2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編) stays in Pittsburgh area through (at least) October 15.

The 2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編), which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on September 11, will stay here through (at least) October 15.

The Demon Slayer Corps plunge into Infinity Castle to defeat Muzan. However, the remaining Hashiras and the Demon Slayers who survived Tanjiro's Final Selection are pitted against the remaining members of the Twelve Kizuki first.

It is scheduled to play locally at several local theaters, including the AMC theaters in Waterfront and South Hills, the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and Moraine Pointe Cinemas in Butler. Tickets are available online.

Opal Buffet & Bar coming to _____.

Open Buffet & Bar, from the team behind Pittsburgh's Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, will be opening somewhere in Pittsburgh. Details haven't been announced because they are running a "guess where?" promotion on Instagram. The restaurant is eyeing a 2026 opening.

2000 Japanese film Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル) in Pittsburgh-area theater, October 12, to mark 25th anniversary.

The 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル) will play in Pittsburgh on October 12 to mark the movie's 25th anniversary.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of visionary director Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale with a new theatrical release in partnership with Iconic Events. This special screening is presented in 4K along with a new interview with the screenwriter — Kinji’s son Kenta — sharing an intimate look at the forces that shaped his father and how they inspired his final film. Battle Royale is an intense and brutal story about Japanese high school students who are sent off by their government with three days to kill each other — until only one remains. With its blend of social commentary and high-stakes action, Battle Royale continues to influence modern dystopian storytelling and has inspired countless television shows, video games, and films, including the acclaimed The Hunger Games franchise. (Interview in Japanese with English subtitles)

It is scheduled to play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

5 more classic Hong Kong films continue through the weekend, part of series at Harris Theater.

Five more classic Hong Kong films will play at the Harris Theater at various times this week, part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series of films from the 1980s and 1990s.

• Peking Opera Blues (刀馬旦) - September 28 - October 6
• City on Fire (龍虎風雲) - September 29 - October 8
• The Killer (喋血雙雄) - October 3 - October 7
• Hard Boiled (辣手神探) - October 4 - October 8
• Bullet in the Head (喋血街头) - October 5 - October 7

Tickets and showtime information is available online. The Harris Theater is located in downtown's Cultural District (map). 

2025 Japanese movie 100 Meters (ひゃくえむ) in Pittsburgh, October 12 - 14.

The upcoming Japanese film 100 Meters (ひゃくえむ), to be released in Japan on September 19, will play in Pittsburgh October 12 through 14. A synopsis, from the distributor GKids:

100 METERS follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort. But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what. Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online. THe October 12 and 14 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the October 13 shows are dubbed in English.

Lao Sze Chuan aims to soft open its first Pittsburgh-area location in Cranberry later in October.

Ownership has shared new photos of the first Pittsburgh-area Lao Sze Chuan, a chain of Szechuan restaurants set to open locally in Cranberry, announcing it aims to soft open in October.

The very first Lao Sze Chuan opened in 1998 in Chicago’s Chinatown and has since become one of the most beloved Chinese restaurants nationwide. The brainchild of Sichuan-born Chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan prides itself on providing traditional Sichuan cuisine with high-quality ingredients. In 1999, Lao Sze Chuan was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as “One of the Best,” receiving a “three fork” rating that was considered a prominent accomplishment for Chinese restaurants at that time.

Although Lao Sze Chuan has flourished since humble beginnings, our mission to offer, elevate, and promote gourmet authentic Chinese cuisine and provide exceptional customer service has never wavered. Our Grade A chefs are skillfully trained in Sichuan cuisine to provide the most authentic flavors at all locations. To this day, Lao Sze Chuan lives by the mantra “One Style For One Dish, A Hundred Dishes Have A Hundred Different Tastes,” a saying that keeps our most frequent customers coming back for more.

It will be located at 936 Sheraton Dr. in Mars, in what was most recently Max & Erma's (map). Work began on the spot in November 2024. This location is coming to the area by the restauranteur behind Wild Ninja Asian Grill in Oakland (2021-2022) and Dagu Rice Noodle in Squirrel Hill (2020-2025), in addition to Lao Sze Chuan, KyuRamen, Shinto, and Dagu Rice Noodle locations in Ohio.

Exhibition Opening: Ting Tong Chang, November 21 at Mattress Factory.

The opening reception for the upcoming Ting Tong Chang (張碩尹) exhibition at the Mattress Factory will be held on November 21.

