Fresh Garden Kitchen coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Signage has recently gone up for Fresh Garden Kitchen, a new Chinese restaurant coming soon to Squirrel Hill. It will be located at 2209 Murray Ave, the home of the popular Ka Mei from 2006 to 2020. Since Ka Mei's closure, a number of restaurants have occupied the spot, including Teppan BBQ in 2020, a joint Teppan BBQ - Mr. Egg's Kitchen, I Bowl in 2024, and K L Asian Cuisine briefly in 2025.

Chow's Kitchen (周家小馆) now open in Squirrel Hill.

Chow's Kitchen (周家小馆) is now open in Squrirrel Hill. Temporary signage went up earlier this month at 5825 Forbes Ave. (map) in what was most recently Dagu Rice Noodle and, previously, The Magic Noodle and Sun Penang. The business paperwork is connected to the ownership team of Everyday Noodles on the same block. The flyer on the door directs people to the restaurant's website, but currently I am unable to load it on a computer; it does seem to open on mobile, though. A menu has been uploaded to Yelp.

2024 Japanese movie Hotspring Sharkattack (温泉シャーク) in Pittsburgh, July 9.

The 2024 Japanese movie Hotspring Sharkattack (温泉シャーク) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on July 9.

This “unhinged” deep-sea nightmare follows a sleepy hot spring town in Japan that gets a rude awakening when an ancient, bloodthirsty shark resurfaces to terrorize the local bathhouses. The townspeople must band together to save their steamy paradise, leading to a battle for the ages.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill offering six-week summer camp for kids' martial arts, fitness, culture, and language training; $30 discount extended through June 30.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center's annual summer camp returns for six weeks of programming in July, and the school has extended its $30-per-week discount for registrants through May 31.

 Camp Schedule:

• Week 1: July 7 – 11
• Week 2: July 14 – 18
• Week 3: July 21 – 25
• Week 4: July 28 – August 1
• Week 5: August 4 – 8
• Week 6: August 11 – 15

 Location: Squirrel Hill Studio – 2705-2707 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
 Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (optional extended care until 5:30 PM)
 Ages: 5 – 15 years

 What to Expect

 Learn Kung Fu/Wushu/Tai Chi from champion masters
 Train in martial arts fundamentals
 Boost focus, fitness, and confidence with intensive training
 Dive into Mandarin language, Chinese culture, games, and movies
 Have fun in a supportive and engaging environment

 Tuition & Registration

• $240 per 5-day week (Save $30 when you register by June 30!)
• 10% discount for siblings
• New students: One-time $90 registration fee (includes a pair of training shoes, T-shirt, and training pants)
• Free registration for current Win-Win students
• Only 25 spots per week – First Come, First Serve!

 How to Register
 Current Win-Win students: Complete the selection form and submit a 20% tuition deposit.
 New students: Fill out the registration form, sign the waiver, complete the selection form, and submit a 20% tuition deposit along with the $90 registration fee.

Seats fill up fast, so don’t miss out on a summer of fun and learning!

For questions or to register, call (412) 336-8898 or email masters [at] winwinkungfu.com.

The studio is located at 2705 Murray Ave., on the ground floor of the Morrowfield building in Squirrel Hill South (map). 

Homestay hosts needed for visiting Yasuda Women's University students this fall and winter.

Students preparing to leave for Pittsburgh in 2018, via Yasuda Women's University.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania newsletter shares word that homestay hosts are again needed for a cohort of visiting Yasuda Women's University students this fall and winter.

Female students (ages 19-20) from Japan will be studying at the University of Pittsburgh this fall (September 5, 2025- January 8, 2026), and Global Pittsburgh is looking for host families. Hosts are asked to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to the students and will be compensated with $855 per month. If you are interested, please contact nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org

Yasuda Women's University (安田女子大学) is located in Hiroshima, and has been sending groups of students to Pittsburgh since 2016 to study at Pitt's English Language Institute.

Compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death in Pittsburgh, July 16 and 17.

The compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on July 16 and 17. A synopsis of the movie and a summary of the event, from the distributor:

Before they were enemies, Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto were high school classmates and friends. The two powerful sorcerers are tasked with protecting Riko Amanai, a student who has been designated to be sacrificed as the Star Plasma Vessel, until she can fulfill her duty. Pursued by a religious cult and other curse users, they are the only sorcerers capable of carrying out such a difficult task – but this mission will set their destinies, and challenge the two sorcerers in ways unimaginable.

The beloved and deeply emotional “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc from the global phenomenon JUJUTSU KAISEN returns to the big screen, reaching all new heights for fans and newcomers alike.

. . .

JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie comes to North American theaters nationwide beginning July 16th. The theatrical compilation feature returns to the widely beloved “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” story arc of the globally acclaimed JUJUTSU KAISEN series, which focused on the younger days of fan-favorite characters Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, who shared a deep bond that was tested by one fateful mission. Featuring newly remixed sound for an immersive theater experience, and an all-new acoustic version of Tatsuya Kitani’s “Where Our Blue Is,” this high-quality adaptation, which captivated audiences during its original broadcast, reaches new heights—bringing the powerful story back to the big screen.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Works by Chieko Murasugi, Rosa Ng, and Zelin Seah, among others, at Fiberart International 2025, June 20 through August 30.

"From Rags to Wishes," Textile Works, Chieko Murasugi (2024).

Fiberart International 2025 runs from June 20 through August 30 and features the work of dozens of textile artists, including Chieko Murasugi, Rosa Ng, and Zelin Seah.

Fiberart International 2025 (Fi2025) features works by both established and emerging artists from eight countries, representing a wide spectrum of creativity, materials, techniques and unique perspectives. The global community that is woven together through this exhibition naturally reflects a broad international outlook. The selected works for Fi2025 were juried by three distinguished and internationally renowned artists and curators: JOJO ABOT, Louis Ho and Tamara Kostianovsky.

With over 400 entries from 30 countries, 36 artists were chosen, offering a diverse and engaging representation of contemporary fiber art. The exhibition is globally recognized as a benchmark, documenting trends and innovations in the field. Fi2025 aims to present innovative works rooted in traditional fiber materials, structures, processes and history, while also embracing art that explores unexpected connections between fiber and other creative disciplines. 

1973 movie Enter the Dragon at Rangos Giant Cinema, June 20.

The 1973 movie Enter the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee, will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on June 20 as part of its June Action-Packed Series.

“Enter the Dragon” is often hailed as one of the most influential action films of all time, along with being credited for majorly contributing to the global mainstream popularity of martial arts films long after its release in 1973. Legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee seeks revenge for the death of his sister at the hands of a dangerous narcotics dealer by entering a kung fu competition with his partners, Roper and William. Come see Bruce Lee’s martial artistry on a screen that’s bigger than life at The Rangos Giant Cinema on Fri., June 20, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available onlline, $10 for Carnegie Science Center members and $12 for non-members. The Carnegie Science Center is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

2010 film The Secret World of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ) in Pittsburgh, June 22 - 24.

The 2010 film The Secret World of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ) will play in Pittsburgh June 22 through 24, the next installment of Studio Ghibli Fest 2025.

In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. When brave Borrower Arrietty is out gathering supplies, she is discovered by Sho, a human boy. The two form a strong bond, but Sho carries a heavy burden that threatens to cut their time together short. The Secret World of Arrietty serves as Academy Award® nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s directorial debut with the legendary Studio Ghibli. Brimming with warmth and empathy, The Secret World of Arrietty stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Studio Ghibli’s greatest works.

It plays locally at many area theaters, including: the Cinemarks in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson; the Waterworks Cinema, and Chartiers Valley. Tickets are available online.

Shai FM, Lexcd, DJ Furniture Present: Reconstructed, July 17 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

Shai FM, Lexcd, DJ Furniture Present: Reconstructed on July 17 at the Carnegie Museum of Art, part of the museum's summer Inside Out series.

An evening of playful experimentation in dance music, featuring three artists working to build meaning in the post-genre labyrinths of modern dance music. They will explore bridges between techno, bass music, club music, and unclassifiable sound.

Eats and drinks: Hibachi Lou and Café Carnegie Treats

The event starts at 5:00 pm and is free in the Sculpture Court, though museum admission is not included. The Carnegie Museum of Art is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by a number of city buses.