Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Pig at Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, February 3.

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh will hold "Chinese New Year Celebration: Year of the Pig" on Sunday, February 3.

In ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on the Lunar New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. Come kick off the Lunar year 4717, the year of the Pig, with live music, dance, art making, and more!

A complete schedule of events is available on the museum's website. The celebration runs from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and is free with museum admission ($16 for adults, $14 for kids aged 2 through 18, and free for infants under 2). The museum is located at 10 Children's Way on the Northside (map).

Fate/Stay Night [Heaven's Feel] II. Lost Butterfly in Pittsburgh, March 14.

The next installment of the Fate/Stay Night [Heaven's Feel] trilogy will play in Pittsburgh on March 14. It will play locally at Southside Works Cinema, but tickets and showtime information is not yet available.

Yanlai Dance Academy spring performance "Drifting Feathers," March 2.

Yanlai Dance Academy will present this spring's performance "Drifting Feathers" on March 2.

This year, our dances range from classical Chinese dance of Hang Dynasty of 2 thousands of years ago - to ethnic folk dances of Xin Jiang, Mongol, Tibet, and Dai dance, where our audience will see the world of enthusiasm and passion. We hope our audience will enjoy the colorful, beautiful costumes, and the joyful and deep music.

The performance starts at 6:00 pm at the August Wilson Center in the Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.

Greater Pittsburgh Chinese New Year Gala, February 2 in the North Hills.

The Chinese Association for Science and Technology - Pittsburgh Chapter will present the Greater Pittsburgh Chinese New Year Gala on February 2 at Marshall Middle School in Wexford.

Dear friends in Greater Pittsburgh, the 2019 Chinese New Year Gala is just around the corner on February 2nd!

Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, is the biggest festival in China. 2019 is the Year of the Pig, which represents luck, fortune, and prosperity.

Indonesian-Singaporean film Buffalo Boys at Parkway Theater, from January 18.

The 2018 Indonesian-Singaporean film Buffalo Boys will play at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks from January 18. An A.V. Club review provides a summary:

Set in the late 19th century, Buffalo Boys stars Ario Bayu and Yoshi Sudarso as brothers Jamar and Suwo, who return to their Javanese ancestral village after decades of exile to avenge their father’s murder at the hands of sadistic colonial administrator Van Trach (Reinout Bussemaker). They bring with them not only an arsenal of heavy-duty firepower, but also a certain gunslinger swagger[.]

Showtime information is available online. The theater is located at 644 Broadway Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

"The Art of Noh: Woodblock Prints by Tsukioka Kōgyo," through April 26 at Pitt's Hillman Library.

The University of Pittsburgh's University Library System will continue to host an exhibit of woodblock prints by Tsukioka Kōgyo through April 26.

Noh, a theater form that originated in the fourteenth century, was associated historically with the ruling warrior class, who made up about 5% of Japan’s pre-modern population in the late feudal period between 1600 and 1868. Kōgyo’s paintings and prints are more than reproductions of what he saw and sketched in the noh theater. He tried to capture what he saw as the essence of a play, which led him to make additions, subtractions, and various other changes to the actual performance in his prints. He even went so far as to put his ideas of the real-life facial expressions of the characters he depicted on the masks the actors in his prints wore. And he added to his prints scenes and texts from the stories of the play that were not portrayed in the play on stage. In one print he showed the play’s primary character performing under water, even though he obviously did not do so on stage. Kōgyo was not a camera; he was an artist.

The exhibit is located on the ground floor of Hillman Library (map) and is open to the public during the library's hours.

Braddock's Superior Motors to host guest chef Simone Tong of New York’s Little Tong Noodle Shop, February 5.

via @littletongnyc

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has details about the first installment of the 2019 Dinner Series with guest chef Simone Tong of New York’s Little Tong Noodle Shop. Tickets for the February 5 event are available online.

"Beyond Haiku: Japanese Poetry in Time and Art," January 17 at City of Asylum.

Bashō's Hermitage on Camellia Hill beside the Aqueduct at Sekiguchi (せき口上水端はせを庵椿やま), by Hiroshige.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and City of Asylum will present Pitt's Dr. Elizabeth Oyler and her talk "Beyond Haiku: Japanese Poetry in Time and Art" on January 17.

Join us for a lively discussion with Elizabeth Oyler, presented in partnership with The Japan- America Society of Pennsylvania and as part of our Honor Roll Lecture Series.

Haiku, arguably Japan’s most recognized form of poetry, developed into the poetic form we know and love today through hundreds of years of evolution. Inseparably integrated with Japanese history, Haiku has a notable influence on Japanese poetry, art, and society.

Join the JASP for this free evening. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at City of Asylum's Alphabet City on the North Side (map). It's free, but RSVP is required and can be completed online.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly (ドラゴンボール超ブロリー) in Pittsburgh, from January 16.

The new Japanese movie Dragon Ball Super: Broly (ドラゴンボール超ブロリー) will play at several Pittsburgh theaters from January 16. The distributor provides a summary:

A planet destroyed, a powerful race reduced to nothing. After the devastation of Planet Vegeta, three Saiyans were scattered among the stars, destined for different fates. While two found a home on Earth, the third was raised with a burning desire for vengeance and developed an unbelievable power. And the time for revenge has come. Destinies collide in a battle that will shake the universe to its very core!

