Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Screening of 2009 documentary Vincent Who?, on 1982 Vincent Chen murder, September 27 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present a screening of the documentary Vincent Who? on September 27. From the film's official site:
In 1982, at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments arising from massive layoffs in the auto industry, a Chinese-American named Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers. Chin's killers, however, got off with a $3,000 fine and 3 years probation, but no jail time. Outraged by this injustice, Asian Americans around the country united for the first time across ethnic and socioeconomic lines to form a pan-Asian identity and civil rights movement.

Among its significant outcomes, the movement led to the historic broadening of federal civil rights protection to include all people in America regardless of immigrant status or ethnicity.

VINCENT WHO? explores this important legacy through interviews with the key players at the time as well as a whole new generation of activists whose lives were impacted by Vincent Chin. It also looks at the case in relation to the larger narrative of Asian American history, in such events as Chinese Exclusion, Japanese American Internment in WWII, the 1992 L.A. Riots, anti-Asian hate crimes, and post-9/11 racial profiling.

Ultimately, VINCENT WHO? asks how far Asian Americans have come since the case and how far they have yet to go.
It will be followed by a Q-and-A session with the film's producer. The event will be held from 7:00 pm in the William Pitt Union (map) Dining Room A, safety permitting, or online via Zoom; it's free and open to the public, though registration is required.

Pitt's Asian Studies Center offers language partner program.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is again offering its language partner program this school year.
The Asian Studies Center offers a language partnership program to match students learning Asian languages with native speakers of those languages. The Asian language learners will have an opportunity to practice their language with a peer, while native Asian language speakers will have opportunities to practice their English. Each partner will have the opportunity to build a relationship with another student across cultures. If you think you might be interested, visit our website and click here to fill out the request form. If you have other questions about the program, please contact the Asian Studies Center at asia@pitt.edu.
Those interested can register online.

Monday, August 30, 2021

Presentation on Japanese art and calligraphy at Carnegie Museum of Art, October 7.


The Carnegie Museum of Art and the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania will present Dr. Frank Feltens and "The Mary and Cheney Cowles COllection and 20th-Century Japanese Painting and Calligraphy in the Freer Gallery of Art" on October 7.
Dr. Frank Feltens, Associate Curator of Japanese Art at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, will explore how the Freer Gallery’s Japanese art collection evolved over the hundred years since the museum’s founding and how the most recent additions stay true to the original intentions and aesthetics of Charles Lang Freer. The talk will conclude with a journey through the exhibition Meeting Tessai: Modern Japanese Art from the Cowles Collection that highlights the Cowles gift and showcases how Freer conversed with contemporary Japanese artists like the famous literatus Tomioka Tessai.

The talk will be held in the Carnegie Museum of Art Theater and will be followed by refreshments and a networking reception. Registration is free but donations are encouraged.
The event starts at 6:00 pm and is free and open to the public, though registration is required. 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.

"Ecologies of Instrumentality: Global Capitalism and Ethical Artisanship in Japan," September 8 at Pitt.

via I G

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Keisuke Yamada and "Ecologies of Instrumentality: Global Capitalism and Ethical Artisanship in Japan" on September 8.
How do we propose the most ethical yet legitimate ways for centuries-long traditions, heritages, and artisanship that require a great deal of nonhuman exploitation to continue existing in the future? This presentation tackles the problem of ontological struggles between the human and the nonhuman, the animate and the inanimate, the living and the dead, with a study of the practice, politics, and ethics that surround the making of a traditional Japanese musical instrument called the shamisen. All the materials that make up the shamisen are imported from other countries. The material condition and existential possibility of the shamisen have perpetually been shaped by the workings of global capitalism and biopolitical power across time. Revealing the darker side of the development of Japanese traditional music as part of the global history of extractive capitalism, it calls for a new ethical stance in order to recraft modes of living with both various nonhuman species and traditional cultural artifacts in an age of ecological crisis.
The hybrid event begins at 4:30 pm in 207 Lawrence Hall or online, and registration is required.

Sunday, August 29, 2021

1954 film Godzilla (ゴジラ) at Row House Cinema, September 3 through 9.


The 1954 Japanese film Godzilla (ゴジラ) will play at the Row House Cinema from September 3 through 9.
Before Godzilla fought Kong or Mothra in 4K, he rose out of the sea and changed sci-fi films forever as an allegory for the follies of a nuclear world. We’re showing the very first film in the iconic franchise. See Ishirô Honda’s original smash hit classic that brought to life the unstoppable dinosaur-like creature hell-bent on destroying Tokyo.
It plays in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street (map) in Lawrenceville.

