Japanese Language Social Hour, September 12 at Pitt.

Via Yasuda Women's University.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center is hosting a Japanese Language Social Hour on Thursday, September 12, with the group of students from Yasuda Women's University spending the term at the English Language Institute.

Join us at the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall for our Japanese Language Social Hour on Thursday, September 12th at 4:30 PM! It's a great opportunity to learn Japanese in a casual setting.

It runs from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the new Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map).

Van Gogh & Japan, September 15 at Tull Family Theater.

The 2019 documentary Van Gogh & Japan will play at the Tull Family Theater in Sewickley on September 15.

2019 movie Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (青春ブタ野郎はゆめみる少女の夢を見ない) in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 3.

The 2019 Japanese animated movie movie Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (青春ブタ野郎はゆめみる少女の夢を見ない) will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 3. From the distributor:

From CloverWorks, the studio that brought you PERSONA 5 the Animation, Darling in the FranXX, and The Promised Neverland, comes the direct sequel to the popular anime Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.

In Fujisawa, where the skies are bright and the seas glisten, Sakuta Azusagawa is in his ssecond year of high school. Blissful days with his girlfriend and upperclassman, Mai Sakurajima, are interrupted by the appearance of his first crush, Shoko Makinohara. For reasons unknown, he encounters two Shokos: one in middle school and another who has become an adult.

As Sakuta finds himself helplessly living with Shoko, the adult Shoko leads him around by the nose, causing a huge rift in his relationship with Mai.

In the midst of all of this, he discovers that the middle school Shoko is suffering from a grave illness and his chest scar begins to throb…

It will play locally in Japanese with English subtitles at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Night Market Gourmet now open in Oakland.

Night Market Gourmet is now open in Oakland. It is located at 114 Atwood St. (map) in the spot formerly occupied by TOP Shabu Shabu. Its new sign, like the sign before it, resembles the pizza shape leftover from Pizza Sola, which had the space until 2014.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女), Ghost in the Shell (攻殻機動隊), Akira (アキラ), and Metropolis (メトロポリス) at Row House Cinema's latest Anime Series, September 13 through 19.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女), Ghost in the Shell (攻殻機動隊), Akira (アキラ), and Metropolis (メトロポリス) will comprise this fall's Anime Series at Row House Cinema from September 13 through 19. Tickets are now available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

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.

2019 film KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Crimson Legend (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！紅伝説) in Pittsburgh, November 12.

The 2019 film KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Crimson Legend (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！紅伝説) will play in Pittsburgh on November 12. It will play in Japanese with English subtitles at the Southside Works Cinema, though tickets are not yet available.

Artist Talk with Asian Pacific Islander American Artists in Pittsburgh, September 13.

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council will host an Artist Talk as part of its ongoing "We Are Here: Asian Pacific Islander American Artists in Pittsburgh" exhibition on September 13.

Join curator Karen Lue in conversation with the artists of "We Are Here: Asian Pacific Island American Artists in Pittsburgh" on their work, identity, and the significance of this exhibition. A Q+A session will follow and refreshments will be provided. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the artists as well as APIA culture and its context in Pittsburgh.

The event runs from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on the 13th in the GPAC Big Room on the 7th floor of 810 Penn Ave. (map), and tickets are available online.

2019 Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Festival, September 14 at Mellon Park.

via @pghccc

The annual Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Festival will be held this year on September 14 at Mellon Park.

The Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival celebrates the rich culture of China, past and present, through entertainment, music, art, food and exhibits.

This fun filled day includes: local performances, renowned UNESCO Masters of Arts & Crafts from Wuhan, China, food from Pittsburgh’s BEST Chinese Restaurants and exhibits of handcrafted items, information and much more!

It runs from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Mellon Park in Shadyside (map) and is free and open to the public.

"Gettysburg: An American story distilled through Japanese noh," September 14 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh will host Theatre Nohgaku and its "Gettysburg: An American story distilled through Japanese noh" on September 14.

A poetic exploration of the ill-fated friendship between Confederate General Lewis Armistead and Union General Winfield Hancock and the unseen wounds of war.

It will be performed from 7:30 pm at the Charity Randall Theater in Oakland (map), and tickets are available online.

2019 Japanese animated film Human Lost (人間失格) in Pittsburgh, October 22 and 23.

The 2019 Japanese animated film Human Lost (人間失格) will play in Pittsburgh on October 22 and 23. From the distributor:

From the chief director of PSYCHO-PASS, director of Afro Samurai, and the studio that brought you Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters.

The year is 2036. A revolution in medical treatment has conquered death by means of internal nanomachines and the “Shell System”, yet only the richest can afford to partake.

Yozo Oba isn’t the richest. Troubled by strange dreams, he flippantly joins his friend’s biker gang on an ill-fated incursion to “The Inside”, where society’s elite lives. This instigates a journey of terrifying discovery that will change Yozo’s life forever.

It will play at the Southside Works Cinema. Tickets are not yet available, though the 22nd's screening will be in Japanese while the 23rd's will be dubbed in English.

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.

Wei-chung Wang (王維中) becomes first Taiwanese player in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

Wei-chung Wang (王維中), claimed from the Oakland Athletics on August 31, became the first Taiwanese player in Pittsburgh Pirates history by pitching in---and winning---last night's game. Wang was originally signed by Pittsburgh in 2011 but was claimed by Milwaukee in the 2014 Rule 5 draft.