Discover our artist-in-residence, Ting Tong Chang's latest solo exhibition at Mattress Factory! A new immersive installation will be displayed on the lower floor of our 500 Sampsonia building.

Chang’s satirical gaze leaves no aspect of society untouched. Revelling in the absurd and illogical, he makes a mockery of socio-political subjects ranging from the social and ecological effects of consumerism to the functioning of the art world itself. Working across the distinct practices of immersive installation, video and theatre, his transgressive practice co-opts science, technology and history to dissect the world around him.

Chang was selected for exhibition by a panel of Mattress Factory alumni artists through the 2024 International Open Call. Artists who have worked in residency with Mattress Factory offer perspective unlike any other, one that is deeply familiar with the museum, engaged in many aspects of the contemporary art field, and invested in pushing our exhibitions in new directions.

Please note, parking is limited at our main lot at 505 Jacksonia Street, with additional street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.

The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and is free and open to the public, though registration is required. This exhibition will be presented at 500 Sampsonia Way. in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood of the North Side (map).

2025 Japanese animated movie Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl (ヴァージン・パンク) in Pittsburgh, November 11 and 13.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl (ヴァージン・パンク) will play in the Pittsburgh area on November 11 and 13.

Conditions for Receiving Bounty: Bring the brain of a wanted criminal possessing illegal Somadea to the authorities. Whether the target is alive or dead… is irrelevant. The year 2099. Humanity has overcome all injury and illness with the development of Medical Android Technology “Somadea.” Somadea grants superior physical, but by illegally modifying it, Somadea can be misused for criminal purposes. To handle these crimes, the government established the Bounty Hunter System. Registered civilians can kill wanted criminals and are rewarded with large bounties. In this unforgiving world, Ubu Kamigori hunts criminals as a bounty hunter. But one day, waiting in her home is the man she shares a sordid history with—Mr. Elegance. And so, her destiny begins to unravel. A tale woven by mechanical girls and gunpowder smoke, this suspenseful action begins! Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Director Yasuomi Umetsu and SHAFT Animation Studio in theaters only!

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Westmoreland, and the Cinemarkt theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble in Pittsburgh, November 15.

Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble will return to Pittsburgh on November 15.

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing, a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. Masters of traditional Tuvan instruments as well as the art of throat singing, Alash are deeply committed to traditional Tuvan music and culture. At the same time, they are fans of western music. Believing that traditional music must constantly evolve, the musicians subtly infuse their songs with western elements, creating their own unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their Tuvan musical heritage.

This is a reschedule of its March 7 concert and a day later than originally announced. The group will perform at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside (map) from 8:00 pm. Tickets are available for purchase in-person at Jerry's Records, Government Center, Vinyl Remains, and Rosie's Records, or online via Brown Paper Tickets (which charges a 12% service fee).

2025 Japanese animated movie Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇) in Pittsburgh, from October 23.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇) will play in the Pittsburgh area, from October 23.

For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series. Denji worked as a Devil Hunter for the yakuza, trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, until the yakuza betrayed him and had him killed. As he was losing consciousness, Denji’s beloved chainsaw-powered devil-dog, Pochita, made a deal with Denji and saved his life. This fused the two together, creating the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Now, in a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into his world, and Denji faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.

At this point showtimes and tickets have been announced only for the Cinemark in Monroeville. Shows from the 23rd are in Japanese with English subtitles, while select shows on the 24th, 25th, and 26th are dubbed in English.

4K restoration of 1997 Satoshi Kon film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) in Pittsburgh area, from October 3.

A new 4K restoration of the 1997 Japanese animated film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) will play in Pittsburgh from October 3 through October 8.

“Who are...you?” Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol, makes a bold transition into acting, taking on a role in a drama that includes a disturbing assault scene, and even releasing a provocative nude photo book. Her dramatic reinvention grabs public attention, but also provokes unease among her fans, her manager, and even herself as she struggles with the rapid shift from her days as a pop idol. As a stalker begins to shadow her, a screenwriter and a photographer are murdered one after another. "Did I kill them?" Mima begins to wonder if a split personality is gradually taking over, just like the character that she plays in the drama. Then "the other Mima" the pop idol who was supposed to have "graduated," appears in front of her…

It is scheduled to play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編) stays in Pittsburgh area through (at least) October 9.

The 2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編), which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on September 11, will stay here through (at least) October 9.

