Thursday, December 28, 2023

"Book Excerpts We Should Read, Talk About and Act On: Year of the Tiger," January 4 with Carnegie Library, JCC, and Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition.


The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host "Book Excerpts We Should Read, Talk About and Act On: Year of the Tiger" virtually on January 4.

Join JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s CivicCLP for a Zoom conversation based on book excerpts that can impact how we move towards reconciliation as a community and as individuals. No need to read the book; we will share excerpts and guide discussion.

 

Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life

 

Drawing on a collection of original essays, previously published work, conversations, graphics, photos, commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists, and more, Alice uses her unique talent to share an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and is free, though registration is required.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

API Month Conversation with Professor Xiang - "Last Night at the Telegraph Club", January 24 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh's University Library System will present API Month Conversation with Professor Xiang - "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" on January 24.

Join the University Library System for a conversation with Professor Lidong Xiang from the English Department to talk about "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" as part of API month at Pitt. The book received National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2021, but is currently banned from the K-12 schools and libraries in many states. 

The novel tells the story of Lily Hu, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, as she explores her sexuality and the struggles and threats her family faces in 1950's San Francisco during the Red Scare and the McCarthyism investigations. 

Professor Xiang is assistant professor at the English Department in the University of Pittsburgh. She received the Doctoral Degree in Childhood Studies from Rutgers University; and is committed to critically engaging with social justice issues regarding girls and other marginalized children and youth.

It runs from 12:30 to 1:15 pm in the 1st Floor Cafe of Hillman Library (map), and is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended and can be completed online.

1973 Japanese film Lady Snowblood (修羅雪姫) at Row House Lawrenceville, from January 19.


The 1973 Japanese film Lady Snowblood (修羅雪姫) at Row House Lawrenceville as part of its Snow Week series, January 19 - 25.
One of the most influential action films of all time, this 1970s Japanese cult classic follows Yuki — who has been raised as an assassin since birth to avenge her family. It served as inspiration for countless revenge thriller films, including Tarantino’s Kill Bill series.
Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Chinese & English Storytime, at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, January 13.

via CuriousLittleBao.com 

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library will resume a series of Chinese & English Storytimes, starting on January 13. 
Explore the Chinese language through bilingual songs, books, and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in grades preschool - 2nd grade with their caregivers. 
Registration is required and can be completed online. There is a Chinese & English Storytime scheduled February 10, March 9, April1 3, and May 11 as well. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) at Row House Lawrenceville, from December 26.


The 1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from December 26 through January 4.
Kar-wai’s break out film employs his signature crossing storylines to follow two police officers who fall into ill-fated love in a film brimming with raw humanity and irresistible energy.
Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

New Hong Kong film The Goldfinger (金手指) in Pittsburgh, from December 29.


The upcoming Hong Kong film The Goldfinger (金手指) will play in Pittsburgh from December 29.
Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong's jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the tail end of British colonial rule.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

New Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 3.


The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will remain here through (at least) January 3. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.
. . .
A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
Tickets are available online for shows at several Pittsburgh-area theaters. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) to remain in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 3.


The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will remain in local theaters through at least January 3.
Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?
It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at several local theaters, and tickets are available online.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ coming soon to Pittsburgh.


Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ is coming to Southside Works in 2024.
Top Pot Hotspot [sic] & Korean BBQ will open a 6,000-square-foot restaurant on East Carson Street in SouthSide Works. The concept has the same operator as Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, the New York-based chain which signed a lease with SouthSide Works in September.

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ is a restaurant concept that offers a combination of Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ. The chain was founded in 2010.
This is one of several Korean BBQ places set to open in Pittsburgh in 2024, including KPot in Squirrel Hill, Korean BBQ in Oakland, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless, and Hong BBQ & Hot Pot on McKnight Road.

Monday, December 18, 2023

Beginner and Intermediate Level Adult Mandarin Classes at Tzu-Chi Academy Pittsburgh, starting January 4.


