Chinese calligraphy workshop downtown, May 25.

"Chinese calligrapher," by David Boté Estrada (Creative Commons).

The downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a Chinese calligraphy workshop on May 25.

A Chinese calligraphy expert will show us pictures of her home in China, give background on the art of calligraphy, and lead a Chinese calligraphy workshop for all ages! No registration is necessary for these sessions. Seating for all workshops is available to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll want to come early to be sure you MAKE it on time.

The event runs from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. The Downtown & Business branch is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

“Body Writing” and “Quotidian Writing” in Contemporary Chinese Women’s Poetry, April 19 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will present Dr. Hua Huang and her talk “Body Writing” and “Quotidian Writing” in Contemporary Chinese Women’s Poetry on April 19.

Art in the US-Japan Relationship: Preserving the Floating World, April 18 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

The Japan America Society of Pennsylvania will present Art in the US-Japan Relationship: Preserving the Floating World on Thursday, April 18.

Please join us for a special presentation of Japanese art as part of the Richard J. Wood Art Curators Series. The series brings attention to major collections of Japanese art in the U.S. and their role in the U.S.-Japan grassroots relationship.

Beyond his fame as Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of Tales of the South Pacific and Hawaii, James A. Michener is well remembered as an enthusiastic collector of fine art. He managed to assemble the third largest collection of ukiyo-e in the United States, which he then gifted to the Honolulu Museum of Art. His donation now comprises approximately half of the museum's collection of more than 10,000 Japanese ukiyo-e. Join us at the Carnegie Museum of Art to learn about Michener's collecting journey with Stephen Salel, Robert F. Lange Foundation Curator of Japanese Art at the Honolulu Museum of Art.

The event starts at 6:00 pm and registration is required. The museum is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by buses 28X, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71B, 71D, 75, and P3.

Run River North at Club Cafe, May 15.

Indie folk-rock band Run River North will play Club Cafe on May 15. A 2016 NBC profile described the band as

a group formed back in 2011 as a "conversation for immigrant family kids to talk about, or just to have some kind of space" to share their family histories, according to lead singer Alex Hwang.

And Club Cafe's profile says, in part:

Not just an Asian-American band or a group that relies on a set sonic formula, the EP continues to expand upon the band's prior folk-leaning backbone. On lead single "Hands Up," the band is at their most bombastic. The result of a co-writing collaboration with Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi of Grouplove, the duo's first of such sessions "Hands Up" pairs an earworm-y chorus with a front-and-center guitar melody, a second voice among Hwang's lead bellow. Overall, the group utilizes more drum programming, dreamy synth, and dynamic production -- a more expansive sonic palette.

Tickets for the 8:00 pm show are available online. Club Cafe is located at 56 S. 12th St. in the South Side (map).

Chinese restaurant replaces Hanami in Oakland.

A new Chinese restaurant has replaced Hanami on Fifth Ave. in Oakland. Signage indicates the unnamed restaurant is in a soft opening phase at 3608 Fifth Ave. (map).

Hanami opened in November 2018 as a rebranded version of Thai Hana, a restaurant that was among the worst in terms of health department violations in the county. During Hanami's initial inspection it received 10 violations; the restaurant closed several weeks ago.

"Storytime: Japanese and English" returns to East Liberty, April 16.

via archdaily.org

The next installment of the monthly program "Storytime: Japanese and English" will take place on April 16 at the Carnegie Library in East Liberty.

Celebrate our city’s diverse culture as we explore new words through songs, action rhymes and stories in both English and Japanese for children and their parents or caregivers. For children age birth – 5 and their caregivers.

It runs from 11:00 to 11:30 am. The library is located at 130 S. Whitfield St. (map).

Diners 2+1―serving sushi, sashimi, rolls, and bowls―replaces 15 Fahrenheit in Squirrel Hill.

After closing for the winter, 15 Fahrenheit rolled ice cream has closed for good in Squirrel Hill, replaced by a sushi and fast-casual place called Diners 2+1. The menu includes sushi, rolls, and various bowls. The restaurant is located at 1722 Murray Ave. (map) and was cleared to open by the county health department on March 28.

Pittsburgh Public Schools hiring part-time Mandarin teacher for 2019-2020 school year.

Pittsburgh Public Schools has an anticipated vacancy for a part-time Mandarin Chinese teacher for 2019-2020. A bachelor's degree and PA state teaching certification are required.

No Korean Food Bazaar for 2019; aims for 2020 return.

The annual Korean Food Bazaar (선교바자회) in Shadyside is taking 2019 off. A tradition of the Korean Central Church of Pittsburgh for 23 years, the church confirmed on Sunday it will not organize the festival this year, but will aim for a 2020 return. The bazaar has typically run on the first Saturday of May.

Matsuri 2019 at Carnegie Mellon University, April 23.

The Japanese Student Association at Carnegie Mellon University will present its annual Matsuri on Tuesday, April 23.

Matsuri is the biggest event hosted by JSA. Last year, more than 600 people showed up to the celebration.
Enjoy a variety of foods from our food booths, such as Yakisoba 🥢, Takoyaki 🐙, Dorayaki 😋, and Onigiri 🍙. You can also enjoy the various performances by student groups🎤 and Taiko Pittsburgh🥁, while immersed in traditional Japanese decorations! Don't forget to also enjoy the multitude of games, such as the shooting arcade🔫, super-ball fishing🎣, water balloon fishing🎈, and a raffle with great prizes🏆! We will also have several booths run by other on-campus organizations so come check them out!

Visit the Facebook page for ticket information and more details. Matsuri runs from 3:00 to 8:00 pm in the Rangos Ballroom of the Cohon University Center (map).

Master Z: IP Man Legacy (葉問外傳：張天志) in Pittsburgh, from April 12.

