Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Things shaping up at Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro in Squirrel Hill.



Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro hits a lot of the requisite points for a new restaurant. Cafe plus number in the name? Check. Bistro? Check. Garage door patio? Check. Construction at 1711 Shady Ave (map) is nearing completion, the space rehabilitated from its previous use a dilapidated laundromat. The owner of Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro is the former head chef at Rose Tea Cafe, another Taiwanese restaurant around the corner on Forbes Ave.

Ming Wong lecture at Carnegie Mellon School of Art, November 1.


From 明年 / Next Year / L'Année Prochaine, via artist's site.

The Carnegie Mellon School of Art will host Ming Wong on November 1 as part of it's Fall 2016 Lecture Series. The School of Art profiles the artist:
Ming Wong re-interprets cinema and popular culture to consider how identity is constructed, reproduced and circulated. Through imperfect translations and re-enactments, the artist portrays multiple key characters irrespective of language, gender, ethnicity, nationality or historical period. His videos, photographs, installations and performances uncover the gaps and slippages that haunt the notions of “authenticity” and “originality” in self and society. The Singapore-born, Berlin-based artist represented Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009 with his solo presentation Life of Imitation, which was awarded a Special Mention.
The talk begins at 5:00 pm in Kresge Theater (map), and is free and open to the public.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Free Chinese, Japanese, Korean classes at Oakland branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

As the new school year begins, a reminder that the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has free Korean, Japanese, and Chinese classes at its Oakland branch (map). Depending on the class and the particular volunteer teacher, the sessions range from a period of casual free talking to more rigorous class with workbooks and chalk-and-talk instruction on grammar and usage.

Here's a look at what's coming up:

* Chinese for Beginners (next meeting: September 11). Held the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. The Squirrel Hill branch hosts a Chinese for Beginners class every Saturday at 2:00 pm, the next meeting being September 10.
* Kasper Hua Presents Let's Learn Chinese (next meeting: September 1). Held every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:00 pm in the Children's Library. Helping children learn Chinese language and culture through songs, stories, and more.
* Chinese II (next meeting: September 4). Held the first and third Sundays of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Large Print Room.
* Chinese Conversation Club (next meeting: September 8). Held the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 in the Large Print Room. For intermediate and advanced learners.

* Japanese for Beginners (next meeting: September 12). Second and fourth Monday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Classroom A.
* Japanese II (next meeting: September 13). Second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Classroom A. "Japanese II is geared toward those who already have a basic understanding of Japanese and are interested in increasing proficiency," says the library website. "Ability to read and write hiragana is required to take this class."
* Japanese Conversation Club (next meeting: September 6). Held on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:00. For intermediate and advanced learners.

* Korean for Beginners (next meeting: September 3). Every Saturday from 1:00 to 2:30 in the Large Print Room. Focuses on reading Hangeul and producing basic phrases.
* Korean II (next meeting: September 3). Every Saturday from 11:00 to 12:30 in the Large Print Room.

Students may join the class at any time of the year, though registration is now required for the classes. This can be done online by clicking on the class and submitting your name and email address. For more information about the courses, and to register for one, visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh homepage, click events, and search for Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

[With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats] We Move Night Market, September 17 in Squirrel Hill.



The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition will present the [With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats] We Move Night Market on September 17. An excerpt from a forthcoming Squirrel Hill Magazine profile:
In July, as part of his Welcoming Pittsburgh Initiative, Mayor Bill Peduto announced the [ ] We Move series, an assortment of ten community-led cultural celebrations. The [ ] We Move events are focused on promoting immigrant, Latino and African American inclusion in Pittsburgh while celebrating our diverse cultures. The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition is proud to have been chosen to host one of these events and receive the $1000 mini-grant!

As a result, the last Night Market this summer will be an Asian/Pacific Islander inspired celebration: [With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats], We Move! Featuring special performances from the K-Pop Dance Club (KPDC) of Carnegie Mellon University and Steel City Ukuleles, the market will have you dancing in the streets!
. . .
Also scheduled are fun Asian games and traditions, such as the classic board game, Go, origami and a Kimono/Yukata photo booth! Market goers will also be able to experience a unique summer treat: Nagashi-somen. Part game, part dining experience, nagashi-somen is the act of catching noodles as they rush past on a water filled bamboo ‘stream’ before dunking them in sauce and devouring them. It promises to be a real treat!
The night market will also include some yet-unannounced performers of particular relevance tot he theme. It will run from 6:00 to 10:00 pm near the intersections of Forbes and Murray Aves (map), accessible via buses 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 64, and 74.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Chinese movie Time Raiders (盗墓笔记) in Pittsburgh from August 26.