Friday, August 27, 2021

"Jazz Poetry Month: Norihide Nakajima Quintet" at City of Asylum, (online) on September 14.


The City of Asylum will present "Jazz Poetry Month: Norihide Nakajima Quintet" in an online concert on September 14.
This concert marks the first time Jazz Poetry reaches Japan. A concert filmed for fans in Pittsburgh inside the top jazz club in Kyoto, Rag Jazz.

The program features original compositions, with Japanese poetry woven throughout as lyrics, as well as Japanese Jazz standards. Featuring musicians Utako Yamauchi (vocals), Tsutomu Takei (saxophone), Kiyoshi Takeshita (piano), Norihide Nakajima (bass), and Takehiro Shimizu (drums).
It runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and those interested should register in advance.

"Jazz Poetry Month: Bad Activist," September 20 at Alphabet City.


The City of Asylum will host Mai Khoi and Bad Activist on September 20 as part of its Jazz Poetry Month.
Bad Activist is an autobiographical performance piece, combining storytelling with state-of-the-art music performance. The narrative charts the extraordinary trajectory of Mai Khoi’s life—from renowned to Vietnamese pop star to dissident activist, fighting for artistic freedom in Vietnam and pitting herself against the strong arm of the communist government. Within this crucible of political titans, international powers, and constant surveillance and threat, Khoi develops a personal and unique art form. Her new sound is rooted in forgotten Vietnamese musical traditions fused with jazz and ripe with political song lyrics. Bad Activist explores both the actual historic events of the artist’s life, as well as the subconscious dream worlds that have fueled her work.

Unable to safely live and work in Vietnam, Mai Khoi is currently an Artist Protection Fund Fellow at City of Asylum and the University of Pittsburgh. This performance of Bad Activist features collaborators from the University of Pittsburgh’s PhD in jazz, and all new arrangements for larger bands.
The event runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and will be held both in person and online. Please visit the website for ticket information and for safety protocols. Alphabet City is located at 40 W. North Ave. on the North Side (map).

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Hong Kong short film Chen Chen (陳陳) at ReelAbilities Film Festival, September 9 - 12.


The 22-minute short film Chen Chen (陳陳) from Kargo Chen will play at the ReelAbilities Film Festival, scheduled for the Carnegie Museum of Art and online from September 8 through 12.
In this heartfelt docudrama, Chen takes his home-ridden brother with cerebral palsy out for some real-world experiences, leading to a day neither will soon forget. (Adult content: sex, nudity)

This short film precedes the feature-length documentary, Re-Inventing the Wheel.
This set of films will play online from the 9th through the 12th, and tickets are now available.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Panda Supermarket (熊猫超市) to open at new location, September 1, with expanded hours.


Panda Supermarket (熊猫超市), an Asian grocery store in Squirrel Hill, will open at its new location at 5816-5818 Forbes Ave. (map) on September 1. According to Facebook:
MOVING! Our store will be moving to 5816-5818 Forbes Ave. (next to PNC Bank) on 30-31 August 2021. We will reopen at 5816-5818 on September 1. New store hours at the new spot: Monday - Thursday: 10am - 9pm Friday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm Sunday: 11am - 7pm Sorry for the inconvenience! We will stay open at our current spot through the 29th. See you here (and there)!!
Panda opened in 2017 and purchased the new spot in 2019. Work has been underway since last summer. It switched to limited hours---11 am to 7 pm---when COVID hit, and is moving to the hours it kept for most of its life.

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hits third home run, becomes new home run king among Japanese Pittsburgh Pirates.


Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hit his third home run of the season on Monday, and his third home run of his Pittsburgh Pirates career, setting a new high mark among Japanese-born players in team history. Tsutsugo was signed on August 15th, and is the fourth Japanese player in team history after pitcher Masumi Kuwata in 2007, infielder Akinori Iwamura in 2010, and pitcher Hisanori Takahashi for nine games in 2012.

Monday, August 23, 2021

SCREENSHOT:ASIA Film Festival, October 6 - 10 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host the first SCREENSHOT:ASIA Film Festival from October 6 through 10th. It has already announced a screening of Who Killed Vincent Chin? and a discussion of Asian horror.

