2016 Park Chan-wook film The Handmaiden (아가씨) in Pittsburgh, December 9 - 18.

The 2016 Korean movie The Handmaiden (아가씨), directed by Park Chan-wook, will play in Pittsburgh from December 9 through 18.

The Road Home (我的父亲母亲) at Maridon Museum, November 3.

The 1999 movie The Road Home (我的父亲母亲) will play at the Maridon Museum on November 3 as the fourth installment of its Chinese Film Series.

Documentary Live From UB. about the rock music scene in Mongolia, November 3 at Pitt.

The 2015 documentary Live From UB will play at the University of Pittsburgh on November 3. A synopsis, from the documentary's official site:

LIVE FROM UB explores the small but vibrant rock scene in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar (also called ‘UB’). It blends the story of one band creating original Mongolian rock with interviews from experts and Mongolian rock legends. Rock was a catalyst in the democratic revolution of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, more than twenty years later, the first generation to grow up in this new society is making its own music. Unlike the generation before them, the new music makers grew up watching MTV and can access music from anywhere in the world in an instant. But these young Mongolians are defying the forces of globalization and using modern music to both explore and assert their own unique heritage. Like Mongolia at large, they are eager to be recognized beyond their borders, but without sacrificing their identity.

Filmmaker Lauren Knapp will also be on hand. The event starts at 6:00 pm in 232 Cathedral of Learning (map) and is free and open to the public.

Singaporean film Apprentice (徒刑) at Three Rivers Film Fest, November 19.

The schedule for the 2016 Three Rivers Film Festival was released today, and the 2016 Singaporean film Apprentice(徒刑)---the lone Asian movie on the program---will play on November 19.

"Colorful Silence and Sad Laughter: Drawing Recovery in post-March 2011 Japan", November 1 at Pitt.

On November 1, the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Disaster Management and the Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Ronni Alexander and her talk "Colorful Silence and Sad Laughter: Drawing Recovery in post-March 2011 Japan".

Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Workshop "Teaching Chinese in NGO Settings", November 4 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Education will present the second Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Workshop of the Fall 2016 term on Friday, November 4. The topic is Teaching Chinese in NGO Settings, presented by tutors at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The talk will be held in 5604 Posvar Hall (map). Presentations are held primarily in Mandarin Chinese, and is free and open to the public.

New restoration of 1985 film Tampopo (タンポポ) at Hollywood Theater, November 12 - 14.

A new restoration of the 1985 Japanese movie Tampopo (タンポポ) will play at the Hollywood Theater from November 12 through 14.

"Globalization, Demographic Change, and Institutional Reform: The Case of Japanese Agricultural Cooperatives" October 28 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Patricia L. MacLachlin of the University of Texas at Austin and Dr. Kay Shimizu of Pitt's Political Science Department for a Talking About Asia lecture ""Globalization, Demographic Change, and Institutional Reform: The Case of Japanese Agricultural Cooperatives" on October 28.

Ming Wong lecture at Carnegie Mellon School of Art, November 1.

From 明年 / Next Year / L'Année Prochaine, via artist's site.

The Carnegie Mellon School of Art will host Ming Wong on November 1 as part of it's Fall 2016 Lecture Series. The School of Art profiles the artist:

Ming Wong re-interprets cinema and popular culture to consider how identity is constructed, reproduced and circulated. Through imperfect translations and re-enactments, the artist portrays multiple key characters irrespective of language, gender, ethnicity, nationality or historical period. His videos, photographs, installations and performances uncover the gaps and slippages that haunt the notions of “authenticity” and “originality” in self and society. The Singapore-born, Berlin-based artist represented Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009 with his solo presentation Life of Imitation, which was awarded a Special Mention.

The talk begins at 5:00 pm in Kresge Theater (map), and is free and open to the public.

ACA Compliance Group hiring part-time Mandarin Chinese Language Email - Social Media - Document Analyst.

The Mt. Lebanon office of ACA Compliance Group is still hiring an Email - Social Media - Document Analyst proficient in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. An excerpt of the job posting, which originally went up in June but added the Mandarin component in September:

Former Pittsburgh Pirate Kris Johnson wins Sawamura Award as Japan's top pitcher.

Kris Johnson, who pitched briefly for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013, won the Eiji Sawamura Award today as Japan's top pitcher in 2016.

HOW: Hands-On Workshop Series—Chinese Paper Cutting with Tiantian, at Carnegie Library Oakland, November 1.