Tzu-Chi Academy Pittsburgh will offer its next session of Beginner and Intermediate Level Adult Mandarin Classes on Sundays starting Janary 4.
Location: South Hill Middle School

Class time: every Sunday from 10-12:45 pm (1st Term 1: 1/14-4/7 2nd Term: 9/15-12/8)

Tuition: $120/term (Referral discount: $20 off for you and the referred one); $240 for 2 terms
Tuition includes: Textbook + Workbook

Seats are LIMITED! We will only take 16 students (beginner level 8 people; intermediate level 8 people )

Please note: It is recommended to register 2 terms because we will continue the study from 1st term to 2nd terms
.
Though classes have been offered here before, the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning - Tzu Chi Academy Pittsburgh is a new project:
In 2024, the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning-Tzu Chi Academy Pittsburgh was established, thanks to generous funding from the Taiwan Overseas Community Affairs Council. Individuals aged 18 and above are warmly invited to join us on this language-learning adventure!

Embark on an extraordinary linguistic journey by learning Chinese! Because of this incredible support, we’ve crafted an environment that goes beyond language acquisition—it’s an adventure into the heart of Mandarin-speaking culture. Seize the opportunity to not just learn a language, but to unlock a world of possibilities and enrich your personal and professional journey. Don’t miss out on the chance to thrive in a community where language and culture converge seamlessly. Join us and let the language of opportunity be your guide!
Please note, space is limited. Registration is required and can be completed online. South Hills Middle School is located at 595 Crane St. in Beechview (map).

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Kujira, specializing in sushi and sake, now open in Shadyside.


Kujira, a new restaurant specializing in sushi, sake, and whiskey, opened in Shadyside on December 10.
Hi Friend! Welcome To KuJiRa
Here, We Will Present a Unique Japanese Experience to Your Table.
Please Enjoy the Fresh Ingredients From the Ocean to Pittsburgh! Thank you

じら体験
こんにちは、友達です! クジラへようこそ
ここでは、ユニークな日本体験をあなたのテーブルにお届けします。
海からピッツバーグまで届く新鮮な食材をぜひご賞味ください!
ありがとうございました
Signage first went up in late October at 736 Bellefonte St. (map) in the spot formerly occupied by The Yard, where Dr. Tea opened upstairs earlier this year. Kujira---Japanese for whale---has the same ownership team as Bubble Bee, which has opened a few bubble tea spots around the city recently.

Kujira is active on Instagram, where you can find photos and stories of menu items.

Work progresses on Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours, coming pretty soon to East Liberty.

Work progresses on Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours Cafe coming soon to East Liberty. Signage first went up for the international Korean bakery chain in June 2023. Tous Les Jours is the first of the big Korean bakery chains to announce a Pittsburgh spot (though it was followed about two months later by another one), and will complement Sumi's Cakery, which has been Pittsburgh's lone Korean bakery since it opened in 2012.  Tous Les Jours, says its US website,
"has developed into a reputable neighborhood bakery specializing in French-Asian inspired baked goods, hand crafted beverages and bold, flavorful coffee and espresso made with the finest ingredients."
While some people may sneer at excitement over (inter)national chains coming to Pittsburgh, I've written before that I actually consider it a healthy sign and representative of Pittsburgh's growing Asian food scene, as these chains have almost completely ignored the region prior to this year. Tous Les Jours will be located in the Eastside Bond Building C, across the street from Target (map).
via @TousLesJoursUSA

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Kura Sushi in Pittsburgh hiring servers (among other positions).


Pittsburgh's Kura Sushi is hiring servers.

KURA SUSHI – Pioneers of the revolving sushi concept!

Interview for our upcoming NEW location in Pittsburgh, PA (South Side Works)

Come join the Kura Krew, a team that is passionate about food, culture and providing a unique experience!

Wages: Up to $19.00/hour after tips

*Must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply*

*Come roll with us! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r-TWg_BCAY

*Check out our Benefits!- https://kurasushi.com/restaurant-benefits

Servers at Kura are:

Attentive and friendly

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Team players that go above and beyond
  • Passionate about serving our guests
  • Working side-by-side with our resident robot server “Kura Bot (Kur-B)”

Friday, December 15, 2023

K Pop Mix Tape, January 25 at Enclave.


Enclave will host K Pop Mix Tape, a travelling Kpop dance party, on January 25. Tickets for the 18+ show are available online. Enclave is located at 1602 E. Carson St. in the South Side (map).