A brief summary of the festival and its ambitions:
The Festival brings together students, faculty, long-term Pittsburghers, and recently arrived residents. By screening films from across Asia, we hope to create a dialog based on shared cinematic experiences, letting our audiences learn about and embrace different cultures, peoples, and ways of being in the world. Asian residents are the fastest-growing ethnic community in Pittsburgh; new arrivals include Asian and Asian American students who stay after graduation; professionals brought in by tech, biomedical, and other emerging industries, and refugee communities from Bhutan, Iraq, and Syria. By partnering with community groups—including nationality rooms and other local festivals—we will encourage on and off-campus investment in the success of the events. Additionally, screenings will bring new populations to campus, giving residents who may not know the University their first on-campus experience.

The project is also a way to engage students in practical, professional arts programming experience. Through internships, participation in the ‘Film Festivals’ course, and volunteering, students will learn how to create and execute a high level, city-wide programming event. Students will be part of all committees and areas of engagement. They will help decide which films should be screened, make decisions on graphics and marketing, and work with filmmakers, distributors, and theaters. The project allows students to learn on the ground project management.

By screening films by lesser-known artists from overseas and emerging Asian American film professionals, the Screenshot: Asia Film Festival will impact our participants and audiences in several crucial ways: firstly, it will help our audiences understand marginalized experiences inside and outside of the United States and consider the unique challenges to minority filmmakers. Secondly Screenshot: Asia will provide a space for Asian and other minority film students to meet and learn from underrepresented filmmakers from the U.S. and abroad. We know that representation matters and learning about minority professionals encourages students of color to participate in the industry. By creating networking sessions and filmmaker discussions with students, the program will help bridge the gap between potential women and minority filmmakers and the industry.
The festival was supposed to debut last fall but COVID cancelled those plans. It will succeed and expand upon the long-running Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival, which ceased operations in 2018 after rampant sexual harassment by its director was exposed.

Sunday, August 22, 2021

2019 Japanese film Lupin III: The First (ルパン三世 THE FIRST) in Pittsburgh, August 29 and 31.


The 2019 Japanese film Lupin III: The First (ルパン三世 THE FIRST) will play in Pittsburgh on August 29 and 31. From the distributor:
The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and the North Hills, and tickets are available online. The shows on the 29th are dubbed in English while the shows on the 31st are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Saturday, August 21, 2021

McKnight Road's SB Hair Salon (미용실).


Signage recently went up on McKnight Road for SB Hair Salon 미용실. It looks to be a new name for Adore Salon (아도레 미용실), a Korean-owned hair salon that opened earlier this year. The Adore sign remains above the space and on a small sign placed along the road.

It is operated by Elliot Choi (최승규), who boasts 25+ years of experience in Seoul, New York, and New Jersey. Those interested in an appointment can contact 412-318-4210 or adoresalon4814 at gmail.com, though a sign outside says walk-ins are welcomed. It is located at 4814 McKnight Road (map), in a small strip mall next to Sushi Tomo.

Friday, August 20, 2021

Fantuan / Just Order Enterprises Corp. (饭团) hiring Mandarin-speaking Operations Manager (送餐部经理).


Just Order Enterprises (also known as Fantuan), is a delivery service catering to Asian restaurants and groceries that expanded to Pittsburgh last summer, is still hiring a Mandarin-speaking Operations Manager.

Fantuan was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2014. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company is a one-stop platform providing food delivery (Fantuan Delivery), reviews (Fantuan Reviews), an errand service (Fantuan Rush), e-commerce and marketing services. Fantuan is one of the top Asian life-services platforms in North America, currently operating across Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and other metropolitan areas in Canada and the US.

For more positions, please click https://fantuan.ca/en/jobs/

Responsibilities

· Assist recruitment, training, performance appraisal of the delivery team

· Analyze and statistic data to improve the efficiency of the delivery team and user experience

· Dealing with unexpected situations during daily operations

· Complete tasks assigned by other supervisors

Requirements:

· Good at innovation and manage team

· Strong communication, coordination and organizational skills

· Strong executive and promotion ability

· Responsible and purposeful, able to suffer from pressure and challenges

饭团是一家北美互联网生活服务公司,主要业务包括饭团外卖、饭团点评、饭团跑腿,结合中式优质服务与北美先进大数据技术,以互联网思维推动生活服务行业变革。 目前,饭团已覆盖温哥华、多伦多、卡尔加里、蒙特利尔,西雅图,洛杉矶,纽约等加拿大及美国主要城市,为海外华人乃至所有海外消费者提供更加便捷、高效、智能的生活服务

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Pittsburgh-based GNC hiring China Joint Venture Project Manager.

