In Person Reading & Conversation: "Dust Child" by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (w/ Cameron Barnett), April 8 at White Whale Books & Coffee.

White Whale Books & Coffee will present "In Person Reading & Conversation: 'Dust Child' by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (w/ Cameron Barnett)" on April 8.

We're BIG fans of award-winning Vietnamese poet and internationally bestselling novelist Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai—The Mountains Sing was one of our favorite books of 2020 (and one of our customers' faves, too!). And we're very excited to welcome her to Pittsburgh on her national tour for her latest novel, Dust Child (out 3/14). She'll be joined in conversation by Chatham University's Emerging Black Writer-In-Residence and local author Cameron Barnett (The Drowning Boy's Guide to Water, Autumn House Press). We're grateful to the Chatham University MFA in Creative Writing for co-sponsoring this event.

Quế Mai will do a short reading from the book, talk about her research and writing process and perform her poetry in Vietnamese and English. She will also take your questions. She can't wait to see you, and is happy to sign and personalize your books.

"Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai will win many more readers with her powerful and deeply empathetic second novel. From the horrors of war and its enduring afterlife for men and women, lovers and children, soldiers and civilians, she weaves a heartbreaking tale of lost ideals, human devotion, and hard-won redemption. Dust Child establishes Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai as one of our finest observers of the devastating consequences of war, and proves, once more, her ability to captivate readers and lure them into Viet Nam’s rich and poignant history."—Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Sympathizer and The Committed

11 films comprising Studio Ghibli Fest 2023 playing in Pittsburgh-area theaters, March through November.

The annual Studio Ghibli Fest from GKIDS returns in 2023 with 11 films that will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from March through November: 

• My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ) - March 25, 27, 29 (dubbed in English), March 26, 28 (in Japanese with English subtitles)

• Spirited Away: Live on Stage - April 23, April 27

• Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) - May 7, 10 (dubbed), May 8 (subtitles)

• Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) - June 11 (dubbed), June 12, 14 (subtitles)

• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (風の谷のナウシカ) - July 9 (dubbed), July 11 (subtitles)

• Castle in the Sky ( 天空の城ラピュタ) - July 10 (dubbed), July 12 (subtitles)

• Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) - August 5, 8 (dubbed), August 6, 7, 9 (subtitles)

• The Wind Rises (風立ちぬ) - August 21 (dubbed), August 23 (subtitles)

• Porco Rosso (紅の豚) - August 20 (dubbed), August 22 (subtitles) 

• Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) - September 23, 26 (dubbed), September 24, 25, 27 (subtitles)

• Spirited Away ( 千と千尋の神隠し) - October 29, 30, November 1 (dubbed), October 28, 30 (subtitles)

Showtimes and ticket information for local Cinemark theaters been posted at the links above, but others are likely to be announced later; Ghibli Fest films typically also play at the AMC theaters, the Waterworks Cinema, and in Cranberry, among others. 

"Innovation And Women’s Entrepreneurship In Japan And The U.S.," March 23.

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania will present "Innovation And Women’s Entrepreneurship In Japan And The U.S." on March 23.

Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month at our upcoming program, Innovation and Women’s Entrepreneurship in Japan and the U.S.

 

Innovation is crucial to grow Pittsburgh into a vibrant, thriving city. Japanese companies are taking notice, investing in local businesses and forming research partnerships with educational institutions. In this interactive panel discussion, our expert speakers will discuss trends in entrepreneurship and innovation in both countries.

Pho and Roll Vietnamese Kitchen now open in East Liberty, in old Two Sisters spot.

Pho and Roll Vietnamese Kitchen has recently opened in East Liberty at 216 N. Highland Ave. (map), the spot most recently occupied by Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen until its closure on December 31. The menu is primarily pho, of course, with a selection of other sides and entrees, including a number of spring, summer, and egg rolls. Pho and Roll is run by Tnon (Simon) Atapan, who has owned and operated Thai restaurants and groceries in the Chicago area for the last several years.

Washington & Jefferson College hiring Adjunct Instructor of Chinese.

Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, PA, is hiring an Adjunct Instructor of Chinese.

Seeking a specialist in the instruction of Chinese language and culture for spring 2024.

Primary duties include teaching three in-person 4-credit Chinese language courses - a combination of different language-levels - and three office hours a week. Other responsibilities include mentoring students in the Chinese Program and collaboration with colleagues in Modern Languages.