The Demon Slayer Corps plunge into Infinity Castle to defeat Muzan. However, the remaining Hashiras and the Demon Slayers who survived Tanjiro's Final Selection are pitted against the remaining members of the Twelve Kizuki first.

It is scheduled to play locally at many local theaters, including the Waterworks Cinemas, the AMC theaters in Waterfront and South Hills, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and North Hills. Tickets, and a real-time listing of theaters, are available online.

Concert film G-Dragon in Cinema: Übermensch in Pittsburgh, from October 29.

The upcoming G-Drago concert film G-Dragon in Cinema: Übermensch will play in Pittsburgh from October 29.

After eight years, the icon of a generation roars back with an epic world tour – UBERMENSCH. Every beat, every breath, every moment that will redefine his legacy bursts onto the big screen. From the anthems that shook the world – “Crooked”, “POWER,” “HEARTBREAKER” – to an epic setlist spanning his most iconic hits, joined by an all-star guest lineup including TAEYANG, DAESUNG, CL, and more. Feel the raw energy, the fire, the unrepeatable magic – captured live and unleashed through SCREENX, 4DX and IMAX.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in North Hills, and tickets are available online.

"LitFest 2025: Bringing Chinese Literature to America with Editor Han Zhang (Riverhead Books) & Translator Jeremy Tiang," October 19 with City of Asylum.

City of Asylum will present "Bringing Chinese Literature to America with Editor Han Zhang (Riverhead Books) & Translator Jeremy Tiang" on October 19, part of LitFest 2025.

Publishers, book clubs, and bookstores alike are abuzz with rave reviews for one of the season’s hottest books: Yueran Zhang’s Women, Seated. The riveting story shines a spotlight on a powerful Chinese family’s fall from grace, detailing a world of luxury, wealth, and around-the-clock service, with secrets hidden in every shadow. Full of drama and intrigue most American audiences are chomping at the bit for, one could almost forget that this bestseller likely wouldn’t have made it to a front-of-store display without the work of editor Han Zhang and translator Jeremy Tiang. 

Two remastered BTS concert films, from 2019 and 2021, in Pittsburgh-area theaters this week.

Two remastered BTS concert films will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters this week. BTS 2019 WORLD TOUR ‘LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF’ LONDON Remastered plays October 1 and 5:

A breathtaking expression of true love and the meaning of existence beneath a star-filled sky—A breathtaking expression of true love and the meaning of existence beneath a star-filled sky—. A powerful blend of emotion and energy, brought to life through top-notch production and stunning LED visuals. This historic night marked BTS as the first Korean act to headline London’s Wembley Stadium, and their heartfelt voices that once echoed across the globe now come vividly alive on screen.

BTS 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO Remastered plays October 2 and 5.

A one-of-a-kind “FESTA” that transcended time and space, uniting BTS and ARMY as one — A spectacular open-air performance that captured the spirit of a true festival. The warmth and joy of their 8th anniversary celebration return to the screen, as vibrant and unforgettable as ever.

The movies are scheduled to play int the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

TWICE documentary ONE IN A MILL10N in Pittsburgh area, from October 20.

The 2025 documentary on Korean group TWICE, ONE IN A MILL10N, plays in the Pittsburgh area from October 20.

In 2015, with the greeting “One in a million, TWICE!”, a new K - pop group stepped on to the world stage. From chart - topping anthems like “CHEER UP,” “TT,” “What is Love?,” "FANCY,” and “Feel Special”, TWICE captured hearts far beyond Korea, becoming a global phenomenon. This documentary follows their decade - long journey — countless hours of dedication, the dazzling spotlight of worldwide tours, and candid reflections on their growth, friendship, and even their dreams for the future. For ten years, brighter than any stage light, ‘ONCE’ has been at the very heart of their story. Through never - before - seen interviews and the heartfelt process of preparing a 10th anniversary celebration, the film reveals what TWICE has truly meant to one another — and to the fans who have walked beside them. On their 10th anniversary, 〈 ONE IN A MILLI0N 〉 comes to the screen, revealing the true reason behind the existence of TWICE — a group like no other.

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

7 more classic Hong Kong films this week, part of series at Harris Theater.

Seven more classic Hong Kong films will play at the Harris Theater at various times this week, part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series of films from the 1980s and 1990s.