Pittsburgh-based GNC is hiring a China Joint Venture Project Manager. From the job ad:
Responsible for supporting the ongoing operations of the GNC China Joint Venture (JV). The position involves leading, coordinating, and communicating with multiple functional areas and applying best practices of project management. The China PM will be expected to support the relationship between the China HQ team and the Pittsburgh HQ support. Candidate is responsible for supporting the JV business plan and long term goals to include the reporting and analysis of the JV performance. This individual will need to possess strong interpersonal skills as he/she will have frequent interaction with Senior Leaders. In addition, he/she will need to develop strong relationships in order to influence Pittsburgh functional teams to ensure that the JV receives the appropriate level of support to reach its goals.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck coming to Ross Park Mall, September 11.


via @HellyKittyCafeTruck

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will return to Ross Park Mall on September 11.
Hello Pittsburgh! The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Ross Park Mall on Saturday 9/11! Come say hello to us near Cheesecake Factory between 10am-7pm and pick up some supercute treats & merch, while supplies last!

Learn how we are creating a comfortable and safe environment for our guests and staff here: https://www.sanrio.com/pages/message-to-the-sanrio-community-about-covid-19
More information about the truck and its tours available via Sanrio. Ross Park Mall is located in Ross Township in the North Hills, just off McKnight Road (map).

2004 Thai film Tropical Malady (Satpralat) with ReelQ and City of Asylum, August 25.


ReelQ and the City of Asylum will present the 2004 Thai film Tropical Malady (Satpralat) on August 25.
‘Winner of the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and an official selection of the New York Film Festival, TROPICAL MALADY is the lyrical and mysterious new film by maverick Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Blissfully Yours), one of the most prominent young directors of the Thai New Wave. TROPICAL MALADY chronicles the mystical love affair between a young soldier and the country boy he seduces, soon to be disrupted by the boy’s sudden disappearance. Local legends claim the boy was transformed into a mythic wild beast, and the soldier journeys alone into the heart of the Thai jungle in search of him.
The movie starts at 7:00 pm and will be streamed online. It's free but registration is required.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo debuts for Pirates.

via Japan Times, Reuters.

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo made his Pittsburgh Pirates debut on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting a pinch hit in his ninth inning plate appearance. Tsutsugo was signed on Sunday after spending parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues. By making his debut with the team, he is now officially the fourth Japanese player in Pittsburgh Pirates history, and the first in nearly a decade, after pitcher Masumi Kuwata in 2007, infielder Akinori Iwamura in 2010, and pitcher Hisanori Takahashi for nine games in 2012.

"Pittsburgh KPOP Party 2021" with 412 Ktown, August 27.


412 Ktown (Kpop Pittsburgh) will present "Pittsburgh KPOP Party 2021" on August 27 at Level Up Studios.
!!ITS FINALLY HERE!!!
We are finally up and running with our
kpop events once again after a long wait^^
come join us and dance the night away to your favorite KPOP songs
Music will be provided by DJ.Kidplay (Kpop dj on tiktok )
BTS , NCT , Way V , Exo , Black Pink , Aespa , Everglow and more..
To Enter the Event We recommend everyone to wear masks ( its optional to your personal preference)
THIS IS 18+ EVENT
****$15 @ the door (Cash Prefer) if not we have venmo & paypal **** and there is parking lot next to the dance studio plus plenty of street parking
For More info : Contact us on Facebook (412 Ktown) or email us (412ktownpgh@gmail.com)
Also , We will have our group wristbands for sale at the event ($5)
Hope to see you guys there ^^
It runs from 8:30 pm on the 27th through 12:30 am. Level Up Studios is located at 4836 Penn Ave. in Garfield (map).

Screening of 2019 Filipino-American film Yellow Rose, August 21 at Pittsburgh Philippine Center.


Screenshot: Asia and the Pittsburgh Philippine Center will present a screening of the 2019 Filipino-American film Yellow Rose on August 21.
Please join us at the Pittsburgh Philippine Center (200 Church St. West Mifflin, PA 16122) for an in-person screening of Yellow Rose (2019, Diane Paragas). A Filipino teen from a small Texas town fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known. Indie Wire notes that "Diane Pagras' film finds fresh ground to explore the price and the power of the American Dream, bolstered by country crooning and heartbreaking (and very real) legal worries."
The free screening starts at 3:00 pm, followed by a Q&A session, though registration is required. The Pittsburgh Philippine Center is located at 200 Church St. in West Mifflin (map).

Monday, August 16, 2021

New film starring Donnie Yen, Raging Fire (怒火), to remain in Pittsburgh through (at least) August 26.