Taiwanese chain Wushiland Boba to open Pittsburgh location in Spring 2024.


In October we wrote about Taiwanese chain Wushiland Boba preparing to open its first chain in Pittsburgh, on S. Craig St., and today the chain announced it aims to open in Spring 2024. It will be located at 300 S. Craig St. (map), where Fuku Tea opened its second location in July 2020. The operator of this Wushiland is the Director of Operations of Fuku Tea and Atarashi Sushi, the latter an offshoot of the Sushi Fuku that had a few locations in Oakland and that opened Fuku Tea in 2015.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID in Pittsburgh, March 30.


Margaret Cho will bring her Live and LIVID tour to Pittsburgh on March 30, 2024.
Comedian. Actor. Musician. Advocate. Entrepreneur. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee. Margaret Cho’s strong voice has been lighting the path for other women, other members of underrepresented groups, other performers, to follow. Her recent television appearances – guest star on Season 2 of The Flight Attendant (HBO Max), guest star on Season 2 of Hacks (HBO Max) and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration and Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live – have expanded an already wide-ranging career, and her role as the ‘mother hen’ in the well-reviewed movie Fire Island solidifies why we all love Margaret in the first place.

As a comedian Margaret has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time, one of Vogue magazine’s Top 9 Female Comedians of all time, while CNN chose her as one of the 50 People Who Changed American Comedy. Thankfully, Margaret has more stories to tell, and her production company, Animal Family Productions, has multiple scripted shows in development for 2022 and beyond.
She will perform at the Byham Theater in the Cultural District (map). Tickets for the 7:30 pm show are now available online.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Anime/Kpop Night at Squirrel Hill Sports Bar, December 23.


The Squirrel Hill Sports Bar will host another Anime/Kpop Night on December 23.
A night of your favorite anime, Korean, and Japanese Bops | Free Admission | Toys for Tots Donations Being Accepted | Cosplay Highly Encouraged
IT runs from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am at 5832 Forward Ave. (map).

New Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in Pittsburgh through (at least) December 21.


The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will remain here through (at least) December 21. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.
. . .
A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
Tickets are available online for shows at nearly all Pittsburgh-area theaters. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Anime Day at New Dimension Comics, Waterfront, December 16.


New Dimension Comics in the Waterfront will host Anime Day on December 16.
Anime Day w/ Sandy & Lex
Saturday December 16th, 2023
12pm to 6pm
Raffle Prizes, Giveaways & Refreshments!
Lex Lang - Jujutsu Kaisen, Crash Bandicoot, Digimon, Naruto, Rurouni Kenshin, Lupin, Bleach, Avatar the Last Airbender, Star Wars, Power Rangers & Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure.
Sandy Fox - Sailor Moon, Betty Boop, Akira, Hello Kitty, Ghost in the Shell, Transformers, Disgaea, Chobits, Gran Blue Fantasy, Pokemon & Fire Emblem
It runs from 12:00 to 6:00 pm at the Waterfront shopping center in Homestead (map).

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) to remain in Pittsburgh through (at least) December 21.


The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will remain in local theaters through at least December 21.
Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?
It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at most local theaters, and tickets are available online.

Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver with Korean punk band Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (드링킹소년소녀합창단) in Pittsburgh, March 14.


The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver will perform at Spirit Hall on March 14 with Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (드링킹소년소녀합창단) . Tickets are now available online; PennsylvAsia will be doing a ticket giveaway on social media as the concert gets closer. Spirit Hall is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).


Monday, December 11, 2023

2023 Japanese movie Monster (怪物) in Pittsburgh, from December 15.


The 2023 Japanese movie Monster (怪物) will play in Pittsburgh from December 15.
When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what’s going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Artist Talks: Elina Zhang, Brent Nakamoto, December 14 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh Department of Studio Arts will host Elina Zhang and Brent Nakamoto as part of its Artist Talks series on December 14. It starts at 6:00 pm in B42 of the Frick Fine Arts building (map).

Friday, December 8, 2023

Concert film Seventeen Tour 'Follow' to Japan: Live Viewing in Pittsburgh, December 16.