• A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂) - September 29 - October 3
• City on Fire (龍虎風雲) - September 29 - October 8
• A Chinese Ghost Story 2 (倩女幽魂 II：人間道) - September 30
• A Better Tomorrow 3: Love & Death in Saigon (英雄本色3-夕陽之歌) - September 30
• A Chinese Ghost Story 3 (倩女幽魂 III：道道道) - October 1
• The Killer (喋血雙雄) - October 3 - October 7
• Hard Boiled (辣手神探) - October 4 - October 8
• Bullet in the Head (喋血街头) - October 5 - October 7

The final movie plays on October 5. Tickets and showtime information is available online. The Harris Theater is located in downtown's Cultural District (map)

Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 hiring a Japanese teacher.

Pittsburgh Obama 6-12, a public middle and high school in East Liberty, is hiring a Japanese teacher. The job ad is not especially descripted for this particular role, but is as follows; those interested in applying should do so via the posting:

The position of teacher is directly supervised by the School Principal and is responsible for effectively educating and supporting students by ensuring they are learning academically, developing strong character, and gaining skills that prepare them for college and career. The teacher is responsible for planning lessons that target specific skills, managing classroom behavior, and engaging students in lessons. The position of teacher cultivates student’s interest in education and incorporates culturally responsive pedagogy into their classroom.

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at Pitt, October 3.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and Global Hub will host a Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on October 3 from 12:00 pm.

中秋快乐!
추석 잘 보내세요!
Chúc Mừng Tết Trung thu!
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Come celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival with the Asian Studies Center! Enjoy snacks and crafts during this cultural holiday. Event is open to the Pitt community and the public.

It will be held at the Global Hub, located on the 1st floor of Posvar Hall (map).

Next monthly Chinese & English Storytime for kids at Cooper-Siegel Library in Fox Chapel, October 4.

The monthly Chinese-English Storytime continues at the Cooper-Siegel Library in Fox Chapel will hold its next session on October 4.

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. This program occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Please register for all dates you plan to attend.

The event runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 am in the Verne C. Koch Program Room. Future sessions are scheduled for November 1, December 6, January 3, and beyond.  (There are also Chinese-English Storytimes scheduled for October 18, November 15, December 20, January 17, and beyond, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, at the Sharpsburg Community Library.) Registration is required and can be completed online for each session. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

1986 Hong Kong film Peking Opera Blues (刀馬旦) in Pittsburgh, September 28 - October 6, part of Hong Kong Cinema Classics series.

The 1986 Hong Kong film Peking Opera Blues (刀馬旦) will play in Pittsburgh from September 28 through Octoer 6, part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series at the Harris Theater featuring 11 Hong Kong films from the 1980s and 1990s.

Perhaps no other film better displays the blink-and-you-miss-it inventiveness of Tsui Hark than Peking Opera Blues. It isn’t just one of the greatest Hong Kong action movies of all time, or merely an exquisite combination of political history and gender-defying performance. Tsui’s enthralling balance of tone, editing patterns, and comedic role-playing means the film is all of these things at warp speed, a dazzling expression of genre multiplicity that shifts between modes moment to moment. This flexibility extends to the cast: three women (Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh, and Cherie Chung), a spy, an actor, and a musician, are assuming roles to survive the violent end of the Qing Dynasty, aligning themselves with warlords, revolutionaries, seducers, and friends. Each identity opens up traps, expectations, and freedoms. Whether on the stage or in a melee, this is a film that plays out under a ruthless and overwhelming urge to execute the perfect stunt—both for laughs and for something deadly serious.

Tickets are available online. Two other Hong Kong films play there this weekend as part of the series: A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) from the 27th, and A Better Tomorrow 2 (英雄本色2) one day only on the 28th. These, and the other films to comprise the Hong Kong Classics series, play at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at Ross Park Mall, October 4.

via @HellyKittyCafeTruck

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will return to Ross Park Mall on October 4.

Hello Pittsburgh! The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Ross Park Mall on Saturday, 10/4! Come say hello to us near The Cheesecake Factory & LL Bean between 10am-7pm and pick up some supercute treats & merch, while supplies last! See you there!

More information about the truck and its tours available via Sanrio. Ross Park Mall is located in Ross Township in the North Hills, just off McKnight Road (map).

Work continues on Paris Baguette in Shadyside.