The new Hong Kong film Raging Fire (怒火), which opened in Pittsburgh on August 13, will stay here through at least August 26.
Shan (Donnie Yen) is a highly respected hardline cop with a long history of success on dangerous cases. However, his past unexpectedly comes back to haunt him when a sting operation is attacked by a mysterious group of criminals led by Ngo (Nicholas Tse), his former protégé, a talented former officer who had once respected and admired Shan. However, a terrible mistake three years prior landed him in prison, quickly turning the once rising star into a furious man with a grudge, and the will to destroy everyone who had wronged him—including his former mentor.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. The theater is located at the Waterfront shopping center in Homestead (map).

"Japanese Action Comic Punk band" Peelander-Z returns to Pittsburgh, October 17.



Japanese punk band Peelander-Z will play in Pittsburgh on October 17. Wikipedia provides an overview of their live shows:
They perform on stage and appear in color-coordinated costumes, which they state are not costumes, but their skin. The costumes range from sentai style suits, to kimono, to rubber Playmobil style wigs. There is also a tiger costume and a giant squid/guitar costume to coincide with the song "Mad Tiger". Another aspect of their routine is their on-stage antics such as human bowling (diving head-first into bowling pins), pretending to hit each other with chairs in imitation of pro-wrestlers, and mid-performance piggyback rides. They often allow audience members on stage to join in on the fun, and often dive into the audience or hang from a balcony as part of their act.
They were originally supposed to play here on April 28, 2020, but the concert was postponed. They will play at Club Cafe on the South Side (map) and tickets for the 21+ show are available online.

Pittsburgh Pirates sign Yoshitomo Tsutsugo.


The Pittsburgh Pirates signed first baseman Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (筒香 嘉智) on Sunday, August 15.
Tsutsugo has had an interesting road to this point. The utility man, who has played both corner infield spots and in left field in his career, was a highly-coveted power hitter in Japan. In 2016, as a 24-year-old with the Yokohama Bay Stars, he mashed 44 homers, then followed that up with 28, 38 and 29 homer seasons over the next three years. Since 2014, his lowest OPS in a season with Yokohama was .900.

That drew attention from MLB teams, and he eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on a two-year, $12 million deal in December 2019. He never caught on against MLB pitching, though. In 2020, he slashed .197/.314/.395 in 51 games during the COVID-19-shortened season. He did hit eight home runs, which was tied for the second-most long balls on the team.
He played for the Rays and LA Dodgers this season. Should he play in a regular-season game, he will be the fourth Japanese player in team history, after pitcher Masumi Kuwata in 2007, infielder Akinori Iwamura in 2010, and pitcher Hisanori Takahashi for nine games in 2012.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Kiku Japanese Restaurant hiring servers.

Kiku Japanese Restaurant, perhaps the original sushi place in Pittsburgh and among its oldest and most authentic Japanese restaurants, continues to hire servers for its location in Station Square.

Japanese Restaurant located in station square is now hiring for part time Server.

We are looking for experienced Front of the House professionals that are interested in assisting the resurgence of Pittsburgh's only established Authentic Japanese restaurant.
If you are passionate about food, beverage, and service we want you to join us!
Part-time positions available

Compensation: Competitive Wages+ Tips (average $20/h up)
Employment type: Start part-time (One weekday dinner and Saturday Dinner to start.) must be available on holidays.

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Asian Lantern Festival at Pittsburgh Zoo, August 14 through October 30.

via @pghzoo

The Pittsburgh Zoo will hold its first Asian Lantern Festival from August 14 through October 30.
The Zoo will embark on a bold new adventure in 2021 with the opening of the Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, an evening experience that will shine a light on conservation, community, and diversity.

Select nights now through Saturday, October 30, the Zoo will illuminate the city with the glow of colossal, wildlife-themed, handcrafted lanterns.

These towering steel and silk sculptures will encompass three connected themes: the Zoo, our global species conservation partnerships, and Asian culture.

As dusk settles in, the lanterns will begin to glow. Revelers will stroll the winding pathways of the Zoo, pausing to admire the beautiful lights, experience awe-inspiring entertainment, and discover the cultural diversity of our region.

The Asian Lantern Festival is a family-friendly nighttime event that requires a separate ticket from Zoo daytime admission.
Timed tickets are available online, at $19.95 for adults and $16.95 for children, with discounted prices for zoo members.

I've written about paper lantern festivals before, and how Pittsburgh should host one on its rivers, most recently in December.

Friday, August 13, 2021

Chinese program at Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill, from September 4.

