Monday, December 31, 2018

New Chinese movie Kill Mobile (来电狂响) in Pittsburgh through January 2.



The new Chinese movie Kill Mobile (来电狂响), which opened in the US on December 28, will continue in Pittsburgh at least through January 2. The distributor provides a summary:
Seven friends get together for dinner, and decided to play a game where they must share all messages and calls of their cell phones. Throughout the evening, wechat messages, phone calls and APP notifications are coming out continuously.
The movie plays at the AMC Loews Waterfront theater and tickets are available online. 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, December 20, 2018

Progress on Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen, coming soon to East Liberty.



Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen looks just about done, with new signage up and considerable work done to the interior. It has been coming soon to 216 N. Highland Ave. since April, and initially had a Summer 2018 target open date.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had a profile on the restaurant and its ownership in May.
A pair of Pittsburgh newcomers are in the process of opening Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen, on track to debut late summer at 216 N. Highland Ave. in East Liberty. It will be a casual, sit-down BYOB Vietnamese restaurant serving pho, rice bowls and Vietnamese-style vermicelli dishes.

Vietnamese native Trinh Phan and partner Trang Somphonphakdy moved from a city that’s a Vietnamese hub, Atlantic City, N.J., where Mr. Somphonphakdy was longtime restaurant employee.

The pair were convinced to relocate by Ben Wong and his wife, Kellie Truong: Ms. Truong is a partner of Banh Mi and Ti in Lawrenceville with her sister, Tuyen Truong, a restaurant that opened in in 2016 with a menu focused on variations of banh mi sandwiches, summer rolls and rice bowls.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

New Korean movie Burning (버닝) in Pittsburgh from December 21.



The acclaimed 2018 Korean film Burning (버닝) will play in Pittsburgh from December 21. The official site provides a synopsis of the film based on a Haruki Marukami short story:
BURNING is the searing examination of an alienated young man, Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo), a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: first, Haemi (newcomer Jong-seo Jun), a spirited woman who offers romantic possibility, and then, Ben (Steven Yeun, THE WALKING DEAD, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU), a wealthy and sophisticated young man she returns from a trip with. When Jongsu learns of Ben’s mysterious hobby and Haemi suddenly disappears, his confusion and obsessions begin to mount, culminating in a stunning finale.
Showtime information is now available online, though tickets must be purchased at the theater. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

"Beyond Haiku: Japanese Poetry in Time and Art," January 17 at City of Asylum.


Bashō's Hermitage on Camellia Hill beside the Aqueduct at Sekiguchi (せき口上水端はせを庵椿やま), by Hiroshige.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and City of Asylum will present Pitt's Dr. Elizabeth Oyler and her talk "Beyond Haiku: Japanese Poetry in Time and Art" on January 17.
Join us for a lively discussion with Elizabeth Oyler, presented in partnership with The Japan- America Society of Pennsylvania and as part of our Honor Roll Lecture Series.

Haiku, arguably Japan’s most recognized form of poetry, developed into the poetic form we know and love today through hundreds of years of evolution. Inseparably integrated with Japanese history, Haiku has a notable influence on Japanese poetry, art, and society.

Join the JASP for this free evening. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.
The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at City of Asylum's Alphabet City on the North Side (map). It's free, but RSVP is required and can be completed online.

New Taiwanese bento, noodle place TW Kitchen (台味廚坊) coming to North Oakland.



Signage went up in North Oakland for TW Kitchen (台味廚坊), offering "Taiwanese style bentos, noodles, soup, and more." It will be located at 192 N. Craig St. (map), in what was most recently Millennial Cupcake and Parfait Bar,.

Monday, December 17, 2018

BTS Concert film BTS World Tour Love Yourself In Seoul in Pittsburgh, January 26.



The BTS Concert movie BTS World Tour Love Yourself In Seoul will play around the country, and in Pittsburgh, on January 26.
Shot at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul during the BTS WORLD TOUR ‘LOVE YOURSELF’, an exclusive screening of the most sought-after concert of 2018 hits movie theaters nationwide for a one-day only event. This event will bring fans together to celebrate the seven members of the global boyband and their unprecedented international phenomenon.
Tickets for the 11:00 am and 2:00 pm shows are now available online.

Japanese movie Shoplifters (万引き家族), in Pittsburgh from December 21.



