Thursday, February 29, 2024

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).


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

McKnight Road's Hong BBQ & Hot Pot aiming for an April 30 opening.


Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, one of at least five Korean BBQ and hot pot places opening in Pittsburgh in the near future, commented on social media that it is aiming for an April 30 opening.
Looking for the best all you can eat Chinese Hot Pot? Look no further! Chinese Hot pot, also known as Chinese fondue, is a popular cooking method throughout China and other Asian countries. It’s an entertaining activity, especially with friends and family members. The broth inside the pot boils over our specially designed heaters, and you have a variety of protein options (meatballs and thinly sliced beef are popular) to add to your pot. In addition to the protein choices, you can add noodles, vegetables, tofu, and more into your soup. The broth comes in many different styles (see our menu for options). It’s quite nutritious as it absorbs all the nutrients and flavors when cooking your meat and vegetables in the broth base. You can either enjoy our Chinese hot pot by itself or enjoy it along with our authentic Korean BBQ!
. . .
We introduce our Korean style BBQ concept, which has been a tradition passed down many generations of Korean history. Our Korean BBQ experience begins by firing up the grill at your table. All you can eat Korean BBQ, choose from our vast selection of beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and various vegetables; don’t forget to invite your grill master! While there are many side dishes to enjoy Korean BBQ with, the meats are definitely the main attraction. Many of the meats are already marinated, carefully crafted by our chefs, so all you need to do is grill it up and enjoy the amazing flavors of our Korean style delicacies.
It is next in the line of restaurants to occupy "where Tokyo Sushi Buffet used to be" in recent years in the outparcel next to Best Buy on McKnight Road (map). Signage first went up in July 2023. Hong BBQ & Hot Pot has two locations in Florida and three restaurants coming soon.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) stays in Pittsburgh through March 7.


The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 22, will stay here through at least March 7..
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.
It plays at many local theaters, including the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic South Hills Village, Waterworks Cinema, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 6.


The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, which returned to Pittsburgh from February 22, will continue here through at least March 6. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in one Pittsburgh-area theater through (at least) March 7.


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 continue in a local theater through (at least) March 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.
It continues to play locally at the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley (map), and tickets are available online.

Zoom lecture by Korean artist Kang Seung Lee, February 28 with Pitt's Studio Arts Department.


The Department of Studio Arts at the University of Pittsburgh will host artist Kang Seung Lee for a virtual lecture on February 28, part of its spring lecture series.
Kang Seung Lee is a multidisciplinary artist who was born in South Korea and now lives and works in Los Angeles and Seoul. His work frequently engages the legacy of transnational queer histories, particularly as they intersect with art history.

Lee's work is in the collections of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles; The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; The Getty, Los Angeles; RISDMuseum, Providence; among others. Lee is participating in the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Foreigners Everywhere, curated by Adriano Pedrosa.
The talk starts at 6:00 pm and registration is required.

Monday, February 26, 2024

"3rd Annual Achieving Excellence Speaker Series, featuring the Honorable Cindy K. Chung" at University of Pittsburgh, March 28.


The University of Pittsburgh's School of Law will present "3rd Annual Achieving Excellence Speaker Series, featuring the Honorable Cindy K. Chung" on March 28.
Please join us for a conversation with our 3rd Annual Achieving Excellence Speaker the Honorable Judge Chung as she reflects on her career, the challenges of being the first Asian American to serve on the Third Circuit, and offers insights to those interested in clerking. Judge Chung will be joined by Professors Pat Chew, Lu-in Wang, and Alveena Shah. The event will be moderated by Dylan Kim (JD ’25), President of Pitt Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Student Association.

Judge Cindy K. Chung has served as a Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit since February 2023. Prior to her judicial service, Judge Chung was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from 2021 to 2023. Judge Chung served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania from 2014 to 2021. Judge Chung held numerous positions during her tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, including Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Section from 2018 to 2020, Acting Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Section at various times in 2015 to 2017, Domestic Violence Coordinator from 2019 to 2020, Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator from 2018 to 2020, Border Security Coordinator from 2018 to 2020, and Civil Rights Coordinator from 2016 to 2018. From 2009 to 2014, Judge Chung served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. From 2003 to 2009, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Chung served as a law clerk for Judge Myron Thompson on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama from 2002 to 2003. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School in 2002 and her B.A. from Yale University in 1997.

