Enson Market, previously known as Fresh International Market, and Ineffable Cà Phe soft opening today, June 7.

Enson Market and Ineffable Cà Phê will soft open in Point Breeze's Rockwell Park today, June 7. Previously going by its parent company name Fresh International Market, Enson Market "will bring fresh groceries, prepared foods, and Asian-inspired dishes to the heart of Point Breeze North," according to the latest press release.

Located inside the historic Apollo building at 7511 Thomas Blvd, the 40,000 square foot space has been fully restored and reimagined as a modern grocery and café destination. It’s a big moment for the neighborhood—and for anyone looking for quality ingredients, ready-to-eat meals, and something a little different for dinner.

. . .

Enson Market will offer a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and seafood, along with everyday grocery items and unique international finds. You’ll find snacks, sauces, and prepared foods that introduce new flavors, while still being able to shop for your regular weekly staples—all in one place.

With a fresh bakery, hot food counter, and grab-and-go meals like sushi and spring rolls, the store is set up for convenience, discovery, and everyday use.‍

Just beyond the grocery aisles, Ineffable Cà Phê adds another layer to the experience. Known for its original Lawrenceville location, the café will serve Vietnamese coffee, bánh mì, phở, rice bowls, and weekend brunch. It’s a place to grab breakfast, meet a friend, or wind down with a beer or glass of wine.

The release did not give an explanation for the new name, which had been used in recent weeks on job advertisements for the store. The Pittsburgh branch of this US-based chain of Asian grocery stores was first announced for Pittsburgh in March 2023 with a Summer 2024 target, and will be among the largest Asian groceries in the region. It had previously announced openings for February, April, May, and June 6. It will be located at 7511 Thomas Blvd. (map), and the cafe will be open today 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (the grocery store did not provide its hours).

Documentary Nurse Unseen at Pitt, May 30.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh will present a screening of the 2023 documentary Nurse Unseen on May 30. From the documentary's website:

NURSE UNSEEN explores the little-known history and humanity of the unsung Filipino nurses who risked their lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic while facing a resurgence of anti-Asian hate in the streets.

The movie starts at 6:30 pm in 121 Lawrence Hall (map), will be accompanied by snacks from FAAP, and will be followed by a discussion.

Fresh International Market and Ineffable Cà Phê aiming for May 30 soft opening in Point Breeze.

Photo via Ineffable Cà Phê. 

Fresh International Market and Ineffable Cà Phê are aiming for a May 30 soft opening, if all goes according to the latest plan. Fresh International Market, a US-based chain of Asian grocery stores, was first announced for Pittsburgh in March 2023 with a Summer 2024 target, and the 23,000 square foot store would be among the largest Asian groceries in the region. The Vietnamese coffee shop Ineffable Cà Phê, which currently has a spot in Lawrenceville, was later linked to the site, as Fresh International Market locations often have a bakery---such as Paris Baguette, in other spots---inside. From a February 2025 Pittsburgh Magazine article ahead of its latest potential opening date earlier this year:

Known for its unique selection of international ingredients and authentic Asian cuisine, Fresh International Market imports products from more than 28 countries. This will be the 10th location, with stores located in Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina and Florida. The first store was founded in Lansing, Michigan in 2011 by Bowen Kou; the company is now headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Also opening at Rockwell is the second location of Ineffable CaPhe, a Lawrenceville coffee shop offering a variety of Asian items such as bubble tea, banh mi sandwiches and rice bowls, Al Lardo, Rockwell Park’s principal, said in an interview. It will operate out of the grocery store rather than being a separate tenant at Rockwell.

He noted his family’s roots are in Wilkinsburg, where his wife’s family had a business for 80 years and his father owned rental properties. He told the Business Times that he looks forward to the new opportunity that the store will bring to residents in Wilkinsburg as well as Homewood to be able to buy healthy and fresh foods that are affordably priced.

“The location [of the Fresh International Market] is especially good because of the busway,” Lardo said in an interview. which is just a half-mile walk from Rockwell Park. “There’s a lot of people who don’t have cars in Wilkinsburg.”

