2022 film Shin Ultraman (シン・ウルトラマン) playing in Pittsburgh, January 11 and 12.

The 2022 Japanese superhero and kaiju film Shin Ultraman (シン・ウルトラマン) will play in Pittsburgh on January 11 and 12. From the distributor:

There’s never a dull day on Japan's newly established SSSP kaiju defense taskforce, led by Kimio Tamura, played by DRIVE MY CAR’s Hidetoshi Nishijima. After a particularly challenging encounter, a giant silver robot descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this robot’s identity and purpose are a mystery. SHIN ULTRAMAN is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, campy villains, and giants of all species. Added value includes an introduction from the film’s director, Shinji Higuchi.

It is scheduled to play locally at the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson, and the AMC Loews Waterfront and AMC South Hills, though more locations may be announced later. Tickets are available online: the January 11 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles, and the January 12 screenings are dubbed in English.

2013 film Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (明天记得爱上我 明天記得愛上我) in Pittsburgh, February 22.

Reel Q Stories will present the 2013 Hong Kong film Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (明天记得爱上我 明天記得愛上我) on February 22 at the City of Asylum.

Reel Stories is a free monthly film series dedicated to showcasing international queer cinema presented in partnership with Reel Q, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Starting in 1985, Reel Q’s mission is to increase the availability and accessibility of queer film in Pittsburgh and its surrounding region, highlighting the diverse experiences of our worldwide community. Reel Q is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the world.

February’s screening presents Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?, a 2013 romantic comedy directed by Arvin Chen. The film follows introverted optometrist Weichung who begins to question his marriage after learning his wife wants to have another baby. Weichung soon bumps into his old friend Stephen, who, though also married, lives the unconstrained life of a young gay bachelor. When Stephen teases Weichung for his newly straight-laced lifestyle, dormant emotions stir in Weichung, setting him off on a quest for true romance and desire.

The event starts at 7:00 pm and is free, both in person and online, though tickets are required. City of Asylum's Alphabet City is located at 40 W. North Ave. on the North Side (map).

Squirrel Hill's Tan Lac Vien to open new restaurant on Forbes Ave.

Tan Lac Vien, a Vietnamese restaurant in Squirrel Hill, will open a new restaurant at 5846 Forbes Ave. (map), the former location of Panda Supermarket before that grocery store moved down the street in 2021. Signage just went up for its liquor license, so there is no timetable on when the restaurant might open.

Bringing Sound to Silence with AppalAsia, February 13 at City of Asylum's Alphabet City.

City of Asylum will present Bringing Sound to Silence with AppalAsia, a performance by a trio that combines Western and Chinese traditional music, on February 13.

Since the founding of AppalAsia in 2009, they have followed their passion for artistic collaboration between different cultures and disciplines beyond race, religion, and gender.

In a recent project, the group was asked to develop original compositions for the 1919 silent movie Broken Blossoms. In this performance, the group shares this project with us, playing a selection of original music and some folk/traditional tunes.

Broken Blossoms depicts the story of Cheng Huan, a Chinese immigrant who comes to London to spread the teachings of Buddhism but is quickly disillusioned by the social environment of the city. His path soon crosses with Lucy Burrows, a young woman enduring abuse from her alcoholic prizefighting father. The story of the protagonists’ intersecting lives explores themes of racism, abuse, discrimination of gender and religion, and oppression and violence against minorities. Amid these harsh realities, however, remains the hopeful presence of beauty and love. Despite the passage of a century since the film’s release, its commentary on prejudice and the value of freedom remains poignant reminders to this day.

The performance runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and will take place both online and in person. Tickets are free but registration is required. Alphabet City is located at 40 W. North Ave. on the North Side (map).

"We Learn" Beginner and Intermediate Korean classes resume at Carnegie Library in Oakland, Saturdays from January 7.

via the Republic of Korea's Flickr page.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland will resume its free "We Learn" Beginner and Intermediate Korean classes Saturdays January 7. The beginner classes run from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in Classroom A; a summary:

In this beginner-level class, we will use the textbook published by the Korean government for foreigners who learn Korean as a secondary language.

We will start from write/reading Korean characters, 'Hangul', and learning how to organize sentence structures.

The intermediate classes start at 12:00 pm, also in Classroom A.

In this intermediate-level class, we will cover the textbook published by the Korean government for foreigners who learn Korean as a secondary language. We will cover basic Korean grammar and vocabulary, and practice how to speak and write using what we've covered in each lecture.

Registration is required. The Oakland branch of the Carneige Library of Pittsburgh is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. (map), accessible by numerous city bus lines.

Shady Side Academy hiring Middle School Chinese Teacher.

Shady Side Academy Middle School in Fox Chapel is hiring a Chinese teacher.

Shady Side Academy’s Middle School World Languages Department is seeking a sabbatical leave Chinese teacher for the 2023-24 academic year. Responsibilities include teaching four to five sections of Chinese, from 6th to 8th grade in accordance with the Department’s needs. Other duties, such as but not limited to proctoring exams, leading an advisory group, coaching two seasons or the equivalent, or serving on committees, may be assigned as needed by the Academy.

Alash Ensemble Tuvan Throat Singers in Shadyside, February 3.

The Alash Ensemble Tuvan Throat Singers will perform in Pittsburgh again on February 3.

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this gifted trio from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit remain decidedly Tuvan.

The performance will be at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh in Shadyside (map) from 7:30 pm (doors open at 7). Tickets are available at the door for $30 or for $25 in advance at Jerry's Records in Squirrel Hill or Government Center Records on the North Side. (The ensemble's official site points to an online ticket seller, but the poster says they are no longer using Brown Paper Tickets.)