Work continues on the Paris Baguette cafe and bakery coming to Shadyside. It was first announced for Walnut Street in January 2024, back before the region's first Paris Baguette opened in the Norh Hills. The Shadyside location will be located at 5514 Walnut St., in what was William Sonoma until January 2022. In 2024, the year both locations were set to open in Pittsburgh, the franchisee announced plans to open five Paris Baguette cafes in the area.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 250 locations across the United States. The menu boasts a wide variety of cakes, baked goods, sandwiches, juices, and coffees, in addition its eponymous French bread.

Phipps Conservatory Fall Flower Show "Visions of Japan" opens October 4 and runs through October 26.

The Fall Flower Show "Visions of Japan" opens October 4 at Phipps.

Starting Sat., Oct. 4, Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Visions of Japan celebrates the prominence of the chrysanthemum in Japanese culture through vibrant autumnal displays. Mums in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors will be presented alongside evocative props including jewel-toned fans, a moon gate, a pagoda, foot bridges and a celebratory ryuu, or dragon, whose brightly colored body floats from end to end of the glasshouse’s iconic Sunken Garden. These mums will be grown using traditional Japanese techniques like disbud and cascade.

The narrative will focus on how the human-nature connection is manifested in Japan. Highlights include the joyous festivals (aki matsuri) and parades that celebrate the autumn harvest season, the symbolism of chrysanthemums in Japanese garden culture and more. Broadly, the show presents an opportunity to discuss some of the unique strategies originated in Japan to promote horticulture as therapeutic, including Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).

2025 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, September 27 at North Park.

The 2025 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival will be held on September 27 at North Park. The event runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on North Park Lake (map), and in addition to the races that support breast cancer survivors, there will be a lion dance, food trucks, vendors, and activitiy tables including the Chinese Heritage Room (from the Pitt Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Program), OCA, the Pittsburgh Chinese School, and the Pittsburgh Taoist Tai Chi Society. The eye dotting ceremony begins at 8:20 am with Allen Peng of the Organization of Chinese Americans and first race begins at 9:10 am. The event is free for spectators.

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session, October 2 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will hold its annual Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session on October 2.

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 2, 2025 starting at 6:00pm. 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 6:00 pm and registration is required; the in-person component is held in 4130 Posvar Hall.

Pitt Surplus auctioning Japanese kei van.

The University of Pittsburgh Surplus Property is auctioning a 2000 Mitsubishi Minicab Microvan GD-U62V that had been used by Pitt-Johnstown dining.

Used. Runs but has extensive rust issues.

2025 Chinese film The Botanist (植物学家) at University of Pittsburgh, September 26, part of SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

The 2025 Chinese film The Botanist (植物学家) will play in Pittsburgh on September 26, part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

In a village in a remote valley on the northern border of Xinjiang, China, a lonely Kazakh boy named Arsin (Jahseleh Yesi) nurses fading memories of his family. He finds solace in the company of plants. The arrival of Meiyu (Ren Zihan), a Han Chinese girl, is like the discovery of a plant he has never seen before, bringing him comfort and a strange sense of wonder. Together, they grow like two distinct species, rooted in a shared corner of the world, imagining the valley as an endless ocean. But one day, Arsin learns that Meiyu will be moving to Shanghai, which is 4,792 kilometers away – a distance he struggles to comprehend. She is headed to a city where the ocean actually exists. Arsin is left alone to grapple with the quiet shifts in their small, fragile world.

The show starts at 1:00 pm in G24 Cathedral of Learning. Tickets are available online, and remain free for those with a Pitt ID.

2024 Taiwanese film Daughter's Daughter (女兒的女兒) in Pittsburgh, September 27, part of SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

The 2024 Taiwanese film Daughter's Daughter (女兒的女兒) will play in Pittsburgh on September 27, art of the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

Jin Aixia (Silvia Chang) has two daughters, but Emma (Karena Lam), who grew up in New York, and Fan Zuer (Eugenie Liu), who grew up in Taipei, never knew about each other until well into adulthood. When Zuer and her partner decide to try and get pregnant via in vitro fertilization, they wind up travelling to the US for treatments. Tragically, the couple die there in an accident, but their embryo remains alive and well — and Aixia is left as its legal guardian. Arriving in New York overwhelmed with grief, she is faced with the choice to donate, terminate, or find a surrogate for the embryo. But after a life spent feeling like she’s fallen short as a mother, who is she to decide what to do with her deceased daughter’s unborn child?

2024 Toronto International Film Festival Platform Award winner, 2024 Golden Horse winner, best original screenplay.

The movie starts at 1:00 pm in 125 Frick Fine Arts in Oakland (map); please note the room change, which is not reflected on the ticketing page. Tickets are available online.

