Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi, October 30.

The East End Food Co-op will host "Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi" on October 30.

Learn to make flower kimbap, a fun variation of a classic Korean dish. Similar to a sushi roll, you’ll learn how the two dishes differ, as well as other interesting facts about Korean cuisine. Participants will make their own to eat and/or take home and share (vegetarian/vegan).

It runs from 6 to 8:00 pm, and is $20 for East End Food Co-op members and $25 for non-members. The East End Food Co-op is located at 7516 Meade St. in Point Breeze (map).

Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (ピッツバーグ日本協会) recruiting members for 2025 with special offers.

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (ピッツバーグ日本協会) is recruiting new and renewing members with special offers. Those who join or renew now will enjoy membership for the remainder of 2024 in addition to the 2025 calendar year, and will receive discounts on JAGP interest groups. Benefits of the JAGP include a discount on event fees, participation in online communities and a members' mailing list, subsidies for interest groups and clubs, and rental of Japanese items (including books, manga, and other goods. The text of the Japanese-language announcement:

ピッツバーグ日本協会から、新会員募集のお知らせです。 当協会は、ピッツバーグ近郊の方々の交流促進や地域への文化的貢献を目的に活動しています。新年会やピクニックなどの交流イベントのほか、備品の貸し出し、情報提供サービスなど、多彩な活動を展開しています。 会員になると、イベントの参加費割引や会員限定サービスを受けることができます。ピッツバーグでの生活をより豊かにするために、是非ご入会をご検討ください。 入会は年間を通じて受け付けておりますが、この10月に入会されると更にメリットがあります！ 10月以降に新規で入会された方は、通常1月～12月分の年会費が来年12月末まで延長されます。 ※新規入会者のみ対象、再入会の方は対象外。 2024年10月は「同好会メンバー勧誘キャンペーン期間」として、日本協会への入会と同時に同好会メンバーになると、年会費が5ドル割引されます。※詳細は別途メールいたします。 今ご入会いただくと、10/20(日)に開催予定の総会（オンライン）にもご参加いただけます。昨年度の活動報告や今後の活動計画の審議が行われる予定です。 是非、この機会にご入会をご検討ください。

And English-language text from the announcement:

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (JAGP) organizes events and online community that provide opportunities for people in the Pittsburgh area to get to know each other, and provides useful information. We hope you will join us for a more fulfilling life in Pittsburgh.

"Thursday Night Jazz: Yoko Suzuki Spotlights the Music of Toshiko Akiyoshi," October 17 at Alphabet City.

City of Asylum will present "Thursday Night Jazz: Yoko Suzuki Spotlights the Music of Toshiko Akiyoshi" on October 17.

Dr. Yoko Suzuki, an ethnomusicologist and excellent saxophonist, returns to City of Asylum to pay homage to female musicians who were unappreciated in their time. Artists featured in past renditions of Dr. Yoko’s concerts include pianists Geri Allen and Marian McPartland as well as harpists Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. With incredible setlists—often featuring original arrangements especially created for the Alphabet City stage—and thorough research, Yoko Suzuki weaves her knowledge as an ethnomusicologist and talent as a musician together to breathe new life into the legacy and music of influential female jazz composers throughout history.

This latest concert in Yoko’s ongoing series features the compositions of Toshiko Akiyoshi as well as some beloved jazz standards. The arrangements will be performed by a jazz quartet plus string quartet, featuring cellist Alicia Storin.

On the performance, Yoko says, “While named an NEA jazz master in 2007, Toshiko Akiyoshi (b. 1929) is one of the underrecognized musicians in jazz. She has been active in the American jazz scene since she moved here in 1956. She is best known as a big band leader and composer/arranger, but I feel that people don’t often have opportunities to hear her music. I worked with Alicia last year and enjoyed the collaboration so much that I decided to feature her for this concert.”

It runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, both in-person at Alphabet City on the Northside (map) and online via livestream. Free tickets are available online.

Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow (機動戦士ガンダム II 哀・戦士編) in Pittsburgh, October 16 and 20.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow (機動戦士ガンダム II 哀・戦士編) will play in Pittsburgh on October 16 and 20, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

With evacuees from Side 7 onboard, the White Base crosses the Pacific Ocean and heads west towards the continent of Eurasia. Amidst that journey filled with battle, Amuro has a fight with Bright and runs away, suffering from the deaths of Matilda, who he had feelings for, and Ryu, who was like a big brother to him. The White Base lands at the Belfast base in Ireland. It’s then that Char appears, having stepped back from the front lines. With that, Amuro and Char end up clashing in the battle surrounding the Earth Federation Headquarters of Jaburo.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The third compilation film will play here later this month.

Taiwanese chain Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) is planning a Squirrel Hill location. The US-based Taiwanese fruit tea chain recently put up signage at 5825 Forbes Ave (map), in what has been empty for a couple years but what was most recently Classic Lines bookstore. Paperwork and planning for the new tea spot---which will join Mango Mango, Tiger Sugar, Tsaaoca, and Meetcha on the same block---started back in April. Yi Fang currently has locations throughout California, the East Coast, and elsewhere in North America.

2024 film Extremely Unique Dynamic, from Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, in Pittsburgh October 12, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

The 2024 film Extremely Unique Dynamic, from Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, will play in Pittsburgh on October 12 as part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

Ryan and Daniel, two childhood best friends and aspiring actors, spend one final weekend together before RYAN has to move to Canada with his fiancé. Wanting to create one lasting memory, they decide to make a movie... about two guys making a movie.. about two guys making a movie. Along the way, they unpack their decades-long friendship and prepare for the next chapters of their respective lives.

It plays at 9:00 pm at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map), and tickets are available online.

"The Promise of Intimacy: Digital Lives of Queer Filipinx/a/os in Manila and Los Angeles" at Pitt, November 7.

The University of Pittsburgh's Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies program will present Dr. Paul Michael Leonardo Atienza and his talk "The Promise of Intimacy: Digital Lives of Queer Filipinx/a/os in Manila and Los Angeles" on November 7.

Mobile digital technologies are transforming how people communicate with one another. They offer a promise for quick and easy platonic, romantic, and/or sexual connections. With the intensification of people’s reliance on and everyday engagement with mobile digital media platforms, the study of mediated intimacies is relevant and needed more than ever before. Spanning several years of ethnographic research, both in Manila and Los Angeles, queer Filipinx/a/o men in my study complained that it was difficult to find meaningful connections through socio-sexual apps. In their pursuits of intimacies, queer Filipinx/a/o men in my study experienced frequent forms of failure, generating various affective responses that shape their actions and beliefs. In the accounts of these experiences, failure is not a totalizing experience. Nor do these experiences necessarily lead to definite endpoints. Such possibilities still create many forms of exclusions to intimacy, yet the queer Filipinx/a/o men who shared parts of their lives continue to aspire, to hope for an experience of intimacy. Some openings and possibilities inspire responses and alternative paths toward the realization of brief moments of connection, and small moments of pleasure. My study seeks to understand queer Filipinx/a/o men’s digital lives and how their experiences inform complex negotiations on and offline in the search for connection, especially when feelings are amplified and complicated by social categories of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.

It runs from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in room 2322 Cathedral of Learning.

2024 movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト) in Pittsburgh, from October 10.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト) will play in Pittsburgh from October 10.

Izuku Midoriya, a U.A. High School student who aspires to be the best hero he can be, confronts the villain who imitates the hero he once admired.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Concert film JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL - THE PARTY EDITION in Pittsburgh, October 11 - 13.

The concert film JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL - THE PARTY EDITION will play in Pittsburgh from October 11 through 13.

“Party, party, yeah!” The hit movie JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL returns to cinemas with a bonus singalong party! Experience the movie, featuring electrifying concert performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, along with 20 minutes of singalong videos for the ultimate party event in cinemas. Join together with ARMY to celebrate Jung Kook’s hit songs in global cinemas, including "Seven (feat. Latto)," "3D (feat. Jack Harlow)" and "Standing Next to You" among others. This is the final chance to see JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL on the big screen, capturing his remarkable rise to fame and heartfelt moments with ARMY around the world.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

《Invisible Nation》 Movie Screening & Panel Discussion【看不見的國家】電影放映會及座談會, October 26 at Carnegie Mellon.