Chinese paper cut, by hto2008 (Creative Commons).

The Carnegie Library in Oakland will host Hands-On Workshop Series, Chinese Paper Cutting with Tiantian on November 1.

Join us for HOW, a series of hands-on workshops for adults and teens. Learn from skilled craftspeople. Dig in and try things out in a creative, supportive environment. Join us for one or all of these free programs. Materials provided.

In China, the ancient art of paper cutting is used in festivals to symbolize good luck. Join us to make your own decorative cut-out.

No registration is necessary for these sessions. Seating for all workshops is available to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll want to come early to be sure you MAKE it on time!

The event is free and open to the public. Carnegie Library's main branch is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map).

2008 Chinese movie If You Are The One (非诚勿扰) at Maridon Museum, October 27.

The 2008 Chinese romantic comedy If You Are The One (非诚勿扰) will play at the Maridon Museum on October 27 as the third installment of its Chinese Film Series.

Shaolin Warriors at Byham Theater, March 21.

The Shaolin Warriors, a touring martial arts group from China, will perform in Pittsburgh on March 21, 2017. The Byham Theater summarizes (inadvertently revealing a copy-paste from another theater's site):

In this all-new, fully choreographed theatrical production, the Shaolin Warriors bring remarkable skill, stunning movement, and death-defying martial-arts prowess to the Popejoy stage. The Zen Buddhist monks of the Shaolin temple begin training at a very young age in mental and physical disciplines. They perfect the art of hand-to-hand and weapons combat, performing feats live on stage typically seen only in the movies.

Tickets start at $25 and are available online. The theater is located at 101 6th St. in the Cultural District (map).

Pitt hiring Assistant Instructor of Chinese for 2017-18 school year.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is hiring an Assistant Instructor of Chinese for the 2017-18 school year. An excerpt from the job posting:

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures of the University of Pittsburgh seeks one full-time, one-year contract (renewable) assistant instructor for the Chinese language program, for appointment beginning August 28, 2017, pending budgetary approval. Duties include teaching both recitations and lectures of language courses, as well as working closely with the language coordinator to contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Chinese language program. Applicants should send a letter of application, CV, three letters of reference (one letter should comment explicitly on the candidate’s teaching ability), a statement of teaching philosophy in both Chinese and English, representative samples of narrative and quantitative teaching evaluations, transcripts from the last university attended, and an unedited video of teaching beginning students (DVD or a URL of the video). Priority screening will be given to applications received on or before December 9, 2016

The successful candidate will possess native or near-native proficiency in both Chinese and English, hold an MA degree in Chinese language pedagogy, foreign language pedagogy, or a related field, and have at least one year experience teaching Chinese at the college level in a North American institution.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess linguistic knowledge of the Chinese language, and who demonstrate familiarity with theories in second language acquisition and current practices in Chinese pedagogy in North American higher education settings.

Ki Ramen pop-up event Ramen in the Market, October 24 in Market Square.

Ki Ramen, coming soon to Lawrenceville, is holding a pop-up event on October 24, "Ramen in the Market".

Monday, October 24th starting at 5 and going till 10pm Ki Ramen is popping up at the incredible Market St. Grocery in downtown Pittsburgh.

Chef Roger Li (Umami) and Domenic Branduzzi’s (Piccolo Forno, Grapperia) first pop event in a series of events leading up to the launch of their new culinary venture that is Ki Ramen.

Ki Ramen is a first of it’s kind ramen restaurant that celebrates influences from the backgrounds of both Chef Roger Li and Domenic Branduzzi resulting in ramen dishes that bring house-made noodles and broths together for soulful flavors that you can’t experience anywhere else.

Market Street Grocery is located at 435 Market St. downtown (map), accessible with a short walk by numerous buses that run downtown (including 28X, 61 series, 67, 69, and 71 series).

Miss Hokusai (百日紅) and Assistant Curator at Carnegie Museum of Art Akemi May, October 28 at Row House Cinema.

On October 28 at the Row House Cinema, Assistant Curator Akemi May will give a presentation on Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, the subject of the new animated film Miss Hokusai (百日紅) making its Pittsburgh debut at the Lawrenceville theater.

North Korean film festival at Pitt, November 18 and 19.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present a North Korean film festival on November 18 and 19 at the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium and the University Club. The four films tentatively scheduled are: An Emissary Unreturned (돌아오지 않은 밀사), Fate of Kum Hui and Un Hui (금희와 은희의 운명), Flower Girl (꽃파는 처녀), and Pulgasari (불가사리).

