Autumn in Spring

About the Event

Each year, on the first Monday in May, the press holds our annual gala, Autumn in Spring. The benefit is designed to bring the philanthropic and literary communities together for an evening of celebration and poetry. Each year, notable Pittsburghers are invited to share their favorite poems and speak about how we all—from business executives to sports figures to civic leaders—have a common love for the language of poetry. Before the reading, guests are invited to an hors-d’oeuvre and cocktail reception.

The support garnered from supporters who attend AIS is essential to Autumn House Press’s sustainability and growth. We are forever grateful to our volunteer event committee who, each year, play a substantial role in making this event a success. We are also thankful for the Duquesne Club Literary Society, and all our donors and sponsors.

For more information about the event or to purchase a ticket, please email us.

2023 Event

This year the press will once again hold Autumn in Spring on the first Monday in May, May 1, 2023, at the Duquesne Club in Downtown Pittsburgh. This year our featured readers will be:

Kevin Acklin, Pittsburgh Penguins, President

Joe Edelstein, Wylie Holdings, Co-Founder

Kara Holsopple, The Allegheny Front, Host

Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Cartoonist

Also Featuring Autumn House Author Sherrie Flick

We hope you and yours will join us this year to select

2022 Event Recap

It was such a pleasure to be able to once again celebrate Autumn in Spring in person! On Monday, May 2nd, we convened at the Duquesne Club with a wonderful group of supporters, who are dedicated to supporting the arts in Pittsburgh. A lively and intimate cocktail hour was followed by notable Pittsburghers Helen Hanna Casey, Simin and Greg Curtis, Dan Dupee, Robert Mangino, and Louise Sturgess eloquently sharing some of their favorite literary works. Anne Burnham served as the event’s emcee, and she led the evening with warmth, humor, and dignity.

We were honored once again by the support of our Honorary Chairs, Peggy and Max King, and Honorary Chair Emerita, Lea Hillman Simonds. In addition, we are thankful for the renewed, sustained, and generous support of our Honorary Co-Chairs, Debby and Dan Booker and Nancy and Woody Ostrow, as well as new Honorary Co-Chairs, Kerry Bron and Robert, Levin, Susan and Roy Dorrance, Mary Louise and Henry J. Gailliot, and Gail and Phillip Jones. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to the Duquesne Club Literary Society for their continued support and endorsement,and to Emily Maust for serving as the event’s photographer.

We so appreciate everyone who contributed and attended.

Attendees enjoyed the following readings:

Helen Hanna Casey read memorable selections from Dorothy Parker
Together, Simin and Greg Curtis read the moving and relevant poem “War Comes to the Village”
Dan Dupee offered a lovely recitation of “The Lotos-Eaters” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Louise Sturgess graced us with “Prologue” by Pittsburgh poet Haniel Long
Robert Mangino shared the poem “The Fog” by Giovanni Pascoli, translated by Geoffrey Brock