The 2018 Japanese movie and Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters (万引き家族) will play at the Regent Square Theater in Pittsburgh from December 21.
After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold.

At first reluctant to shelter the girl, Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces.

Although the family is poor, barely making enough money to survive through petty crime, they seem to live happily together until an unforeseen incident reveals hidden secrets, testing the bonds that unite them...
When Shoplifters was relased in Japan in June it was the country's highest-grossing movie its first three weekends. It opens on December 21 in Regent Square, and showtime information is now available online (tickets must be purchased at the theater door). The Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill has cancelled its planned screenings.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Chinese documentary Three Sisters (三姊妹) at Carnegie Museum of Art, January 26.



As part of the Cinematheque series throughout the Carnegie International exhibition, the Carnegie Museum of Art will show the 2012 Chinese documentary Three Sisters (三姊妹) on January 26. From a 2013 New York Times review:
Not for the faint of heart or weak of bladder, Wang Bing’s two-and-a-half-hour “Three Sisters” documents extreme poverty in rural China with the compassionate eye and inexhaustible patience of a director whose curiosity about his country’s unfortunates never seems to wane.

Filming for six months in a remote hillside village in 2010, Mr. Wang follows the spirit-crushing lives of a short-tempered peasant and his three little daughters. Their mother ran off long ago, and now Yingying, 10; 6-year-old Zhenzhen; and Fenfen, 4 — all so malnourished that they look years younger — spend their days doing chores and herding sheep. But when their father leaves for a job in the city, taking the two youngest girls with him, Yingying is left alone. A grandfather and an aunt live close by, but the girl’s isolation and sadness suggest a poignant hopelessness, as though she has reached the age at which she has begun to notice a future. And it’s not pretty.
The movie plays from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. The museum is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by buses 28X, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71B, 71D, 75, and P3.

Pittsburgh Japanese School recruiting teachers and volunteers.

The Pittsburgh Japanese School, which holds classes in Japanese for grades K-12 on Sundays in Fox Chapel, is looking for Japanese-fluent teachers and volunteers.
国際社会の未来を担う子供達を育てる、やりがいのある仕事です。
全職種共通の応募条件
1. 米国内での就労資格を持っていること。
就業可能なビザ(E、Lビザ保持者の配偶者であるE2、L2を含む)、グリーンカードまたはアメリカ国籍を有している方(詳しい条件等はお問い合わせください)。
本校としてビザの労働許可申請及び発給業務並びに経費負担はしておりません。また、本校を雇用先としたビザやグリーンカードの発給等には、本校は関わりませんのでご了承ください。
2. 原則として短大卒以上で、日本語の指導が可能であること(教員免許が無くても可)。
3. 出勤日は日曜日です。

New Korean movie Burning (버닝) in Pittsburgh from December 21.



The acclaimed 2018 Korean film Burning (버닝) will play in Pittsburgh from December 21. The official site provides a synopsis of the film based on a Haruki Marukami short story:
BURNING is the searing examination of an alienated young man, Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo), a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: first, Haemi (newcomer Jong-seo Jun), a spirited woman who offers romantic possibility, and then, Ben (Steven Yeun, THE WALKING DEAD, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU), a wealthy and sophisticated young man she returns from a trip with. When Jongsu learns of Ben’s mysterious hobby and Haemi suddenly disappears, his confusion and obsessions begin to mount, culminating in a stunning finale.
Showtime information has not yet been made available. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Japanese animated movie A Silent Voice (聲の形) returns to Pittsburgh, January 28 and 31.



Tickets went on sale today for the 2016 anime film A Silent Voice (聲の形), which will return to Pittsburgh on January 28 and 31. A synopsis of the film from the distributor:
The story begins with a deaf elementary school girl named Shoko Nishimiya, who transfers to a new school and meets a boy named Shoya Ishida. Shoya, who is not deaf, leads the school in bullying Shoko over her disability. The bullying escalates, and so Shoko transfers to another school. Immediately, the class and even Shoya's closest friends, bully him for having bullied Shoko. Shoya loses contact with Shoko, and for years he suffers the consequences of his guilt. Upon entering high school, Shoya finally decides he must find Shoko, determined to make amends for what he did in elementary school and to become Shoko's friend. Along the way, he meets new and old faces, and struggles with many complicated relationships and feelings.
It will play in Japanese with English subtitles on the 28th at Southside Works Cinema and the Monroeville Mall Cinemark, and dubbed in English on the 31st in Monroeville. Tickets are now available online.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) continues in Pittsburgh through December 15.