Nakama again "Best Japanese Restaurant" Pittsburgh City-Paper readers' poll; Sesame Inn unseated as "Best Chinese".

The Pittsburgh City-Paper released the results of its Best of Pittsburgh readers' poll and Nakama was again named "Best Japanese Restaurant". It is a near-perennial winner in the City-Paper poll, earning the most votes in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Umami and Umi placed second and third, respectively. Umami, which opened in April, was voted "Best Sushi" in the city.

Shadyside's China Palace was voted "Best Chinese" in the city, with Bloomfield's Wai Wai placing third. Sesame Inn and its four locations placed second, the first time in the poll's decade-plus history that it has not placed first.

Miss Hokusai (百日紅) at Row House Cinema, October 21 - 31

The Row House Cinema will show the 2016 Japanese animated filim Miss Hokusai (百日紅) from October 21 through 31 as part of it's Halloween movie series.

Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu (傷物語II 熱血篇) at Hollywood Theater, from October 22.

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont will have three screenings of the 2016 Japanese animated movie Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu (傷物語II 熱血篇) on October 22, 23, and 25.

Talking About Asia - Rediscovering the War: Post-Division Imagination in Recent Division Films, October 21 at Pitt.

On October 21, the University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Seung-hwan Shin and his Talking About Asia presentation, "Talking About Asia - Rediscovering the War: Post-Division Imagination in Recent Division Film".

Second screening of documentary on early Cambodian rock music, Don't Think I've Forgotten, October 18.

The Eco-Soap Bank will present the second of two screenings of Don't Think I've Forgotten, a documentary on early Cambodian rock music, on Tuesday, October 18 at the Row House Cinema.

1994 Zhang Yimou film To Live (活着) at Maridon Museum, October 20.

The 1994 Zhang Yimou movie To Live (活着) will play at the Maridon Museum on October 20, the second installment of this fall's Chinese Film Series.

Japanese punk group Shonen Knife in Pittsburgh, November 3.

The Japanese punk group Shonen Knife will play at Cattivo on November 3. The band, formed in Osaka in 1981, has opened for Sonic Youth and Nirvana and describes their sound as "Ramones meets the Beatles brand of sticky-sweet punk-pop." The group was last in Pittsburgh in 2011.

Cattivo is located at 116 44th Street in Lawrenceville (map). The show starts at 8:00 pm and tickets for the 21-and-older concert are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

Modern Slavery at MCG from October 17; Reception and Artist Talk with Xyza Cruz Bacani, December 14.

Photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani will be at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild on December 14 to open and discuss her exhibit Modern Slavery.

Yummyholic profile on 4 the 412.

Jasmine Cho of Yummyholic was profiled on 4 the 412 the other day, talking about her online bakery, custom cookies, her new commercial kitchen, and her future plans.

Documentary The Eagle Huntress in Pittsburgh, from November 25.

The Eagle Huntress, the 2016 documentary about a 13-year-old girl training to be an eagle hunter in Mongolia, will play at the Harris Theater from November 25 through December 8.

Japanese movie Sweet Bean (あん) at Northland Public Library, November 9.

Northland Public Library will show the 2015 Japanese movie Sweet Bean (あん) on November 9 as the next installment in its monthly Foreign Film Series.

Pittsburgh Taiko Beginner Session, October 15.

Pittsburgh Taiko will hold a beginner session in Shadyside on October 15 to introduce learners to traditional Japanese percussion (taiko / 太鼓).

Over the course of the workshop, you will learn basic movements and techniques used to play taiko.

Drumsticks will be provided, as will earplugs (although you’re welcome to bring your own if you have some).

The session runs from 3:00 to 5:30 pm at Winchester Thurston City Campus Lower School on Morewood Ave. in Shadyside (map). More information about the session, as well as some tips for Saturday---don't wear street shoes, for example---are available at the Pittsburgh Taiko website. Registration can be done on the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania website; the cost is $5 for JASP members, $10 for students, and $15 for everyone else. You can see and hear Pittsburgh Taiko on YouTube.

Takao Kawaguchi: About Kazuo Ohno at Warhol Museum, October 13.