The concert film featuring Korean group Seventeen, Seventeen Tour 'Follow' to Japan: Live Viewing, will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 16.
Broadcast live from Japan’s Fukuoka PayPay Dome, SEVENTEEN TOUR ‘FOLLOW’ TO JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING comes to cinemas across the globe. The group have significantly grown in popularity since our 2022 release POWER OF LOVE THE MOVIE, selling 10 million albums worldwide this year alone. Preorders for SEVENTEEN's album "Seventeenth Heaven" surpassed 4.67 million copies worldwide, a record for the boy band. The K-pop icons will showcase their versatility with special unit performances by the Vocal Unit, Performance Unit, and Hip-hop Unit, each bringing their unique sound and charisma to the stage. The release comes with full band support across all relevant channels, including project-specific shout-outs inviting fans to attend the live event.
It is scheduled to play, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in Robinson and Monaca. Tickets for the 5:00 pm show are available online.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

2023 Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) throughout Pittsburgh, from December 7.


The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) plays across Pittsburgh-area theaters from December 7. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.
. . .
A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
Tickets are available online for shows at nearly all Pittsburgh-area theaters, including: the AMC Loews Waterfront; the AMC Classic Mt. Lebanon; the AMC Classic South Hills; Waterworks Cinema; the Squirrel Hill Manor Theater; the Chartiers Valley Luxury 14; and Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson. Tickets are also available for the screenings at the Row House Hollywood. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) to remain in Pittsburgh through (at least) December 14.


The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will remain in local theaters through at least December 14.
Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?
It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Mt. Lebanon, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2009 Gurren Lagann movies in Pittsburgh, January 16-17 and 23-24.


Two Japanese animated movies, Gurren Lagann the Movie: Childhood's End (劇場版 天元突破グレンラガン 紅蓮篇) and Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars (劇場版 天元突破グレンラガン 螺巌篇) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters in January. A synopsis of Childhood's End, playing January 16 and 17, from the distributor:
In the distant future, Simon, a shy boy, and Kamina, a man who dreams of another life up on the surface live a quiet and restless life deep underground in Giha Village. One day, their destinies are forever changed when a gigantic “Gunmen” along with a beautiful girl named Yoko come falling through their village ceiling! Kamina, Simon, and Yoko break through to the surface riding the mysterious “Lagann” but the surface is nothing like Kamina imagined. Now, Kamina and Simon along with their comrades must challenge the evil Spiral King with the Gurren Lagann to bring hope to this desperate world
And The Lights in the Sky are Stars, playing here on January 23 and 24:
Seven Years have passed since the battle of Teepelin…

Humans have successfully rebuilt civilization under Simon’s leadership and enjoyed an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity. However, humanity’s increasing population triggers the emergence of a powerful enemy. This fearsome Anti-Spiral proves too overwhelming for humanity to fight back. In these desperate times, the members of Team Dai-Gurren reunite to fight once again. In this high-stakes battle, can Simon and his team pierce the heavens with the Gurren Lagann to save mankind one last time?
The movis are scheduled to play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemarks in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets for the first weekend and the second are available onilne.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Three days of Hidden Letters at CMU: World-renowned directors Violet Du Feng and Qing Zhao explore sisterhood through a secret language in China


The Carnegie Mellon University's International Film Festival will present the 2022 documentary Hidden Letters on December 7, along with two additional days of programming. The festival shares its recent press release:
The Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival announced that the film “Hidden Letters will be featured on Dec. 7 at the McConomy Auditorium. It marks the combined efforts of directors Violet Du Feng and Qing Zhao and Academy Award nominated producer Su Kim (“Hale County This Morning, This Evening”), as well as Emmy-nominated producers Jean Tsien (“76 Days”) and Mette Cheng Munthe-Kaas (“Nowhere to Hide”). Taking viewers on a journey from the past to present, “Hidden Letters” follows two millennial Chinese women who are connected by their interest with the secret language of sisterhood and their wish to protect it. Historically, In China, women were forced into oppressive marriages where they were prohibited from reading or writing. To cope, they developed and shared a secret language among themselves called Nüshu, which was written in poems on paper-folded fans and handkerchiefs. These hidden letters connected generations of Chinese women. Fascinated by Nüshu’s legacy of female solidarity, the two women struggle to navigate their own journeys in a patriarchal society. 