The new Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will continue to play at AMC Loews in the Waterfront through at least December 15. The movie, which premiered in China on November 16, was its number one film the its first two weekends. The distributor summarizes:
A low-end robber, a roguish security guard, a potty-mouthed but disable hellcat, and a group of nobodies, their life paths start intersecting one day because of a lost gun and a heist, which leads to a series of comical accidents.
Tickets are available online via Fandango. 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.

2019 Lunar New Year festivities begin in Pittsburgh February 2.


via Squirrel Hill Magazine.

The Heinz History Center will host the 2019 Lunar New Year Kick Off on February 2, and the annual Lunar New Year Parade will move down Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill on February 17.

Documentary Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki (終わらない人 宮崎駿) in Pittsburgh area, December 13 and 18.



The 2016 documentary, Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki, will play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson on December 13 and 18 as part of its US premiere. A summary from the distributor:
In 2013, Academy Award®-winning film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he can’t shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarks on a new project to utilize CGI for the first time ever. But the artist, who has been adamant about hand-drawn animation, confronts many challenges that threaten to cancel the film. Can an old master who thinks he’s past his prime shine once again? This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his short film Boro the Caterpillar using CGI.
The shows are in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) hiring bilingual Mandarin-English finance tutors.



Pittsburgh-based Chinese education and consulting company WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) has announced openings for part-time Mandarin-speaking finance tutors.
职位: 金融专业在线辅导老师

职位描述:
1. 为在校生提供网络辅导,根据学生现有的学习情况和辅导需求制定教学计划和内容,并实施教学;
2. 跟进学生学习情况,及时与学生、家长进行沟通;
3. 熟悉掌握专业理论,能够针对学生个体的不同需求设计出适合学生的教学方案;

Friday, December 7, 2018

Squirrel Hill's Sun Penang ordered to close by Allegheny County Health Department.



Sun Penang was ordered to close today by the Allegheny County Health Department following news of rodent infestation, maggots, dirty food surfaces, and hazardous kitchen equipment. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on the consumer alert on the 4th:
Sun Penang, an Asian restaurant in Squirrel Hill that delivers boxed lunches to nearby college campuses, was hit with a consumer alert by the Allegheny County Health Department because of numerous health code violations.

Some of the problems at the Forbes Avenue eatery included foods held at unsafe temperatures, soiled food contact surfaces, dishwasher failing to sanitize and rodent activity.

A rat’s nest, rat droppings and gnawed bags of corn starch were found, the inspection report noted.

New sushi, dumpling, and bao spot coming to East Liberty.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shares information on Mola, coming soon to East Liberty.
At the new East Liberty restaurant, look for a menu of dumplings, bao and sushi that’s less about crazy rolls and sauces and more about simple fish and rice. Fish will be shipped in from Fulton St. Fish Market in Bronx, N.Y., among other places; and Mr. Tang is planning on using naturally brewed vinegar and nori purchased from an actual nori dealer, [owner Alex Tang] says.
It will open in January at 6018 Penn Ave. (map)

Mob Psycho 100 (モブサイコ100) Season 2 premiere, January 5.



The premiere of Mob Psycho 100 (モブサイコ100)'s Season 2 will play in Pittsburgh on January 10 January 5.
We have read your minds and we know you want more Mob Psycho 100! To get you prepared for Season 2, we will have an exclusive first look at Episode 1 from Season 2 before it premieres in Japan!

If you have not had a chance to get caught up on Mob’s story as a powerful esper, we will also show the OVA which recaps the first season from Reigen’s perspective. This premiere event will also feature an exclusive welcome from Setsuo Ito, voice of Mob.
It will play in Japanese with English subtitles at Southside Works Cinema and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Pittsburgh Mills. Tickets are available online.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Japanese film Mirai (未来のミライ) in Pittsburgh for one more day, December 8.