Dancer Takao Kawaguchi will perform About Kazuo Ohno at the Warhol Museum on October 13. The Japan Society offers a description of the performance and Kawaguchi's seven-city tour this fall:

Takao Kawaguchi, one of Japan’s most sought-after dancers and former member of Dumb Type, challenged himself to literally "copy" the dances of the late butoh master and co-founder Kazuo Ohno, from archival recordings. What results is a hauntingly beautiful illusory duet between Kawaguchi and Ohno. Presented just weeks before what would have been Ohno’s 110th birthday, About Kazuo Ohno attempts to reconstruct Ohno’s timeless masterpieces, including Admiring La Argentina (1977) and My Mother (1981), phrase by phrase. This work offers the opportunity to explore and question the portrayal of gender, specifically femininity, that appears within Ohno’s repertoire.

Pittsburgh is the last stop on the US tour that included performances in New York and Los Angeles. The Warhol is located at 117 Sandusky St. on the Northside (map). Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for the general public, and are available online.

Paprika and Japanese Culture Society, October 14 at Row House Cinema.

The Anime Film Series opens at Lawrenceville's Row House Cinema on October 14, and the Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society will be there during the initial screening of Paprika (パプリカ).

The Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society will be hanging out at Row House this Friday, 10/14. Take the opportunity to chat with them about their organization, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events (especially the 2017 Tekko convention)!

Showtimes and ticket information for all five films on all seven days is available on the theater's website. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Baozi and Books at Pitt, October 12.

Baozi, by Evgeni Zotov (Creative Commons)

The University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center will host Baozi and Books on Wednesday afternoon, October 12. From the Asian Studies Center newsletter:

Please join us for free books and Chinese baozi (steamed buns)! Through the generous donations from the Vietnamese Student Association and our center associate Dr. Katy Carlitz, we have acquired some fascinating books in Chinese, Japanese, and English that we'd like to share. Please drop by on Wednesday, October 12 between 3:45-4:30 in 4217 Posvar Hall to browse our collection and take home a few books. We also have a limited number of tickets for the Pittsburgh premier of the Taiwanese film 52Hz I Love You available.

2016 Autumn CLTA-WPA & Foreign Language Teaching Symposium 西賓州中文教師學會 (西宾州中文教师学会) 2016 秋季研討會 (2016 秋季研讨会), October 16 at CMU.

The Chinese Language Teachers Association of Western Pennsylvania (西賓州中文教師學會 / 西宾州中文教师学会) will host its annual Autumn Foreign Language Teaching Symposium at Carnegie Mellon University on October 16. The agenda of the all-day event is posted online, and reposted above.

Anime Film Series at Row House Cinema, October 14 - 20.

The Row House Cinema will present five Japanese animated movies as part of its Anime Film Series that runs from October 14 - 20: 1973's Belladonna of Sadness (哀しみのベラドンナ), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), Millennium Actress (千年女優), Studio Ghibli's 1988 Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), and Paprika (パプリカ). The film share common themes beyond the country of origin and style of production, though, according to the theater's website:

Japanese animation breaks many traditional notions of what animated films "should" be in in terms of style, genre, and audience—maybe that's why we love it so much. This week we're featuring anime movies geared towards an adult audience with some heavy subject matter, including rape, war, viral terrorism, and mind control.

Showtimes and ticket information is available on the theater's website. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Pennsylvasia.com

I finally purchased a custom domain name, which means you are likely reading this at www.pennsylvasia.com. I've also replaced the old header that took six minutes to make with an online seal generator with one that took four minutes in Microsoft Paint. Please update your bookmarks and Favorites to pennsylvasia.com, though the pennsylvasia.blogspot.com site will still work. (And please also take a moment to pauseyour adblock software on the new domain.)

Seven Samurai (七人の侍), Bento Boxes, and Tea Tasting, November 9 at Row House Cinema.

The Row House Cinema will host Stephanie Tsong for a Japanese tea tasting to accompany bento boxes and the 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍). The evening begins at 6:30 pm and tickets are currently available online. Tickets for the first go-round on July 21 sold out in about a week. Additional information is available via the event's Faceobook page.

Free advanced Korean class at Carnegie Library Oakland, through December 17.

The Carnegie Library of Oakland recently added an advanced-level Korean class to its offerings, and the next meeting will be Saturday, October 15.

Advanced Korean is geared toward those who already have a strong grasp of Korean language and have completed Korean II. This group meets every Saturday, except the 2nd Saturday of each month, from September 24 through December 17th in the Third Floor Conference Room.

The library also has Korean For Beginners on Saturdays at 1:00 pm and Korean II on Saturdays at 11:00 am, both 90 minutes long and both in the Large Print Room. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Ave (map). and is accessible by all the city buses that run to Oakland, including the 61 series, 67, 69, 71 series, and 75.