The Pittsburgh Taiwanese Association will present 《Invisible Nation》 Movie Screening & Panel Discussion【看不見的國家】電影放映會及座談會 on October 26.

With unprecedented access to Taiwan’s sitting head of state, director Vanessa Hope investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. Thorough, incisive and bristling with tension, Invisible Nation is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China. Hope’s restrained observational style captures Tsai at work in her country’s vibrant democracy at home, while seeking full international recognition of Taiwan’s right to exist. （Promotion materials provided by Theorem Media）

《Invisible Nation》看不見的國家是一部由Vanessa Hope 執導的紀錄片。該片以台灣為背景，深入探討這個常被忽略的島國及其政治和社會景觀。紀錄片全面展示了台灣在國際承認方面的奮鬥以及其與中國之間的複雜關係。這部電影探討了以下主題：台灣的身分認同，政治鬥爭，個人故事以及國際關係。該片提供了一個深入而洞察的視角，展現了台灣在尋求國際承認方面的奮鬥以及政治局勢的複雜性。

More information on the panelists is available at the event site. The event runs from 1:30 to 4:00 pm in the McConomy Auditorium in the Jared L. Cohon University Center on the Carnegie Mellon University campus (map), and tickets are available online; there are special rates for students and children.

Cowboy Bebop LIVE, presented by Bebop Bounty Big Band, October 17 at Roxian Theatre.

The Roxian Theatre will host Cowboy Bebop LIVE on October 17.

Prepare to blast off into the cosmos with Cowboy Bebop LIVE, an electrifying tour produced by Live Nation and performed by the sensational Bebop Bounty Big Band. This one-of-a-kind multimedia experience celebrates the iconic anime series Cowboy Bebop by bringing its legendary soundtrack to life in a way that fans have never seen before.

Cowboy Bebop LIVE is more than just a concert, it’s an immersive experience that combines high-octane jazz with the gripping narrative of Cowboy Bebop projected on the big screen. Audiences will be transported through the solar system alongside Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein as they track down intergalactic fugitives, and make a living in the vastness of space. The band’s 14-piece ensemble brings to life the critically acclaimed soundtrack that has captured the hearts of anime fans and jazz lovers alike.

The Bebop Bounty Big Band, comprised of world-class musicians, is here to take audiences on a journey through the stars. Handpicked by Cowboy Bebop LIVE curator and band leader, Corey Paul, each musician plays a pivotal role in recreating the magic of Cowboy Bebop’s unforgettable soundscape. Paul commented, “I’m truly honored to have put this live show together and perform the genius score of Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts, along with the genius storytelling of Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop.”

Tickets for the all-ages show, starting at 7:00 pm, are now available online. The Roxian Theatre is located at 425 Chartiers Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session, October 8 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will hold its annual Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session on October 8.

Are you interested in living and working abroad?
Have you been studying Japanese and looking to apply your skills after graduation?
Do you want to make an impact on the lives of young people?
Would you like to find out where the ultimate ramen shop is found?
If any of these questions apply to you, then please join the Asian Studies Center and JET Alumni group in Pittsburgh for an information session to learn more about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. This hybrid Information Session will be in room 4130 Posvar Hall, on the 4th floor of W. Wesley Posvar Hall on October 8, 2024 starting at 5:30pm. Learn about the requirements of the JET Program and learn from your future-JET Program sempai with our JET Alumni Panel.

The hybrid event starts at 5:30 pm and registration is required; the in-person component is held in 4130 Posvar Hall.

"Chifa: How Chinese Food Became Peru's National Treasure," October 4 at Pitt.

The Center for Ethnic Studies Research and the Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh will present Dr. Lok Siu and her talk "Chifa: How Chinese Food Became Peru's National Treasure" on October 4.

