"Language Acquisition: Living and Working in Japanese," September 5 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's English Language Institute and Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures will host Professor Andrea Kitahara and her talk "Language Acquisition: Living and Working in Japanese" on September 5.

With over 40 years of experience in education, translating & interpreting, and the public sector, Professor Andrea Kitahara of Yasuda Women's University will share her personal insight into living and working in Japan, using and improving Japanese language skills, and navigating the cultural aspects and issues that arise.

It runs from 3:00 to 3:50 pm in CL 249 and is free and open to the public.

CAN I KICK IT? Pittsburgh presents "Enter the Dragon," September 5 at Frankie Pace Park.

The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor movie experience will present Enter the Dragon on September 5 at Frankie Pace Park connecting downtown and the Hill District.

Shaolin Jazz and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are teaming up once again to bring the CAN I KICK IT? outdoor movie experience to Pittsburgh. At each event action films and martial arts flicks are scored live (scene-by-scene) with a blend of Hip Hop and much more mixed by DJ 2-Tone Jones.On Friday, Sept 5th at Frankie Pace Park they will present a special outdoor screening of one of the greatest martial arts films of all time, Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee.

The event is free for all ages and open to the public. The festivities kick off at 6pm with an opening set by Pittsburgh's own DJ Selecta, and the feature film will beginning around 7:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks and other amenities will be on site. Enter the Dragon is rated R (Restricted), attendees under age 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian for entry into viewing area.

The event starts at 6:00 and is free, but registration is requested. Frankie Pace Park is located at 901 Centre Ave. (map), atop the cap that was placed atop Interstate 579 in 2021. 

Japanese band Shonen Knife returns to Pittsburgh area, September 28.

Japanese pop punk band Shonen Knife will return to the Pittsburgh area on September 28 when they play Preserving Underground in New Kensington (map) as part of their 2025 US Tour. Tickets for the all-ages show are available online. Shonen Knife formed in 1981 and have, thankfully, played in Pittsburgh every few years when they tour the country, and were last here in 2019.

4K remaster of 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) in Pittsburgh, September 27.

The 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) will play in PIttsburgh on September 27, part of the Harris Theater's International Art House Classics series.

A cult favorite and a hidden gem of Japanese cinema, Linda Linda Linda returns in a stunning 4K remaster to celebrate its 20th anniversary!

In a quiet provincial town, a high school festival is just days away when an unexpected setback threatens a student rock band’s performance. The group’s guitarist suffers a finger injury, and tensions within the band lead to their vocalist quitting. Left in disarray, the remaining three members—Kei (Yu Kashii), Kyoko (Aki Maeda), and Nozomi (Shiori Sekine)—find themselves at a crossroads. On a whim, they invite Son (Bae Doona), a Korean exchange student with little musical experience, to take on the role of lead singer. Together, they form a makeshift cover band dedicated to performing Linda Linda by The Blue Hearts. As they rehearse tirelessly in the days leading up to the festival’s grand finale, their journey becomes one of unexpected friendships, quiet perseverance, and the exhilarating spirit of youth. Featuring music by James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins).

Tickets for the 2:00 pm show are available online. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

2006 Japanese animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女) in Pittsburgh-area theaters in 4K, September 28 - 30.

The 2006 Japanese animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女) in Pittsburgh-area theaters in 4K from September 28 through 30.

Makoto is a typical teenage girl who spends most of her days slacking off with friends. One day while rushing to meet her aunt, she nearly gets hit by a train, but at the last second, finds herself jumping backwards in time to before the accident. She immediately makes use of her newfound ability to re-do every minor inconvenience– from poor exam results to awkward confessions of love. However, when faced with the consequences of tampering with time, Makoto must do everything she can to avoid a dire future that can’t be reversed. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a beloved early film from Mamoru Hosoda, the Academy Award-nominated director behind BELLE, Wolf Children, Summer Wars, and more. Hosoda weaves together the timeless, breathtaking visuals he is known for with a tender-hearted story of a girl navigating first love, time travel, and the perilous choices that come with both.

It is scheduled to play locally (so far) at the Cinemark in McCandless and Robinson, though other theaters are likely to be announced later. Tickets for the September 28 and 30 shows in Japanese with English subtitles and the September 29 show dubbed in English are available online.

Taiwanese short film Stills Moving (停格人生) in Pittsburgh September 5, and virtually September 5 - 11, as part of ReelAbilities Pittsburgh Film Festival.

