derricotte read during the Pittsburgh Symphony’s performance at St. Benedict the Moor Church.