This program has been approved by PACLE for 1.0 hour of CLE credit. There will be a $30.00 fee for processing CLE credit for this event.
The event runs from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in 111 Barco Law Building (map).

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Screening of Untold Herstory (流麻溝十五號), in Mandarin with English subtitles, in Lawrenceville on March 2.


The Pittsburgh chapter of Cafe Philo will present a screening of the 2022 film Untold Herstory (流麻溝十五號) on March 2.
Cafe Philo Pittsburgh invites you to watch the movie . Join us on a journey through transitional justice and the ongoing struggle to defend democracy and freedom. unveiled narratives that were intentionally omitted from historical accounts, shedding light on a herstory left unspoken under a dictatorship.
. . .
在228事件的77年後,臺灣解嚴後的第37年,匹茲堡哲學星期五想邀請大家一起來反思、認識當年的沒能開口的故事 —「流麻溝十五號」;其實,我們距離那個年代並沒有那麼遙遠。
The screening and discussions will be in Mandarin, though the movie has English subtitles, and the event runs from 1:30 to 4:00 pm at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville. Registration can be made online.

Kung Fu Panda 4 advance screening, February 29 with Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival.


The Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival will present the Pittsburgh premiere of Kung Fu Panda 4 on February 29, an advance screening ahead of its wider release in March.
🐉 Attention Dragon Warriors 🐉

Join us on a Leap Day special adventure at the FREE EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE of the much-anticipated Kung Fu Panda 4!

When: February 29, 2024, at 6:30 PM

Where: McConomy Auditorium, Carnegie Mellon University 📍

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL!

But wait, there’s more!

-Before Po kicks into action, witness the future warriors in action with a KUNG FU, WUSHU and LION DANCE PERFORMANCE that will knock your socks off 🥋

-For the foodies, an EXCLUSIVE FREE BAO BUN TASTING awaits (both veg/non-veg options), guaranteed to be as delightful as Po’s dumpling dreams 🥟

- FREE MERCHANDISE GIVEAWAYS (First come first served basis)!
P.S We will be serving some delicious bubble tea too from Hungry Panda!

Don’t miss out on this epic night of action, laughter, and deliciousness! Mark your calendars and be part of the legacy. Kung Fu Panda 4 - where heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and appetites!

NOTE: You can register upto 4 tickets on your name!
Registration is required and can be made online. The McConomy Auditorium is located in the Jared L. Cohen University Center on Forbes Ave. in oakland (map).

Friday, February 23, 2024

Chinese & English Storytime, at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, March 9.


The next Chinese & English Storytime at Cooper-Siegel Community Library is March 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
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 for April 3 and May 11 as well. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

Japanese through songs: Embracing diversity by promoting autonomy, March 8 at Pitt.


The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures will host Dr. Amy Snyder Ohta and her talk "Japanese through songs: Embracing diversity by promoting autonomy" on March 8. It starts at 4:00 pm in 4127 Sennott Square (map).

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Chinese-Canadian Pop/R&B singer PIAO performing in Pittsburgh, February 27.


Chinese-Canadian Pop/R&B singer PIAO will perform in Pittsburgh at Spirit Lounge on February 27 in support of Jhariah. An overview, from her Youtube:
Shanghai born, Los Angeles transplant PIAO is the artist you’ve been waiting for. With heartfelt lyrics and a vocal range that hits both ends of the spectrum, PIAO breaks the mold of the traditional pop artist and creates her own lane. Recent Berklee graduate and multi-instrumentalist, PIAO has had the opportunity to work with talented artists and producers like T-Pain and Don Cannon to help amplify her vision and build her musical repertoire. As she develops her sound and plans to release new music, prepare to know the name PIAO.
Tickets for the all ages show are available online. Doors open at 7 pm, music starts at 8. Spriit Lounge is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

"Early Modern Kabuki: Lineage, Talent, and Print Media," February 26 at Pitt.


The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh will host Katherine Saltzman-Li and her talk "Early Modern Kabuki: Lineage, Talent, and Print Media" on February 26. It starts at 4:00 pm in 501 Cathedral of Learning.

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days returns to Pittsburgh, from February 22.


The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, will return to Pittsburgh from February 22. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Love Tea (by Bubble Bee) closes in Oakland, ending a run of Asian businesses in a building now owned by Pitt.