Squirrel Hill's Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center will resume its Chinese-language program from September 4.
A free trial class is given to kick the program off:

Date and time: Saturday September 4th at 2:40-3:30 pm

Starting Saturday September 11th, 2021, the class will be held every Saturday 2:40-3:30 pm, mixed with kids and adults.

Fees: $5 each class for current students, $10 for non-students.
Those interested can visit or contact the center. Win-Win Kung Fu is located at 2705-2707 Murray Ave. (map).

Thursday, August 12, 2021

"Inside Out" with Bento Boombox, August 19 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

Illustration by Christina Lee.

The Carnegie Museum of Art is hosting a series of "Inside Out" outdoors music events this summer, and the August 19 installment will feature Bento Boombox, "a dance party focused on the fusion of American and Asian hip hop, electronic, and high energy dance music."
On Thursday, August 19, enjoy happy hour in the museum's outdoor sculpture courtyard with a DJ set emphasizing Asian hip-hop and electronic music by Bento Boombox.

Bring your appetite, too! Regional food trucks and a bar created by Café Carnegie offering custom snacks, kid-friendly treats, local beers, delicious wines, and more will be on-site.

While you’re at Inside Out, participate in art-making activities for all ages.

Inside Out events are FREE, open to all ages, have limited capacity, and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Make a day of it and reserve your timed tickets to visit the museum before or after you enjoy Inside Out!
It runs from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and is free and open to the public. 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.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Fantuan / Just Order Enterprises Corp. (饭团) hiring Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist.


Just Order Enterprises (also known as Fantuan), is a delivery service catering to Asian restaurants and groceries that expanded to Pittsburgh last summer, is hiring a Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist.

Fantuan was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2014. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company is a one-stop platform providing food delivery (Fantuan Delivery), reviews (Fantuan Reviews), an errand service (Fantuan Rush), e-commerce and marketing services. Fantuan is one of the top Asian life-services platforms in North America, currently operating across Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York and other metropolitan areas in Canada and the US.

Job Title: Business Development Specialist #USHP

Job Responsibility:

1. Facing local merchants, understand the business status and needs of the merchants, combine the needs of consumers, select and design marketing and operation plans that fit for the merchants, negotiate and reach cooperation with the merchants, and promote the increase of merchant transaction volume.

2. Incorporate the company's marketing strategies, policies and marketing activities to independently accomplish performance goals.

3. According to the current market situation and customer response, the corresponding strategic direction is formulated through data analysis, and the value of cooperation with cooperative merchants is continuously improved to achieve a win-win situation between merchants and the platform.

4. Maintain new and old merchants, establish stable and high-value cooperative relations, and maintain long-term repurchases.

5. Cooperate with departments to process and feedback market information in a timely manner, improve operational efficiency, and improve user satisfaction.

Hoy Jun Park hits first Major League home run tonight.


Hoy Jun Park (박효준) hit his first Major League home run tonight in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Park was acquired last month from the New York Yankees and has played regularly, and at multiple positions, since being recalled to the team on August 1. He is the third Korean in team history to make the Pirates regular season roster.

Documentary The Witches of the Orient, on Japanese women's volleyball team in the 50s and 60s, online via Row House Cinema through August 14.


The Row House Cinema will continue to present the 2021 documentary The Witches of the Orient online through August 14.
How does a Japanese women’s volleyball team from the late 1950s become an international sensation, feminist role models, the subject of a wildly popular comic book and a still-influential anime?

This stranger-than-fiction story is dynamically told by Julien Faraut (JOHN McENROE: IN THE REALM OF PERFECTION), with an ironic twist on the original demeaning moniker, Oriental Witches. A group of Osaka textile workers are transformed into a fiercely competitive volleyball team by their astonishingly ruthless coach whose unconventional techniques emphasize speed and aggression. A record-setting winning streak and a dramatic 1964 Tokyo Olympics triumph follow. Wonderful archival footage of the women in training and on the court, animated versions of their championship games, and moving interviews with the women today are set to a pulsating electronic score.
Viewing information is available online, and a portion of proceeds benefit the single-screen theater in Lawrenceville.

New film starring Donnie Yen, Raging Fire (怒火), in Pittsburgh from August 13.


The new Hong Kong film Raging Fire (怒火) will play in Pittsburgh from August 13.
Shan (Donnie Yen) is a highly respected hardline cop with a long history of success on dangerous cases. However, his past unexpectedly comes back to haunt him when a sting operation is attacked by a mysterious group of criminals led by Ngo (Nicholas Tse), his former protégé, a talented former officer who had once respected and admired Shan. However, a terrible mistake three years prior landed him in prison, quickly turning the once rising star into a furious man with a grudge, and the will to destroy everyone who had wronged him—including his former mentor.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. The theater is located at the Waterfront shopping center in Homestead (map).

