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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

Lunar New Year Celebration for Children, February 10 at Monroeville Public Library.

The Monroeville Public Library will host a Lunar New Year Celebration on February 10.

A new year does not start for all people around the world at the same time. Learn about Lunar New Year with stories, games, crafts, and activities. No registration is needed for this free event.

The free event runs from 10:30 to 11:30, and no registration is required. The Monroeville Public Library is located at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. (map).

No parade this year, but Squirrel Hill Lunar New Year event planned for February 24.

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition will be hosting a Lunar New Year event on February 24, featuring a Lion Dance at 2:30 pm at the Post Office parklet.

Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Uncover Squirrel Hill will be celebrating the Year of the Dragon, year 4721, at the Post Office Parklet! After the Dragon Enters the Gate at 2:30, the lion will visit local businesses to exchange Hong Bao (red envelope). It will be an afternoon of prosperity and good fortune! We hope to see you there.

There will be no parade up Murray Ave. this year, but organizers hope for a return in 2025.

Harmony in Tradition: The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show, February 4 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

"Harmony in Tradition: The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show" will take place on February 4 at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Join us for a mesmerizing Lunar New Year celebration where ancient Chinese traditions meet Pittsburgh’s vibrant performing arts landscape creating a world where cultural diversity shines! Spend the afternoon immersed in an experience that brings together ancient traditions and contemporary aesthetics, fostering the collective and collaborative spirit in our community. The event is divided into two segments: the Fair and the Show, each presenting an exciting array of movement, music, and tradition.

The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Celebration is presented by the Chinese Association of Science and Technology Pittsburgh Chapter with collaboration and support by Carnegie Museum of Art, a partnership that reinforces both organizations’ commitment to cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Tickets are available online, with discounted prices for museum members. The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art, located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakkland (map) and accessible by a number of city buses.

The Peking Acrobats performing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, February 27.

The Peking Acrobats will perform at IUP, roughly 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, on February 27.

For the last thirty two years, The Peking Acrobats® have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs and display their technical prowess at such arts as trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control.

The show takes place in the Fisher Auditorium (map) and tickets ranging from $10 to $20 are available online.

Lunar New Year Celebration, February 10 at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel.

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library will host a Lunar New Year Celebration on February 10.

Celebrate and learn about the Lunar New Year! This annual celebration with a wide variety of different festival activities is organized by the Asian community of the Fox Chapel area. Enjoy traditional Chinese music performed by Dorseyville Middle School students, taekwondo performed by the Young Brothers Taekwondo School students, a dragon parade, storytelling, crafts, as well as treats and gifts.

All ages are welcome.

The event runs from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Registration is required and can be completed online. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

"Characters across Asia: Using "Kanji" to write Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese," February 1 at University of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures will host Dr. Zev Handel and his talk "Characters across Asia: Using "Kanji" to write Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese" on February 1.

Chinese characters originated in China over 3,000 years ago. Prior to their creation, East Asia was completely devoid of writing. By the time of the Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE), China already had a long literary tradition, a flourishing culture, and a sophisticated government bureaucracy. In this talk, Professor Handel will explain how the building blocks of the Chinese script were adapted to represent the words and sounds of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean - and why today, only Japanese still use kanji in their writing.

Zev Handel is a professor of Chinese and chair of the Department of Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, Seattle.

The talk runs from 11:00 to 12:00 in 4127 Sennott Square (map).

Chinese & English Storytime, at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, February 10.

The next Chinese & English Storytime at Cooper-Siegel Community Library is February 10.

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 March 9, April 3, and May 11 as well. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

Wei Lai coming soon to North Hills in old Ting's Kitchen spot, serving dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes.

A new Chinese restaurant and bubble tea place, Wei Lai, will open soon in McIntyre Square in the North Hills, in the spot formerly occupied by Ting's Kitchen (map). Translating to "future" in Chinese, menu includes dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes, and ownership is aiming for a March opening. 

 Exciting News for Foodies!  WEI LAI is coming soon to the North side near Ross Park Mall! 

At WEI LAI, where Cantonese dim sum meets Taiwanese noodles and boba milk tea. Opening in early March, we'll have dine-in and take-out options for everyone around Pittsburgh!

Stay tuned for delicious updates! 

Pitt Lunar New Year Celebration, February 9.

The University of Pittsburgh's Chinese Program and Chinese Language and Culture Club will host a Lunar Year Year Celebration on February 9.

Come join the Pitt Chinese Program and the Chinese Language and Culture Club to celebrate the Spring Festival with calligraphy (Spring couplets), games, papercutting, snacks, milk tea, and prizes.

The event runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the Kurtzmann Room of the William Pitt Union, and is open to the public.

University of Pittsburgh East Asian Library Open House, February 7.

The University of Pittsburgh University Library System will host an East Asian Library Open House on February 7.

Come join the University Library System's East Asian Library for an open house featuring a selection of rare and unique East Asian materials from Library's Archives & Special Collections.

Librarians from the East Asian Library will also be onsite to share information and resources available to the Pitt community and beyond.

. . .

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills hiring bilingual (preferred) Mandarin-English office assistant.

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English office assistant.

Our Granite & Cabinet shop needs an additional sales associate.

We are looking for vibrant, energetic friendly people to join our team!

Sales/customer service experience preferred, but we are willing to train.

Skill: Basic excel, typing.

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Language skills: Bilingual , Mandarin speaking is ideal but not necessary.

Harmony in Tradition: The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show, February 4 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

"Harmony in Tradition: The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show" will take place on February 4 at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Join us for a mesmerizing Lunar New Year celebration where ancient Chinese traditions meet Pittsburgh’s vibrant performing arts landscape creating a world where cultural diversity shines! Spend the afternoon immersed in an experience that brings together ancient traditions and contemporary aesthetics, fostering the collective and collaborative spirit in our community. The event is divided into two segments: the Fair and the Show, each presenting an exciting array of movement, music, and tradition.

The 27th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Celebration is presented by the Chinese Association of Science and Technology Pittsburgh Chapter with collaboration and support by Carnegie Museum of Art, a partnership that reinforces both organizations’ commitment to cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Tickets are available online, with discounted prices for museum members. The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art, located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakkland (map) and accessible by a number of city buses.