Signage went up recently on 229 Atwood St. to say that Love Tea by Bubble Bee has closed and to direct customers to its newish Shadyside location. The property was purchased by the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 and was home to a run of Asian businesses over the last decade, including Love Tea, Love Ramen, and Love Yogurt, a bellwether of Asian food trends in what was formerly a convenience store circa 2014. Love Tea became Love Tea by Bubble Bee last year. Bubble Bee is a small local chain with locations in Shadyside, Ross Park Mall, and South Hills Village Mall; the owner also operates Look Eye Care, which itself has locations in Ross Park Mall and Squirrel Hill.

Monday, February 19, 2024

1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) in Pittsburgh, March 17 and 20.


The 1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) will play in Pittsburgh on March 17 and 20.
This final movie version was created as an alternative ending to the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TV series, remaking the final two episodes from the series. SEELE plans an attack on NERV after failing to create a man-made Third Impact. After reaffirming both her own and her mother’s existence in a state of despair, Asuka returns and begins the counterattack. However, new enemies descend from the heavens. Meanwhile, Shinji witnesses the horrifying wreckage of Asuka’s EVA-02 while piloting EVA-01. Mass production models surround EVA-01 and perform a solemn ceremony. What does it mean to complete a human heart?
It is scheduled to play (so far) at the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Susuwatari II: a shakuhachi recital, February 24 at Pitt.


devon osamu tipp will present "Susuwatari II: a shakuhachi recital" on February 24 at the Frick Fine Arts buildilng in Oakland.
Please join me for an evening of contemporary music for shakuhachi written by composers Juhani Nuorvala, Jason Belcher, Samantha Kochis, Ramteen Sazegari, Ritwik Banerji and myself!
also making a guest appearance on this show is Christopher J Staley!
asking for suggested donations of 10 dollars
hope you can join us!
The performance will start at 5:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map). The event is free for students and has a suggested $10 for all others.

"Far-East and “Far-Europe” – Japanese and Portuguese semiperipheries through the eyes of Wenceslau de Moraes," February 21 at Pitt.


The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will present Dr. Olivia Holloway and her talk "'Far-East and “Far-Europe'” – Japanese and Portuguese semiperipheries through the eyes of Wenceslau de Moraes" on February 21.
Japanese-Brazilian relations, though thoroughly researched, do not always consider the possible influence of Portuguese diplomacy on policies facilitating Japanese immigration to Brazil. This presentation will focus on Wenceslau José de Souza Moraes, a pioneer of Lusophone diplomacy in Japan. Moraes’s writings reveal a fascination with the concept of self-sacrifice and an emphasis on commonalities between Portugal and Japan. His exemplars of self-sacrifice, especially by women, will be explored on moral and practical levels to elucidate the author’s reverent, albeit complicated, perspective toward women.
It starts at 11:00 am in 501 Cathedral of Learning (map) and is free and open to the public.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

1998 film After Life (ワンダフルライフ) at Maridon Museum in Butler, February 23.


THe 1998 film After Life (ワンダフルライフ) will play at the Maridon Museum in Butler on February 23, the first installment in this spring's Japanese Film Series at the museum.
A mid-20th Century social service structure serves as a way station between life and death. Every Monday, deceased individuals check in and social workers prompt them to select a single memory to carry into the afterlife. They have only a few days to choose their happiest memory, which is then designed, staged, and filmed by the workers. This allows souls to relive this moment for eternity, forgetting the rest of their lives and residing within their happiest memory.
The film will be presented by Dr. William Covey, Director of the Slippery Rock University Film & Media Studies program. The movies in the series are free and open to the public, but registration is required and can be made by calling 724.282.0123. The Maridon Museum is located at 322 North Mckean St. in Butler (map).

Friday, February 16, 2024

Korea's Brush Theater returns to Pittsburgh's Children's Theater Festival with "Poli POP!" May 17 - 19.


South Korea's Brush Theater will once again appear as part of Pittsburgh's Children's Theater Festival with "Poli POP!" from May 17 - 19.
Poli and Pola don't want to go to sleep. The siblings start off playing with toys in their bedroom, competing against each other to be the leader of the room, but then their imagination takes them on a surreal dreamlike journey full of surprise and joy. BRUSH Theatre uses incredible technology and special effects to transform the set from an empty room to far away islands, roaring seas, the Egyptian desert, busy cities, dance parties, and more! But the duo don’t know there’s something else lurking in the shadows… a ferocious alien monster! What will they do?