Tickets for the new Japanese animated film Mirai (未来のミライ), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 29, will continue locally on December 8. A synopsis, from the distributor:
From acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children) and Japan’s Studio Chizu comes MIRAI, a daringly original story of love passed down through generations. When four-year-old Kun meets his new baby sister, his world is turned upside down. Named Mirai (meaning “future”), the baby quickly wins the hearts of Kun’s entire family. As his mother returns to work, and his father struggles to run the household, Kun becomes increasingly jealous of baby Mirai... until one day he storms off into the garden, where he encounters strange guests from the past and future – including his sister Mirai, as a teenager. Together, Kun and teenage Mirai go on a journey through time and space, uncovering their family’s incredible story. But why did Mirai come from the future?

An official selection at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and the epic capstone of director Mamoru Hosoda’s career, Mirai is a sumptuous, magical, and emotionally soaring adventure about the ties that bring families together and make us who we are.
It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark Theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, the Regal Crown Center Stadium theater in Washington, and the AMC Classic Westmoreland in Greensburg. This day's screenings will be dubbed in English. Tickets are now available online.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Pitt's Institute for International Studies in Education hiring Mandarin-speaking Program Coordinator.

The University of Pittsburgh's Institute for International Studies in Education is hiring a Mandarin-speaking Program Coordinator for a student employee position.
The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for International Studies in Education (IISE) is seeking a Program Coordinator. We’re looking for people who are detail-oriented, experienced in working with international people and in administrative procedure of Pitt, well-organized, and flexible, cross-culturally competent. Job duties will involve in communicating, supporting and processing paperwork for visiting scholars.

Some interest and experience in administrative area at Pitt, nationally and internationally. Mandarin speaker preferred.

Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) remains in Pittsburgh through December 12.



The new Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will continue to play at AMC Loews in the Waterfront through at least December 12. The movie, which premiered in China on November 16, was its number one film the the last two weekends. The distributor summarizes:
A low-end robber, a roguish security guard, a potty-mouthed but disable hellcat, and a group of nobodies, their life paths start intersecting one day because of a lost gun and a heist, which leads to a series of comical accidents.
Tickets are available online via Fandango. 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.

Organization of Chinese Americans Holiday Luncheon, December 8 in Monroeville.



The Pittsburgh chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans will hold its Holiday Luncheon on December 8 at the Fortune Star Buffet & Grill in Monroeville (map). The guest speaker is Melissa McCart of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our Annual General Meeting and Holiday Luncheon will be held this Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 12:00pm-3:00pm at Fortune Star Buffet and Grill! Unwind from the busy holiday season and catch up with family and friends. The luncheon is open to everyone, not just members, so invite all you know! Please register online, then pay by cash or check at our luncheon. Registration is recommended so we can get a proper head count, but walk-ins are welcome. You will also have a chance to order tickets to our Lunar New Year Banquet on February 2, 2019 at Heinz History Center, so take advantage of early bird pricing!

Our guest speaker this year is Melissa McCart. She is a restaurant reporter and critic for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; She has also worked at Newsday on Long Island and as editor of Eater NY in Manhattan, and writes nationally for Saveur, The Washington Post, and other publications. She has recently been awarded a Pulitzer Center grant to report on how changes in immigration laws affect one Pittsburgh Chinese restaurant. You can reach her on Twitter @Melissa McCart on Instagram @melissamccart and at the PG: mmccart@post-gazette.com
The luncheon runs from 12:00 to 3:00 pm and is open to members and non-members alike, though registration is required.

Chinese calligraphy workshop downtown, December 8.


"Chinese calligrapher," by David Boté Estrada (Creative Commons).

The downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a Chinese calligraphy workshop on December 8.
A Chinese calligraphy expert will show us pictures of her home in China, give background on the art of calligraphy, and lead a Chinese calligraphy workshop for all ages! 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 runs from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. The Downtown & Business branch is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

"Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese," December 7 at Pitt.



Dr. Lin Chen of the University of Pittsburgh's Learning and Research Development Center will present "Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese" on December 7.
Writing systems, the ways that orthography maps to phonology and semantics, influence word reading. In written Chinese, the character is a basic writing unit maps onto a single syllable morpheme. The morphosyllabic nature of Chinese writing system brings some challenges to Chinese learning and Chinese teaching. In this talk, I will present several empirical studies of Chinese word reading for adult Chinese learners and discuss the roles of characters and words in learning Chinese and the implications for teaching Chinese.