The store will open at 7511 Thomas Blvd. (map), located roughly a block from the East End Food Co-op and Construction Junction. While this will be the region's first Fresh International Market, though the chain was loosely linked to Pittsburgh in 2021 as a finalist for the former Hill District Shop n' Save location that was later occupied, and vacated, by Salem's Market.

Both Fresh International Market (see here) and Ineffable Cà Phê (see here) are hiring.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Night, September 3 at PNC Park as Pirates play the Los Angeles Dodgers.

September 3 is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Night at PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Los Angeles Dodgers. Several local groups are organizing outings, including the Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh and Taiwan Aloha (which is looking to organize an annual Taiwan Community Day at the ballpark), though members of the general public can also purchase tickets and be eligible for an AAPI Pirates hat.

Experience a unique blend of sports, culture, and community during AAPI Heritage Night at PNC Park!

Join us in celebrating the AAPI community on September 3rd as the Pirates take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. This special offer includes an exclusive Pirates co-branded AAPI hat and loaded value, good to use on concessions and merchandise on the day of the game. Also, a portion of each ticket will be donated to a local AAPI charity!

The game is notable because the Dodgers feature three star Japanese players---Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki---and because Sophiyah Liu, Taiwan's first female baseball umpire, will throw out the first pitch.

Comedian Fumi Abe in Pittsburgh, July 18.

Japanese-American comedian Fumi Abe will perform at the Bottlerocket Social Hall on July 18.

Fumi Abe is a Japanese-American stand-up comedian/writer based in Los Angeles who recently made his TV debut on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

He has written for NPR’s “Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!”, was part of the 2020 Comedy Central Digital Creators Program, and is currently a staff writer on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

He produces and hosts a comedy podcast titled "Asian Not Asian", which was most recently included in Vulture’s Comedy Podcast Roundup as well as The AV Club’s Podcast series highlights.

The show starts at 8:00 pm and tickets are available online. Bottlerocket Social Hall is located at 1226 Arlington Ave. in the Allentown neighborhood (map).

keshi's July 23 show in Pittsburgh cancelled.

Vietnamese-American singer-songwriter keshi's July 23 show at Stage AE has recently been cancelled due to low ticket sales.

There’s a few shows that’ll be coming down (detroit, columbus, pittsburgh, philadelphia, denver, & phoenix) because we weren’t able to sell enough tickets. As much as I wanted to play for y’all we weren’t able to make it happen this time around, but I’ll do my best to come back for you in the future. You’ll be automatically refunded within 30 days.

1973 movie Enter the Dragon at Rangos Giant Cinema, June 20.

The 1973 movie Enter the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee, will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on June 20 as part of its June Action-Packed Series.

“Enter the Dragon” is often hailed as one of the most influential action films of all time, along with being credited for majorly contributing to the global mainstream popularity of martial arts films long after its release in 1973. Legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee seeks revenge for the death of his sister at the hands of a dangerous narcotics dealer by entering a kung fu competition with his partners, Roper and William. Come see Bruce Lee’s martial artistry on a screen that’s bigger than life at The Rangos Giant Cinema on Fri., June 20, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available onlline, $10 for Carnegie Science Center members and $12 for non-members. The Carnegie Science Center is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

"The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac" at Byham Theater, March 14, 2026.

"The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac" will be performed at the Byham Theater on March 14, 2026, part of the Trust Family Series of performances aimed at younger audiences.

Join Freddie and Ivy alongside their grandparents, Po Po and Kung Kung, as their Chinese New Year celebrations take a turn from dumpling-making to discovering the incredible origin story of the Chinese Zodiac!

When the Jade Emperor needs a way to tell time, he decrees that the first twelve animals to cross the race’s mighty river will have a year named after them and will mark the passage of a 12-year cycle.

Learn which animals win & what traits helped their success, why the rat and cat are enemies, and how each animal earned their place in the Zodiac while enjoying traditional Chinese movement, music and martial arts!

The booking agency says the performance is best for kids in kindergarten through grade 3. Individual tickets are scheduled to go on sale today at 10:00 am EST. The show starts at 2:00 pm, and the Byham Theater is located at 101 6th Street in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Sunday Fun Day: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage, May 18 at Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will host Sunday Fun Day: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage on May 18.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at The Westmoreland with special performances and engaging hands-on activities. Fun for all ages!

