Artist in Exile: Mai Khôi & the Dissidents farewell show, July 8 at City of Asylum and online.

City of Asylum will present Artist in Exile: Mai Khôi & the Dissidents (Vietnamese Pop) on July 8.

Pittsburgh’s resident pop star and powerhouse Mai Khôi is leaving the city and starting her next chapter in Philadelphia—but not without a rockin’ farewell show. The alumna City of Asylum Artist-in-Residence returns with her group, the Dissidents.

Mai Khôi & the Dissidents was originally formed in 2016 with Vietnamese musicians, but the group was forced to disband due to government pressure. Khôi herself fled to the US in 2019, where she has lived in exile ever since. In 2021, she re-formed Mai Khôi & the Dissidents with American musicians, alongside pianist and composer Mark Micchelli. The new band features prominent members of Pittsburgh’s jazz, experimental music, and activist communities. For this performance, Mark and Khôi have composed and arranged a powerful style of music that reflects the turmoil of the world and the hope that continues to shine.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Mai and Mark in their farewell show and give them a warm sendoff!

The concert runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Alphabet City on the North Side (map) and online. Registration for both modalities is required and can be completed online.

Chan Sze-Wei documentary 10s Across the Borders in Pittsburgh, June 23.

ReelQ and the City of Asylum will present a screening of the 2025 documentary 10s Across the Borders on June 23.

Set in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia. New York and elsewhere, “10s Across the Borders” is a pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating the region’s underground ballroom culture. As the title suggests, Sze-Wei Chan envisions a world where members of Ballroom communities far from New York can also score a perfect 10.

This film follows three leading characters of Southeast Asia’s ballroom scene—Teddy from Malaysia who ran away from his homophobic father, Xyza from the Philippines who found beauty in herself after being rejected by the modeling world, and Sun who was born to a Thai sex worker mother and European father.

In the film’s finale, the performers’ surreal performance cuts between Southeast Asia’s back alleys and New York’s bustling streets, dissolving boundaries of nation, gender, race, age, religion, and class to soar beyond the rainbow. This is Southeast Asia’s answer to the seminal documentary, the 1990 classic Paris is Burning.

Reel Q hosts one of the oldest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the world. Since 1985, Reel Q has remained steadfast in their mission and worked diligently to highlight the diverse experiences of our worldwide community. For the better part of a decade, City of Asylum has been partnering with Reel Q to bring unique, international queer films to audiences (for free!) in a series formerly known as “Reel Stories.” From dramas to documentaries to playful rom-coms, we are honored and delighted to serve as a platform for these beautiful works to reach new audiences.

More information about the documentary is available via its official site. The screening runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, both in person and online via livestream, and is free and open to the public. The in-person screening will take place at Alphabet City on the North Side (map). Registration for both modalities is required and can be completed online.

"We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes resume at Carnegie Library in Oakland, Saturdays from June 20.

via the Republic of Korea's Flickr page.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland will resume its free "We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes Saturdays from June 20 through August 29, after its most recent session concluded on May 9. 

Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang in Pittsburgh, June 13.

The Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang will play in Pittsburgh on June 13, part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Country Gongbang is South Korea’s first and only bluegrass band, pioneering a distinctive blend of contemporary bluegrass with K‑pop sensibilities. Singing in both English and Korean, the group bridges musical cultures while carving out a unique voice in the global bluegrass scene.

In 2023, Country Gongbang received the International Band Performance Grant from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), recognizing their groundbreaking artistry. The award led to their historic 2024 U.S. tour, where they performed at major venues and festivals, including the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville—becoming the first Korean band to perform on its iconic stage.

In 2025, the group was nominated for the IBMA Momentum Awards for Band of the Year and Vocalist of the Year, marking a historic milestone for a Korean bluegrass ensemble.

The band features Yebin Kim (mandolin, lead vocals), Hyunho Jang (banjo), Jongsu Yoon (fiddle), Sunjae Won (guitar), and Keeha Song (bass).

Blending tradition with bold innovation, Country Gongbang brings a vibrant new perspective to bluegrass music.

“South Korea’s Country Gongbang demonstrates that the basics of bluegrass aren’t limited exclusively to the realms of the western world.”
— Bluegrass Today

 The show runs from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Dollar Bank Stage @ Arts Landing.

1999 Japanese animated film Adolescence of Utena (少女革命ウテナ アドゥレセンス黙示録) in Pittsburgh, June 21 and 22.

The 1999 Japanese animated film Adolescence of Utena (少女革命ウテナ アドゥレセンス黙示録) will play in Pittsburgh on June 21 and 22. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Utena enrolls in the prestigious Ohtori Academy on her quest to become a prince, and stumbles into a mysterious cabal of students dueling for possession of the “Rose Bride.” The role belongs to their classmate Anthy, an enigmatic girl who equally captivates and confuses Utena. While fending off powerful rivals, Utena must uncover the secrets surrounding Anthy and her own desires. As the relationship between the girls intensifies, their thirst for freedom crescendoes into a need for revolution.