A wonderful follow up to BRUSH's recent Doodle POP, this colorful and playful new theater production uses live musicians who perform the accompanying score and sound effects, stunning interactive animations and painted projection mapping, and an abundance of theatrical imagination.
The duo performed "Doodle POP" here in 2022. The performances are at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on the Point Park University campus downtown (map), and tickets are available online.

More films added to March's Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival lineup.


The Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, running March 15 through 28 at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville, added two new films to its lineup: 2022's Lonely Castle in the Mirror (かがみの孤城) and 1979's Future Boy Conan (未来少年コナン).

The full roster of 18 feature-length films, with links to tickets, is available on the festival website. The Row House is a single-screen theater located at 4115 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Screening of Untold Herstory (流麻溝十五號) in Lawrenceville with Cafe Philo, March 2.


Cafe Philo will present a screening of the 2022 film Untold Herstory (流麻溝十五號) on March 2.
在228事件的77年後,臺灣解嚴後的第37年,匹茲堡哲學星期五想邀請大家一起來反思、認識當年的沒能開口的故事 —「流麻溝十五號」;其實,我們距離那個年代並沒有那麼遙遠。
The screening and discussions will be in Mandarin, though the movie has English subtitles, and the event runs from 1:30 to 4:00 pm at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville. Registration can be made online.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center 2024 Summer Intensive Program for kids' fitness, culture, and language training, now accepting applications; $30 discount with registration by April 30.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center in Squirrel Hill is now accepting registration for its 2024 Summer Intensive Program, with a $30 discount on weekly tuition for registrations made by April 30. Registration can be made by contacting the school at 412-336-8898 or masters at winwinkungfu.com.

Benefits of Win-Win Kung Fu Summer Intensive Program

 

Major

 

  • Learn Kung Fu, free style Chinese kickboxing (sanda) and other forms of Chinese martial arts and Chinese language daily, with strong emphasis on the basics.
  • Focus greatly on exercise and conditioning and gain skills needed for other sports and activities as well.
  • Improve your concentration and focus with authentic Chinese martial arts training.
  • Boot camp for beginners
  • Intensive training for intermediate and advanced Wushu as well as a boot camp for beginners.

China Star, bad inspections, and weird poetry.


Signage went up on the door to China Star in Greenfield on Valentine's Day, alerting consumers of a closure by the county health department on the 14th due to a shocking amount of food safety violations. Restaurants have occupied the space for decades, dating back to the Yangtze Restaurant in 1984, Dragon Palace in 1987, Yen's Gourmet in the early 1990s, and finally China Star sometime in the late 00s. New ownership took over in 2021, which seems to correspond to decreasing food safety and increasingly bad reviews.

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) in Pittsburgh, from February 22.


The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) will play in Pittsburgh from February 22.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.
It is scheduled (so far) to play at many local theaters, including the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic South Hills Village, Waterworks Cinema, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

16 feature films plus host of short films included in 2024 Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, March 15 - 28.


The Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, which launched in 2016 as the area's only festival focused on Japanese cinema, has recently announced its 2024 line-up, which will include 16 full-length films and a selection of short films, and a focus on new releases and horror films. Movies will screen at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville from March 15 through 28, and include:
A Man (ある男, 2023)
A Page of Madness (狂った一頁, 1926)
Baby Assassins 2 Babies (ベイビーわるきゅーれ2, 2023)
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (ドロステのはてで僕ら, 2020) - Opening Night
Blue Giant (Blue Giant, 2023)
High and Low (天国と地獄, 1968)
House (ハウス, 1977)
Ichi the Killer (殺し屋1, 2001)
Kuroneko (藪の中の黒猫, 1968)
Monster (怪物, 2023)
Ninja vs. Shark (妖獣奇譚 ニンジャVSシャーク, 2023) - Closing Night
Noroi: The Curse (ノロイ, 2005)
Ringu (リング, 1998)
The Face of Another (他人の顔, 1966)
The First Slam Dunk (THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, 2022)
Tokyo Story (東京物語, 1953)

More details about each film is available at each link. Not all times and events have been announced yet, but select ticket packages are now available online. The Row House is a single-screen theater located at 4115 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Japanese animated films Rascal Does Not Dream double feature in Pittsburgh, March 24 and 25.


