Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang in Pittsburgh, June 13.

The Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang will play in Pittsburgh on June 13, part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Country Gongbang is South Korea’s first and only bluegrass band, pioneering a distinctive blend of contemporary bluegrass with K‑pop sensibilities. Singing in both English and Korean, the group bridges musical cultures while carving out a unique voice in the global bluegrass scene.

In 2023, Country Gongbang received the International Band Performance Grant from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), recognizing their groundbreaking artistry. The award led to their historic 2024 U.S. tour, where they performed at major venues and festivals, including the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville—becoming the first Korean band to perform on its iconic stage.

In 2025, the group was nominated for the IBMA Momentum Awards for Band of the Year and Vocalist of the Year, marking a historic milestone for a Korean bluegrass ensemble.

The band features Yebin Kim (mandolin, lead vocals), Hyunho Jang (banjo), Jongsu Yoon (fiddle), Sunjae Won (guitar), and Keeha Song (bass).

Blending tradition with bold innovation, Country Gongbang brings a vibrant new perspective to bluegrass music.

“South Korea’s Country Gongbang demonstrates that the basics of bluegrass aren’t limited exclusively to the realms of the western world.”
— Bluegrass Today

 The show runs from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Dollar Bank Stage @ Arts Landing.

Eastern Passage 东方之旅 soft opens downtown.

Eastern Passage 东方之旅---a retail store specializing in Asian apparel, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs---soft opened in downtown Pittsburgh last week, part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's Project Pop-up. Some context, from the Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Center's newsletter:

Coming soon to downtown Pittsburgh! Eastern Passage 东方之旅 – a retail store specializing in Asian apparel, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs is scheduled to open in April 2026. Located in the historic Park Building at 355 Fifth Avenue, the store is part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Project Pop-Up that will turn a vacant storefront into a vibrant cultural destination. We are particularly interested in promoting artworks and crafts by local artisans. Contact us for more information at easternpassagepgh@gmail.com.

匹兹堡市中心即将迎来新店开业！ 东方之旅 (Eastern Passage) 是一家专注于亚洲服饰、手工艺品及文化纪念品的零售店，将于 2026 年 4 月下旬开业。 该店坐落于第五大道355 号的历史性建筑Park Building，作为匹兹堡市中心伙伴关系 (Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership) “快闪项目” (Project Pop-Up) 的一部分，我们将把原本闲置的店面转变为充满活力的文化地标。 我们尤其注重推广本地艺术家和与手工艺人的作品。 欲了解更多详情，请联系我们：easternpassagepgh@gmail.com 。

2008 film Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 8.

The 2008 film Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on May 8, part of its Studio Ghibli Series in May.

Welcome to a world where anything is possible. Hayao Miyazaki’s “Ponyo” is a visual delight and narrative joy, following the story of Sosuke and the friendship he forges with a goldfish unlike any other – and now you have the chance to be immersed in the ocean of colors like never before with a special screening at the Rangos Giant Cinema at 7 p.m. on Fri., May 8!

Tickets are available online. The Kamin Science Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians in Pittsburgh, from May 8.

The 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians will play in Pittsburgh from May 8.

Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. She's also surprised to learn that Nick's family is extremely wealthy, and he's considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far, far worse -- Nick's disapproving mother.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

KPop Demon Hunters A Sing-Along Event returns to Pittsburgh, from June 15.

The KPop Demon Hunters A Sing-Along Event movie returns to Pittsburgh on June 15, 17, and 18.

We're goin' up, up, up — and now it's YOUR moment! Back by popular demand on Halloween weekend, seal the Honmoon and sing your favorite "KPop Demon Hunters" songs with HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys in this full-length, sing-along version of the Netflix hit film.

It last played in Pittsburgh in August and October 2025. It is scheduled to play, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo, May 8 in North Hills.

Canadian rakugo comic storyteller Katsura Sunshine will perform in the Pittsburgh area on May 8.

Katsura Sunshine headlines Pittsburgh's newest comedy club experience for one night only!

A show of hilarity and culture in equal doses!

​Katsura Sunshine completed his grueling traditional apprenticeship in Rakugo comic storytelling under the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI in 2011. His performances have delighted audiences throughout the world as well as all over Japan. Sunshine has graced the Broadway stage with a different delightful Japanese story each month since 2019, at the famous New World Stages in Manhattan. Come for an hour of laughter and leave with a piece of Japan in you heart!

He will perform at The Comedy Bar @ Remo's in the North Hills (map). The show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. Please note, the venue has a two item minimum it charges on top of the ticket fee.

My Hero Academia In Concert, October 23 at Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead.

The Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead will host My Hero Academia in Concert on October 23.

Join the ultimate celebration of heroism as My Hero Academia In Concert brings a decade of unforgettable moments to life! From Deku’s first steps to the thrilling battles, this live concert experience immerses fans in the anime’s full eight season journey like never before.

Set on stage with a powerful 15-piece live band performing Yuki Hayashi’s iconic score, every note captures the triumph, heartbreak, and heroism of the series. The concert seamlessly blends dynamic music with striking visuals of the anime’s most memorable scenes, creating a fully immersive journey that puts fans in the heart of the action.

Celebrate 10 years of My Hero Academia as the stage comes alive with epic hero moments, inspiring characters, and “Plus Ultra” energy that resonates with fans of all ages. This is not just a concert, it’s a heroic adventure, a musical tribute, and an emotional journey rolled into one unforgettable musical experience.

Whether you’ve been following Deku and Class 1-A since the beginning or are discovering the series for the first time, My Hero Academia In Concert promises an unforgettable evening that honors the legacy of the world’s favorite heroes. Don’t miss your chance to experience this decade-long journey of courage, friendship, and music live on stage.

The shows starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets, ranging from $63.71 to $99.11, are available online. The Carnegie Music Hall is located at 510 E. 10th Ave. (map).

Kiyoshi Kurosawa films Chime (チャイム), Serpent's Path (蛇の道) in Pittsburgh, May 3 - 6.

The Kiyoshi Kurosawa films Chime (チャイム) and Serpent's Path (蛇の道) will play in Pittsburgh from May 3 through 6.

Two masterworks from Kiyoshi Kurosawa, released theatrically for the first time in the US! Both films screen as part of a single program with CHIME playing first. Total running time: 130 min. 

2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (キルケーの魔女) in Pittsburgh, from May 14.

The 2026 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (キルケーの魔女) will play in Pittsburgh from May 14.

The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char's Rebellion. "MAFTY" has begun resisting the Federation government's tyrannical rule by assassinating its ministers. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray. Haunted by past trauma, Hathaway is drawn to a mysterious girl named Gigi Andalucia, whose strange powers stir memories within him. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for MAFTY's mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference. Kenneth Sleg of the Earth Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate MAFTY and is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal. As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.

It is the second film in a trilogy and was released in Japan on January 30. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront through May 20, and tickets are available online.

Carnegie Mellon offering online instructor-guided beginner level Chinese courses for $150 this summer.

Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics is offering online instructor-guided beginner level Chinese courses for $150 this summer. (It also offers these courses at that price during other terms throughout the year, and in other languages like Arabic, French, and Spanish.)

Beginning Chinese 1 is an introductory Mandarin Chinese course for independent learners. The course aims to help beginners develop competence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as Chinese culture. Learners start with a unit on pinyin, including how to produce the different Chinese tones in speech and how to represent them in written letters. Each of the following units is centered around an authentic video in Chinese. Students interact with the audio elements of the videos and are encouraged to explore the traditional and/or simplified character representations throughout the course. 

Registration is now open and classes begin May 11.