Ikebana with CMU's Japanese Student Association, November 18.

Carnegie Mellon University's Japanese Student Association will host an ikebana session on Friday, November 18 as part of the JSA's Culture Month.

For our last event in JSA's Culture Month, we will showcase Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement, in Doherty Hall 2302. More than just putting flowers in a pot, this art is a disciplined, intricate practice that translates the beauty one might see on a painting to real life. You will also be making your very own display to keep! If you are taking a Japanese course in CMU, then extra credit will be given for attendance!

Ikebana (生け花) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, and a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis toward shape, line, and form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the usually implied meaning of the arrangement.

The event runs from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in Doherty Hall 2032 (map).

North Korean Film Festival at Pitt, November 18 and 19.

Program of events for Friday, November 18.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host a North Korean Film Festival on November 18 and 19. On Friday the 18th, the films An Emissary Unreturned and Bulgasari will play in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium (map) at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, respectively. On Friday the 19, Flower Girl will play at 2:00 and Fate of Kum Hui and Un Hui will play in Auditorium A of the University Club (map).

An Emissary Unreturned and Pulgasari will comprise a Shin Song-ok and North Korean Cinema program with Princeton University's Steven Chung on Friday the 18th, while Flower Girl and Fate of Kum Hui and Un Hui will comprise a North Korean Cinema and China in the Cultural Revolution Era program.

Singaporean film Apprentice (徒刑) in Pittsburgh, November 19.

The the 2016 Singaporean film Apprentice(徒刑) will play on at the Regent Square Theater on November 19 as part of this year's Three Rivers Film Festival.

Noodle Uchi now open in Oakland.

Noodle Uchi is now open at 415 S. Craig St. (map) in Oakland. It offers a build-your-own ramen bowl, and is owned by Ting Yen of Oakland's Sushi Fuku and Fuku Tea.


Menu via Noodle Uchi's Facebook page.

Signage first went up in August in the space that used to be Maximum Flavor Pizza shop.

Ahn Trio in Pittsburgh, November 28.

The Ahn Trio will perform at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland on November 28.

Hailed as "exacting and exciting musicians" by the LA Times, the three sisters of the Ahn Trio (Lucia on the piano, Angella on the violin, and Maria on the cello) have earned a distinguished reputation for embracing 21st century classical music with their unique style and innovative collaborations.

Tickets are currently available online at $39 and $45, though $15 student rush tickets will be available at the door with a valid student ID.

Singer, actor Xiao Yu in Pittsburgh for 52hz, I Love You premiere.

via event's Facebook page.

Attendees at the Pittsburgh screening of the new Taiwanese musical film 52hz, I Love You on November 5 at Carnegie Mellon University had a meet-and-greet with one of the stars, singer Xiao Yu (小玉) of the band Cosmos People (宇宙人). Several of the movie's stars are traveling the US and Canada for the film's North American tour.

Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) playing in Pittsburgh, December 4 and 5.

The 2001 Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play in select theaters as part of its 15th anniversary, and it will appear in several places in western Pennsylvania on December 4 and 5.

Sumo Showdown in Pittsburgh, January 21.

Suno Showdown, a sumo competition featuring Japanese wrestlers and local celebrities, will take place in Pittsburgh on January 21.

The Young Presidents Organization Pittsburgh Chapter will host this unforgettable charity event benefiting the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Sumo is one of the most popular sports in Japan, and we’re ecstatic to be bringing it to Pittsburgh to benefit our region’s youth. Sumo matches were originally held to raise money to construct shrines, temples or to replace bridges, but this January a Sumo match will be held to raise money for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh in conjunction with our celebrity partners’ charities. Professional Sumo wrestler will be flown in to compete along side local CEOs and celebrities.

The event takes place on January 21 at 7:00 pm at Stage AE on the North Shore (map). Tickets are currently available online and range from $35 to $100 for adults.

Blogilates: Fitness Class and Lecture at Pitt, November 13.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Students Alliance will host a Fitness Class and Lecture with Asian-American fitness entrepreneur Blogilates on November 13.

Cassey Ho, also known by the alias Blogilates, is an Asian-American social-media fitness entrepreneur with a YouTube channel with over 3 million subscribers. She is considered an Internet personality and a rising YouTube star nationally and internationally. Come take part in a special fitness class instructed by Cassey and stay after to hear her speak about her experiences about how being Asian-American shaped her journey to where she is today!

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN YOGA MATS TO THE EVENT.

After the fitness class and lecture, there is an exclusive Meet & Greet for VIP Members of the Asian Students Alliance. Anyone can buy a membership during ASA Office Hours (Tuesday, 12-6pm) in WPU 609 or during ASA November GBM & Social for $10.

The event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 pm in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room (map). The event is free for Pitt students with valid student ID, and tickets for all others are $10. Tickets are available in the William Pitt Union Ticket Office through November 10.

Japanese Tea Ceremony at Carnegie Mellon, November 11.

The Carnegie Mellon University Japanese Student Association will host a Japanese Tea Ceremony on Friday, November 11.

The Japanese tea ceremony, Sado (茶道), also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (抹茶), powdered green tea. The tea ceremony involves preparing powdered tea for guests according to custom and enjoying its austere taste quietly and serenely. Influenced by Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony seeks to purify the mind and attain oneness with nature.

This event is a part of JSA's Culture Month, where we showcase the rich, unique culture of Japan in an assortment of performances, ceremonies and food. Join us as we celebrate culture in the month of November!

The event runs from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Danforth Lounge of the Cohen University Center on Forbes Ave.