The 2016 Chinese movie Time Raiders (盗墓笔记) starring Luhan and Jing Boran will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront from August 26. Wikipedia provides a plot summary:
Graduated from a top architect school, Wu Xie (Lu Han) is fascinated with old architecture and antiques. He was raised by his Uncle Wu Sanxing (Wang Jing Chun), a renowned archaeologist. One day, Xie heard that his uncle has gone missing. After some digging, Xie found a notebook which was full of secrets that belongs to Uncle Wu. Xie decides to find his uncle at all costs.

Surprisingly, Xie is not the only one who is looking for Uncle Wu. He teamed up with Uncle Wu’s best friend Chubby Wang (Zhang Boyu), Zhang Qiling (Jing Boran) & assistant Ning (Ma Si Chun). After much hardship, they found the place Uncle Wu last visited: The Heavenly Palace --- tomb of Ming dynasty Fengshui Guru Wang Canghai.
In spite of negative reviews for the plot and special effects, the movie is one of the most financially successful in Chinese history.

The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), Paprika (パプリカ) to round out Anime Film Series at Row House Cinema in October.



The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville has added Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓) and Paprika (パプリカ) to an Anime Film Series that includes previously-announced movies 1973's Belladonna of Sadness (哀しみのベラドンナ), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), and Millennium Actress (千年女優). The series will run from October 14 through 20, with ticket information and showtimes to come later. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Monday, August 22, 2016

Former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw on "Better Late Than Never", remake of South Korean travel comedy show "꽃보다 할배".



As we wrote last June, Terry Bradshaw, the Hall of Fame quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983, will be one of the stars of "Better Late Than Never", an upcoming reality show based off South Korea's "Grandpa Over Flowers" (꽃보다 할배).

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Tickets now on sale for Korean troupe Bereishit Dance Company (브레시트무용단) at Byham Theater, March 4.


via FocusNews.

Tickets are now on sale for the Bereishit Dance Company's first performance in Pittsburgh on March 4 at the Byham Theater. From the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust:
In this first-ever Korean dance presentation for Pittsburgh Dance Council, the Seoul troupe Bereishit presents contemporary work that draws upon eastern Asian culture. Witness Bereishit’s amazing display of space and rhythms choreographed with kinesthetic clarity and power. Elements of street dance and multimedia add to Bereishit’s potency.

Sport meets dance in the rigorous male duet BOW, inspired by the Korean tradition of archery. The intensely physical Balance and Imbalance juxtaposes the dancers alongside some of Korea’s most revered traditional storytelling genre drummers and pansori vocalists.
Tickets range from $10 to $60. The theater is located at 101 6th St. in the Cultural District (map).

HOW: Hands-On Workshop Series—Chinese Paper Cutting with Tiantian, at Carnegie Library Oakland, November 1.


Chinese paper cut, by hto2008 (Creative Commons).

Advance notice for an upcoming Hands-On Workshop Series, Chinese Paper Cutting with Tiantian, at the Carnegie Library in Oakland on November 1.
Join us for HOW, a series of hands-on workshops for adults and teens. Learn from skilled craftspeople. Dig in and try things out in a creative, supportive environment. Join us for one or all of these free programs. Materials provided.

In China, the ancient art of paper cutting is used in festivals to symbolize good luck. Join us to make your own decorative cut-out.

No registration is necessary for these sessions. Seating for all workshops is available to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll want to come early to be sure you MAKE it on time!
The event is free and open to the public. Carnegie Library's main branch is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map).

Friday, August 19, 2016

Superdry to open its first Pennsylvania location on August 20.

Superdry, a UK-based Japan-inspired clothing company, will open its first Pennsylvania location on August 20 in the King of Prussia Mall. One of its features is nonsensical Japanese, inspired by the Gibberlish seen throughout Japan and East Asia. It currently has stores in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Chicago, and Las Vegas. The King of Prussia Mall was the site of the first Uniqlo in Pennsylvania, and is located roughy 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

2016 Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival schedule announced.

The lineup of films for the 2016 Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival was released today, a list that includes movies from Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, the United States, and elsewhere.



Movies from East Asia in the 2016 festival include Ten Years (十年) from Hong Kong, A Girl At My Door (도희야) from South Korea, and Twisted Justice (日本で一番悪い奴ら) from Japan.

The festival runs from September 16 to September 25 at various theaters around the city. A complete schedule is available on the Silk Screen website.

Tan Izakaya to open August 28.



Tan Izakaya announced it will open for business on Sunday, August 28, at 11:00 am. The Japanese-style pub run by the proprietors of Everyday Noodles is located at 815 S. Aiken St. in Shadyside (map), and released its menu---featuring ramen, sake, and yakitori---in May.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Noodle Uchi coming soon to Oakland's Craig St.