Enjoy captivating performances by Tuika’s Polynesian Island Magic and Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group with special guests. Experience Kamishibai, the traditional Japanese art of storytelling, presented by the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. Take part in engaging hands-on activities, including Chinese calligraphy and art-making, and savor a variety of delicious cultural cuisine.

Ocean Vuong, "The Emperor of Gladness" Reading and Conversation, May 20.

White Whale Bookstore will present Ocean Vuong and his "The Emperor of Gladness" Reading and Conversation at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland on May 20.

White Whale Bookstore is thrilled to welcome bestselling author, award-winning poet, and MacArthur Genius Ocean Vuong back to Pittsburgh in celebration of his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness! Join us May 20th at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall for an unforgettable evening.

Tickets are required to attend this event. Each ticket—except discounted student tickets— will include a signed copy of The Emperor of Gladness, to be picked up at the event. The author will not be personalizing books, or signing any books brought from home.

Can't attend this time? You can preorder The Emperor of Gladness here. For every confirmed preorder of this book, Penguin Press will donate $0.50 to Queer Liberation Library. Let them know you preordered here.

. . .

Ocean Vuong returns with a bighearted novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive

One late summer evening in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, nineteen-year-old Hai stands on the edge of a bridge in pelting rain, ready to jump, when he hears someone shout across the river. The voice belongs to Grazina, an elderly widow succumbing to dementia, who convinces him to take another path. Bereft and out of options, he quickly becomes her caretaker. Over the course of the year, the unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond, one built on empathy, spiritual reckoning, and heartbreak, with the power to transform Hai’s relationship to himself, his family, and a community on the brink.

Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. Hallmarks of Ocean Vuong’s writing—formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness—are on full display in this story of loss, hope, and how far we would go to possess one of life’s most fleeting mercies: a second chance.
 

OCEAN VUONG is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time Is a Mother, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and the American Book Award, he used to work as a fast-food server, which inspired The Emperor of Gladness. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts, and New York City.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and tickets may be purchased online. The Carnegie Library Lecture Hall is located in Oakland, accessible via numerous city buses (map).

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration, May 18 at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History will host an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration on May 18.

Carnegie Museums is thrilled to honor and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Join us and our community partners throughout the day for guided tours, activities and performances.

Razin M. Karu, Executive Director PA Governor’s Advisory Commission on AAPI Affairs, will be reading a proclamation from Governor Shapiro on Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month.

11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.  Opening Remarks and Proclamation from the Govenor read by Razin M. Karu in the Hall of Sculpture

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Performances in the Hall of Sculpture and Sculpture Court

1:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Performances in the Hall of Sculpture and Sculpture Court

11:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Tabling and activities throughout the Sculpture Court and the Scaife Hallway Activities include: Calligraphy, Dynasty Costume Try on, Cultural Crafts, and storytelling

1:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Screenings of The Last Mayor of Chinatown in Earth Theater (Run Time: 13:34 minutes)

Performers for the event include: BCAP, OCA Pittsburgh, Silk Elephant Thai Dance Troupe, Geeta Tahiliana-Bollywood, PCCC Art Group, Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, and DnB Magnets. It runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and is free with museum admission.

Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill offering six-week summer camp for kids' martial arts, fitness, culture, and language training; $30 discount extended through May 31.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center's annual summer camp returns for six weeks of programming in July, and the school has extended its $30-per-week discount for registrants through May 31.

 Camp Schedule:

• Week 1: July 7 – 11
• Week 2: July 14 – 18
• Week 3: July 21 – 25
• Week 4: July 28 – August 1
• Week 5: August 4 – 8
• Week 6: August 11 – 15

 Location: Squirrel Hill Studio – 2705-2707 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
 Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (optional extended care until 5:30 PM)
 Ages: 5 – 15 years

 What to Expect

 Learn Kung Fu/Wushu/Tai Chi from champion masters
 Train in martial arts fundamentals
 Boost focus, fitness, and confidence with intensive training
 Dive into Mandarin language, Chinese culture, games, and movies
 Have fun in a supportive and engaging environment

 Tuition & Registration

• $240 per 5-day week (Save $30 when you register by May 31!)
• 10% discount for siblings
• New students: One-time $90 registration fee (includes a pair of training shoes, T-shirt, and training pants)
• Free registration for current Win-Win students
• Only 25 spots per week – First Come, First Serve!