Sunday, August 8, 2021

"Artist Lecture with Atsushi Futatsuya," August 13 with Contemporary Craft.


Contemporary Craft will present an "Artist Lecture with Atsushi Futatsuya," both in-person and virtual on August 13.
Learn more about Atsushi's journey with Sashiko and its cultural importance.

Born into a Sashiko family in Japan's Gifu prefecture, Atsushi Futatsuya grew up surrounded by Sashiko artisans. He currently resides in central Pennsylvania, where he runs his company Upcycle Stitches LLC. Futatsuya hosts workshops, sells supplies and materials, and shares the Sashiko techniques and skills he has learned throughout his life. His mission is to share what Sashiko is with the world. Join us for this lecture to learn more about Atsushi and his journey with Sashiko.
The event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Contemporary Craft in Lawrenceville (map), or virtually via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required and a small donation requested.

Friday, August 6, 2021

"Have yourself an 'Oriental Ball' by coming to the mall!"


This week marks the anniversary of when Northway Mall opened its enclosed section in 1964, becoming the first indoor shopping mall in Pennsylvania. The shopping center itself existed there since 1953 and became a destination for decades, until being suprassed by nearby Ross Park Mall and eventually closing and rebranding as The Block at Northway. The spring before its transition to an indoor mall, it hosted an "Oriental Festival" in April and May 1964. The April 23, 1964 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a few profiles of the events and attractions---which included "Oriental Bombshell" Japanese-American singer Marie Misakura, dancer Joel Awai, and (somehow) rickshaw giveaways---as well as advertisements that sought to evoke 1964's image of the Orient.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Pittsburgh-based Duolingo hiring Senior Brand Marketing Designer, proficiency in Japanese or Mandarin preferred.

Pittsburgh-based Duolingo is hiring a Senior Brand Marketing Designer, with a preference for someone proficient in Japanese or Mandarin Chinese, among a few other languages. An excerpt from the job ad:

You Will...

  • Execute design and content needs for a variety of branded marketing content including seasonal campaigns, performance marketing, newsletters, social media and systems, splash pages, among additional partnership collateral.
  • Design, experiment and test creative content across performance marketing including App store optimization and systems.
  • Closely collaborate with our Design Studio of illustrators, designers and animators to bring a cohesive brand to the world across all marketing touchpoints with the utmost attention to craft and detail. This includes illustrative, typographic and design compositional craft, and some motion graphics.
  • Scale the brands guidelines and content clearly, concisely, and fearlessly through existing content and pushing the barriers of where we will be next.
  • Provide design feedback and guidance to production designers, internal teams as well as partner vendors, agencies on local and global marketing initiatives when needed.
  • Partner with other cross functional teams such as PR, Content Studio, Product, and community teams to creatively scale out brand moments through content.
  • Actively seek and openly receive feedback for your work; Give and solicit feedback and constantly strive for excellence.

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Taiwanese short film "Glitches" part of Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival, August 5.


The Annie Chen short film "Glitches" will play as part of the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival at the Parkway Theater on August 5.
A down-on-his-luck lawyer meets a mysterious woman while waiting for his delayed flight. After she admits to causing a fatal house fire, the young lawyer becomes torn in doing the right thing while learning the reasons behind her heinous crime, and becoming sympathetic to her.
The festival runs from the 5th through the 8th, but "Glitches" plays as part of an 11:00 am block on the 5th. Tickets are available online. The theater is located at 644 Broadway Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

Shirobako: The Movie (劇場版『SHIROBAKO』) in Pittsburgh, August 10.


The 2020 Japanese animated film Shirobako: The Movie (劇場版『SHIROBAKO』) will play in Pittsburgh on August 10. A summary of the movie, based on an anime series in turn based on aspects of the anime industry, from the distributor:
Four years after the events of SHIROBAKO the series, Musashino Animation has gone through unprecedented changes and things are looking bleak for the studio. One day, Aoi Miyamori is offered a role managing a new theatrical animation project. With only a few months left before the deadline, can MusAni complete the project in its current state? It’s up to Aoi to work alongside both familiar faces and new to finish the project in time!
It will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are now available online.

Monday, August 2, 2021

Screening of 2019 Filipino-American film Yellow Rose, August 21 at Pittsburgh Philippine Center.