Documentary on early Cambodian rock music, Don't Think I've Forgotten, back in Pittsburgh, October 13 and 18.

The Eco-Soap Bank will present two screenings of Don't Think I've Forgotten, a documentary on early Cambodian rock music, on October 13 and 18.

New Godzilla movie, Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ), in Pittsburgh October 11 - 18.

The 2016 Japanese blockbuster Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ) will have a limited theatrical release in the US from October 11 to October 18

PNC hiring bilingual (Korean-English) Sales Representative Specialist.

PNC is hiring a bilingual Sales Representative Specialist fluent in both Korean and English for its downtown Pittsburgh location.

Job Profile

• Performs customer service and sales support activities and initiatives. Transitions the conversation to present sales opportunities to increase share of wallet to higher valued customers, handles inquiries, and cross-sells home secured lending products. Specialty roles support a complex dedicated suite of products/services, service a sophisticated client base, and/or leverage an advanced process or tool to support PNC customers.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to customer service and sales inquiries regarding all retail products, services and issues via all channels through which customers are served. Interacting with line of business partners. Performs outbound call activities as defined by business needs.
• Cross-sells applicable products and services. Recommends appropriate solutions. Follows defined treatments and/or employs active listening skills to present alternative solutions.
• Maintains high levels of customer satisfaction consistent with PNC's core values. Demonstrates commitment to quality through customer and service partner interactions. Handles complex or reoccurring issues to management. Serves as a coach or mentor and may serve as a trainer to the sales team.
• Documents customer interactions, results of sales activities, and completes service requests.

More details available at the job posting on PNC.com.

Chinese movie I Belonged To You (从你的全世界路过) at Waterfront through October 12.

The 2016 Chinese romance film I Belonged To You (从你的全世界路过), which opened at the AMC Loews Waterfront theater on September 30, will continue to run there through October 12.

Study Abroad in South Korea information session, October 7 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Daehwa Korean Conversation Club will present a Study Abroad in South Korea information session on October 7 as part of its weekly conversation hour.

We'll be talking about the application process, life in Seoul, language barriers, culture shock, finances, and much more!

The information session will run from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the ground floor of the Hillman Library (map), and is free and open to the University of Pittsburgh community.

Chinese film Mountains May Depart (山河故人) at Maridon Museum, October 7.

The 2015 Chinese film Mountains May Depart (山河故人) will play at the Maridon Museum on October 7 as part of this fall's Chinese Film Series.

Organization of Chinese Americans Free Medical and Dental Clinic, October 17.

The Pittsburgh chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans will hold its annual Free Medical and Dental Clinic (義診) on Monday, October 17, at Montefiore hospital.



The event runs from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, and registration is required. More information and registration details available on the above flyers by OCA Pittsburgh.

China Work, Study Abroad & Scholarship Experiences Sharing & Information Session, October 5 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center, along with the Confucius Institute and the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, is hosting a China Work, Study Abroad & Scholarship Experiences Sharing & Information Session on October 5.

Do you plan to work or start your own business in China?

Do you want to gain summer internship experiences in China?

Do you want to teach English in China?

Do you want to know the tips applying for national scholarships?

Do you want to learn about study abroad and summer intensive language programs?

Join the information session if your answer is YES!!!

Light refreshments will be served.

The event starts at 3:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map) and is free and open to the university community.

Shippensburg U. graduate finishes first week in China Arena Football League.

via @bigmetzy, Metz's Instagram page.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduate Jake Metz, an offensive lineman who spent time in the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp this summer, is one of a couple Pennsylvanians on rosters of China Arena Football League, which began play on October 1. Metz, a 6'7" (200.66 cm) offensive lineman, was chosen in the third round of the CAFL draft by the Qingdao Clipper, one of the league's six teams. The Clipper beat the Guangzhou Power 38-35.

Handa City Sashiko Program at the Society for Contemporary Craft, October 7.

by littlelixie (2010, Creative Commons)

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the Society for Contemporary Craft will present an information session and demonstration on sashiko (刺し子) on October 7.

Sashiko is a decorative reinforcement stitch, similar to Western quilting, traditionally with white thread on an indigo background. The presentation will be given by Fumiyo Iwadachi and the hands-on making session will be facilitated by Itsuko Hotta.

The event runs from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The cost is $50, and the required registration can be done on the Society for Contemporary Craft website. It's located at 2100 Smallman St. in the Strip District (map).