Chia Kwa and "ASMR & How Strangers On The Internet Discovered It In Common" at Pittsburgh Humanities Festival, April 6.

Chia Kwa and their talk "ASMR & How Strangers On The Internet Discovered It In Common" will be part of the Pittsburgh Humanities Festival on April 6.

Chia Kwa, a specialist in immersive theater and experiential entertainment, leads a interactive demonstration and exploration on ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) with audience participation using silent disco headsets and additional audio technology.

ASMR is best known as a modern, online phenomenon where its fans watch hypnotic videos of brushing, tapping, waving, etc. in order to relax. But long before the term was coined online, people experienced it in their everyday lives... they just didn't know how to talk about it. Join Chia Kwa of Whisperlodge on an exploration of the power of words, and how finding the right ones allowed anonymous internet strangers to unite into a thriving community. This presentation will end with a live ASMR demonstration using binaural audio technology.

Whisperlodge has pioneered the practice and performance of live, in-person ASMR since 2016. They’ve completed 16 sold-out runs of their cult immersive show in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Singapore, and have been featured on Netflix, PBS, the New York Times, and more.

The event starts at 7:30 pm at the Greer Cabaret Theater in the Cultural District (map), and tickets are available online.

Chinese documentary Youth (Spring) [青春] among selections for 2024 Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival, from March 21.

The 2024 Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival recently announced its selections and schedule, with the Chinese documentary Youth (Spring) [青春] the lone film from East Asia.

Zhili, 150 km from Shanghai. In this city dedicated to textile manufacturing, young workers come from all the rural regions crossed by the Yangtze River. They are in their early twenties, share dormitories and snack in the corridors. They work tirelessly to be able one day to raise a child, buy a house or set up their own workshop. Between them, friendships and love affairs are made and unmade according to the seasons, bankruptcies and family pressures.

It plays on March 31 at the McConomy Auditorium in the Jared L. Cohen Center on the CMU campus (map), and tickets are available online.

2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫) in Pittsburgh, from March 7.

The 2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫) will play in Pittsburgh from March 7.

Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to "reconcile" with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia-Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination, and her vibrant life is just beginning..

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Another Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill coming to Pittsburgh area, this time to Robinson.

The Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in progress in McCandless Crossing in the North Hills is one of five all-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean BBQ places coming this year to Pittsburgh, and a reader shares news of a sixth underway in Robinson. Signage is up for Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill at The Point in Robinson, in the former Party City location (map).

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 14.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, which returned to Pittsburgh from February 22, will continue here through at least March 14. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill tickets are available online.

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) stays in Pittsburgh through March 13.

The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 22, will stay here through at least March 13.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema and the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Fantuan hiring Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist for Pittsburgh area.

Fantuan, a delivery service catering to Asian restaurants and groceries that expanded to Pittsburgh in 2020, is hiring a Mandarin-speaking Business Development Specialist.

Fantuan was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2014. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company is a one-stop platform providing food delivery (Fantuan Delivery), reviews (Fantuan Reviews), an errand service (Fantuan Rush), e-commerce and marketing services. Fantuan is one of the top Asian life-services platforms in North America, currently operating across Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York and other metropolitan areas in Canada and the US.

Job Title: Business Development Specialist

Job Responsibility:

1. Facing local merchants, understand the business status and needs of the merchants, combine the needs of consumers, select and design marketing and operation plans that fit for the merchants, negotiate and reach cooperation with the merchants, and promote the increase of merchant transaction volume.

Pitt's Asian Studies Center hiring Administrative Coordinator.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center is hiring an Administrative Coordinator.

The Asian Studies Center is seeking a proactive and organized individual to fill the role of Administrative Coordinator. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in providing administrative, grant, and financial support to the center.

Key responsibilities include analyzing and optimizing center operations, managing budgets, handling confidential materials, processing payments and procurement, scheduling appointments, and assisting in grant management. Additionally, you will oversee scheduling, logistics, publicity, and information dissemination for various center activities while providing essential financial and administrative support to the Associate Director.

The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and computer skills, including proficiency in Windows, Microsoft software, and HTML coding software. Excellent organizational abilities, initiative, and interpersonal skills are essential. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred and at least two years of administrative experience is required. Knowledge or experience in Asian Studies is desired.

2023 Celine Song Oscar-nominated film Past Lives again playing in Pittsburgh, March 5 and 8.

The 2023 Celine Song film Past Lives will have additional screenings in Pittsburgh on March 5 and 8. From the distributor:

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.

The movie opened here in June 2023 and had multiple runs over the last six months. It is scheduled to play now at the Cinemark theaters in the North Hills and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

"Flourishing AAPI Communities and Beyond: Developing Cross-Cultural Awareness, Advocacy, and Alliance (7 CEs)," March 7 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh will host "Flourishing AAPI Communities and Beyond: Developing Cross-Cultural Awareness, Advocacy, and Alliance (7 CEs)" on March 7.

Invite you to the first symposium focusing on mental health issues within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population. This event, titled "Flourishing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities and Beyond: Developing Cross-Cultural Awareness, Advocacy, and Alliance," was spearheaded by two doctoral students, Christina and Jenn, and kindly supported by Dr. Moon. The symposium will be held on Thursday, March 7th, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the Ohara Student Dining Room. Lunch and CEs will be provided. Please RSVP as space is limited.

Registration begins at 8:30 am with programming running through 5:30 pm. The event is held in the O'Hara Student Center Dining Room and registration may be completed online.