Virtual Japanese-English Reading Circle with Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, from April 18.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania's Japanese-English Reading Circle, which used to meet in Shadyside, will be online from April 18.

Mission: to promote language learning through reading and language exchange. We aim to keep positivity and motivation high while developing reading fluency, vocabulary, content discussion, and reading strategies in a fun, collaborative environment.

Meetings: will consist of icebreaker language games, discussions about book topics, questions about language, formation of reading goals, and reading strategy sharing/reflection

Who can join: Japanese learners of English or English-speaking learners of Japanese. Any proficiency level is okay, although it would help to have at least beginner level knowledge of the second language you are studying. You can also sign up for the Facebook group or Google group for reminders.

Virtual meetings are held roughly every two Saturdays---April 18, May 2, May 16, June 6, June 20---and those interested should email the JASP or connect with its Facebook or Google groups.

Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster (一代宗師) online with Pitt's Asian Studies Center, April 15.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh will present the 2013 Wong Kar Wai film The Grandmaster (一代宗師) online on April 15.

SCREENSHOT:ASIA will be hosting a second Netflix and Ramen event. Directed by Wong Kar Wai and released in 2013, The Grandmaster is a martial arts drama that takes place during the decline of the last Chinese dynasty. Highlighting the action filled life of Ip Man, the master of wing chun (martial arts), the film spans from the 1930s to Ip Man's death in 1972. Threatened and challenged by Gong Yuitan and his daughter, Gong Er, Ip Man is chosen to represent the community of Southern masters. Even after his first fight with Gong Er and his move to Hong Kong, Ip Man is unable to leave Gong Er in his past.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 PM on Netflix Party. To register, please visit the ticket link found on this event page.

*Ramen is bring-your-own and will not be provided. Viewers MUST have Netflix and the Netflix Party Google Chrome Extension.

It starts at 7:00 pm and registration can be completed online.

Modified hours for Young's Oriental Grocery in Squirrel Hill.

Young's Oriental Grocery, a Korean grocery store in Squirrel Hill, also has modified its hours amid COVID-19. The new hours, as posted on its door, are 9:30 am to 6:30 am Monday through Saturday and 1:00 - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Young's is located at 5813 Forward Ave. (map).

City-Paper looks at Panda, other ethnic groceries during pandemic.

The Pittsburgh City-Paper looks at Panda Supermarket and other smaller ethnic groceries staying open during this pandemic and the ways they are adapting.

Panda Supermarket in Squirrel Hill has altered its entire business to operate by delivery and pickup orders only. Customers order through Facebook messenger or WeChat app, then employees do the shopping, masked and gloved.


“Before [the outbreak], it was really busy,” says Shelley Fan, one of the owners of the Asian supermarket. “But because of the difficult time, with the pickup, we cannot handle a lot of people.” Fan says they’re taking in about a third of their usual traffic.

The article notes the store is paying its employees extra during this time.

Pittsburgh Public Schools hiring Japanese teacher for grades 6 - 12.

The Pittsburgh Public Schools district is hiring a Japanese teacher for grades 6 - 12 for the upcoming school year. An excerpt from the lengthy job posting:

Salary: Salary Schedule For Teachers Hired On Or After July 1, 2010 (starting at $47, 858 per year)

Endorsements: Japanese, Foreign Languages PK-12

Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree and Pennsylvania State Teaching Certification in required content area.

Must also obtain 24 additional education credits within six years of hire to obtain permanent certification.

Cancelled: Japanese film Hula Girls (フラガール) at Maridon Museum, April 24.

The 2006 Japanese movie Hula Girls (フラガール), scheduled to play at the Maridon Museum on April 24 as the third and final installment in this spring's Japanese Film Series, has been cancelled.

1985 North Korean monster film Pulgasari (불가사리) with Pitt's Online:Screenshot, April 10.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and Screenshot: Asia festival will present an online screening of the North Korean monster film Pulgasari (불가사리) on April 10.

Pulgasari (1985) is a North Korean dark fantasy film about a selfish king’s attempt to foil the working class’ plan to overthrow him from power. Built by a blacksmith, the tiny Pulgasari only becomes alive and grows after eating the blacksmith daughter’s blood and an assortment of tools. The monster soon earns a vital role in the battle between the working class and the king and his royal army. For those looking for something to do during this time of social distancing, SCREENSHOT: ASIA will be offering a free online screening of Pulgasari with an introduction by Pitt professor Mark Best.

Please join us on Friday, April 10th at 3 PM on Zoom (online). To register, please visit https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LZ4s6anrSjW53dN3udXOLg.

Screenshot: Asia is a forthcoming Asian film festival scheduled in Pittsburgh for Fall 2020.

Tiny ceramic smiles.

The Pittsburgh City-Paper profiles ceramicist Reiko Yamamoto and her Tiny Smiles fundraising project.

Parkway Theater streaming 2019 Chinese film The Wild Goose Lake (南方车站的聚会).

The Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks is streaming the 2019 Chinese film The Wild Goose Lake (南方车站的聚会) online, with 50% of the proceeds going to the theater. The distributor summarizes:

A gang leader on the run seeking redemption . . .
A girl in trouble risking everything to gain her freedom . . .
Both hunted on the hidden shores of The Wild Goose Lake.
They set a deadly gamble for what may be their last day.

Tickets are available online.

Pitt's Asian Studies Center hiring student interns for 2020-2021.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center is now accepting applications for student interns for the 2020-2021 school year.

There are openings available for our Communications & Media position, our Chinese Language Social Media position, and our Global Ambassador position. All applicants must be pursuing an Asian Studies Certificate and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Interns will receive $5,000 in tuition reimbursement for the Fall and Spring terms ($10,000 total). Applications are due by Friday, May 1st. Please visit here for more information and to apply.