Filipino-American film Yellow Rose in Pittsburgh, from October 8.

The 2019 film Yellow Rose will play in Pittsburgh from October 8. From the movie's official site:

Rose, an undocumented Filipino girl, dreams of one day leaving her small Texas town to pursue her country music dreams. Her world is shattered when her mom suddenly gets picked up by immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rose, facing this new reality, is forced to flee the scene, leaving behind the only life she knows, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she searches for a new home in the honky tonk world of Austin, Texas.

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

Authors Caroline Kim & Alexander Chee (online) with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, October 7.

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures will host authors Caroline Kim & Alexander Chee for a virtual discussion on October 7.

2020 Drue Heinz Literature Prize winner Caroline Kim in conversation with author and guest judge Alexander Chee

Exploring what it means to be human through the Korean diaspora, Caroline Kim’s The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories feature many voices. From a teenage girl in 1980’s America, to a boy growing up in the middle of the Korean War, to an immigrant father struggling to be closer to his adult daughter, or to a suburban housewife whose equilibrium depends upon a therapy robot, each character must face their less-than-ideal circumstances and find a way to overcome them without losing themselves. Language often acts as a barrier as characters try, fail, and momentarily succeed in connecting with each other. With humor, insight, and curiosity, Kim’s wide-ranging stories explore themes of culture, communication, travel, and family. Ultimately, what unites these characters across time and distance is their longing for human connection and a search for the place—or people—that will feel like home.

Of the collection, Wendy Hinman for Foreword Reviews writes, “Worth savoring, the stories of The Prince of Mournful Thoughts are intimate, often wistful portraits set amid the stifling and conflicting expectations of families and cultures.”

The free event starts at 6:00 pm and tickets are now available.

BTS concert film Break the Silence (브레이크 더 사일런스: 더 무비) in Pittsburgh from September 24.

The upcoming BTS concert film Break the Silence (브레이크 더 사일런스: 더 무비) will play in Pittsburgh from September 24 through October 1.

BTS WORLD TOUR 'LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF' is now over. The worldwide stadium tour topped the Billboard Boxscore, and marked BTS as the first Korean group to perform at Wembley Stadium. The tour took place across Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, São Paulo, London, Paris, Osaka, Shizuoka, Riyadh, and Seoul. With unprecedented access, BREAK THE SILENCE: THE MOVIE travels with BTS throughout the tour, exploring each band member behind the curtain. Off stage, we see another side of BTS. The seven members begin to candidly tell personal stories they have never voiced before. Facing my other self ‘PERSONA’

It will play locally at the Cinemark in Monaca (through the 1st), Monroeville (through the 27th), and Robinson (through the 30th), and the AMC Loews in Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

Pitt sends message to its student community about racism and xenophobia against Asian students.

Kenyon Bonner, the Vice Provost and Dean of Students at the University of Pittsburgh, sent an announcement to the Pitt student population yesterday about the coronavirus's potential impact on health and well-being. The message also included a message about curbing racism and xenophobia that has been directed against Asian-American and international students at Pitt:

In addition to our physical wellness, it is important that during this time we remain committed to our communal well-being. Pitt aims to be an inclusive community in which everyone feels like they belong and are valued. Disappointedly, some members of our community have used the coronavirus as a vehicle to spew hateful rhetoric targeted at some of our international, Asian American students, and people who are perceived to have been in contact with COVID-19. This type of treatment is wrong, insensitive, harmful, and contrary to the University’s values. Although this outbreak started in China, having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not place a person at higher risk for this illness.

As you discuss the coronavirus, please keep a few considerations in mind:

• Memes and jokes often stem from offensive stereotypes
• Jokes about Asian connections to the coronavirus normalize racist and discriminatory behavior
• Fact-check information before sharing on social media. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) are credible resources
• Empathize with those who have contracted COVID-19 or whose friends or family may be at risk, rather than blaming them
• Read the WHO A Guide to Preventing and Addressing Social Stigma

Together, we can make our campus feel inclusive for everyone by treating each other with dignity and respect and sharing accurate information with our fellow community members.

Pittsburgh's 2020 Lunar New Year Parade through Squirrel Hill, March 1.

The 2020 Lunar New Year Parade is scheduled to move up Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill on Sunday, March 1. Initially scheduled for February 9, it was postponed to accommodate local community members' efforts in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. It will begin at 12:30 pm at Murray and Phillips Ave. (map) and move to Forbes Ave.

Lunar New Year Parade through Squirrel Hill, February 9.

via @Lunar New Year PGH.