2024 film Winter in Sokcho, September 25 at Harris Theater.

The 2024 film Winter in Sokcho will play in Pittsburgh on September 25, part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

In Sokcho, a small seaside village in South Korea, a young woman, Soo-Ha (Bella Kim), lives in a bit of a rut, rhythmed by visits to her mother, a fishmonger, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Jun-Ho (Gong Doyu). When a French man named Yan Kerrand (Roschdy Zem) arrives in the boarding house where Soo-Ha works, it awakens within her questions about her own identity, and that of her French father, about whom she knows almost nothing. As winter settles over the town, Soo-Ha and Kerrand will observe and gauge each other, trying to communicate any way they can – through cooking for one and drawing for the other – delicately weaving a fragile bond between them.

Tickets are free for those with a Pitt ID card---registration and promo code required---and $11 for everyone else. The movie begins at 6:00 pm at the Harris Theaer in downtown's Cultural District (map).

"Chinese Mid-Autumn and Global Food Festival" at Carnegie Mellon University, October 1.

The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics’ Chinese Studies program at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh’s Organization of Chinese Americans will present the 2025 Chinese Mid-Autumn and Global Food Festival on October 1.

Celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and explore culinary traditions from around the world at this vibrant cultural event!

Free and open to the public, attendees will enjoy live performances that showcase music, dance and storytelling from East Asian cultures. Sample delicious global cuisine, connect with the greater-CMU community and take part in a joyful evening of community, culture and conversation. All are welcome — come hungry and curious!

The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Cohon University Center's Rangos Ballroom on the Carnegie Mellon campus in Oakland (map), and is free and open to the public.

Free "We Learn: Basic Japanese Language and Culture," Fridays at downtown Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, from October 3.

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

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's downtown branch will host "We Learn: Basic Japanese Language and Culture" on Fridays from October 3 through November 7, after the previous session ended on June 6.

Enjoy learning the basics of the Japanese language and culture from a certified, native Japanese instructor. We will learn greetings, etiquette and manners, survival phrases for traveling to Japan, visiting interesting tourist locations, and ordering food and shopping. We will also learn reading and writing – Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, Emoji, Anime and Manga. Each session is designed to be interactive and fun. The agenda can vary based on the interests of the students.

 

We Learn groups are volunteer-facilitated peer learning groups. We Learn Groups meet in person but use a hybrid model with online learning materials. This Group meets on Fridays: Oct 3, Oct 10, Oct 17, Oct 24, Oct 31, Nov 7.

Registration is required and can be completed online. The classes run from 11:00 am, and the library is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編) stays in Pittsburgh area through (at least) October 2.

The 2025 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編), which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on September 11, will stay here through (at least) October 2.

The Demon Slayer Corps plunge into Infinity Castle to defeat Muzan. However, the remaining Hashiras and the Demon Slayers who survived Tanjiro's Final Selection are pitted against the remaining members of the Twelve Kizuki first.

It is scheduled to play locally at many local theaters, including the Waterworks Cinemas, the AMC theaters in Waterfront and South Hills, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and North Hills. Tickets, and a real-time listing of theaters, are available online.

KPOP CLUB NIGHT with DJ Chen returns to Pittsburgh, October 3.

KPOP CLUB NIGHT with DJ Chen will return to Pittsburgh on October 3.

Come and get it! Get ready for Round 2 in PGH at AVALON SOCIAL!! Join mixmaster DJ CHEN and the world-famous Kpop Club Night crew on October 3rd to sing and dance our hearts out!

This is a 21+ event. 
Doors open 10pm, curfew 2:00 am.
Physical government issued ID required. 
No Refunds. Tickets are transferrable.

Tickets are available online for $26.50. Avalon Social is a club located at 1601 E. Carson St. in the South Side (map) in what was most recently Foxtail.

BTS 2017 Live Trilogy EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR THE FINAL Remastered in Pittsburgh, September 25 and 28.

The concert film BTS 2017 Live Trilogy EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR THE FINAL Remastered will play in Pittsburgh on September 25 and 26, part of a four-movie series of BTS concerts.

BTS cemented their global status with their first Billboard Music Award win, and their meteoric rise is powerfully captured in . Individual and unit performances reveal a spectrum of charms through velvety vocals and poetic rap, while the electrifying performances of “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “DNA,” and “MIC Drop” showcase the tour’s expanded scale! A pivotal chapter in BTS’s journey unfolds vividly on screen.