Dr. Lin Chen is a Research Associate at Learning Research & Development Center, University of Pittsburgh. She earned her PhD in Psychology and worked as a post-doc in Applied Linguistic for two years. She was an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen, China before she moved to US. Her research focuses on universal and language-specific reading procedures across writing systems, and the writing system constraints on second language acquisition and teaching instruction.
The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Navigating the Intergener(ASIAN)al Gap, December 5 at Pitt.



The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Students Alliance will host "Navigating the Intergener(ASIAN)al Gap" on December 5.
Asian Americans tend to face many social and cultural differences between their relatives, especially when going home for the holidays. Within immigrant families, the differences between Eastern and Western culture in conjugation with a generational gap can lead to unpredictable results.

Join us as we explore the similarities and differences between the generations of Asian American families, We hope to see you all there!
It runs from 9:00 to 10:00 pm in 107 Lawrence Hall (map).

Monday, December 3, 2018

Documentary Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki (終わらない人 宮崎駿) in Pittsburgh area, December 13 and 18.



The 2016 documentary, Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki, will play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson on December 13 and 18 as part of its US premiere. A summary from the distributor:
In 2013, Academy Award®-winning film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he can’t shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarks on a new project to utilize CGI for the first time ever. But the artist, who has been adamant about hand-drawn animation, confronts many challenges that threaten to cancel the film. Can an old master who thinks he’s past his prime shine once again? This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his short film Boro the Caterpillar using CGI.
The shows are in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters at Row House Cinema, from December 7.



The Row House Cinema will show the 1985 American biographical film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters from December 7 through 13. From the home video distributor:
Paul Schrader’s visually stunning, collagelike portrait of the acclaimed Japanese author and playwright Yukio Mishima (played by Ken Ogata) investigates the inner turmoil and contradictions of a man who attempted the impossible task of finding harmony among self, art, and society. Taking place on the last day of Mishima’s life, when he famously committed public seppuku, the film is punctuated by extended flashbacks to the writer’s past as well as gloriously stylized evocations of his fictional works. With its rich cinematography by John Bailey, exquisite sets and costumes by Eiko Ishioka, and unforgettable, highly influential score by Philip Glass, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters is a tribute to its subject and a bold, investigative work of art in its own right.
Tickets and showtime information is available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

"Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono," December 4 at Pitt.


"Vivid kimono" by Raita Futo (Creative Commons).

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Evan Mason and his workshop "Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono" on December 4.
Through this interactive workshop, learn about the intricate art of dressing in kimono with expert and Pitt alumnus Evan Mason. The workshop will begin with a lecture on the culture and history of the kimono in Japan followed by a demonstration of kitsuke and an opportunity for participants to dress in yukata and try out their new skills!
It runs from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Saturday, December 1, 2018

"Building Peace, Security, and Diversity in Squirrel Hill and Beyond: Pittsburgh’s Asian American leaders and members meet with the United States Department of Justice," December 3 at Chatham University.

Chatham University in Shadyside will host representatives from the Department of Justice to address concerns from the Asian-American and refugee business communities regarding safety and security in culturally and politically hostile environments.
The Department of Justice is coming to Pittsburgh to address the concerns of the Asian American and Refugee communities on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Mellon Board Room (MBR) in Mellon Center on Chatham University Shadyside Campus.

This meeting will cover security, safety, best practices when communities come under attack, protection of children, families and businesses. This will be very much like a Town Hall meeting where the audience has an opportunity to ask questions from these specialists.

The DOJ is making this special trip to share as much information possible and get our input, so please bring your questions and comments. We have their attention and this may be our only chance, so we need to do our best to bring as many people from our community to this meeting.

If translators are needed, please let us know.

Free parking is available and is about a 5-10 minute walk to the meeting room.

Please make your best effort to attend, we hope to see everyone there.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) at Carnegie Museum of Art, December 1.



For this month's Cinematheque event as part of the Carnegie International exhibition, the Carnegie Museum of Art will present the 2013 Studio Ghibli film The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) on December 1. A 2014 A.V. Club review provides a summary:
A humble bamboo cutter named Okina (translation: “old man”) happens upon a glowing stalk in the grove near his house. When he investigates, the shimmering tree blossoms reveal a baby nested inside. Believing this discovery to be a gift from the heavens, Okina brings her home to his wife Ouna (“old woman”), with whom he begins to raise the child as their own. Dubbing her “Princess” Kaguya, Ouna and Okina marvel at how rapidly the girl begins to grow, racing from infancy to pre-adolescence in a matter of days.