ADOLESCENCE OF UTENA is a standalone genre classic that brings together the creative genius of director Kunihiko Ikuhara (Revolutionary Girl Utena, Sailor Moon), writer Yoji Enokido (EVANGELION franchise), and art director Shichiro Kobayashi (ANGEL’S EGG) with J.A. Seazer’s transcendent music. Straddling the line between fairytale and surrealist opera, the film stands as a bold display of the ways social roles chain us— and demands we smash through them.

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

2026 Vietnamese supernatural horror film Phi Phong: The Blood Demon (Phi Phông: Quỷ Máu Rừng Thiêng) in Pittsburgh from May 29.

The 2026 Vietnamese supernatural horror film Phi Phong: The Blood Demon (Phi Phông: Quỷ Máu Rừng Thiêng) will play in Pittsburgh from May 29 through June 3.

Follows a remote mountain village haunted by the Phí Phông, a terrifying supernatural entity that lives among humans by day while secretly feeding on their blood and life force at night.

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

2001 Japanese film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 29.

The 2001 Japanese film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on May 29, the final installment of a Studio Ghibli series this month.

In Hayao Miyazaki’s unforgettable film, “Spirited Away,” audiences are transported with Chihiro to an otherworldly bath house occupied by strange spirits. Join her on her journey to reunite with her parents and return to her own world on Fri., May 29 at 7 p.m.

The show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. The Kamin Science Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

2025 Hong Kong action film The Furious (火遮眼) in Pittsburgh from June 11.

The 2025 English-language Hong Kong action film The Furious (火遮眼) will play in Pittsburgh from June 11. A synopsis, from the distributor:

After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out on a rampage to find her himself.

His only ally is Navin (Joe Taslim) - a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly fights against the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

2025 Japanese animated film Jinsei (無名の人生) in Pittsburgh, from June 12.

The 2025 Japanese animated film Jinsei (無名の人生) will play in Pittsburgh from June 12 through 25.

Simply put, Jinsei follows the life of one man over 100 years. Our main character’s life is broken up into chapters, distinguished by the evolution of his name, or rather the names he goes by. He is a child, an orphan, a budding J-pop star, an outcast, a leader, an oracle. Employing a lo-fi style, Suzuki immerses the viewer in this man’s life, and as each chapter evolves so does the picture’s framing, color palette and editing-style. Epic in scope, Jinsei is one of the most original Japanese animated films in years. Over nearly 2 years, newcomer Ryuya Suzuki wrote, directed, animated, and edited this tour-de-force by himself, determined to bring his captivating vision to life. Essential, experiential viewing, this is one that must be seen on the big screen. 

It plays at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map), and tickets will go on sale on Thursday, May 28, at 10:00 am.

2006 Japanese animated film Tekkonkinkreet (鉄コン筋クリート) in Pittsburgh for 20th anniversary, May 31 and June 1.

The 2006 Japanese animated film Tekkonkinkreet (鉄コン筋クリート) will have special 20th anniversary screenings in the Pittsburgh area on May 31 and June 1.

Black, a boy who seeks to bend the city to his will through strength, and White, his innocent counterpart, are two orphaned street kids living in the slums of Treasure Town. When real estate developers threaten to transform Treasure Town into a massive theme park, its very existence is put at risk. Determined to protect both White and their city, Black takes on the yakuza and assassins, gradually losing his innocence as he confronts a dark manifestation within himself. Featuring dynamic visuals from STUDIO4? (Mind Game) and based on the legendary manga by Taiyo Matsumoto, Tekkonkinkreet remains a beloved cult classic to this day. Set in a world that cannot escape change, it tells a story of unwavering love, complementary bonds, and a prayer that must never be lost. Now beautifully remastered in stunning 4K.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online. Some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG' in Busan: Live Viewing in Pittsburgh, June 13.

BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG' in Busan: Live Viewing will play throughout the Pittsburgh area on June 13.

The historic journey continues. Following the record-breaking opening of the ‘ARIRANG’ world tour, pop royalty BTS returns to the iconic Busan Asiad Main Stadium for a monumental homecoming, broadcast live to cinemas around the world. This marks their poignant return to the very venue where they shared their final full-group performance before enlistment in 3 years and 8 months. Spanning 34 cities with 85 shows, this tour sets a new pinnacle as the most extensive tour ever by a Korean artist. Most notably, the performance falls on June 13—BTS’s debut anniversary—adding a profound layer of symbolism as the group celebrates their legacy and future. Please note that broadcasts in some territories are scheduled later to accommodate local time zones.

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson; tickets for the AMC Loews screening are available online. Live viewings of ARIRANG tour shows in Goyang and Tokyo have already played here.

Comedian Yaqiao Yang at The Comedy Bar, June 6.

Comedian Yaqiao Yang will perform at The Comedy Bar on June 6. 

Comedian Yoqiao Yang takes over The Comedy Bar Pittsburgh for a weekend of laughs.