It plays locally at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Hong Kong film A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) in Pittsburgh, September 27 - October 2; A Better Tomorrow 2 (英雄本色2) here September 28, intersecting SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Fest and Hong Kong Classics series.

The Hong Kong films A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) and A Better Tomorrow 2 (英雄本色2) will play in Pittsburgh this weekend, part of the Hong Kong Cinema Classics series at Harris Theater. 

A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) plays in Pittsburgh September 27 through October 2, with the opening screening coinciding with the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival, for which Pitt students, faculty, and staff may receive free tickets.

2025 Thai film A Useful Ghost (ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ) in Pittsburgh, September 26, part of SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

The 2025 Thai film A Useful Ghost (ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ) will play in Pittsburgh on September 26, part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

At the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week winner A Useful Ghost (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, 2025), we learn that March (Wisarut Himmarat) has lost his beloved wife Nat (Davika Hoorne), whose work in the family factory has left her—and many other workers—poisoned. Their relationship gets a second chance, however, when she comes back to him, reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner. His family is less pleased by her reincarnation and finds their rather unconventional love disturbing. Anxious to be the good daughter-in-law again, Nat decides to become useful by setting herself against the other ghosts who have revenge on their minds. As she becomes involved in banishing other spirits, the question of a ghost’s usefulness clashes with Thailand’s recent authoritarian history. With its tonal shifts and fractious genre changes, A Useful Ghost should not work. But the fact that it does—and does so brilliantly—is a credit to the debut film director’s sense of humor and razor-sharp political vision.  

Toronto International Film Festival 2025, Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize 2025

Content warning: Nudity, Sexual Scenarios, Violence

Tickets are free for those with a Pitt ID card---registration and promo code required---and $11 for everyone else. The movie begins at 7:00 pm at the Harris Theaer in downtown's Cultural District (map).

2025 Japanese film Mixed Modern (The Longing) (ミックスモダン), followed by Director Q & A, September 25, part of SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

The 2025 Japanese film Mixed Modern (The Longing) (ミックスモダン), followed by Director Q & A, will play in Pittsburgh on September 25, part of this year's SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

Hiro yuki (Toshizo Fujiwara) and his wife Sono ko (Rino Tsuneishi) run an okonomiyaki restaurant which employs ex-youth offenders to help support their rehabilitation. Since an incident with a former employee a year ago, Hiro has been hounded by hate speech online. Nevertheless, he sticks to his principles at the restaurant. When he interviews the 18-year-old Yuto (Daiki Ido) in the detention center, the young man tells him: “I want the chance to start over!”, and Hiro hires him. After receiving his first pay packet, Yuto returns to his hometown to buy his father a gift but discovers that he has left town. Yuto’s mother already abandoned him when he was a child and now his father is gone, too. While out at a club, Yuto becomes fascinated with Yukiha (Sasha), a 17-year-old dancer at the club who was also recently released from juvenile detention.

Tickets are free for those with a Pitt ID card---registration and promo code required---and $11 for everyone else. The movie begins at 8:00 pm at the Harris Theaer in downtown's Cultural District (map).

New designs for Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba, set to open in new Shadyside complex in March 2026.

New renderings show the design for a joint Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba space in The Meridian, a residential and retail space under construction in Shadyside. The combined sushi and bubble tea space was announced in Summer 2024, and will join Giant Eagle Market District, Shake Shack, Cava, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, and Meridian Nail Bar, along with 231 apartments at the corner of Shady and Penn Avenues (map).

Free screening of 2024 Japanese horror film Missing Child Videotape (ミッシング・チャイルド・ビデオテープ), September 23, part of SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

SCREENSHOT: Asia will present a free screening of the 2024 Japanese horror film Missing Child Videotape (ミッシング・チャイルド・ビデオテープ) on September 23, part of this year's SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival around the city of Pittsburgh.

In the feature film debut of director Kondo Ryota, winner of the Grand Prize at the Japan Horror Film Competition, and produced by legendary J-Horror director, Shimizu Takashi, this film’s quiet horror allows viewers to experience slow-burning dread trapped in the coarse image of a VHS tape. One day, Keita (Rairu Sugita) unexpectedly receives an old videotape from his mother. As the tape plays, the grainy images reveal the moment of his brother’s mysterious disappearance years earlier forcing Keita to reckon with a past he has long tried to forget. As unforgettable and ghastly as this revelation might be, Keita decides to confront the incident once more and retrace the past, heading to the ruins of a mountain that should never have existed.