The fifth annual Lunar New Year Parade in Pittsburgh will be held on Sunday, February 9, to welcome the Year of the Rat. It starts at 12:30 and runs up Murray Avenue from Phillips Ave. (map) to Forbes Ave.

2018 Philippine movie Billie and Emma at 2019 Reel Q festival, October 12.

The 2018 Philippine movie Billie and Emma will play as part of the 2019 Reel Q festival on October 12.

Set in the mid-90’s, the film tells the story of Billie, a troublemaker from the big city, who finds herself exiled to San Isidro to live with her spinster aunt who is also the town’s religion teacher. Determined to change her ways and get through the last year of high school without incident, Billie hides herself from the world until she meets Emma, the ambitious, star student who coaxes Billie out of her shell. They soon fall in love but things get complicated when Emma finds out that she’s pregnant. Together, they explore the fleeting nature of love and life on this journey of growth, laughter and music.

The movie plays on October 12 at 3:00 pm at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville (map). Tickets are available online.

2018 Philippine movie Billie and Emma at 2019 Reel Q festival, October 12.

The line-up for the 2019 Reel Q film festival was announced this morning and includes the 2018 Philippine movie Billie and Emma.

Set in the mid-90’s, the film tells the story of Billie, a troublemaker from the big city, who finds herself exiled to San Isidro to live with her spinster aunt who is also the town’s religion teacher. Determined to change her ways and get through the last year of high school without incident, Billie hides herself from the world until she meets Emma, the ambitious, star student who coaxes Billie out of her shell. They soon fall in love but things get complicated when Emma finds out that she’s pregnant. Together, they explore the fleeting nature of love and life on this journey of growth, laughter and music.

The movie plays on October 12 at 3:00 pm at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville (map). Tickets are available online.

Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh recital "Sari-Sari" at Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, September 15.

The Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh will present its eighth annual recital on September 15, a show called "Sari-Sari."

Inspired by the phrase “sari-sari,” meaning variety or sundry, “SARI-SARI” is a continuation of last year’s “HALO-HALO” recital. Reflecting the breadth and depth of the Philippine culture and history—which encompass animistic beliefs of the many mountain tribes, Muslim and Christian beliefs, and celebrations of Spanish-influenced fiestas—this evening of dance and music is a celebration of Filipino arts. Musicians, dancers, and singers perform a variety of dances that preserve and propagate folk traditions while showing them in a totally different light.

Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh is a resident company of KST’s Alloy Studios.

The recital starts at 4:30 at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty (map). Tickets are available online.

Reading and conversation with author Gina Apostol, July 23.

City of Asylum will host author Gina Apostol for a free conversation and reading on July 23. A synopsis of her latest novel, Insurrecto:

Two women, a Filipino translator and an American filmmaker, go on a road trip in Duterte’s Philippines, collaborating and clashing in the writing of a film script about a massacre during the Philippine-American War. Chiara is working on a film about an incident in Balangiga, Samar, in 1901, when Filipino revolutionaries attacked an American garrison, and in retaliation American soldiers created “a howling wilderness” of the surrounding countryside. Magsalin reads Chiara’s film script and writes her own version. Insurrecto contains within its dramatic action two rival scripts from the filmmaker and the translator—one about a white photographer, the other about a Filipino schoolteacher.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm; it's free but online RSVP is required. The City of Asylum's Alphabet City venue is located at 40 N. West Ave. on the North Side (map).

Reading and conversation with author Gina Apostol, July 23.

City of Asylum will host author Gina Apostol for a free conversation and reading on July 23. A synopsis of her latest novel, Insurrecto:

Two women, a Filipino translator and an American filmmaker, go on a road trip in Duterte’s Philippines, collaborating and clashing in the writing of a film script about a massacre during the Philippine-American War. Chiara is working on a film about an incident in Balangiga, Samar, in 1901, when Filipino revolutionaries attacked an American garrison, and in retaliation American soldiers created “a howling wilderness” of the surrounding countryside. Magsalin reads Chiara’s film script and writes her own version. Insurrecto contains within its dramatic action two rival scripts from the filmmaker and the translator—one about a white photographer, the other about a Filipino schoolteacher.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm; it's free but online RSVP is required. The City of Asylum's Alphabet City venue is located at 40 N. West Ave. on the North Side (map).

Pagdiriwang and Dedication of the Philippine Nationality Room, June 9 at Pitt.

A pagdiriwang celebration and the dedication of the new Philippine Nationality Room in the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning are scheduled for June 9. The dedication ceremony takes place from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Heinz Chapel, with a reception scheduled for 3:00 to 5:00 pm on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

The room is located on the third floor of the building, room 313, and opened to the public in December.