Chifas, or Peruvian Chinese food and restaurants, are ubiquitous throughout South America, a region with the largest population of ethnic Chinese in the American hemisphere. They first emerged in the second half of the 1800s to service Chinese workers who settled in Lima. As chifas gained widespread popularity, they proliferated throughout neighborhoods and cities. Over time, the food served in chifas morphed and shifted according to local tastes, spices, and food preferences. Cultural proximity and intimacy among Chinese, Black, indigenous, and mestizo Peruvians helped generate new dishes. Today, chifas are considered an important part of Peru’s national cuisine. This talk examines the development and transformation of Chifas in order to illustrate one distinctive culinary formation—chifas in Peru—within the broader global circuit of Chinese foodways.

Lok Siu is Professor of Ethnic Studies and Associate Vice Chancellor of Research at UC Berkeley. A cultural anthropologist with expertise in diaspora, transnational migration, belonging and citizenship, food, ethnography, and hemispheric Asian American studies, she is an award-winning author of several books, including, most recently, Chinese Diaspora: Its Development in Global Perspective (2021), and the forthcoming Worlding Latin Asian: Cultural Intimacies in Food, Art, and Politics (Duke U. Press).

The talk runs from 2:30 to 4:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Smile Thai & Sushi now open in Oakland.

Smile Thai & Sushi has recently opened in Oakland. It is located at 253 Atwood St. (map), taking over the spot from Spice Island Tea House which long occupied the space. Signage went up a few weeks ago, and the storefront now has its hours posted (and based on what they have posted online, the long hours of operation is not a typo).

Korean singer Babylon (베이빌론) in Pittsburgh, October 20.

Korean R&B singer Babylon (베이빌론) will perform in Pittsburgh on October 20.

Babylon is a distinguished R&B musician known for his unique and classic vocal style, which has left an indelible mark on the music scene. Rising to prominence with his collaboration with Zico on "Boys and Girls," which dominated the annual charts, Babylon has since established himself as a significant force in the hip-hop and R&B genres. Each of his albums features a stellar lineup of collaborations, earning him the moniker "musician's musician."

With a career marked by innovation and excellence, Babylon recently garnered acclaim for his contemporary album EGO 90’S, which brings the essence of 90s music into the modern era. This album further solidified his reputation for musicality and artistry.

He performs at the Greer Cabaret Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets for the 7:30 pm show are available online. VIP Meet & Greet add-on passes are available as well.

2023 Philippine film Asog in Pittsburgh, October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

The 2023 Philippine film Asog will play in Pittsburgh on October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

This unique narrative incorporating documentary elements follows Rey, a 40-year-old non-binary teacher and typhoon survivor, on a roadtrip to fame. With surreal comedy and social portrait realism, filmmaker Seán‌ Devlin explores climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and the impact of colonialism on contemporary Philippines.

It plays at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville (map) and tickets are available online.

Theatrical release of first three episodes of Dragon Ball DAIMA (ドラゴンボールDaima) in Pittsburgh, from November 10.

The first three episodes of the 2024 Japanese animated series Dragon Ball DAIMA (ドラゴンボールDaima) will play in the Pittsburgh area from November 10. A brief synopsis, from the distributor:

The world English dub premiere of “Dragon Ball DAIMA”, the newest series in the Dragon Ball universe, will debut in U.S. theaters, featuring the first three episodes of the series.

Before the film, there will be a special introduction from the Japanese voice of Goku, Masako Nozawa.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, and Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh, October 6 and 7.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh will play in Pittsburgh on October 6 and 7.

Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing. Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of “Chainsaw Man”, Look Back captures the highs and lows of pursuing artistic excellence and the special bonds formed through creative collaboration. The heart-wrenching story is the stunning feature-length directorial debut from Kiyotaka Oshiyama that will leave you in tears and inspire you to chase your own artistic dreams.

Look Back was among the highest-grossing Japanese films of the summer. It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) returns to Pittsburgh, October 18, performing entirety of Amplifier Worship.

The Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) will return to Pittsburgh on October 18 to perform "Amplifier Worship" in its entirety.