Screenshot: Asia and the Pittsburgh Philippine Center will present a screening of the 2019 Filipino-American film Yellow Rose on August 21.
Please join us at the Pittsburgh Philippine Center (200 Church St. West Mifflin, PA 16122) for an in-person screening of Yellow Rose (2019, Diane Paragas). A Filipino teen from a small Texas town fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known. Indie Wire notes that "Diane Pagras' film finds fresh ground to explore the price and the power of the American Dream, bolstered by country crooning and heartbreaking (and very real) legal worries."
The free screening starts at 3:00 pm, followed by a Q&A session, though registration is required. The Pittsburgh Philippine Center is located at 200 Church St. in West Mifflin (map).

More dates for Blackpink: The Movie, in Pittsburgh August 4 through 8.


More dates have been announced for the upcoming concert film Blackpink: The Movie, which will now play in Pittsburgh from August 4 through 8. From the distributor:
The girl group beloved by the world, ‘BLACKPINK’ celebrates the 5th anniversary of their debut with the release of BLACKPINK THE MOVIE, it is also a special gift for ‘BLINKs’—BLACKPINK’s beloved fandom—to revisit old memories and enjoy the passionate performances in the festive spirit. BLACKPINK—consisting of JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA—has been growing explosively ever since they first stepped out into the world on August 8th, 2016, along with its fandom ‘BLINKs.’ As hectic as the past five years have been, all the memories, delights on the stage, and their shining moments have been wrapped ‘like a gift for all the fans’ in BLACKPINK THE MOVIE.
On the 4th and 8th, the originally-scheduled dates, it will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson; on the 5th, 6th, and 7th, it will play at the Cinemark in Robinson. Tickets are available online.

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Hoy Jun Park debuts for Pirates, becoming third Korean in team history.


via Chosun Ilbo
Hoy Jun Park debuted for the Pittsburgh Pirates today, going 1 for 4 and becoming the third Korean to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates in team history. Park was acquired last week from the New York Yankees and made his first MLB start today at shortstop. He is the third Korean to play for the Pirates, after Chan-ho Park in 2010 and Jung-ho Kang from 2015 through 2019, though the Pirates have had several other Korean prospects and players in their system over the last three decades.

"Hoy" is how his name has been romanized, though the Korean corresponds to "Hyo" (효). Though I don't know the details of Park's name, inconsistencies like this do sometimes happen if a family member makes a mistake applying for a passport. A Korean-language wiki, referring to another uncited article, claims the change was intentional when creating his passport in order to make it easier for non-Koreans to pronounce.

Beer distributor moving into old Forward Pathway (续航教育) spot in Greenfield.


A beer distributor is planning to open in the old Forward Pathway (续航教育) spot at 4073 Beechwood Blvd. (map) in Greenfield. Forward Pathway is a Chinese educational consultancy firm that opened in 2016, in what was previously a car repair shop.

2019 Japanese film Lupin III: The First (ルパン三世 THE FIRST) in Pittsburgh, August 29 and 31.


The 2019 Japanese film Lupin III: The First (ルパン三世 THE FIRST) will play in Pittsburgh on August 29 and 31. From the distributor:
The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and the North Hills, and tickets are available online. The shows on the 29th are dubbed in English while the shows on the 31st are in Japanese with English subtitles.

98 K Burger opening in Squirrel Hill.


98 K Burger is coming soon to Squirrel Hill. It will open at 5867 Forbes Ave. (map), in one half of the space occupied by the still-coming-soon Chatea. The Pittsburgh burger place is Chinese-owned and shares a name with two restaurants in New York---98K Hamburg and 98K---though it's not clear what relation, if any, it shares with them.

Pittsburgh Pirates promote infielder Hoy Jun Park (박효준), will be third Korean in Pirates history to make Major League roster.


On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Hoy Jun Park (박효준), who was acquired in a July 26 trade with the New York Yankees. When Park plays in a game he will be third Korean in Pirates history to play in a Major League game, behind Chan-ho Park in 2010 and Jung-ho Kang from 2015 through 2019, though the Pirates have had several other Korean prospects and players in their system over the decades.

"Hoy" is how his name has been romanized, though the Korean corresponds to "Hyo" (효). Though I don't know the details of Park's name, inconsistencies like this do sometimes happen if a family member makes a mistake applying for a passport.

Sushi Too opening Gibsonia location.

Sushi Too, a Japanese restaurant in Shadyside, will soon open a Gibsonia location. It will be located at 5330 William Flynn Highway (map).

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