While Kaguya busies herself with a normal childhood, making friends with the local kids and bonding with an older boy named Sutemaru, her adopted father becomes distracted by Kaguya’s value to him—the bamboo shoot from which she was born begins producing gold. As Kaguya transforms into a teenager, Okina relocates their family to the capital city, where the girl receives lessons on how to be a proper woman, and is celebrated as a rare beauty. When five aggressive suitors come calling—followed by the emperor himself—Kaguya begins to feel trapped, things falling apart as she imagines a different life for herself.
It goes on to say the film has "some of the most beautifully expressive animation that Ghibli (or anyone else) has ever produced".

The movie runs from 1:00 to 3:15 pm. The museum is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by buses 28X, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71B, 71D, 75, and P3.

Japanese Conversation Table, November 30 at Pitt.


"Osaka, Japan" by Pedro Szekely (Creative Commons)

Pitt's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will hold its final Japanese Conversation Table of the term on Friday, November 30. It's a chance for native Japanese speakers and members of the Pitt community learning Japanese to meet and practice outside of the classroom. The session meets in 244A of the Cathedral of Learning (map) from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Hanami now open in Oakland but questions about sanitation remain.



A rebranded Thai Hana, named Hanami, is now open at 3608 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map). It promises sushi, pho, and Asian cuisine.

Thai Hana closed earlier this month after numerous health violations; according to tabulations by WESA FM it had the seventh-most health violations in Allegheny County since 2012, in spite of only opening in 2013. Hanami underwent its initial inspection on November 5 and recorded 10 violations, including some pertaining to sanitation, pest management, and contamination prevention.

Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner, December 4 in Highland Park.



Itha Cao of the Hungry Cao will present a Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner on December 4.
On December 4th, Casa Brasil welcomes chef resident Itha Cao from the Hungry Cao hosting a unique evening, "Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner" where 24 guests will explore a variety of flavors and dishes through a 8 course tasting meal carefully curated by chef Itha!

The menu is composed by a variety of dishes focused on fresh and regional Chinese cuisine.

When - December 4, 2018

Time - 6:30pm – 9pm

Location - Casa Brasil

Tickets- $65 includes a complimentary cocktail

Capacity - 24 guests

Chef Itha will donate portion of proceeds to a charitable effort.

The Hungry Cao

Note: This is a ticketed dinner, no walk-ins.

Join us!
Tickets are required, limited to 24, and available online. Casa Brasil is located at 5904 Bryant St. in Highland Park (map).

Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城), Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ), and Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (風の谷のナウシカ) at Row House Cinema, from November 30.



This year's annual Miyazaki Week at the Row House Cinema will feature four movies this year from November 30: Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城), Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ), and Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (風の谷のナウシカ). The series runs through December 6, and tickets and showtime information is available online. Movies after 6:00 pm will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles, while daytime movies will be dubbed in English. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

"Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese," December 7 at Pitt.

Dr. Lin Chen of the University of Pittsburgh's Learning and Research Development Center will present "Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese" on December 7.
Writing systems, the ways that orthography maps to phonology and semantics, influence word reading. In written Chinese, the character is a basic writing unit maps onto a single syllable morpheme. The morphosyllabic nature of Chinese writing system brings some challenges to Chinese learning and Chinese teaching. In this talk, I will present several empirical studies of Chinese word reading for adult Chinese learners and discuss the roles of characters and words in learning Chinese and the implications for teaching Chinese.

Dr. Lin Chen is a Research Associate at Learning Research & Development Center, University of Pittsburgh. She earned her PhD in Psychology and worked as a post-doc in Applied Linguistic for two years. She was an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen, China before she moved to US. Her research focuses on universal and language-specific reading procedures across writing systems, and the writing system constraints on second language acquisition and teaching instruction.
The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

New Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) in Pittsburgh, from November 30.



The new Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) will play at AMC Loews in the Waterfront from November 30. The movie, which premiered in China on November 16, was its number one film the weekend of November 23rd. The distributor summarizes:
A low-end robber, a roguish security guard, a potty-mouthed but disable hellcat, and a group of nobodies, their life paths start intersecting one day because of a lost gun and a heist, which leads to a series of comical accidents.
Tickets are available online via Fandango. 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.

Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business hiring bilingual Mandarin-English student worker.

Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English student worker for its Master of Science Programs.
The University is seeking a student employee for the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, MS Programs Office. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to gain valuable workplace skills which can be applied throughout their career.

The main role of the office assistant will include providing office support integral to daily functioning of the school and support with special events and activities. Additional responsibilities include: support various staff on special projects, assist recruitment staff by preparing materials for prospective and newly admitted students, and supporting staff with day-to-day office functions such as interdepartmental mail, reception area support, and maintaining professional customer service to current and prospective students.

Adam Liu Holiday Concert "East Meets West Series 2"—featuring erhu, guqin, pipa, and xiao performers—December 2 in Allison Park.



Lydia Music Center in Allison Park presents Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Assistant Principal Cello Adam Liu for a Holiday Concert on December 2. The event, titled "East Meets West Series 2," will also feature performers of traditional Chinese instruments erhu, guqin, pipa, and xiao.
Adam Liu Holiday Concert "East Meets West Series 2" Brought by Lydia Music Center and Pittsburgh Symphony Assistant Principal Cello Adam Liu. It will be held on 12/2/2018 7:00 pm at St Paul's United Methodist Church. Featuring Adam Liu, cello, Erhu; John Snatchko, piano; Jin Yang, Pipa; Ying Hao, Guqin; Junyan Tao, Xiao; Bonita Liu, Singer, James Lesniak, piano.

Admission:
Adult-$10; Student- $5
Lydia Music Center Students are Free (include String Rental Students and previous all students)
Refreshments will be served after concert (cookies, fruits, soft drinks)
The concert will be held at 1965 Ferguson Road in the North Hills suburb of Allison Park (map).

"ASA Culture Fair: Journey to the East" at Pitt, December 2.



The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Students Alliance, in collaboration with numerous other on-campus organizations, will present the ASA Culture Fair on December 2.
The Asian Students Alliance alongside the umbrellas the Chinese American Students Association, Filipino Students Association, Korean Student Association and the Vietnamese Student Association are proud to present Culture Fair: Journey to the East. In collaboration with Pitt Wushu, FRESA, SASA, JSA, PantheRaas and Pitt Nrityamala, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of performances, games and FREE FOOD.

On Sunday December 2nd we will take you along on our Journey to the East. Catch a glimpse of each participating orgs culture; indulge in delicious dishes from all around Asia and engage in countless games and activities.
It runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the William Pitt Union's Ballroom.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

New Japanese animated film Mirai (未来のミライ), in Pittsburgh on November 29, December 5, December 8.



The new Japanese animated film Mirai (未来のミライ) will play in Pittsburgh from November 29. A synopsis, from the distributor:
From acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children) and Japan’s Studio Chizu comes MIRAI, a daringly original story of love passed down through generations. When four-year-old Kun meets his new baby sister, his world is turned upside down. Named Mirai (meaning “future”), the baby quickly wins the hearts of Kun’s entire family. As his mother returns to work, and his father struggles to run the household, Kun becomes increasingly jealous of baby Mirai... until one day he storms off into the garden, where he encounters strange guests from the past and future – including his sister Mirai, as a teenager. Together, Kun and teenage Mirai go on a journey through time and space, uncovering their family’s incredible story. But why did Mirai come from the future?

An official selection at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and the epic capstone of director Mamoru Hosoda’s career, Mirai is a sumptuous, magical, and emotionally soaring adventure about the ties that bring families together and make us who we are.
The movie will play in the Pittsburgh area on November 29, December 5, and December 8, with some shows dubbed in English and others in Japanese with English subtitles. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark Theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, the Regal Crown Center Stadium theater in Washington, and the AMC Classic Westmoreland in Greensburg. Tickets are available online.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Happy Home Buffet Sushi & Grill opening on McKnight Road, November 29.



Happy Home Buffet Sushi & Grill will open on McKnight Road, in the former location of TJ Asian Buffet and Tokyo Sushi Buffet, on November 29. Earlier this year the site was slated to be the home of a Phantom Fireworks.

The opening of an Asian buffet isn't ordinarily newsworthy, but in the past year or so several in the area have closed, including Old Town Buffet (formerly Misaki) on Route 51, Dynasty in Cranberry, and Sushi Cho (formerly York Buffet) in Robinson. Happy Home will be located at 4801 McKnight Road in the North Hills (map), in an outparcel in North Hills Village next to Best Buy.