Monday, December 4, 2023

1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) at Row House Lawrenceville, from December 26.


The 1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from December 26 through January 4.
Kar-wai’s break out film employs his signature crossing storylines to follow two police officers who fall into ill-fated love in a film brimming with raw humanity and irresistible energy.
Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

"Leaving and Loving the Walled Village: Hakka Women Writing towards Mobility and Freedom," December 7 at Pitt.

Hakka village, by madgrin. 

The University of Pittsburgh's Humanities Center will present "Leaving and Loving the Walled Village: Hakka Women Writing towards Mobility and Freedom" on December 7.
Hosted by the Humanities Center and faculty fellow, Xiqiao Wang. Respondents include Molly Warsh (History) & Dr. Rebecca Lorimer Leonard (English, UMass Amherst). This event will be hybrid, so you can attend it either in person in 602 CL or via Zoom as you prefer.

This project builds on research efforts to explore left-behind women’s lived experiences with migration in three economically under-developed provinces (Hainan, Anhui, Guizhou) in China. Drawing from ethnographic data (semi-structured interview, participant-observation, literacy artifacts) and using mobile methods (Finlay & Bowman, 2017), I construct thick description of young women’s lived experiences with migration and literacy and explore participants’ experiential and affective relationship with knowledge of changing urban and rural places in situ.

For this colloquium, I examine how young women from the Hakka ethnic group, a historically migratory ethnic configuration, work with and against narratives, cultural rituals, literary and artistic forms, and aesthetic sensitivities historically evolving through migration. I pursue these questions: How are left-behind Hakka women’s social, geographic, and literacy mobility entangled in historical imaginary of prosperity and patterns of forced/voluntary migration? How do Hakka women mobilize such imaginaries along with their multilingual repertoires to perform and disrupt gender and national identities? I hope to share my emerging efforts to map situated accounts onto broader migration trajectories surfacing through triangulated reading of observational notes, digital photos, and GIS data.
It runs from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in 602 Cathedral of Learning and online.

2023 Japanese movie Monster (怪物) in Pittsburgh, from December 15.


The 2023 Japanese movie Monster (怪物) will play in Pittsburgh from December 15.
When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what’s going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online.

Sunday, December 3, 2023

2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh, December 11 - 13 as part of "Satoshi Kon Fest."


The 2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh December 11 - 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights' "Satoshi Kon Fest."
Anime Expo Cinema Nights invites you to celebrate TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), as it returns to theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers. On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo's nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising -- and sometimes miraculous -- connections that have brought them all together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, the December 11 and 13 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while the December 12 shows are dubbed in English.

Friday, December 1, 2023

2022 Chinese documentary Hidden Letters at CMU, December 7.


The Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival will screen the 2022 Chinese documentary Hidden Letters on December 7.
CMUIFF is honored to screen the film Hidden Letters directed by Violet Feng in December. For centuries in China, the once-secret written language of Nüshu was calligraphed on folded fans and handkerchiefs as hidden letters so women could share stories and express solidarity in a repressive era when many women were denied literacy. Confronting patriarchy, two modern women find solace in Nüshu, rediscovering connections between traditional Chinese womanhood and contemporary feminism. On Dec. 7th at 7:30 pm, CMUIFF will screen this film at McConomy Auditorium. After the screening, Violet Feng, the director, will give a Q&A talk on the film and beyond. Chinese Catering will also be provided.
It plays at 7:30 pm in McConomy Auditorium (map) and features a Q&A with director Violet Feng. Tickets are available online.

An Evening With Mai Khôi and the Dissidents, January 10 at Club Cafe.


