Jazz Poetry Month returns to City of Asylum

City of Asylum will hold its 20th annual Jazz Poetry Month starting on May 2.

Jazz Poetry events will be held on May 2, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23 throughout the month. Each event will start at 7 p.m. at Alphabet City, located at 40 W. North Ave.

All performances are free to attend either in-person or watched via livestream. Reservations for in-person attendance, however, are recommended.

Jazz Poetry Month began in 2004 with City of Asylum’s first writer-in-residence, Huang Xiang, and saxophonist Oliver Lake. The events were originally held on Sampsonia Way outdoors, attracting audiences of up to 1,000 people.

This year’s festivities will include performances by myriad acts, including James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Jeremy Lee Stone, Andy Milne & Unison Trio and more.

For more information, including the lineup, or to make reservations, visit cityofasylum.org/jazz-poetry- month

Ultimate Play Day at Riverview to be held on May 18

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative will present Ultimate Play Day at Riverview Park on May 18, from 1-4 p.m.

This annual event aims to promote awareness of the benefits of play for people of all ages. Partners and community organizations will offer play activities for a variety of attendees.

Admission is free, but registration is requested. Interested attendees can register at tryingtogether.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/tryingtogether/eventRegistration.jsp

Astrobotic partners with Air Force

Astrobotic Technology Inc., the space technology company located in Manchester, announced a partnership with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards Air Force Base on April 3.

The two entities have entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to “enhance both organizations’ capabilities and collaborate in the development of advanced liquid rocket engine, rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technologies, and on-base rocket flight testing capabilities using Astrobotic reusable rockets,” according to a press release which accompanied the announcement.

According to Astrobotic, the collaboration will help the company design, develop, test and demonstrate new commercial capabilities with “critical applications’’ to air and space military operations. Under the CRADA, AFRL and Astrobotic plan to use the latter’s Xodiac and Xogdor-class vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing rockets to test new liquid rocket engines, integrated systems, payloads and operational concepts.

Owls of Riverview program to be held May 19

A free presentation titled “Owls of Riverview Park” will be held at Allegheny Observatory on May 19, led by Dave Bennett, a certified master birder and an Observatory Hill resident.

Bennett will discuss the owls that live in Riverview Park and share photos showcasing their behaviors.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a tour of the observatory. If weather allows, attendees will take part in a viewing using the observatory’s 13-inch telescope, during which times owls might be heard.

While the program is free, reservations are required. This can be done by visiting eventbrite.com/e/owls-of-riverview-park-tickets-880861278797 For more information, call (412) 321-2400.

Presbyterian Women of Bidwell holding Mother’s Day celebration

The Presbyterian Women of Bidwell are presenting a Mother’s Day Jazz & Gospel Extravaganza at Bidwell Presbyterian Church on May 10.

The event will start with a reception at 5 p.m., with the show beginning at 6 p.m. The church is located at 1025 Liverpool St.

Tickets are $30. To purchase a ticket, visit the church office or call the office at (412) 231-4663.