 How to Register
 Current Win-Win students: Complete the selection form and submit a 20% tuition deposit.
 New students: Fill out the registration form, sign the waiver, complete the selection form, and submit a 20% tuition deposit along with the $90 registration fee.

Seats fill up fast, so don’t miss out on a summer of fun and learning!

For questions or to register, call (412) 336-8898 or email masters [at] winwinkungfu.com.

The studio is located at 2705 Murray Ave., on the ground floor of the Morrowfield building in Squirrel Hill South (map). 

Taste of Asia Asian Food Festival, May 11 at Heinz History Center.

The third annual Taste of Asia Asian Food Festival will take place on May 11 at the Heinz History Center. The three-hour festival will feature food from numerous restaurants plus cultural performances and other attractions. 

Experience Asian culture and flavors at the Taste of Asia program.

Join the History Center on a cultural and culinary journey to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Taste of Asia.

Presented in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh, the program will highlight Asian American contributions of the past and present in Pittsburgh.

Indulge in delicious bites from an assortment of local Asian restaurants, explore the history of Pittsburgh’s Asian American community with the Detre Library & Archives, and watch live performances to learn about cultural celebrations.

Engage with local chefs and expand your palette by sampling food from participating restaurants, including:

• Chengdu Gourmet 2
• Sushi Fuku
• Senyai Thai Kitchen
• 1:11 Juice Bar
• Bombay to Burgh
• Charm Thai Pittsburgh
• Grapow
• Hungry Panda
• Kung Fu Chicken
• Mango Mango
• Modern Filipino Cuisine
• Nan Xiang Dumpling
• Nepali Community of Greater Pittsburgh
• Sumi’s Cakery
• Sushi Too
• WeiLai Dim Sum
• Yotea Yoka Kitchen

Restaurant vendors will also have takeaway food available to purchase.

Don’t miss the chance to discover and celebrate the incredible diversity of Asian food culture in Pittsburgh!

The event runs from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, and the Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. in the Strip District (map).

AAPI/Taiwan Community Day at PNC Park, September 3, as Pirates take on visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.

Taiwan Aloha will host a Taiwan Community Day at PNC Park on September 3, as the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. This coinicides with other Asian and Asian-American events scheduled at the game, particularly because the Dodgers feature three Japanese baseball stars: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. This Taiwan Community Day will honor the Sophiyah Liu, Taiwan's first female baseball umpire, who will throw out the first pitch, while ticket sales of 500 or more through the event link will ensure future Taiwan Community Days at the ballpark.

Taiwan Aloha is proud to partner with the Pittsburgh Pirates to host AAPI/Taiwan Day at PNC Park!

We are honored to feature Sophiyah Liu, Taiwan’s first female baseball umpire, as our ceremonial first pitch guest. Sophiyah’s groundbreaking role in Taiwan reflects the Pittsburgh Pirates’ leadership as the first MLB team to build a dedicated umpire room for women, making this a meaningful connection between Taiwan and the U.S.

This year marks a special AAPI/Taiwan Day, but if we reach 500 ticket sales through the link below, the Pirates will host a dedicated Taiwan Day every year going forward!

The first 500 ticket buyers will receive a Taiwan No. 1 jersey (sponsored by Taiwan Aloha), a Pirates baseball cap, and a Taiwan-themed souvenir at the game.

A portion of ticket proceeds will support Taiwan Aloha, helping to offset the cost of jerseys and guest arrangements.

Your support helps celebrate Taiwan, uplift women in sports, and promote global friendship through baseball.

Ticket link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Taiwanaloha0903

Teen Time: Celebrity Stickers at local Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches for AANHPI Heritage Month, from May 22.

Sheet by @lorrainenam, via HP

Several local branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer a free "Teen Time: Celebrity Stickers" program as part of its AANHPI Heritage Month 2025 events.