In 2024, Boris will undergo a tour performing all the songs off their first album. We have already reached a quarter-century since the release of that 1st album, “Amplifier Worship”. Boris has been in constant pursuit of their own ideal “heavy” since their formation in 1992. From the outset they became like a chimera, evolving at a rapid pace, establishing a unique style with extreme downtuning and megavolume. Their broad sense of “Heavy Rock” swelled grotesquely, as it engulfed powerviolence, ambient and drone, with a trance component of krautrock and so on.

"Sogetsu Ikebana: Fundamentals & Techniques with Sogetsu Pittsburgh," October 5 at Contemporary Craft.

Contemporary Craft will host "Sogetsu Ikebana: Fundamentals & Techniques with Sogetsu Pittsburgh" on October 5, part of the 芸［Gei] : The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal exhibition running September 13, 2024 through January 18, 2025.

Create your own ikebana arrangement with the guidance of Sogetsu Pittsburgh.

3-Hour Workshop

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Time: 10am-1pm

Description: Led by Sogetsu Pittsburgh’s founder and principal teachers Reiko Nakajima and Atsumi Sewell, this session will include an introduction to the modern Sogetsu school of Ikebana, a demonstration of the process and key techniques of crafting a basic ikebana arrangement, followed by participants creating their own arrangements with guided instruction and one-on-one feedback.

Tuition: $55 + $50 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided and the practice Ikebana supplies are yours to keep!

1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 6.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 6, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

In Universal Century year 0078, the space colony Side 3 declares itself the Principality of Zeon and launches a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Eight months have passed since the war entered into a deadlock. Learning of a secret plot by the Federation Forces, the Zeon Forces launch reconnaissance followed by an attack against Side 7. A young boy by the name of Amuro gets wrapped up in the war, and by coincidence ends up piloting the mobile suit Gundam and defeating the enemy. The Federation’s White Base, having lost its proper crew in the battle, escapes from Side 7 with forces still in training and civilians both.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The other two films derived from the Gundam series will play in Pittsburgh later in October.

University of Pittsburgh hiring full-time Instructor of Japanese.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is hiring a full-time Instructor of Japanese.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a full-time instructor of Japanese language position in the Japanese language program starting in the fall of 2025, pending budgetary approval. Candidates must have near-native or native language proficiency, hold at least a master’s degree in Japanese linguistics, language pedagogy, or studies, and be authorized to work for the University. At least two years of prior experience in teaching Japanese and prior experience in teaching with the performed culture approach is strongly preferred. 

Grand Opening for Atarashi Revolving Sushi, October 4 and 5; 30% off coupon for confirmed reservations.

Atarashi Revolving Sushi opened its doors on September 16 in Robinson, but is hosting its full, Grand Opening on October 4 and 5th. Guests with confirmed reservations can enjoy 30% off their order. The restaurant is located at at 210 McHolme Dr. (map), near the Walmart, and reservations can be made online.

At Atarashi Revolving Sushi, a large conveyer belt brings dishes ($3.75 each) by your table, and diners can pull their choices off the belt. Custom orders are delivered by mini robots from Taiwan that zip along another track. Revolving sushi places are ubiquitous throughout East Asia---and larger American cities---but only arrived to Pittsburgh in September 2023 with the Kura Sushi chain.

Sushi Atarashi is a small local chain of build-your-own sushi roll restaurants, formerly known as Sushi Fuku, with several locations in the area. In addition to this concept in Robinson, it has a revolving sushi place planned for Shadyside's East End Meridian development currently under construction.

Celebrating [Pittsburgh's] Chinatown, October 5 at Carnegie Science Center, helping mark the addition of Chinatown Inn to legendary model railroad display.

The Carnegie Science Center will host "Celebrating Chinatown" on October 5.

Join us as we celebrate the debut of Chinatown Inn in the Miniature Railroad & Village®. Experience the unveiling of this new model while immersing yourself in Chinese culture with vibrant Lion Dances, martial arts demonstrations, hands-on activities, dancing, music, and more – led by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center and Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center. The celebration is included with general admission to the Science Center.