Goku is back to training hard so he can face the most powerful foes the universes have to offer, and Vegeta is keeping up right beside him. But when they suddenly find themselves against an unknown Saiyan, they discover a terrible, destructive force.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly was the top movie in Japan the weekend it was released. It will play locally at Southside Works, the Hollywood Theater, AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Loews South Hills Village, and the Cinemark Theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, Pittsburgh Mills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

2018 Japanese animated film Penguin Highway (ペンギン・ハイウェイ) in Pittsburgh, April 21.

The 2018 Japanese animated film Penguin Highway (ペンギン・ハイウェイ) will play at Southside Works Cinema on April 21. The distributor summarizes:

Penguin Highway is the first feature film from Studio Colorido (founded by director Ishida and ex-Studio Ghibli character designer Yojiro Arai) and exciting young upcoming director, Hiroyasu Ishida.

Based on the award-winning novel by Tomihiko Morimi (The Tatami Galaxy and The Eccentric Family), Penguin Highway is an energetic animated debut and is sure to impress you with its heart, as well as its colourful and whimsical palette!

The film also was recently awarded the “Axis: The Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation” for Best Animated Feature at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival and has received standing ovations around the world.

Tickets for the 7:00 pm show are now available online. Southside Works Cinema is located at 425 Cinema Drive in the Southside, one block from the Hot Metal Bridge (map).

Japanese zombie comedy film One Cut of the Dead カメラを止めるな! ) in Pittsburgh, from January 18.

The 2017 Japanese zombie comedy film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな! ) will play in Pittsburgh from January 18. A 2018 Variety review says:

Viewers get three films for the price of one in “One Cut for the Dead,” a terrific Japanese horror-comedy that proves there’s somewhere the zombie apocalypse movie hasn’t yet gone. Writer-director-editor Shinichiro Ueda’s cleverly conceived and executed debut feature opens with an unbroken 37-minute shot of monster mayhem before hitting the reset button and turning into a funny satire of low-budget genre filmmaking — and eventually becoming a charming family comedy-drama. Packed with witty nods to classic horror movies, “One Cut” is a natural for genre fests and has such a warm and winning heart it could also fit into mainstream festival programs.

The movie runs from the 18th through 24th at the Harris Theater downtown (map). Showtimes are available online, though tickets are only available at the door. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) hiring bilingual Chinese-English GMAT/GRE tutors.

Pittsburgh-based Chinese education consulting and placement firm WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) has announced openings for bilingual GMAT/GRE tutors.

Korean film Burning (버닝), Japanese film Shoplifters (万引き家族) to continue in Pittsburgh through January 18.

The acclaimed 2018 films Burning (버닝) and Shoplifters (万引き家族), which opened in Pittsburgh on December 21, will remain in town through January 18.

2018 Japanese movie Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative [機動戦士ガンダムNT (ナラティブ)] in Pittsburgh, February 19.

The 2018 Japanese movie Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative [機動戦士ガンダムNT (ナラティブ)] will play at the Southside Works Cinema on February 19. Anime News Network has a summary:

U.C. 0097. One year since the Laplace's Box was opened. Despite the revelation of the original charter for the Universal Century, which acknowledges the existence of Newtypes and their rights, the world remains largely unchanged. After the destruction of the Neo Zeon remnant force known as the Sleeves, the event that has come to be known as the "Laplace Incident" seems to have drawn to a close. In the final battle, two Full Psycho Frame mobile suits displayed power beyond human imagination. The menace of the White Unicorn and the Black Lion were sealed away from public consciousness, and were consigned to be forgotten by history. But now sightings of the RX-0 Unicorn 03, long thought lost two years ago, are being reported. Its name is Phenex, an immortal golden bird.

Tickets and showtime information are not yet available. Southside Works Cinema is located at 425 Cinema Drive in the Southside, one block from the Hot Metal Bridge (map).

Crazy Rich Asians at Shaler North Hills Library, January 13.

The Shaler North Hills Library will play Crazy Rich Asians on January 13 as one of its "Books to Film" selections.

The story follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore.

It starts at 2:00 pm and is free and open to the public, though registration is requested. The library is located at 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd. (map).

Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner, January 15 in Highland Park.

Itha Cao of the Hungry Cao will present its next Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner on January 15.

Residência: The Hungry Cao "Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner"

On January 15th, Casa Brasil welcomes back chef resident Itha Cao from the Hungry Cao hosting a unique evening, "Gourmet Chinese Tasting Dinner" where 27 guests will explore a variety of flavors and dishes through a 8 course tasting meal carefully curated by chef Itha!

The menu is composed by a variety of dishes focused on fresh and regional Chinese cuisine.

When - January 15, 2019

Time - 6:30pm – 9pm

Location - Casa Brasil

Tickets- $65 includes a complimentary cocktail

Capacity - 27 guests

Chef Itha will donate portion of proceeds to a charitable effort.