Learn how to use Procreate to create your own sticker of a AANHPI celebrity and celebrate AANHPI cultures present in the United States. For teens in grades 6-12.

There are four participating libraries so far; they're free and open to the target age demographic, with no registration required:

• CLP - Knoxville - May 22, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP - Carrick - May 28, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• CLP - Hazelwood - May 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• CLP - Mt. Washington - May 29, 4:30 - 5:30 pm

10th Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Festival (第十届匹兹堡中华文化节), September 13.

Advance notice for the 10th Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Festival, scheduled for Mellon Park on September 13. Presented by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center, the annual event features food, cultural performances, local vendors, and more.

1993 film The Joy Luck Club in Pittsburgh, from May 9.

The 1993 film The Joy Luck Club will play at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville from May 9 through 15, part of its "Thanks, MOM" film series around Mother's Day.

Adapted from Amy Tan’s best selling novel, Wayne Wang’s film artfully illustrates generational divides and universal truths through the stories of four Chinese women born in America and their respective mothers born in feudal China.

Tickets and showtimes are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration in Cranberry, May 7.

The Cranberry Township Inclusion, Equity, Diversity Advisory (IDEA) team will present an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, May 7.

Explore the history, cultural traditions, favorite foods, and contributions of the varied Asian and Pacific Islander countries! Guests will enjoy a hands-on Tai Chi lesson - a fun and relaxing way to experience a traditional art form - engaging storytelling that brings cultural legends and histories to life - and samples of traditional food.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is encouraged. It runs from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Rd (map).

Teen Time: Koinobori Japanese Carp Windsocks or Kites, at local Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches from May 1.

via Morakami Museum

Many neighborhood branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host "Teen Time: Koinobori Japanese Carp Windsocks or Kites" workshops as part of the library's AANHPI Heritage Month 2025 programming.

This program will help teens learn about traditional culture in Japan and their forms of popular crafting for traditional celebrations. For teens in grades 6-12.

The events will take place at the following times and places; they're free and open to the target age demographic, with no registration required:

• CLP Mt. Washington - May 1, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• CLP Squirrel Hill - May 6, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• CLP Beechview - May 6, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• CLP West End - May 8, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• CLP Lawrenceville - May 9, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP South Side - May 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• CLP Hill District - May 14, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
• CLP Carrick - May 14, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• CLP Allegheny - May 14, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP Hazelwood - May 14, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• CLP Woods Run - May 27, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP Homewood - May 28, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill offering six-week summer camp for kids' martial arts, fitness, culture, and language training; $30 discount for registration by April 30.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center's annual summer camp returns for six weeks of programming in July, and the school is offering its $30-per-week discount for registrants through April 30.

 Camp Schedule:

• Week 1: July 7 – 11
• Week 2: July 14 – 18
• Week 3: July 21 – 25
• Week 4: July 28 – August 1
• Week 5: August 4 – 8
• Week 6: August 11 – 15

 Location: Squirrel Hill Studio – 2705-2707 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
 Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (optional extended care until 5:30 PM)
 Ages: 5 – 15 years

 What to Expect

 Learn Kung Fu/Wushu/Tai Chi from champion masters
 Train in martial arts fundamentals
 Boost focus, fitness, and confidence with intensive training
 Dive into Mandarin language, Chinese culture, games, and movies
 Have fun in a supportive and engaging environment

 Tuition & Registration

• $240 per 5-day week (Save $30 when you register by April 30!)
• 10% discount for siblings
• New students: One-time $90 registration fee (includes a pair of training shoes, T-shirt, and training pants)
• Free registration for current Win-Win students
• Only 25 spots per week – First Come, First Serve!

 How to Register
 Current Win-Win students: Complete the selection form and submit a 20% tuition deposit.
 New students: Fill out the registration form, sign the waiver, complete the selection form, and submit a 20% tuition deposit along with the $90 registration fee.

Seats fill up fast, so don’t miss out on a summer of fun and learning!

For questions or to register, call (412) 336-8898 or email masters [at] winwinkungfu.com.

The studio is located at 2705 Murray Ave., on the ground floor of the Morrowfield building in Squirrel Hill South (map).