Friday, November 23, 2018

Pittsburgh Chinese School hiring teachers.

The Pittsburgh Chinese School is hiring teachers for its numerous language and subject classes held each Sunday in Squirrel Hill.
匹兹堡中文学校诚聘有爱心和责任心,有教学经验, 并有工作许可的有关人士加入教师队伍。

岗位要求:
1、热爱中国文化,并有热情将中国的文化广泛传播。
2、喜欢孩子,有爱心、耐心,责任心,有亲和力。
3、普通话发音标准清晰,语言表达能力强。
4、有基本的英语表达沟通能力。
5、有中文教学经验,尤其是有中小学教学经验者优先。
6、有教育或中文相关学历者优先。
7、文艺课教师有相关学历或工作经验者优先。

Mongolian-inspired "nomadic folk metal" band Tengger Cavalry in Pittsburgh, November 27.



Mongolian-inspired "nomadic folk metal" band Tengger Cavalry will play Spirit Lounge on November 27.
Tengger Cavalry, or "the army of sky god", is not only a Billboard-featured metal band, but also a symbol of nomadic warrior spirit that connects fans from all over the world. With a mix of throat singing, Mongolian fiddle and Central Asian instruments, the band performed a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall and featured in CNN, New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Local Asian-Appalachian folk music group Appalasia will open. Tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online. Spirit is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

"Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono," December 4 at Pitt.


"Vivid kimono" by Raita Futo (Creative Commons).

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Evan Mason and his workshop "Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono" on December 4.
Through this interactive workshop, learn about the intricate art of dressing in kimono with expert and Pitt alumnus Evan Mason. The workshop will begin with a lecture on the culture and history of the kimono in Japan followed by a demonstration of kitsuke and an opportunity for participants to dress in yukata and try out their new skills!
It runs from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

"Learn to Play the Pipa (Chinese Lute) – 4 Class Series for Adults" free at Carnegie Library in Oakland in January.



The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's main branch in Oakland will host pipa soloist Yang Jin for a series of free pipa lessons for adults in January.
Renowned pipa performer Yang Jin will teach a series of 4 free pipa (Chinese lute) classes for adults beginning January 10. Pipa instruments will be provided during class. The classes, held Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 PM, take place:

January 10 Adult Lesson 1

January 17 Adult Lesson 2

January 24 Adult Lesson 3

January 31 Adult Lesson 4

Registering for one class will register you for all 4 sessions in the series. The class is limited to 12 participants.

The pipa, one of the most popular instruments in China, has a pear-shaped wooden body and consists of 12 to 26 frets.
Registration is required and can be completed online. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map) and is accessible by buses 28X, 54, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 93.

"Storytime: Chinese and English" at Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill, November 24.

The Squirrel Hill branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its next "Storytime: Chinese and English" on November 24.
Celebrate our city’s diverse culture as we explore new words through songs, action rhymes and stories in Chinese and English. For children birth-5 years and their caregivers.
It runs from 11:00 to 11:30 am and is free and open to the public. The Carnegie Library branch in Squirrel Hill is located at 5801 Forbes Ave. (map), accessible by buses 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, and 74.

Chinese calligraphy workshop downtown, December 8.


"Chinese calligrapher," by David Boté Estrada (Creative Commons).

The downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a Chinese calligraphy workshop on December 8.
A Chinese calligraphy expert will show us pictures of her home in China, give background on the art of calligraphy, and lead a Chinese calligraphy workshop for all ages! 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 runs from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. The Downtown & Business branch is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

"Learn to Play the Pipa (Chinese Lute) – 4 Class Series for Children," at Carnegie Library in February.



The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's main branch in Oakland will host pipa soloist Yang Jin for a series of free pipa lessons in February.
Renowned pipa performer Yang Jin will teach a series of 4 free pipa (Chinese lute) classes for children beginning February 7. Pipa instruments will be provided during class. The classes, held Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 PM, take place:

February 7 Children’s Lesson 1

February 14 Children’s Lesson 2

February 21 Children’s Lesson 3

February 28 Children’s Lesson 4

Registering for one class will register you for all 4 sessions in the series. The class is limited to 12 participants.

The pipa, one of the most popular instruments in China, has a pear-shaped wooden body and consists of 12 to 26 frets.
Registration is required and can be completed online. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map) and is accessible by buses 28X, 54, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 93.

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