The 2018 Chinese martial arts film Master Z: IP Man Legacy (葉問外傳：張天志), which last month was announced for a downtown theater from April 19, will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront from April 12, the date of its nationwide release. The distributor provides a summary:

Legendary action director Yuen Wo Ping draws on a stellar cast (Michelle Yeoh, Dave Bautista, Tony Jaa, and Max Zhang) to create a hard-hitting martial arts blast worthy of its place in the celebrated IP MAN universe. Following his defeat by Master Ip, Cheung Tin Chi (Zhang), tries to make a life with his young son in Hong Kong, waiting tables at a bar that caters to expats. But it’s not long before the mix of foreigners, money, and triad leaders draw him once again to the fight.

The movie will play in Mandarin with English subtitles. Tickets are available online. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

The Magic Noodle coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Hand-drawn signage recently went up at 5829 Forbes Ave. (map) for The Magic Noodle. The spot was most recently home to Sun Penang.



It is not yet clear what relationship the new restaurant will have to Sun Penang ownership. The Malaysian-Chinese restaurant had its share of legal and food safety problems over the years---including rats nests, operating an illegal delivery service, and not paying employees---before ultimately being shut down by the county health department

2018 Japanese animated film Penguin Highway (ペンギン・ハイウェイ) in Pittsburgh, April 14.

The 2018 Japanese animated film Penguin Highway (ペンギン・ハイウェイ) will play at Southside Works Cinema on April 14, one week earlier than previously announced. The distributor summarizes:

Budding genius Aoyama is only in the 4th grade, but already lives his life like a scientist. When penguins start appearing in his sleepy suburb hundreds of miles from the sea, Aoyama vows to solve the mystery. When he finds the source of the penguins is a woman from his dentist’s office, they team up for an unforgettable summer adventure!

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

Tickets now available for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ) in Pittsburgh, May 5, 7, and 8.

The 2019 Japanese animated film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ) will play in Pittsburgh on May 5, 7, and 8, and tickets for it went on sale today. The distributor provides a synopsis:

He gave up his life to save the world and protect the ones he loved. The day Lelouch vi Brittannia fell was the day this war-torn world found peace. Now, as his friends work to keep the peace, a terrorist attack could risk everything. Can the brilliant tactician outwit death and save them all? Or will Lelouch’s legacy fall here?

The movie will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Monroeville, and tickets are available online. The May 5 show is in Japanese with English subtitles, while the May 7 and 8 shows are dubbed in English.

2018 Chinese film Ash is the Purest White (江湖儿女) in Pittsburgh, from April 12.

The 2018 Chinese film Ash is the Purest White (江湖儿女) will play in Pittsburgh from April 12. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Qiao is in love with Bin, a local mobster. During a fight between rival gangs, she fires a gun to protect him. Qiao gets five years in prison for this act of loyalty. Upon her release, she goes looking for Bin to pick up where they left off.

It will run from April 12 through 18 at the Regent Square Theater, though showtimes have not yet been announced. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the theater.

"An Evening of Balinese Shadow Puppet Theater: Tales from the Ramayana," April 13 at Pitt.

via volunteerbali.org

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Music will present "An Evening of Balinese Shadow Puppet Theater: Tales from the Ramayana" on April 13.

An Evening of Balinese Shadow Puppet Theater: Tales from the Ramayana features a pre-performance lecture by Dr. Meghan Hynson, puppetry by Ida Bagus Anom Suryawan assisted by Ida Ayu Kumalayoni, and Gender Wayang Music performed by Meghan Hynson, Yang Shuo, Wangcaixuan Zhang, and Annie Valdes.

The event starts at 8:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium (map) and tickets are available for purchase online.

A Night of Gamelan, April 12 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Gamelan Ensemble will hold its annual A Night of Gamelan on April 12.

The University Gamelan Ensemble (Mus 0690) plays the gamelan music of the Sundanese people, an ethnic group that inhabits roughly the western third of the island of Java. Gamelan refers to a set of predominantly percussion instruments including tuned gongs, metal-keyed instruments, and drums (as well as bowed lute and voice). Gamelan music is played as accompaniment to dance, drama, puppet theater, and martial arts, as well as for concerts of listening music. Gamelan is performed in conjunction with special occasions and to mark important life-cycle event.

The performance starts at 8:00 pm in Bellefield Hall Auditorium (map) and tickets are available online.

"Asia Pop" one-credit mini course at Pitt, Fall 2019.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will offer a 1-credit mini course titled "Asia Pop" in Fall 2019.

This mini 1 credit pop-up course explores the spread of Asian popular music across the world in conjunction with the Asian Studies Center lecture series on Asian pop culture. This year's theme is East Asian pop: J-pop (Japan), K-pop (Korea), and Canto/Mando Pop (Hong Kong and China). In this course, students will track the lecture series and discuss issues that include the global legacy of East Asian pop, the role of media and technology, popular music as an instrument of soft power, participatory fandom and international business. This course may also include some experiential learning opportunities such as a dance workshop and field trip. Students will be required to write a reflection paper at the end of the term.

Japanese garage rock band Guitar Wolf in Pittsburgh, May 22.

Japanese garage rock band Guitar Wolf will play in Pittsburgh on May 22. The show starts at 7:00 pm at Crafthouse Stage & Grill in the South Hills (map). Tickets are available online.

Balinese Offerings Workshop, April 7 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and Department of Music will present a Balinese Offerings Workshop on Sunday, April 7.

Learn how to make beautiful palm and floral offerings in the traditional Balinese style with expert artisan Ida Ayu Kumalayoni.
A brief lecture on offerings in Bali will be followed by a hands-on workshop.

Event is free and open to the public!

It will run from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in 837 William Pitt Union (map).

Erie Asian Festival 2019, May 4.

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