Yaqiao Yang (often referred to as Yang Comedy) is a rapidly rising Chinese-born stand-up comedian based in the United States, known for her sharp wit, daring, and frequently viral stand-up material. As of early 2026, she is recognized as a standout performer in the US comedy scene, notably earning a "Golden Ticket" on the popular live podcast and stand-up show Kill Tony.

Tickets are available online. Please note, there is a two-item purchase minimum charged on top of tickets and service fees. The Comedy Bar @ Remo's is located at 2151 Babcock Blvd. in the North Hills (map). 

Vietnamese movie Blood Moon Rite 8 (Đại tiệc trăng máu 8), a remake of the Japanese zombie movie One Cut of the Dead, in Pittsburgh from May 21.

The new Vietnamese movie Blood Moon Rite 8 (Đại tiệc trăng máu 8), a remake of the Japanese zombie movie One Cut of the Dead, will play in Pittsburgh from May 21.

A struggling director, known as the “king of trash movies”, gets one last chance to earn his art-loving daughter’s respect by taking on his biggest challenge yet: filming a 35-minute zombie movie... LIVE, IN ONE SINGLE TAKE. But when his wildly unpredictable cast, nonstop mistakes, and behind-the-scenes chaos turn the whole set into a complete mess, the line between acting and reality starts to blur in the funniest ways possible

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

2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ: キルケーの魔女) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) May 27.

The 2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe ((機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ: キルケーの魔女), which opened in Pittsburgh on May 14, will remain here through (at least) May 27.

The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char's Rebellion. "MAFTY" has begun resisting the Federation government's tyrannical rule by assassinating its ministers. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray. Haunted by past trauma, Hathaway is drawn to a mysterious girl named Gigi Andalucia, whose strange powers stir memories within him. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for MAFTY's mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference. Kenneth Sleg of the Earth Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate MAFTY and is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal. As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.

It is the second film in a trilogy and was released in Japan on January 30. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Westmorelandin Greensburg, and the Cinemark theater in Robinson through the 21st, and at the AMC Loews Waterfront after, and tickets are available online.

GNARLY: A K-pop Dance Night, May 22 at Bottlerocket Social Hall.

Bottlerocket will present "GNARLY: A K-pop Dance Night" on May 22.

🤔 They could describe this dance party with one single word... you know?

Calling all 💖INTERNET GIRLS💖 to the dance floor because everything’s GNARLY at this dance party! It’s a KPOP and global pop night heavily featuring your favorite LADIES OF KPOP!

DJ Rodeo Starr spins....KATSEYE, JENNIE, BLACKPINK, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, BABYMONSTER and MORE!!!! 💞

It’s only $5 to party, but you must be 21+.

Don’t be so out of TOUCH.... see you at GNARLY!🤮

The 21+ event starts at 10:00 pm and tickets are available online. Bottlerocket Social Hall is located at 1226 Arlington Ave. in the Allentown neighborhood (map).

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity in Pittsburgh, from June 25.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity, a feature-length film containing the first three episodes of the upcoming BLEACH season, will plan in Pittsburgh from June 25.

2023 film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 22.

The 2023 film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on May 22, part of a Studio Ghibli series this month.

The enchanting legacy of Studio Ghibli continues with the newest addition to their catalogue of masterpieces. “The Boy and the Heron” takes us on a magical and surreal journey through a world beyond our own as young Mahito Maki battles grief and loss with his unusual guide, a talking gray heron.

The show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. The Kamin Science Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

2023 film Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) returns to Pittsburgh from May 22.

The 2023 film Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) will return to Pittsburgh from May 22.

Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?

It is scheduled to play locally in Japanese with English subtitles at the AMC Loews Waterfront and AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

GOLDEN: A K-Pop Kids Party at Jergel's with two shows on June 21.

Jergels & Drusky Entertainment Presents GOLDEN: A K-Pop Kids Party for two shows on June 21.

Prepare yourselves for a family-friendly dance party featuring remixes inspired by familiar soundtracks, K-Pop songs, and iconic pop anthems from the hit movie. Costumes, dancing, and shining bright are encouraged

Tickets for the all-ages shows at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm are available online. (Tickets can also be purchased directly at Jergel's to avoid the ~20-25% online processing fee.) Jergel's Rhythm Grille is located at 103 Slade Lane in Warrendale (map).

2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ: キルケーの魔女) in Pittsburgh, from May 14.

The 2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe ((機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ: キルケーの魔女) will play in Pittsburgh from May 14.

The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char's Rebellion. "MAFTY" has begun resisting the Federation government's tyrannical rule by assassinating its ministers. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray. Haunted by past trauma, Hathaway is drawn to a mysterious girl named Gigi Andalucia, whose strange powers stir memories within him. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for MAFTY's mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference. Kenneth Sleg of the Earth Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate MAFTY and is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal. As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.

It is the second film in a trilogy and was released in Japan on January 30. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Westmorelandin Greensburg, and the Cinemark theater in Robinson through the 21st, and tickets are available online.