Window signage recently went up for Noodle Uchi at 415 S. Craig St. in Oakland (map), in what was formerly Maximum Flavor Pizza Shop. "Create Your Own Noodle Bowls" advertises another sign. Work is being done by Peter Margittai Architects, who designed the space for Noodle Uchi's neighbor, Sushi Fuku.

Cultures of China, Charms of Ningxia performances in Mars, August 21.



The Pittsburgh branch of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) presents an evening of performances on August 21: Cultures of China, Charms of Ningxia.
Led by the internationally acclaimed male singer Tao Jiang, Beijing Opera singer Chi Yang, and violinist Rong Guo, the delegation including 33 award-winning Chinese musicians and artists will perform a magnificent and elegant show to Pittsburghers, including folk songs, classical dances, and Peking Opera.

This gala will also kick off the celebration of 2016 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival, which will be held on September 10th in Schenley Plaza in Oakland.
The event runs from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at Mars Area High School (map), roughly 27 miles north of Pittsburgh. Tickets are available online for $25, though a $5 discount is available with promo code OCA.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Japanese folk tales from Kuniko Yamamoto at City of Asylum, August 20.



City of Asylum will host Japanese folk storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto on Saturday, August 20.
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of unique storytelling with Kuniko Yamamoto. Charming folktales are combined with traditional musical instruments, magical masks, origami and mime to create storytelling that will have audience spellbound in their seats.
More information, as well as an RSVP form, is available from the City of Asylum events page. The free event is from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. The City of Asylum is located at 330 Sampsonia Way on Pittsburgh's Northside (map).
Oakland-based education consulting firm WholeRen Education is hiring a Chinese-speaking Marketing Dept Host Family Recruiter Intern (市场部 寄宿家庭中期 全职实习生). Their website also lists several other internship and job openings.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Kung fu, anime films at Row House Cinema this fall.

Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will show a number of Asian films this fall across several different film series: Kung Fu Cinema from September 23 to 29; Anime from October 14 to 20; and Miss Hokusai (百日紅) as part of Row House of Horrors from October 20 to 30.



Four movies comprise the Kung Fu Cinema series: the 1978 Jackie Chan movie Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (蛇形刁手), the 1972 Bruce Lee movie Way of the Dragon (猛龍過江), 1967's Dragon Inn (龍門客棧), and 1971's A Touch of Zen (俠女). The Anime series consists of three Japanese movies, with a fourth to be announced later: 1973's Belladonna of Sadness (哀しみのベラドンナ), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), and Millennium Actress (千年女優). The 2015 film adaptation of the manga series Miss Hokusai (百日紅) is part of Row House of Horrors.

Tickets and showtime information will be available on the theater's website later. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Ai Weiwei in Contemporary China panel discussion, August 20 at Warhol Museum.

The Warhol Museum will host a panel discussion, Ai Weiwei in Contemporary China, on August 20.
Join us for a panel discussion about Ai Weiwei in the broader context of contemporary art and politics in China. Panelists include Cindy Lisica, art historian and gallery director; Taliesin Thomas, director of contemporary Chinese art organization AW Asia; and John Wagner Givens, Asian Studies Center associate and adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh. The panel is moderated by Jessica Beck, The Warhol’s associate curator of art.
A Next Pittsburgh write-up provides more information. The Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibit will run at The Warhol through August 28, and Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads will be at the Carnegie Museum of Art through the 29th. The Warhol is located at 117 Sandusky St. on the Northside (map). It's open every day but Monday, and adult admission is $20.

Monday, August 15, 2016

[Through Harmony] We Move, with Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, September 10 in Mellon Park.

On September 10, the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania will present [Through Harmony] We Move, a picnic and party in collaboration with Welcoming Pittsburgh and The Global Switchboard. From the JASP website:
Celebrate Japanese culture and the U.S. – Japan friendship with the Japanese community in Pittsburgh on September 10. Summer is a time of matsuri festivals in Japan, and we plan to celebrate with a festive picnic. Participants can experience Japanese cultural activities, learn more about Japan-related organizations in Pittsburgh, and try bon dancing and taiko drumming.
The event runs from 12:00 to 4:00 pm in Mellon Park (map).

Japanese film Our Little Sister (海街diary) in Pittsburgh, August 19 - 25.