The Hungry Cao

Note: This is a ticketed dinner, no walk-ins.

Join us!

Tickets are required, limited to 27, and available online. Casa Brasil is located at 5904 Bryant St. in Highland Park (map).

Former Pirates infielder Akinori Iwamura's sushi place.

Former baseball player Akinori Iwamura is a co-owner of Sushi Emon, (すしえもん), a small chain of conveyor-belt sushi places on his home island of Shikoku. The photograph above appears outside a location in a mall in Kagawa prefecture.

The T and A in the restaurant's logo refer to the Iwamura brothers, Takashi and Akinori. Akinori Iwamura was the first Japanese position player in Pittsburgh Pirates history---and to date the only Japanese position player in Pittsburgh Pirates history---playing 54 games for the team in 2010. Two other Japanese players, both pitchers, have appeared in games with the Pirates: Masumi Kuwata in 2007 and Hisanori Takahashi for nine games in 2012.

WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) hiring bilingual Chinese-English academic tutors.

Pittsburgh-based Chinese education consulting and placement firm WholeRen Education (美国厚仁教育集团) has announced more openings for bilingual academic tutors.

Japanese Coming-of-Age Ceremony (成人の日) at Pitt for students turning 20, January 11.

Kasai does 成人の日 in 2010.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and English Language Institute will host the second annual Coming-of-Age Ceremony (成人の日) on January 11, 2019. A large cohort of students from Yasuda Women's University is studying at Pitt's English Language Institute this fall and will miss the traditional ceremony in Hiroshima next month, so Pitt will hold its own event. Pittwire covered last year's ceremony:

About 25 students from Yasuda Women’s University in Hiroshima, who were at the University of Pittsburgh for five months learning English, were away from home in January, missing out on the annual Coming of Age ceremony, a national holiday in Japan.

So, Pitt’s Asian Studies Center threw a party — kimonos included.

A banner that reads “University of Pittsburgh Coming of Age Day Ceremony” in Japanese greeted student Nika Tanimoto and other participants.

“This Coming of Age ceremony seems like the perfect confluence of the University, our Japanese students and the community to celebrate together,” said Lynn Kawaratani, the center’s acting associate director. Members of the Pittsburgh community, the Japanese Nationality Room Committee and the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania all loaned kimonos for the students to wear. The Asian Studies Center has been partnering with Pitt’s English Language Institute for about a year, developing programming for these international students as well as Pitt students.

2018 Japanese animated anthology film Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Film Theater, Volume 1 (ちいさな英雄－カニとタマゴと透明人間－) in Pittsburgh, January 10 and 12.

A 2018 collection of three short films, titled Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Film Theater, Volume 1 (ちいさな英雄－カニとタマゴと透明人間－), will play in Pittsburgh on January 10 and 12.

Studio Ponoc, the new animation studio founded by two-time Academy Award®-nominee Yoshiaki Nishimura (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There) and featuring many artists from the venerable Studio Ghibli, made an immediate splash last year with its acclaimed debut film Mary and The Witch’s Flower. The studio returns this year with Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre Vol. 1, an ambitious collection of three thrilling tales created by some of the greatest talents working in Japanese animation today.

In Kanini & Kanino, directed by Academy Award®-nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There, Mary and The Witch’s Flower), two crab brothers embark on a grand underwater adventure to find their father, after an accident carries him far downstream. Depicted as tiny beings in a large and merciless natural world, the brothers must evade a series of freshwater predators if they are ever to reunite with their family again.

In Life Ain’t Gonna Lose, acclaimed animator Yoshiyuki Momose (key animator on Isao Takahata’s films at Studio Ghibli, and animation director of the video game Ni No Kuni) makes his directorial debut with a very different kind of story. Eight-year-old Shun loves baseball and to run. Only eggs defeat him. With the love of his strong-willed mother (Maggie Q), Shun faces the challenge of an everyday life threatened by a deadly allergy.

Lastly, in Invisible (the directing debut of Akihiko Yamashita, a talented key animator on many of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s best-known films) a man wakes up one morning and goes through his day in a world where no one can see him. But just when he seems to have reached his limit, a momentous decision gives him the chance to reclaim his humanity.

Together, the stories explore ideas of heroism large and small, and the infinite potential of the short film format allows the directors and Studio Ponoc to experiment with breathtaking, action-packed visuals, concise human drama, and gorgeous fantasy worlds, in this unforgettable short film anthology that is further demonstration of the studio’s exciting future.

It will play at the Southside Works on January 10, and at the Cinemark in Monroeville on the 10th (subtitled) and 12th (dubbed). Tickets are available online.

Crazy Rich Asians at Carnegie Library downtown branch, January 22.

The Downtown & Business branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will present Crazy Rich Asians as its next installment in its Page to Screen series on January 22.

A native New Yorker accompanies her longtime boyfriend to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting her boyfriend’s family, she is unprepared to learn that he has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the heir of one of the country’s wealthiest families, but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan.

The film was the 16th highest grossing film in the US in 2018 and was the top film in the country for three weeks in August. It runs on the 22nd from 12:15 to 2:15. The library is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).