Franchisee aims to open five Paris Baguette cafes in Pittsburgh.

While searching for updates on the two Paris Baguette cafes in progress in Pittsburgh I found an online interview with Ali Shah, the franchisee behind these two restaurants. The chain's official publicity outlet delves a little into his background and motivations:

Asif Shah, a long-time entrepreneur who has owned both gas stations and restaurants for nearly 20 years, is bringing Paris Baguette, the global bakery café franchise, to Pittsburgh with a five-unit agreement. The first café is projected to open at 8013 McKnight Road in May with a second at 5514 Walnut Street following later this year.

Partnering with his daughter, Shah says he looks forward to bringing the Paris Baguette experience to a neighborhood that has nothing like it. Compared to the drive-thru and pick-up models that run rampant today, Paris Baguette provides “a more beautiful experience,” he said.

. . .

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Shah: In Pittsburgh, we have Starbucks and Panera. They are okay, but it’s totally different at Paris Baguette. Paris Baguette wants to make sure guests come in and take a look at what we have. We want the guest to walk into the café and stay a while. I really like that model.

Walking in, looking around and picking your own pastries from a buffet-style display, then being able to sit down and relax to enjoy your food… It’s a more beautiful experience.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 150 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.

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

South Korea's Brush Theater will once again appear as part of Pittsburgh's Children's Theater Festival with "Poli POP!" from May 17 - 19.

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

A wonderful follow up to BRUSH's recent Doodle POP, this colorful and playful new theater production uses live musicians who perform the accompanying score and sound effects, stunning interactive animations and painted projection mapping, and an abundance of theatrical imagination.

The duo performed "Doodle POP" here in 2022. The performances are at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on the Point Park University campus downtown (map), and tickets are available online.

Asian Festival Night, May 19 at Carnegie Mellon.

The Organization of Chinese Americans and Win-Win Kung Fu Cultural Center will present Asian Festival Night on May 19.

OCA Pittsburgh and Win Win Kung Fu invite you to Asian Festival Night on May 19th, 4-6pm at:

CMU McConomy Auditorium

Jared L. Cohon University Center

5032 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Enjoy cultural performances from Asian American groups in our community: OCA Performance Ensemble, Win Win Kung Fu, BCAP, FAAP, Geeta Tahiliani-Bolly Rangeela, PAPAGP, Pittsburgh Taiko, Silk Elephant, Zang Taekwondo. Sponsored by CMU Chinese Studies Program, Dept of LCAL.

Tickets are $5 flat rate

Join us in three week to spend the Asian Festival Night!!!

It runs from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at McConomy Auditorium in the second floor of the Jared L. Cohon University Center on the Carnegie Mellon University campus (map).  

Progress at Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette, coming soon to McKnight Road.

Temporary window signage has recently gone up for what aims to be Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette, coming soon to The Block Northway on McKnight Road. Paris Baguette is one of the largest of the Korean bakery chains that has expanded worldwide, and finally its first Pittsburgh location in August 2023. It aims to open in May, though work on the interior is in the very early stages. A Shadyside location was announced in January 2024.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 150 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.

Tickets now available for Korean pop rock band Lucy (루시) in Pittsburgh, May 30.

The Korean pop rock band Lucy (루시) will play in Pittsburgh on May 30 as part of "Written by Flower," its first world tour. Tickets for the show at Thunderbird Music Hall are available as of the morning of April 19.

aespa: World Tour in Cinemas in Pittsburgh April 24 and 27.

The concert film aespa: World Tour in Cinemas, featuring Korean pop group aespa, will play in Pittsburgh on April 24 and 27.

Global hitmaker aespa's first concert movie bursts onto the screen in cinemas worldwide! From February to September 2023 the group’s first world tour, aespa LIVE TOUR 2023 SYNK : HYPER LINE, visited 21 venues across four continents. Now, step into the final chapter of their global tour journey with aespa: WORLD TOUR in cinemas. Witness the unparalleled energy of aespa’s live performance captured from their electrifying show at London's O2 Arena, their first-ever UK show. With their futuristic stage visuals, high-energy choreography and captivating vocals, they fiercelycommanded the stage delivering fan favourites including ‘Next Level’, ‘Savage’, ‘Girls’, ‘Spicy’ and ‘Black Mamba’. The film also highlights individual performances by each member, complemented by exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews, offering a glimpse behind the curtain.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

Korean rock band The Volunteers (더 발룬티어스) coming to Pittsburgh, July 17.

Korean rock band The Volunteers (더 발룬티어스) will play in Pittsburgh on July 17. They will also play at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Cente on July 18. Their Pittsburgh show is at the Roxian Theatre (map). Tickets go on sale at 10:00 am today.

SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) April 21.

The upcoming concert film SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie, with Suga of Korean pop gropu BTS, which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on April 10, will remain here through (at least) April 21.

The eagerly awaited film of BTS SUGA’s Encore Concert bursts onto the big screen worldwide! As the grand finale of the world tour, “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ THE FINAL” marked the culmination of 25 concerts held in 10 cities, which captivated a total audience of 290,000 throughout its run. Experience the pulsating energy and excitement of “D-DAY’ THE FINAL” on screen, everything from the exquisite sounds traversing the boundary between “21st Century Pop Icon” BTS member SUGA and solo artist Agust D, electrifying performance, explosive energy, to special duet stages featuring fellow BTS members RM, Jimin, and Jung Kook.

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

Korean pop rock band Lucy (루시) in Pittsburgh, May 30.

The Korean pop rock band Lucy (루시) will play in Pittsburgh on May 30. Tickets for the show at Thunderbird Music Hall will go on sale April 19.

Korean singer BoyWithUke performing in Pittsburgh, April 27.