The Farewell at Row House Cinema, September 6 through 12.

The Farewell, which opened in Pittsburgh on August 1, continue at the Row House Cinema from September 6 through 12. From the distributor:

In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. To assure her happiness, they gather under the joyful guise of an expedited wedding, uniting family members scattered among new homes abroad. As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate: a chance to rediscover the country she left as a child, her grandmother’s wondrous spirit, and the ties that keep on binding even when so much goes unspoken. With The Farewell, writer/director Lulu Wang has created a heartfelt celebration of both the way we perform family and the way we live it, masterfully interweaving a gently humorous depiction of the good lie in action with a richly moving story of how family can unite and strengthen us, often in spite of ourselves.

It plays at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville as part of the Amazing New Directors series. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Made to Dance II - Sori Na Tour in Pittsburgh, September 19.

Kamoflage Entertainment will bring Korean choreographer Sori Na to Pittsburgh on September 19, one of five US dates part of this fall's tour.

With the major success of “Made to Dance Tour” 2018, Kamoflage Entertainment’s aims to bring back a more refined and exciting session year after year for its fans. MTD is THE unique opportunity to experience dancing and learning alongside South Korea’s top choreographers. K-Pop fans, cover dance teams and dance enthusiasts will get their hands on a privately curated class with your instructor Sori Na all in the comfort of their cities. We bring the artist to you!

. . .

Sori Na is a widely recognized South Korean choreographer boasting a Youtube audience reach of 140k+ with each videos garnering thousands of views. She has worked with famous musicians such Jay Park and Tyga.

It will be held in the Simmons Auditorium in the Tepper Quad at Carnegie Mellon University and tickets are available online.

3D-animated Chinese movie Ne Zha (哪吒之魔童降世) to stay in Pittsburgh through September 11.

The new 3D animated Chinese film Ne Zha (哪吒之魔童降世), which opened in Pittsburgh on August 29, will remain in town through at least September 11. From the distributor:

A young boy, Nezha, is birthed from a heavenly pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven. Born with unique powers, Nezha finds himself as an outcast who is hated and feared. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the young boy must choose between good and evil in order to break the shackles of fate and become the hero.

It is the highest-grossing Chinese animated film of all time. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront theater and 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.

Author Grace Lin in Pittsburgh, November 3.

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures will host children's author Grace Lin on November 3.

Grace Lin is the award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator of A Big Mooncake for Little Star, a gorgeous Caldecott Honor-winning picture book for young readers. Grace is also the author of When the Sea Turned to Silver, Starry River of the Sky, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat, Dumpling Days, and Ling & Ting, as well as picture books such as The Ugly Vegetables and Dim Sum for Everyone! Her newest book A Big Bed for Little Snow is due to be released in October 2019.

The event starts at 2:30 pm at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland (map) and will be followed by a book signing. Tickets are now available online.

Free Mid-Autumn Concert at Rivers Casino with Mai Tiến Dũng, Nguyễn Hồng Nhung, Đặng Thế Luân , and more, September 8.

Rivers Casino (map) will host a free Mid-Autumn Concert on September 8, featuring a number of Vietnamese and Chinese performers. The concert runs from 9 to 11 pm. Tickets are limited and those interested should call 412-566-4615.

Pittsburgh Pirates claim Taiwanese pitcher Wei-Chung Wang (王維中), place him on Major League roster.

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Taiwanese pitcher Wei-Chung Wang off waivers from Oakland and have placed him on the 40-man roster. Wang was originally in the Pirates system before being claimed by Milwaukee in the Rule Five draft prior to the 2014 season. If he plays for the Major League team he will be the first Taiwanese player in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

Japanese Language Social Hour, September 12 at Pitt.

Via Yasuda Women's University.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center is hosting a Japanese Language Social Hour on Thursday, September 12, with the group of students from Yasuda Women's University spending the term at the English Language Institute. A description from last year:

Interested in practicing your Japanese language with native speakers? The Asian Studies Center is partnering with students from Yasuda University in Japan who are studying English at Pitt's English Language Institute. We will organize a series of games to encourage Japanese/English conversations and hopefully many participants will find a language partner.

It runs from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the new Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map).

"Materializing Memory: Contemporary Video Art from China," September 5 through October 11 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's University Art Gallery will host the exhibit "Materializing Memory: Contemporary Video Art from China" from September 5 through October 11.

Exhibited in Pittsburgh for the first time, Materializing Memory presents the work of five young Chinese artists, all born after 1980. These artists are part of China’s balinghou and jiulinghou (post-1980 and post-1990) generations. Unlike earlier practitioners, they came of age following the dramatic economic and cultural reforms of 1978. Through the medium of video art, these artists explore contemporary Chinese society during a period of profound technological and urban transformation. Their work is deeply informed by the Internet, rapid economic development, international communication and exchange, as well as opportunities to earn advanced degrees abroad. These videos document personal and collective experiences. Some record individual feelings of boredom and isolation, while others investigate broader social contradictions and complexities within China and beyond. Together, these works illustrate the plasticity of contemporary experience, and ask what it means to remember during a time when progress accelerates the urge to forget.

The exhibition's opening reception is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on September 5; the gallery is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm weekdays in the Frick Fine Arts Building in Oakland (map).