The event runs from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and is included with admission to the Science Center. There are a host of performers scheduled for the event, with a growing list online. The event centers around the addition of Pittsburgh's Chinatown Inn restaurant to the legendary model train display at the Center:

Chinatown was composed of a small and vibrant Chinese immigrant community between Second and Third Avenue that included markets, grocery stores, and shops from the mid–19th to early 20th centuries. Today, Chinatown Inn is the only remaining remnant of this bustling community.

The Miniature Railroad & Village® exhibit at Carnegie Science Center is a quarter-scale model train display that captures western Pennsylvania’s history, architecture, cultural heritage, and topography. The Miniature Railroad showcases the region as it was prior to the 1940s with 57 replicas of historic buildings.

Every year, a new model is added based on visitor voting. This year, visitors selected Chinatown Inn!

The Carnegie Science Center is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

Comedian Sheng Wang in Pittsburgh, March 6.

Comedian Sheng Wang will perform in the Pittsburgh area on March 6, 2025, at the Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead.

Sheng Wang is a comedian, actor and writer originally from Houston, TX. His first Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, released in September 2023 and was produced and directed by Ali Wong. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Sheng resides in Los Angeles and in his time off, he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm, and tickets are available online. The Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead is located at 510 E 10th Ave. (map).

2004 Japanese animated film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) in Pittsburgh, from September 26.

The 2004 Japanese animated film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) will play in Pittsburgh from September 26 through October 3, part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2024.

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the Academy Award®-nominated fantasy adventure for the whole family.

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world. 

It plays locally at most theaters and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2024 movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト) in Pittsburgh, from October 10.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト) will play in Pittsburgh from October 10.

Izuku Midoriya, a U.A. High School student who aspires to be the best hero he can be, confronts the villain who imitates the hero he once admired.

It plays locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in McCandless, and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

National ramen chain KYURAMEN (九汤拉面) also coming soon to Cranberry township.

Work began in July 2023 on what was aiming to be the first Pittsburgh-area KYURAMEN location, but one is also coming soon to Cranberry. The national ramen chain with 39 spots already open around the country has a location coming soon to the Cranberry Mall, 20111 Route 19 Suite 302C (map), in a storefront near the movie theater in what was most recently Rajbhog Market Cafe. As for the East Liberty location, the joint KYURAMEN-TBaar spot was most recently aiming for a Fall 2024 opening.

More dates announced for 2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า), now playing in Pittsburgh, September 20 through 25.

The 2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า) will play in Pittsburgh from September 20 through 25.

After his grandmother is diagnosed with cancer, a scheming young man moves in to care for her, motivated by a desire to secure her fortune for himself. Unfortunately for him, it turns out that winning Grandma’s favor is no easy feat.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2024 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, September 28.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival will be held on September 28 at North Park. From its press release:

Get ready to paddle with a purpose and join the splash of excitement at North Park Lake! Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team invites you to a day of thrilling races, vibrant entertainment, delicious food, and family fun at our Sixth Annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival. The event runs from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

Mark your calendars for a spectacular day where community spirit meets fierce competition on the beautiful waters of North Park Lake. This year’s festival features spirited races with community teams, sport teams, youth teams, para-paddlers, all cancer survivors, and dedicated breast cancer survivor teams battling it out for glory. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a curious newbie, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. 

2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once at Row House Lawrenceville, from September 27.

The 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from September 27 through October 3, part of the MTV Generation film series.

We are still not fully over this amazing and wholey unique movie. Plus it looks and sounds SO good in theaters. Michelle Yeoh as an aging Chinese immigrant who can’t seem to finish her taxes… until she is swept up in an insane adventure.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

2023 Philippine film Asog in Pittsburgh, October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

The 2023 Philippine film Asog will play in Pittsburgh on October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

This unique narrative incorporating documentary elements follows Rey, a 40-year-old non-binary teacher and typhoon survivor, on a roadtrip to fame. With surreal comedy and social portrait realism, filmmaker Seán‌ Devlin explores climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and the impact of colonialism on contemporary Philippines.