Tickets are free but registration is required. The 7:00 pm screening will be held at Kelly Strayhorn Theater's Alloy Studios in East Liberty (map).

Concert film BTS 2016 Live The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue Remastered in Pittsburgh, September 24 and 28, part of BTS film series.

The concert film BTS 2016 Live The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue Remastered will play in Pittsburgh on September 24 and 28, the first in a series of BTS concert films playing in Pittsburgh-area theater this fall.

The grand finale of “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life” series by BTS, where the story of youth shines brightest— it’s . From the lingering tenderness of “Autumn Leaves” and “Butterfly” to the explosive performances of “FIRE,” “Save ME,” and “EPILOGUE: Young Forever,” the story of youth that defined BTS as we know today, is vividly brought to life on screen!

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

4K remaster of 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) in Pittsburgh, September 27.

The 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) will play in PIttsburgh on September 27, part of the Harris Theater's International Art House Classics series.

A cult favorite and a hidden gem of Japanese cinema, Linda Linda Linda returns in a stunning 4K remaster to celebrate its 20th anniversary!

In a quiet provincial town, a high school festival is just days away when an unexpected setback threatens a student rock band’s performance. The group’s guitarist suffers a finger injury, and tensions within the band lead to their vocalist quitting. Left in disarray, the remaining three members—Kei (Yu Kashii), Kyoko (Aki Maeda), and Nozomi (Shiori Sekine)—find themselves at a crossroads. On a whim, they invite Son (Bae Doona), a Korean exchange student with little musical experience, to take on the role of lead singer. Together, they form a makeshift cover band dedicated to performing Linda Linda by The Blue Hearts. As they rehearse tirelessly in the days leading up to the festival’s grand finale, their journey becomes one of unexpected friendships, quiet perseverance, and the exhilarating spirit of youth. Featuring music by James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins).

Tickets for the 2:00 pm show are available online. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Pom Poko (平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ), Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), Only Yesterday (おもひでぽろぽろ), and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) at Row House Cinema for Takahata Week, from September 26.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present four Japanese animated films in "a celebration of Isao Takahata – one of Japan’s greatest directors/screenwriters" from September 26 through October 2. Pom Poko (平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ), Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), Only Yesterday (おもひでぽろぽろ), and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) will comprise this fall's Takahata Week. Special evens for this week consist of "Tissues with Grave of the Fireflies on September 27th and a one-evening-only showing of The Tale of Princess Kaguya on October 2. Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

“Against the Odds: The Professional Struggles of U.S. K–12 Chinese Teachers in a Constrained System," September 24 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will host “Against the Odds: The Professional Struggles of U.S. K–12 Chinese Teachers in a Constrained System” on September 24 as its first colloquium of the year.

Dr. [Yi] Xu will share insights from her study of over 200 Chinese language educators across the U.S., exploring the systemic and professional challenges they face and offering recommendations for support.

The talk runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in 501 Cathedral of Learning.

Took Took 98 in Squirrel Hill closed by health department after damning inspection.

Took Took 98 in Squirrel Hill has been ordered closed by the Allegheny County Health Department after an inspection that revealed damning, and disgusting, food safety and cleanliness violations. The list of violations include dead rodents in the basement; rodent droppings in rice; the phrase "too many rodent droppings to count" throughout many places and surfaces in the kitchen; cross contamination and improper holding temperatures; and, among others:

During rodent dropping clean-up, employee observed placing finger of gloved hand in mouth. Inspector observed employee cleaning up rodent dropping wearing the same gloves immediately before observing contact with mouth. Inspector ordered employee to change gloves and wash hands. Gloves not changed. Inspector ordered person-in-charge to order employee to remove gloves and wash hands

Umai Thai & Sushi to soft open today in Bellevue.

Umai Thai & Sushi will hold its soft opening today in Bellevue from 4:00 pm. It is located at 172 Lincoln Ave (map), in the spot occupied by Thai Tamarind until it relocated to 513 Lincoln Ave., a few blocks away, and rebranded as Thai Tamarind Noodle & Rice in June. A menu is available online for the restaurant, which draws its name from a Japanese word meaning delicious, and offers a variety of Thai entrees and sushi platters, plus bento boxes, soups, rolls, poke, ramen, and many other Asian dishes.