Two 2023 Japanese animated films, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (青春ブタ野郎はおでかけシスターの夢を見ない) and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (青春ブタ野郎はランドセルガールの夢を見ない) will play in Pittsburgh on March 24 and 25 as a double feature. The films adapt volumes eight and nine, respectively, of the manga series. Wikipedia provides a general overview of the manga series:
High school student Sakuta Azusagawa's life takes a turn for the unexpected when he meets teenage actress Mai Sakurajima, dressed as a bunny girl, wandering through a library and not being noticed by anyone else there. Mai is intrigued that Sakuta is the only one who can see her, as other people are unable to see her, even when she is dressing normally or attempting to stay away from celebrity life. Calling this phenomenon "Adolescence Syndrome", Sakuta decides to solve this mystery, while continuing to get closer to Mai and meeting other girls who suffer from "Adolescence Syndrome" as well.
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in the North Hills, and tickets are available online. The March 24 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the March 25 ones are dubbed in English.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Pittsburgh's first Tous Les Jours set to open February 22.


Pittsburgh's first Tous Les Jours has announced an opening date of February 22, and to mark the occassion it has several giveaways.

Tous Les Jours is a huge Korean bakery chain with locations around the world, and the first Pittsburgh location will be at Eastside Bond Building C in East Liberty, across from the Target (map). 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." It joins Paris Baguette as two international Korean bakery chains coming soon to Pittsburgh to supplement Sumi's Cakery, the lone Korean bakery in the area.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

More progress on Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, coming soon to McKnight Road.


Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, one of five hot pot and Korean BBQ places coming soon to Pittsburgh, shared some progress pics on Facebook earlier this month. It is aiming for a spring opening and will be located at 4801 McKnight Rd, North Hills (map), the most recent in a long line of Asian restaurants to occupy the spot next to Best Buy that "used to be Tokyo Sushi Buffet."
New paint job and some interior renovations from late last year.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Yan Pang: “One-Log Bridge” Concert Premiere, March 10 at City of Asylum's Alphabet City.

City of Asylum will present the world premiere of the concert adaptation of Yan Pan's "One-Log Bridge" on March 10.

The world premiere of the One-Log-Bridge concert adaptation.


This concert adaptation of One-Log Bridge has been created especially for the Alphabet City stage and audience, exploring (through music) cross-cultural exchange as well as the latitudes of the human experience—from pain and hurt to community and joy. One-Log Bridge is the creation of composer Yan Pang, who combined elements of traditional Chinese opera and American musical theater to produce a unique show that premiered in December 2023 at the New Hazlett Theater. Based on Yan Pang’s own story, the play tells the story of an aspiring composer from China moving to America to pursue their dream. What will they find stateside? Friendship, community, and love? Or racism, humiliation, and alienation? What about both? 


A Note from Yan Pang: “My creations intricately interlace Chinese and American cultural aspects. This amalgamation generates harmonious tensions that serve as the foundation for performances addressing social justice, belonging, and my own experiences as a first-generation Chinese immigrant woman. One-Log Bridge endeavors to transcend norms, challenging expectations by venturing beyond the confines of traditional classical composition.”


This program features a concert and dance performance followed by a talkback with the performers. 

More information about the cast and crew is available online. Tickets for the in-person and streaming events are free, but registration is required. It runs from 6:00 to 7:30 at Alphabet City on the North Side (map).

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Progress begins on Hong Kong Dim Sum in North Oakland.


Progress in the way of brown paper bags over the windows has begun on the Hong Kong Dim Sum coming to North Oakland. It will open on the ground floor of the newish apartment complex, One On Centre (map), and will be run---or at least financed---by the team that recently opened Mi Fan in East Liberty. (Ownership did not respond to requests for comment.)

Latest updates on the new Many More Asian Market store opening in the Strip District.


Many More Asian Market shared some photos and updates on its long-awaited new location set to open near the boundary of Lawrenceville and the Strip District. From Facebook today:
How is everyone? 😃Chinese New Year is approaching! 🧧🧧🧧It's the year of the dragon! 🐲🐲🐉🐉Some good news : the stolen parts have finally been reordered and arrived, so the process can continue!! It is looking great! We don't have an opening day yet (it seems like every time we expect to open, something happens… so 🤫🤫🤫🤫🤭🤭🤭🤭😆). We will definitely announce it when we do open though! So stay tuned for the next update!! 😆 Happy Lunar New Year!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
In the mean time , the market at the Smallman street location is still open! We prepared many New Year specials for the celebration. Come check it out!
🥳
The new place was supposed to open earlier in 2023, but delays and theft have pushed it back. It will be located at 2767 Liberty Ave, Strip District (map).

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