It plays at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville (map) and tickets are available online.

2024 CMU Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration, September 25.

The Carnegie Mellon University Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics will present a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on September 25.

Join Us for a Celebration of Chinese Culture!

Hosted by the LCAL Chinese Studies program, this event offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Chinese performances, including Taichi and Gongfu demonstrations. Enjoy a selection of delicious snacks, including mooncakes, while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of China. This event is free and open to the public—everyone is welcome!

It runs from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Cohon University Center, McConomy Auditorium (map).

Art Beyond Borders: The Global Networks of Satellite Art (1984–1988), September 26 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Humanities Center will present "Art Beyond Borders: The Global Networks of Satellite Art (1984–1988)" on September 26.

Hosted by the Humanities Center and graduate fellow, Vuk Vuković. Respondents include Mark Collins from the Geology and Environmental Science department and Joshua Ellenbogen from the History of Art and Architecture department. This event will be hybrid, so you can attend it either in person in 602 CL or via Zoom as you prefer.

In 1988, as Cold War tensions diminished and the digital revolution began, Korean-born artist Nam June Paik orchestrated a global collaboration with eleven broadcasting stations, including those in the Soviet Union and China, to create his final satellite work, Wrap Around the World (1988). Inspired by architect Buckminster Fuller's 1969 global electric grid concept, Paik aimed to transcend nationalism, merging architecture, design, and video to foster global interconnectedness. This colloquium will argue that Paik's satellite trilogy—Good Morning, Mr. Orwell (1984), Bye Bye Kipling (1986), and Wrap Around the World—employed simultaneous art broadcasts to connect nations across borders, fulfilling Fuller's unrealized vision.

Precirculated material for this colloquium will be available here about two weeks prior and up to the event.

The event will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in 602 Cathedral of Learning or online via Zoom.

2024 film Extremely Unique Dynamic, from Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, in Pittsburgh October 12, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

The 2024 film Extremely Unique Dynamic, from Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, will play in Pittsburgh on October 12 as part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

Ryan and Daniel, two childhood best friends and aspiring actors, spend one final weekend together before RYAN has to move to Canada with his fiancé. Wanting to create one lasting memory, they decide to make a movie... about two guys making a movie.. about two guys making a movie. Along the way, they unpack their decades-long friendship and prepare for the next chapters of their respective lives.

It plays at 9:00 pm at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map), and tickets are available online.

eaJ concert postponed: Korean-American singer originally scheduled to perform in Pittsburgh, November 7.

The Argentinia-born Korean-American singer-songwriter eaJ was originally scheduled to perform in Pittsburgh on November 7, but the show has recently been postponed. A make-up date has not yet been announced.

Work continues on Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐), planned for Semple St. in Oakland.

One of the biggest food developments in Pittsburgh this year was the arrival, or at least the announcement, of several all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurants. There have been seven announced for the area: Hong BBQ and Hot Pot in the North Hills, Korean BBQ in Oakland, KPot in Squirrel Hill, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless and Robinson, Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ for the Southside, and most recently Running Dish at the Waterfront. Though work has continued on most, only one has actually opened this year (Hong BBQ).

Work continues at 414 Semple St. (map) on Korean BBQ, which now aims to open later this year. Recently signage advertising the restaurant's hours and website went up---the website is no longer online---but ownership says an opening is not set for the immediate future. Signage for the new restaurant went up in September 2023, in the spot formerly occupied by Korea Garden, which moved to the Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District. This small strip of Semple St. is an interesting enclave of dining options in a neighborhood increasingly dominated by chains and university-owned property.

Grand Opening for Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette scheduled for September 21.

Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette opened its doors to the public on September 6, but will be holding a formal Grand Opening on September 21. From a press released issued by The Block Northway today:

We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Paris Baguette at The Block Northway on Saturday, September 21st ! Join us for a delightful celebration filled with freshly baked pastries, artisanal bread, and gourmet coffee. Experience the delectable flavors of Paris right here at your doorstep.