Erie Asian Festival 2019, May 4.

The Erie Asian Pacific American Association is presenting its annual Asian Festival on May 4.

Singer JR Aquino at Pitt, January 26.

Pitt's Filipino Student Association will host singer JR Aquino on January 26.

FSA proudly welcomes JR Aquino: talented pop singer who appeared on American Idol and the Voice!

The show starts at 6:00 in Nordy's Place in the lower level of the William Pitt Union (map). Tickets are available online.

"ASA Culture Fair: Journey to the East" at Pitt, December 2.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Students Alliance, in collaboration with numerous other on-campus organizations, will present the ASA Culture Fair on December 2.

The Asian Students Alliance alongside the umbrellas the Chinese American Students Association, Filipino Students Association, Korean Student Association and the Vietnamese Student Association are proud to present Culture Fair: Journey to the East. In collaboration with Pitt Wushu, FRESA, SASA, JSA, PantheRaas and Pitt Nrityamala, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of performances, games and FREE FOOD.

On Sunday December 2nd we will take you along on our Journey to the East. Catch a glimpse of each participating orgs culture; indulge in delicious dishes from all around Asia and engage in countless games and activities.

It runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the William Pitt Union's Ballroom.

10 days, 20 Asian movies in Pittsburgh, starting September 21

Anime Week at Row House Cinema, the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival, the Ghibli GKIDS Fest, the Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Award, and some regularly-scheduled distribution mean that 20 East Asian movies will play in Pittsburgh from September 21 through September 30. See below for a list of screenings of these films from Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh recital "Halo Halo" at Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, September 22.

The Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh will present its seventh annual recital on September 22, a show called "Halo Halo."

Halo-halo literally means "mix-mix," or a hodgepodge. It is the name of a popular Filipino dessert---a mixture of sweetened fruits, tubers and beans poured over shaved ice, with a topping of evaporated milk and ice cream.

Just like the colorful dessert, the recital will showcase a melding of different elements. Dancers will perform more than a dozen traditional folk dances, including the famous Tinikling pole-jumping dance. But five of the dances have been modernized with contemporary moves and street-dancing styles.

The show starts at 4:00 pm at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater at 5941 Penn Ave. in East Liberty (map). Tickets are in a "Pay What Makes You Happy" format, and are available online.

2018 Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival schedule just released; includes films from China, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan.

Tickets went on sale today for the 2018 Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival, and this year's iteration includes films from. The festival runs from September 21 through September 30 at several theaters in the Pittsburgh areas, and films include:

• Alifu the Prince/ss (阿莉芙; Taiwan, 2017) - September 24, September 28
• Dynamite Graffiti (素敵なダイナマイトスキャンダル; Japan, 2018) - September 26, September 29 in Oakland, and September 29 downtown
• Marlina The Murder in Four Acts (Marlina Si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak; Indonesia+Malaysia+Thailand, 2018) - September 23, September 29
• Missing Johnny (強尼．凱克; Taiwan, 2017) - September 28, September 30
• Mori, the Artist's Habitat (モリのいる場所; Japan, 2018) - September 23, September 29
• Short Film Presentation: China
• Smaller and Smaller Circles (Philippines, 2017) - September 28, September 29
• The Return (Denmark+South Korea, 2018) - September 23, September 29
• Toys & Pets (阿唐奇遇; China, 2017) - September 29, September 30
• Wrath of Silence (暴裂无声; China, 2017) - September 25, September 30

Manila Killa at Spirit Hall, September 28.

via @manilakilla.

EDM artist Manila Killa will play at Spirit Hall on September 28, opening for Whethan. Ones to Watch profiled him back in January:

[Chris] Gavino is known around the world as future bass producer Manila Killa, half of indie-dance and house duo Hotel Garuda, and founding member of the internet-born music collective Moving Castle. All things considered, these notable achievements would prove impressive for anyone in the world of electronic music and are even more astounding when viewed in context.

Gavino managed to achieve these monumental feats all while still attending college full-time, where he was studying business management. Balancing both college and an ever-growing music career where he was asked to play shows across the country, Gavino chose the path most artists rarely do. The rising producer fully committed himself to both worlds, succeeding in further honing and developing his craft without sacrificing his academic pursuits.

Tickets are $23 in advance or $25 at the door. The all-ages show starts at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:00). Spirit is located at 242 51st Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Construction underway on Philippine Nationality Room.

via Popi Laudico.

As reported in the Spring 2018 Nationality and Heritage Rooms News newsletter, construction began on the Philippine Nationality Room on May 3. And as reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette yesterday, it is planned for room 313.