Opus One Productions presents "An Evening With Mai Khoi and the Dissidents" on January 10. A biography, from her official site:
Mai Khôi is an award-winning singer, composer, and activist. She rose to stardom in 2010 after winning the Vietnam Television Song and Album of the Year awards as one of the first female songwriters in Vietnam. As a pop star, Khôi released seven albums in genres of Vietnamese pop and dance, and made regular nationally televised performances. Several years later she became increasingly uncomfortable having to submit her work to government censors and, thinking she could reform the system from within, nominated herself to run in the National Assembly elections on a pro-democracy platform. Her campaign sparked a nationwide debate about political participation and culminated in a meeting with Barack Obama in May 2016. Her activism came at a high price, however: she had her concerts raided, was evicted from multiple residences, and was detained and interrogated by the police.
. . .
Since 2019, Mai Khôi has lived in exile in the USA. In 2019, she was a resident artist at SHIM:NYC, and in 2020, she was awarded an Artist Protection Fund Fellowship in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh, City of Asylum, and the International Free Expression Project. Mai Khôi was an Exiled Writer and Artist in Residence at City of Asylum in Pittsburgh from 2020-2023; she has continued to reside in Pittsburgh after the conclusion of this residency.
Tickets for the ages 21+ show are available online. Club Cafe is located at 56 S. 12th St. on the South Side (map).

2023 concert film NCT NATION : To the World in Cinemas in Pittsburgh-area theaters, December 6 and 10.


The 2023 concert film from Korean boyband NCT, NCT NATION : To the World in Cinemas, will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 6 and 10.
"NCT NATION : To The World in Cinemas" marks the exciting start of NCT's journey to share their unique music and spectacular performances with the world, reaffirming their position as pioneers in the K-Pop genre. The brand-new concert film encompasses current NCT units - NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV - creating an unparalleled collaborative spectacle in this must-see worldwide theatrical event. Captured from the Munhak Stadium in Incheon, Korea, and celebrating NCT's fourth full album release, 'Golden Age,' it's NCT's inaugural group show and the first film to capture the infinite charm of NCT NATION. Alongside the main concert, enjoy glimpses behind the scenes - it's all right here! Don’t miss this big-screen concert event with NCTzens across the globe!
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Anime/Kpop Night at Squirrel Hill Sports Bar, December 23.


The Squirrel Hill Sports Bar will host another Anime/Kpop Night on December 23.
A night of your favorite anime, Korean, and Japanese Bops | Free Admission | Toys for Tots Donations Being Accepted | Cosplay Highly Encouraged
IT runs from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am at 5832 Forward Ave. (map).

Monday, November 27, 2023

"Films for the Living: (Re)discovering Juzō Itami's Cinema," November 30 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh's Film and Media Studies Program will host Dr. Joanne Bernardi and her talk "Films for the Living: (Re)discovering Juzō Itami's Cinema" on November 30.
The writer and film director Juzō Itami (1933-1997) contributed to a complete reconfiguration of the Japanese film industry as a pioneering independent filmmaker while making ten features between 1984 and 1997. Yet, most audiences only know of his internationally acclaimed work (Tampopo, Taxing Woman) before his sensational attack by a yakuza gang member in 1992, though the latter half of his career is arguably even more relevant today. Recuperating his feature films in the broader contexts of Japanese cinema and global cinematic practice, Bernardi provides an opportunity to reconsider Itami's legacy as a key figure emerging from Japan's " Lost Decades."
The talk starts at 5:30 pm in 501 Cathedral of Learning.

Dr. Robin Visser and talks on Questioning Borders: Ecoliterature of China and Taiwan at CMU and Pitt, November 30.

Dr. Robin Visser will be in Pittsburgh speaking on her new book, Questioning Borders: Ecoliterature of China and Taiwan, at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh on November 30. The talk at CMU will run from 12:00 to 1:30 pm in 340 Posner Center (map):
Robin Visser is professor and associate chair of the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She will talk about her new book, Questioning Borders: Ecoliterature of China and Taiwan. Published by Columbia University Press in 2023, the book engages with the intersection of ethnic minorities and environmental studies in modern China from a comparative, interdisciplinary, and global context. The talk will be of interests to a broader spectrum of CMU scholars, such as those who work on environmentalism, ethnicity, postcolonialism, indigeneity, and social injustice.