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024

Time 7:00 AM

Location: The Block Northway – 8011 B McKnight Road

Hours: 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. Daily

Paris Baguette invites customers to experience a fusion of Parisian elegance and delectable

pastries, sandwiches, and beverages. With a commitment to quality ingredients and authentic

recipes, Paris Baguette promises a culinary journey unlike any other. Paris Baguette brings a

touch of French elegance and artisanal mastery to the heart of The Block Northway.

“Paris Baguette is not just a Bakery,” said Isif Shah owner of Paris Baguette. “It’s a cultural

experience that rings the flavors of France to your doorstep. With our dedication to quality

ingredients and authentic recipes, we strive to transport our customers to the streets of Paris with

every delicious bite.”

Paris Baguette is actually a Korean bakery, an international chain with hundreds of locations around the US. It is the second international Korean bakery to open in Pittsburgh, after Tous Les Jours in March. This spot is open in The Block Northway in the North Hills (map), though the franchisee says he aims to open five in the area; the second is coming soon to Shadyside.

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session, October 8 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will hold its annual Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session on October 8.

Are you interested in living and working abroad?
Have you been studying Japanese and looking to apply your skills after graduation?
Do you want to make an impact on the lives of young people?
Would you like to find out where the ultimate ramen shop is found?
If any of these questions apply to you, then please join the Asian Studies Center and JET Alumni group in Pittsburgh for an information session to learn more about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. This hybrid Information Session will be in room 4130 Posvar Hall, on the 4th floor of W. Wesley Posvar Hall on October 8, 2024 starting at 5:30pm. Learn about the requirements of the JET Program and learn from your future-JET Program sempai with our JET Alumni Panel.

The hybrid event starts at 5:30 pm and registration is required; the in-person component is held in 4130 Posvar Hall.

2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า) in Pittsburgh, September 20 and 21.

The 2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า) will play in Pittsburgh on September 20 and 21.

After his grandmother is diagnosed with cancer, a scheming young man moves in to care for her, motivated by a desire to secure her fortune for himself. Unfortunately for him, it turns out that winning Grandma’s favor is no easy feat.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) at Pitt, September 26, as part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival.

A screening of the 2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) has been added to the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival at the University of Pittsburgh on September 26. A synopsis, from director Kazuhiro Soda's official site:

Gokogu is a small, ancient Shinto shrine in Ushimado, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea. Home to dozens of street cats, it is also known as “Cat Shrine.”

Many people visit the shrine for various reasons: some to worship gods, others to enjoy gardening. Some people come to clean the shrine as volunteers while others just stop by on their way to fish Japanese sardinella –– and it is the perfect place for kids to play after school. In addition, some people visit Gokogu to feed the freely roaming stray cats. Others just come to see these cats or to take pictures of them. It is a heaven for cat-loving residents and visitors, but some residents complain about the waste the cats leave around the neighborhood. Gokogu looks peaceful on the surface, but it is also the epicenter of a sensitive issue that divides the local community.

In 2021, after living in New York City for 27 years, Kazuhiro Soda and Kiyoko Kashiwagi relocated to Ushimado where they had previously filmed Oyster Factory (2015) and Inland Sea (2018). As new settlers, the couple tries to blend into Ushimado’s local community, and gets caught up in the problem around the cats of Gokogu. The filmmakers started rolling their camera to observe and depict the aging, traditional community and its spiritual center Gokogu. The result is a beautiful and cruel, simple yet complex portrayal of the universe of Gokogu, interwoven with people, cats, and all living beings.

It plays in 125 Frick Fine Arts in Oakland, on the edge of the University of Pittsburgh campus, (map) and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are now available online.

Northeastern Kitchen (东北厨房) open in North Oakland.

Northeastern Kitchen (东北厨房) is now open in North Oakland, taking the spot occupied by TW Kitchen from March 2019 to August 2024. Ownership has posted its menu online, and it includes dozens of stews, noodle dishes, dumplings, and other staples of northeasetern Chinese cuisine. It is located at 192 N. Craig St. (map).