The 2015 Japanese film Our Little Sister (海街diary) will play at the Harris Theater from August 19 through 25. Variety writes in a 2015 review:
Marking the subtle transitions in the lives of three sisters after they take under their wing a teenage half-sibling they never knew, “Our Little Sister” is so meticulously shot and gracefully orchestrated that it can be considered a worthy contempo successor to Kon Ichikawa’s masterpiece “The Makioka Sisters.” Yet, in attempting to evoke an overwhelmingly femme-centric universe for the first time, Hirokazu Kore-eda adopts an approach so serene that his protagonists’ pain as well as their personalities remain largely muffled as they drift soulfully through the seasons. While gently engaging throughout, the pic nonetheless doesn’t reverberate as deeply as the helmer’s 2013 Cannes jury prizewinner, “Like Father, Like Son,” but Kore-eda’s standing among the worldwide culturati will ensure a warm response at festivals and arthouse cinemas.
The movie stars Haruka Ayase (Hotaru no Hikari, Cyborg She, Masami Nagasawa (The Crossing), Kaho and Suzu Hirose.

Showtimes have not yet been released. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in the downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District (map).

Thursday, August 11, 2016

My Best Friend's Wedding (我最好朋友的婚礼) Pittsburgh screenings cancelled.



The 2016 Chinese movie My Best Friend's Wedding (我最好朋友的婚礼), a remake of the 1987 American movie, will no longer play at AMC Loews Waterfront from August 12 as originally planned. It is currently scheduled to play in 24 U.S. cities on the 12th. Stay tuned for any updates on Pittsburgh.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

2016 Korean movie Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전) in Pittsburgh, from August 12.



The 2016 Korean movie Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전) will play at AMC Loews Waterfront from August 12. Hello Asia! provides a summary of the Korean War film starring Lee Jung-jae and Liam Neeson:
Operation Chromite takes off where 8 South Korean soldiers formed by US army General Douglas MacArthur (Liam Neeson) operates under the special mission to infiltrate North Korean army and secure the Incheon landing for US troops. Captain Jang Hak Soo (Lee Jung Jae) leads the 7 men into their dangerous mission to gain insights on the North Korean naval mines. Will they be able to carry out the mission successfully?
Tickets and showtimes are available at the AMC Loews Waterfront website. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Friday, August 5, 2016

2016 Chinese movie My Best Friend's Wedding (我最好朋友的婚礼) in Pittsburgh, from August 12.



Update 08/11/16: Pittsburgh screenings cancelled.

The 2016 Chinese movie My Best Friend's Wedding (我最好朋友的婚礼) will play at AMC Loew's Waterfront from August 12. TheBeijinger summarizes this remake of the 1987 American movie, which opens in China on August 9, the date of this year's Qixi Festival:
The new version sees Shu Qi, who plays an editor of a Chinese fashion magazine, jetting about Europe, attending fashion week in Milan and getting up to wedding shenanigans in London.

Like the original, the Chinese remake follows two childhood friends after one of them announces he’s getting married to a young rich woman who has been studying in the UK.

Suddenly realizing that she's actually in love with him, Shu Qi’s character vows to stop the wedding at all costs. When she’s invited into the bridal party, things get even more complex.
Tickets and showtimes will be available at the AMC Loews Waterfront website next week. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

2014 Zhang Yimou film Coming Home (归来) at Northland Public Library, August 10.



Northland Public Library will show the 2014 Chinese film Coming Home (归来), directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li, on August 10 in this month's installment of the Foreign Film Series.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Pittsburgh-based Duolingo hiring part-time bilingual Japanese-language expert.

The Pittsburgh-based online language learning platform Duolingo is hiring a part-time Language Expert, Japanese for a teaching intern position.
Use your language expertise to help Japanese speakers learn English.

Duolingo is looking for a native-level Japanese speaker to help us improve the way we teach English to our Japanese-speaking users in Japan. If you have a strong background and familiarity with Japanese, this is the perfect position for you.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Ryoji Ikeda's DATA.MATRIX at Wood Street Galleries, September 23 - December 31.


via artist's official site.

An audiovisual installation by Japanese sound artist Ryoji Ikeda will be on display at the Wood Street Galleries downtown from September 23 through December 31. His official site explains DATA.MATRIX:
matrix is a series of sound installations employing pure sine waves and white noises as a sculptural material. The installations are designed in response to specific gallery spaces or public sites selected by Ikeda. Sine wave are one of the purest forms of sound, white noise contains the full frequency spectrum randomly. As visitors pass through the sound field, subtle oscillation patterns occur around their ears, caused by their own movements interfering with the sounds. It is a very personal experience, and only through the visitors' physical engagement in the sound space can the real character of the work be perceived.
Ikeda will play a live set on September 23 at 10:00 pm at Pierce Studio in the Cultural District (map).

Ikeda's DATA.TRON was at the Wood Street Galleries in 2013. Wood Street Galleries is located at 601 Wood St. (map).

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