Shim Eun-kyung chose "한국 사람이 없는 피츠버그".

Korean actress Shim Eun-kyung might be best known to readers in Pittsburgh for starring in the 2011 film Sunny, which was part of the 2012 Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival.

A story from four-and-a-half years ago, but worth sharing: Korean actress Shim Eun-kyung chose Pittsburgh as a study abroad location back in 2010 because there are few Koreans here. From the Chosun Ilbo:

영화 '반가운 살인자' 배급사 롯데엔테테인먼트 측은 "심은경이 오는 9월 미국 피츠버그로 유학을 떠난다"며 "심은경은 어린 시절부터 연기를 시작해 지친 심신을 위로하고 연기자로서의 삶과 대학생활 중 어떤 것을 선택할 것인지 본격적으로 고민하기 위해 일부러 한국 사람이 없는 피츠버그 유학을 결심했다"고 전했다.

Unlike most interested in studying abroad, Shim---who by the age of 16 had been in several successful TV shows and movies---sought refuge from years of media attention in order to focus on her studies. A location with few Koreans, though, is a selling point for some programs, and to those students who might wish to avoid certain crutches.

Thai Loy Krathong Festival at Pitt, November 24.

The Office of International Services at the University of Pittsburgh and the Thai Student Association will present a Thai Loy Krathong Festival on November 24. "Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar", says Wikipedia.

The name could be translated as "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river.

The free festival runs from 11:00 to 1:00 pm in room 310 of the William Pitt Union (campus map).

Chinese short "Carry On" part of Competitive Shorts Program at 3RFF, November 21 and 22.

The 2014 Chinese short film "Carry On" will play in the Competitive Shorts Program on November 20 and 21 as part of the Three Rivers Film Festival. Director Yatao Li provides a summary of the 17-minute film, which served as his thesis project for his MFA in Film and Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology:

Carry On tells a story set in Japan-occupied China during World War II. In 1944, the tide turned against Japan and the war began winding down. Prior to their retreat, Japanese troops looted every Chinese village in their path. They took only food and women from these villages followed by massacring all others and burning everything to the ground. To save his daughter, a Chinese father in my film stuffs her into a large bag disguised as food. As he loads the bag onto the back of a truck along with other bags with food, a Japanese army officer spots his secret. But, surprisingly, moved by the Chinese father's love and courage the officer plays along and lets the daughter go.

The Competitive Shorts Program plays at the Melwood Screening Room (map) on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm and on Saturday the 22nd at 1:30. Tickets for each are $9.

"Chinese Time" for children at Carnegie Library in Oakland, November 20.

Since October the Carnegie Library in Oakland has been holding "Chinese Time" for children on Thursday evenings.

Experience Chinese language and culture through books, storytelling, songs, games and more!

The next meeting is November 20 from 6:30 to 7:00 pm, and it will continue on Thursday evenings through December 18. The event takes place in the children's library, to the right of the main entrance.

Kung Fu Fest at Row House Cinema, November 28 - December 4.

Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present Kung Fu Fest from November 28 through December 4.

Watching old Kung Fu films is both an honest & fantastical experience. The action is the focus... sure sure, but there are no explosions nor fancy gadgetry, just extremely athletic, hand to hand combat.

The films to be presented are: Enter the Dragon (龍爭虎鬥); Fists of Fury (精武門); Master of the Flying Guillotine (獨臂拳王大破血滴子); Once Upon a Time in China (黃飛鴻); and Drunken Master (醉拳). A schedule is available on the theater's website and in .pdf form. Movies will be shown in their original languages, with English subtitles. The theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Peking Acrobats coming to Pittsburgh in April.

Tickets went on sale earlier this month for the Peking Acrobats at the Byham Theater on April 2, 2015. Prices run from $15 to $35.

"Dynamic Supports Association for Chinese Students (匹兹堡大学首个华人心理社团): A Lecture and Discussion" at Pitt, November 21.

The Dynamic Supports Association for Chinese Students at the University of Pittsburgh (匹兹堡大学首个华人心理社团) will present "A Lecture and Discussion" at Pitt on Friday, November 21, as part of the campus's International Week.

A Global Classroom event that focuses on introducing Chinese thinkers and their critical thinking of the world. The event will begin with a lecture followed by a group discussions. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

The group "provid[es] psychological support. Our goal is to serve as a platform for international students to share their difficulties and seek for solutions."

The event will take place in English and will be held in room 527 of the William Pitt Union (campus map) from 2:00 pm.

15% off Jeff Guererro Ceramics items in November.

Jeff Guererro Ceramics is offering a 15% discount on his Asian-inspired pottery in November for those who use the coupon code FACEBOOK on his Etsy site. A bit about the artist, from his official site:

I began making pottery in the fall of 2007 when I was hired to teach digital arts at a non-profit arts center in Pittsburgh, PA. I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some great artists and learn from a variety of master potters. Early in my ceramics journey I spent a month in close contact with a 14th generation Japanese living national treasure who specialized in tea ware.

As a result, I’m highly influenced by Japanese pottery, and I am a student of chado (Japanese tea ceremony). I also enjoy creating a variety of utilitarian forms and I occasionally create very commercial-oriented pieces that incorporate ceramic decals.

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (夢と狂気の王国) at Harris Theater, November 16; in Oakland, November 18.

The 2014 documentary on Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (夢と狂気の王国), will play at the Harris Theater on November 16 and at the Melwood Screening Room on November 18, as part of the 2014 Three Rivers Film Festival. The festival's website summarizes:

Go inside Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio that created such beloved classics as “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” and “Princess Mononoke,” with this fascinating new documentary. The film, fresh off the screens in Toronto, offers unprecedented access to the work of producer Toshio Suzuki and world-renowned filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and establishes the studio as an enchanted workshop. Talking, drawing, musing – to watch these artists in conversation with their teams is to begin to understand the success of Studio Ghibli.

The Harris Theater showing is at 2:00 pm (tickets), and the Melwood Screening Room showing on the 18th (tickets) starts at 7:30. Tickets for both are $9.

Golden Dragon Acrobats performance at Pitt on 11/14 cancelled.

The Chinese American Student Association at the University of Pittsburgh informs us that the Golden Dragon Acrobats performance scheduled for November 14 has been cancelled. The nearest the troupe will come to the city is Grove City College on November 20.