The title of her Questioning Borderstalk at CMU is “Indigenous Ecological Knowledge in Literature of Inner Mongolia, China.” The following is the abstract of her talk:

Indigenous knowledge of local ecosystems often challenges settler-colonial cosmologies that naturalize resource extraction and the relocation of nomadic, hunting, foraging, or fishing peoples. In this talk, I present findings from my book, Questioning Borders (Columbia UP, 2023), which analyzes relations among humans, animals, ecosystems, and the cosmos in ecoliterature by Han and non-Han Indigenous writers of China and Taiwan. I start by theorizing relationality, indigeneity, and ecological civilization, then present a case study comparing literary works by Mongol and Han writers of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China. I argue that Jiang Rong’s best-selling novel Wolf Totem (狼图腾2004) manifests “Hanspace” imperial cosmologies in contrast to the shamanistic cosmologies in Guo Xuebo’s fiction (Sand Burial 沙葬, 1988; Desert Soul 大漠魂1996; Moŋgoliya 蒙古里亚, 2014), which conveys a post-extinction world governed by what Elizabeth Povinelli (2016) terms “geontopower.”
The talk at the University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center begins at 4:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Thursday, November 23, 2023

New movie Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) in Pittsburgh from November 30.


The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), will play in Pittsburgh from November 30.
Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?
It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Mt. Lebanon, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

"In Conversation: Akemi May and Jeannie Kenmotsu" at Carnegie Museum of Art, November 30.

Yoshida Hiroshi, Evening in Pittsburgh, 1928

The Carnegie Museum of Art will host "In Conversation: Akemi May and Jeannie Kenmotsu" on November 30.

Akemi May, associate curator, works on paper at Carnegie Museum of Art, and Jeannie Kenmotsu, PhD, Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art at the Portland Art Museum, discuss the international reception of Japanese prints focusing on the works in our current exhibition, Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Lyn Lapid performing in Pittsburgh, January 29.


Singer-songwriter Lyn Lapid will perform in Pittsburgh on January 29.
A classically trained musician, unpredictable vocal dynamo, and fearless genre-breaker, Lyn Lapid asserts herself as an individual through and through. At 21-years-old, the Filipino American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist has unassumingly emerged as an unapologetic and undeniable voice for her generation. In 2018, Lyn started to build a following by posting covers of artists like Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Ariana Grande, Edith Piaf, Sarah McLachlan and many more, where she amassed over 60 million-plus views and counting on her channel. In late 2019, Lyn launched her TikTok page, building an audience of 5 million followers and over 1 billion views at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, a snippet of her first original, “Producer Man,” exploded. Produced by Dan Nigro [Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray], the song gathered over 70 million views and 8 million likes and exploded as “the most-viewed unreleased demo on a TikTok video in 2020.”

Following the breakout success of “Producer Man,” she debuted a string of viral releases in 2021, including “Itsy Bitsy,” “Infinite,” and “In My Mind.” The latter eclipsed 111 million Spotify streams and counting and paved the way for 2022’s acclaimed The Outsider EP. Along the way, she received co-signs from Billie Eilish, BTS’ Jungkook, and Sabrina Carpenter, toured with Eric Nam, Ricky Montgomery, and Claire Rosinkranz, and earned praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Buzzfeed, E! Online, Refinery29, HYPEBAE, Idolator, Ones To Watch, and more.

In June 2023 the songstress maintained her prolific pace with the follow-up, to love in the 21st century EP. She supported the project by selling out all 20 cities on her first nationwide headline tour that summer. Amassed over 700 million streams to date and with more music and touring on the horizon, Lyn Lapid has affirmed herself as a star on the rise.
The show at Thunberbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville (map) starts at 7:00 pm and tickets for the all-ages show are available online. VIP tickets including a meet-and-greet are available as well.

Monday, November 20, 2023

2003 Park Chan-wook film Oldboy (올드보이) in Pittsburgh, November 24 - 30.


The 2003 Korean film Oldboy (올드보이) will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from November 24 through 30 as part of the "Masters of the Long Take" series.
In Park Chan-wook's brutal and lucid action masterpiece, a desperate businessman has no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged, and tortured for 15 years and seeks revenge on his captors.
Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Friday, November 17, 2023

One-Log Bridge by Yan Pang at New Hazlett Theater, December 7 and 8.


The New Hazlett Theater will host three performances of One-Log Bridge on December 7 and 8.
One-Log Bridge is a new opera theatre work about the immigrant experience in the U.S. One-Log Bridge uses the beauty of voice to explore the social complexities inherent in notions of resilience, race, solidarity, immigration, and settlement challenges.
Tickets for the three shows are available online from $20 for students/artists and $30 for the general public.

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