Korean singer BoyWithUke will perform in Pittsburgh on April 27 as part of his Lucid Dreams Tour. Ones To Watch summarized his sound in 2021:

While BoyWithUke’s music may drift toward popular indie and lo-fi sounds, incorporating his ukelele sets him apart from other artists heading down the same sonic path. In addition, his instrumental talent adds a fresh layer of artistry, blurring the line between acoustic and electronic beat sounds, often making you forget that one or the other is even there.

He will play at Stage AE and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online.

Playing Through Capitalism: Squid Game in/on Platform Economy, April 3 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures will present Dr. Seung-hwan Shin's colloquium Playing Through Capitalism: Squid Game in/on Platform Economy on April 3. It runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in 1219 Cathedral of Learning.

SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie in Pittsburgh-area theaters, from April 10.

The upcoming concert film SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie, with Suga of Korean pop gropu BTS, will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from April 10.

The eagerly awaited film of BTS SUGA’s Encore Concert bursts onto the big screen worldwide! As the grand finale of the world tour, “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ THE FINAL” marked the culmination of 25 concerts held in 10 cities, which captivated a total audience of 290,000 throughout its run. Experience the pulsating energy and excitement of “D-DAY’ THE FINAL” on screen, everything from the exquisite sounds traversing the boundary between “21st Century Pop Icon” BTS member SUGA and solo artist Agust D, electrifying performance, explosive energy, to special duet stages featuring fellow BTS members RM, Jimin, and Jung Kook.

It plays locally on April 10, 11, 12, and 13 at---on varying days---the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Progress on Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill, coming soon to McCandless.

Permanent signage is up at Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill, coming soon to McCandless. There is a sign in English and a sign that says "shabu shabu" in Japanese at McCandless Crossing in the North Hills, in an outparcel across from Laroche University (map). Work has been underway there since last summer, but there was recently some mild concern online when the temporary signage went down, leading some to ask if this all-you-can-eat BBQ and hot pot place were not coming after all. There is another location set to open in Robinson, too, totalling six AYCE hot pot and BBQ places coming soon to Pittsburgh.

New Korean movie Exhuma (파묘) stays in Pittsburgh through April 3.

The new Korean movie Exhuma (파묘), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 22, will remain here through (at least) April 3.

When a renowned shaman (KIM Go-Eun) and her protégé (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (YOO Hai-jin) and the country’s most revered geomancer (CHOI Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.

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

aespa: World Tour in Cinemas in Pittsburgh April 24 and 27.

The concert film aespa: World Tour in Cinemas, featuring Korean pop group aespa, will play in Pittsburgh on April 24 and 27.

Global hitmaker aespa's first concert movie bursts onto the screen in cinemas worldwide! From February to September 2023 the group’s first world tour, aespa LIVE TOUR 2023 SYNK : HYPER LINE, visited 21 venues across four continents. Now, step into the final chapter of their global tour journey with aespa: WORLD TOUR in cinemas. Witness the unparalleled energy of aespa’s live performance captured from their electrifying show at London's O2 Arena, their first-ever UK show. With their futuristic stage visuals, high-energy choreography and captivating vocals, they fiercelycommanded the stage delivering fan favourites including ‘Next Level’, ‘Savage’, ‘Girls’, ‘Spicy’ and ‘Black Mamba’. The film also highlights individual performances by each member, complemented by exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews, offering a glimpse behind the curtain.

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

New Korean movie Exhuma (파묘) in Pittsburgh, from March 22.

The new Korean movie Exhuma (파묘) will play in Pittsburgh from March 22 through 27.

When a renowned shaman (KIM Go-Eun) and her protégé (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (YOO Hai-jin) and the country’s most revered geomancer (CHOI Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.

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

SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie in Pittsburgh-area theaters, from April 10.

The upcoming concert film SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie, with Suga of Korean pop gropu BTS, will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from April 10.

The eagerly awaited film of BTS SUGA’s Encore Concert bursts onto the big screen worldwide! As the grand finale of the world tour, “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ THE FINAL” marked the culmination of 25 concerts held in 10 cities, which captivated a total audience of 290,000 throughout its run. Experience the pulsating energy and excitement of “D-DAY’ THE FINAL” on screen, everything from the exquisite sounds traversing the boundary between “21st Century Pop Icon” BTS member SUGA and solo artist Agust D, electrifying performance, explosive energy, to special duet stages featuring fellow BTS members RM, Jimin, and Jung Kook.

It plays locally on April 10, 11, 12, and 13 at---on varying days---the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Asia Pop Lecture Series: Dr. Thomas Baudinette, March 20 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Thomas Baudinette for the next installment of its Asia Pop Lecture Series on March 20.

Dr. Thomas Baudinette is Senior Lecturer in Japanese Studies and International Studies at Macquarie University. A cultural anthropologist, his research primarily explores how popular media and fandom culture inform knowledge about gender and sexuality across East and Southeast Asia. He is the author of Regimes of Desire: Young Gay Men, Media, Masculinity in Tokyo (University of Michigan Press, 2021) and Boys Love Media in Thailand: Celebrity, Fans, and Transnational Asian Queer Popular Culture (Bloomsbury, 2023). He i currently working on his third book, tentatively titled Queer Fantasies of Asia: Japanese and Korean Media Fandom in the Philippines.

The event starts at 6:00 pm in 202 Frick Fine Arts (map).

"We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes resume at Carnegie Library in Oakland, Saturdays from March 16 through May 18.

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 March 16. 

K-pop event | Random Play Dance with FRESA and Yanlai Dance Academy, March 23 at University of Pittsburgh.

Fresh Entertainment by Student Artists (FRESA at Pitt) and Yanlai Dance Academy will team up for the next Random Play Dance at the University of Pittsburgh on March 23. 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the William Pitt Union patio and all are welcome.