The 2024 Taiwanese short film Stills Moving (停格人生) will play in Pittsburgh on September 5, and virtually from September 5 through 11, as part of the ReelAbilities Pittsburgh Film Festival. A synopsis, from the filmmaker:

A sculptor was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), facing this inevitable pain, the artist put her heart into her next work, a female figurine. As her body weakened, the sculpture, starts moving and open her eyes.

It plays on September 5 along with five other short films at Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown (map). Tickets for the in-person and virtual screenings are available online.

Taiwan Aloha Hosts Rakuten Girls Cheerleaders Meet & Greet at The Block Northway, September 2.

Taiwan Aloha will bring the Rakuten Girls Cheerleaders to The Block Northway on September 2, ahead of Taiwan Community Day / Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Night at PNC Park on the 3rd. From The Block Northway press release:

Taiwan Aloha, in partnership with The Block Northway and Sesame Inn, is excited to present a special Meet & Greet with the Rakuten Girls cheerleaders from Taiwan. Fans will enjoy a short performance, autographs, photos, and interactive experiences with this internationally renowned cheer team.

Event Details:

• Date: September 2, 2025
• Location: The Block Northway
• Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

The Rakuten Girls, cheerleaders for Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys baseball team, have gained a global following for their high-energy performances and cultural influence. Their Pittsburgh appearance is expected to draw strong community interest, bringing together families, baseball fans, and members of the AAPI community, while also supporting local businesses at The Block Northway.

Tina Chuang, President of Taiwan Aloha, commented:

"We are thrilled to welcome the Rakuten Girls and share this cultural experience with Pittsburgh, in partnership with The Block Northway. This event celebrates community, culture, and local business."

 The Block Northway is a shopping center located at 8013 McKnight Rd. in the North Hills (map).

1962 Japanese film Sanjuro (椿三十郎) in Pittsburgh, September 4 through 7.

The 1962 Japanese film Sanjuro (椿三十郎) will play in Pittsburgh from August September 4 through 7, the fourth in a series of five classic Kurosawa films at the Harris Theater July through September.

Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Akira Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed Sanjuro. In this sly companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a "proper" samurai on its ear. Less brazen in tone than its predecessor but equally entertaining, this classic character's return is a masterpiece in its own right.

Tickets for the film are available online. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Casting call for Chinese speakers for upcoming student film We All Leave at the End of the Night.

An upcoming student film by University of Pittsburgh student Freya Norwood, We All Leave at the End of the Night, has an open casting call for three roles and is accepting applications through September 8.

Are you, or someone you know, a Chinese speaker in the Pittsburgh area who always loved the tale of Chang’e flying to the moon as a kid? Are you interested in acting in a student film and trying your hand at calligraphy? Are you prone to melancholic musings and enjoy sharing mooncakes?

There are three roles:

Chang’e 嫦娥: 18-22, female, Chinese, the immortal woman on the moon from Chinese legend, Chinese speaking role (long undyed hair preferable)

Leah: 20-23, female, a half-Chinese college senior split between enjoying time with her friends and missing her family afar, English and Chinese speaking role

Jiejie 姐姐: 20-25, female, Chinese, the playful but imperious older sister of Chang’e, Chinese speaking role (undyed long hair preferable) 

 Those interested should apply via this Google Form.

11 classic Hong Kong films from 80s and 90s in Pittsburgh, September and October, part of Hong Kong Cinema Classics series at Harris Theater.

The Harris Theater will screen 11 classic Hong Kong films as part of its Hong Kong Cinema Classics series starting in late-September.

• A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) - September 27 - October 1
• A Better Tomorrow 2 (英雄本色2) - September 28
• Peking Opera Blues (刀馬旦) - September 28 - October 6
• A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂) - September 29 - October 3
• City on Fire (龍虎風雲) - September 29 - October 8
• A Chinese Ghost Story 2 (倩女幽魂 II：人間道) - September 30
• A Better Tomorrow 3: Love & Death in Saigon (英雄本色3-夕陽之歌) - September 30
• A Chinese Ghost Story 3 (倩女幽魂 III：道道道) - October 1
• The Killer (喋血雙雄) - October 3 - October 7
• Hard Boiled (辣手神探) - October 4 - October 8
• Bullet in the Head (喋血街头) - October 5 - October 7

Tickets and showtime information is available online. The Harris Theater is located in downtown's Cultural District (map).