Qualifications

Native or near-native proficiency and experience teaching college or university students preferred. Instructors must have at minimum an MA or be ABD in Chinese or a related field. Specialization in Second Language Acquisition and language-teaching methodology preferred. The candidate we seek has innovative language teaching skills, expertise in Chinese instruction at various levels, and familiarity with technologies that aid learning and communication, e.g., Zoom, Teams.

2003 movie Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS) in Pittsburgh, March 22.

The 2003 movie Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS) will play in Pittsburgh on March 22. A synopsis, from Toho Kingdom:

A year after the battle between Godzilla and Kiryu, Japan has begun repairs on the damaged mech. Work is focused on the damaged arm and chest areas, with weapon improvements planned. Meanwhile, Mothra's Shobijin meet with an old acquaintance, Doctor Shinichi Chujo. They warn that the dead should not be disturbed and the bones of the original Godzilla, which are inside Kiryu, should be returned. The message comes with a ray of hope: that Mothra will fight Godzilla on Japan's behalf if the request is met. However, if Japan ignores the request, then Mothra will once again become an enemy of humanity. Japan's government agrees that Kiryu's creation raises a moral question. They refuse to decommission it, though, feeling that it is the last hope against Godzilla. Meanwhile, the King of the Monsters first kills Kamoebas and then destroys a nuclear sub out at sea. Japan realizes Godzilla's arrival is imminent, raising into question who will fight who should Kiryu and then Mothra arrive...

Contending with Monsters of Our Own Making with Jade Song, April 1 with City of Asylum.

City of Asylum will present "Contending with Monsters of Our Own Making with Jade Song" on April 1.

In this reading, novelist, writer, and art director Jade Song shares her visceral debut novel, Chlorine. This chilling and addictive work blurs the line between a literary coming-of-age narrative and a dark unsettling horror tale, creating a shrewd commentary on the trials of growing up in a society that puts monstrous pressure on young women and their bodies.

The novel centers on Ren Yu, a zealous swimmer whose daily life starts and ends with the pool. Her teammates are her only friends. Her coach, her guiding light. She aches to be in the water, dreaming of chlorine and imagining the chemicalized liquid will turn her into a mermaid—the creature of her obsessions. Pressure heaps upon Ren from every direction, from the boundary pushing of her overbearing and inappropriate coach, to the insistence of her parents that she get a scholarship and attend an Ivy League school. She finds ways to cope, though they are each as destructive and debaucherous as the last, plummeting her into a world of body dysmorphia and horror. All the while, the dream of a mermaid’s life remains: a life of dragging and drowning, of bringing would-be colonizers to their doom. A life of freedom and control.

Filled to the brim with shudder-inducing and intoxicating prose, Chlorine is a powerful, relevant novel of immigration, sapphic longing, and fierce, defiant becoming.

You can purchase your own copy of Jade’s book, Chlorine, at City of Asylum Bookstore.

The talk runs from 3:00 to 4:30, both in person at Alphabet City on the North Side (map) and online. Registration is required.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage in Pittsburgh, April 23 and 27.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on April 23 and 27. From the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature film comes to life in this first-ever stage adaptation, full of dazzling sets, captivating musical numbers, and wondrous puppets of beloved characters. Adapted and directed by Tony Award®-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), two unique casts and performances were filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

It has been announced so far for the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, and the North Hills, though more are likely to be announced later. Tickets are available online.

Kuniko Yamamoto and "Origami Tales" in Pittsburgh, May 19 - 21.

Kuniko Yamamoto and "Origami Tales" will be in Pittsburgh from May 19 to 21 as part of the EQT Children's Festival.

Welcome to the infinite world of Origami! In Japanese, ori- means "to fold" and -gami means "paper". Using origami, music and audience participation, storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto provides a magical entry into Japanese culture. In her show Origami Tales, mythological character masks and puppets, amazing flowers and a dragon – all made from origami – set the stage while Kuniko shares heartfelt stories from ancient Japan. Expect boundless imagination out of simple paper folding and an uplifting world of storytelling.

The performances will take place at the Trust Arts Education Center in the Cultural District (map). Tickets are available online.

2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (臥虎藏龍) to remain in Pittsburgh through March 1.

The 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon---starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, and Zhang Ziyi---which opened in Pittsburgh on February 17, will remain here through at least March 1. A synopsis from the distributor:

Named "Best Picture of the Year" by over 100 critics nationwide! Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy - and the inescapable, enduring power of love. Set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is the action-packed, box office smash from acclaimed director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm) featuring stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix).

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