Friday, November 14, 2025

Korean BBQ in Oakland aims for January 7, 2026 Grand Opening.

Photo submitted by reader.

After more than two years of development, Korean BBQ in Oakland is aiming for a January 7, 2026 Grand Opening, according to signage on the door. Signage first went up at 414 Semple St. (map), the former location of Korea Garden, in September 2023. At this time it was among the many all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot places planned for the area in 2023, capitalizing on the dining trend that saw a couple of them open. It has been beset by permitting and construction delays, but should it open it will be the first Korean BBQ place in Oakland and the fifth in the region overall, though several others are also in various stages of development.
Photo from October 27, 2025.

Exhibition Opening: Ting Tong Chang, November 21 at Mattress Factory.


The opening reception for the upcoming Ting Tong Chang (張碩尹) exhibition at the Mattress Factory will be held on November 21.
Discover our artist-in-residence, Ting Tong Chang's latest solo exhibition at Mattress Factory! A new immersive installation will be displayed on the lower floor of our 500 Sampsonia building.

Chang’s satirical gaze leaves no aspect of society untouched. Revelling in the absurd and illogical, he makes a mockery of socio-political subjects ranging from the social and ecological effects of consumerism to the functioning of the art world itself. Working across the distinct practices of immersive installation, video and theatre, his transgressive practice co-opts science, technology and history to dissect the world around him.

Chang was selected for exhibition by a panel of Mattress Factory alumni artists through the 2024 International Open Call. Artists who have worked in residency with Mattress Factory offer perspective unlike any other, one that is deeply familiar with the museum, engaged in many aspects of the contemporary art field, and invested in pushing our exhibitions in new directions.

Please note, parking is limited at our main lot at 505 Jacksonia Street, with additional street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.

The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and is free and open to the public, though registration is required. This exhibition will be presented at 500 Sampsonia Way. in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood of the North Side (map).

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Free screening of 1948 Akira Kurosawa film Drunken Angel (醉いどれ天使) in Homestead, November 18.


The Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club will present a free screening of the 1948 Akira Kurosawa film Drunken Angel (醉いどれ天使) at the newly-renovated Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead on November 18. A synopsis, from the weekly University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center newsletter:
In postwar Tokyo, a blunt, alcohol-soaked doctor diagnoses a swaggering young yakuza with tuberculosis, forging an uneasy bond that’s tested when the gangster’s ruthless former boss returns and drags him back toward the swampy underworld he can’t escape.
The show starts at 7:00 pm and the Carnegie Music Hall is located at 510 E. 10th Ave. (map).

2004 Miyazaki film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont, November 20.


The 2004 Miyazaki film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) will play at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont on November 20.
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.
Doors open at 7, the movie starts at 8, and tickets are available online. The Oaks Theater is located at 310 Allegheny River Blvd. (map).

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」) in Pittsburgh, from December 4.


The 2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from December 4.
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away. Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes. The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Japanese metal band HANABIE。 returns to Pittsburgh, March 20.


Japanese metal band HANABIE。will return to Pittsburgh on March 20, part of their North American tour with Nekrogoblikon and Enterprise Earth. Their Reddit fanpage provides an introduction:
Loud rock band HANABIE。formed at their school light music club in June 2015. Centering in Kichijōji, Tokyo, they started performing live around areas such as Shinjuku and Tachikawa.

The sound of Hanabie features the sound mixture of metalcore, hardcore, Hip-Hop, and J-POP. Their 1st album, "Girls Manifest" was released in 2020. With this album, they have established their own genre "HARAJUKUCORE"

Their live performances have a speed and power that exceeds expectations and captivates their audience. Yukina's powerful screaming/growling vocals never leave anyone without being amazed, along with this excellent melodic lines given by the clean voice of Matsuri, this is a complete basis for an amazing metalcore band but as for them it isn't enough they add different layers of voices between rap lines. If vocally they are great, in the instrumental part they're not left behind, aggressive, heavy, and dynamic. Certainly to define this band you need at least two words: dynamic and powerful.
The band played Preserving Underground in New Kensington in September 2023 and March 2025, and the Roxian Theatre in September 2024.

The all ages show at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks (map) begins at 6:00 pm, and presale tickets are available online.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

2025 Japanese animated movie Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 20.


The 2025 Japanese animated movie Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇) which opened in Pittsburgh on October 23, will remain here through (at least ) November 20.
For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series. Denji worked as a Devil Hunter for the yakuza, trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, until the yakuza betrayed him and had him killed. As he was losing consciousness, Denji’s beloved chainsaw-powered devil-dog, Pochita, made a deal with Denji and saved his life. This fused the two together, creating the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Now, in a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into his world, and Denji faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.
It plays locally at many Pittsburgh-area theaters, including the Chartiers Valley Luxury 14 and AMC Westmorelandin Greensburg. Tickets are available online.

Monday, November 10, 2025

Concert film SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING in Pittsburgh, November 29.


The upcoming concert film SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING will play in Pittsburgh on November 29.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary, SEVENTEEN embarks on a monumental new journey with their world tour [NEW_], symbolizing a fresh start and endless possibilities ahead. Known as a performance powerhouse, SEVENTEEN delivers dynamic stages, reimagined choreography, and solo performances that spotlight each member’s growth and artistry. From Incheon to North America and across Asia, the journey culminates in the Nagoya concert, broadcast live to cinemas worldwide on November 29. Experience SEVENTEEN’s passion, unity, and energy; on the big screen, together with fans around the world.
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets for the two shows that day are available online.

2025 documentary About Face: Disrupting Ballet in Pittsburgh, November 19.


The 2025 documentary About Face: Disrupting Ballet will play in Pittsburgh on November 19, part of the Three Rivers Film Festival. 
Georgina Pazcoguin, an acclaimed dancer, and Phil Chan, author and choreographer, challenge the dance world to rid ballet of offensive “yellowface” caricatures from ballets like The Nutcracker and La Bayadère. In real time, we witness the Scottish Ballet update its version of the Chinese Dance to both high praise and stinging backlash. About Face vividly shows the tension and risks the two artists endure as they push an art form—created for the entertainment of kings and queens hundreds of years ago—to be more relevant to diverse audiences today.
It also plays online from November 13. The November 19 show is at the Point Park University Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown (map) and tickets are available online.

Saturday, November 8, 2025

1949 Japanese film Late Spring (晩春) in Pittsburgh, from December 6.


The 1949 Japanese film Late Spring (晩春) will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from December 6 through 11, part of the theater's Slice of Life series.
In this moving family drama from Yasugiro Ozo, Noriko is perfectly happy living at home with her widowed father and has no plans to marry – that is, until her aunt Masa convinces her father that unless he marries off his 27-year-old daughter soon, she will likely remain alone for the rest of her life. When Noriko resists Masa’s matchmaking, Shukichi is forced to deceive his daughter and sacrifice his own happiness to do what he believes is right.
Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

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