Pittsburgh Pirates acquire Chinese-American Connor Joe.

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Connoe Joe today from the Colorado Rockies. Joe was originally a first-round draft choice of the Pirates in 2015 but was traded to Atlanta two years later, and spent parts of the last three years in the Major Leagues.

Tickets now available for Japanese puppet performances AKUTAGAWA, in Pittsburgh on February 5.

Pittsburgh CAPA will host two performances of AKUTAGAWA on February 5, followed by a puppeteer panel discussion on February 7. A synopsis of the performance, from the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania:

AKUTAGAWA is a stage portrait of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, father of the modern Japanese short novel and author of In a Grove, the basis of Akira Kurosawa’s landmark 1950 film Rashomon. Told through the traditional puppetry style kuruma ningyo blended with dynamic video images, AKUTAGAWA is an amalgam of five of his famous short stories—including Rashomon, Hell Screen (Jigokuhen), The Dragon, Toshishun and Kappa. The show explores the author’s artistic insight and fragile emotional state. This production is made through an international collaboration between puppeteers Koryu Nishikawa V (Tokyo) and Tom Lee (Chicago), with live music by Yukio Tsuji (New York).

AKUTAGAWA is supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) and The Osaka Community Foundation / anonymous fund No.22.

Tickets are now available online: $28 for the general public and $18 for students with valid student ID or those under 18. The JASP says of the puppeteer panel discussion on the 7th:

Koryu Nishikawa V and Tom Lee will join Pittsburgh-based puppeteer David English in a panel discussing how puppetry can be a vehicle to express art and literature, as well as the cultural differences in the medium.

Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts is located at 111 9th Street downtown (map).

New Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編) in Pittsburgh, from January 19.

The Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編) will play in Pittsburgh from January 19.

A long-running conspiracy is swirling over a mysterious power wielded by the Queen in Raja, a small country west of Tempest. When a slime who evolved into a Demon Lord named Rimuru Tempest crosses paths with Hiiro, a survivor of the Ogre race, an incredible adventure packed with new characters begins. The power of bonds will be put to the test!

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, and Monroeville. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Anime Night Goes Plus Ultra, January 26 at Hard Rock Cafe.

The Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh will host Anime Night Goes Plus Ultra on January 26.

Anime Night is a dance party inspired by music popularized throughout anime. This edition of Anime Night, "Anime Night Goes Plus Ultra", celebrates the music of My Hero Academia, alongside other anime giants such as Naruto: Shippuden, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Fairy Tail, and many more.

The show is 21+, doors open at 7:00 pm, and the event starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available online. The Hard Rock Cafe is located at 230 W. Station Square Drive (map) in Station Square.

U Had To Be There: KPOP NIGHT at Roxian Theatre, January 27

U Had To Be There, a national pop-up party organizer, will present Kpop Night at Roxian Theater on January 27. The all-ages show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. The Roxian Theatre is located at 425 Chartiers Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

Sine Trading International (赛因国际贸易) hiring Chinese-speaking Logistics Accounting Assistant/物流财务助理.

Manchester-based Sine Trading International (赛因国际贸易) is hiring a Chinese-speaking Logistics Accounting Assistant/物流财务助理.

Sine Trading International (www.SineTrading.com), a fast growing company providing international shipping, Customs Clearance and U.S. domestic shipping to companies around the world, is expanding fast and in need of a full time accounting assistant to help with generating accounts receivables.

Pittsburgh Pirates organization adds Taiwanese pitcher Wei-Chieh Huang (黃暐傑) in minor league phase of Rule 5 draft.

The Pittsburgh Pirates made Taiwanese pitcher Wei-Chieh Huang (黃暐傑) one of their five selections in Wednesday's Rule 5 draft. Huang was selected in the Minor League portion, and is not required to remain on the Major League roster. The 29 year old pitched in four career Major League games so far, with the Texas Rangers in 2019.

The Pirates have had numerous Taiwanese players in the system over the years, and two on the Major League roster: Wei-chung Wang in 2019 and Yu Chang in 2022.

1985 Akira Kurosawa film Ran (乱) at Row House Cinema, from December 26.

The 1985 Akira Kurosawa film Ran (乱) will play at the Row House Cinema from December 26 through January 5, 2023. A 2010 Washington Post review summarizes:

Based on Shakespeare's "King Lear" and set in 16th-century feudal Japan, Akira Kurosawa's 1985 antiwar epic is almost over the top with betrayal, battle and blood. At times, the red stuff flows like paint from the brush of Jackson Pollock. It's an angry and expressive spurt of pigment, emblematic of the director's rage -- the title is the Japanese character for "chaos" or "fury" -- and not a realistic body fluid.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Japanese puppet performance AKUTAGAWA in Pittsburgh, February 5; puppeteer panel discussion on February 7.

Pittsburgh CAPA will host two performances of AKUTAGAWA on February 5, followed by a puppeteer panel discussion on February 7. A synopsis of the performance, from the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania:

AKUTAGAWA is a stage portrait of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, father of the modern Japanese short novel and author of In a Grove, the basis of Akira Kurosawa’s landmark 1950 film Rashomon. Told through the traditional puppetry style kuruma ningyo blended with dynamic video images, AKUTAGAWA is an amalgam of five of his famous short stories—including Rashomon, Hell Screen (Jigokuhen), The Dragon, Toshishun and Kappa. The show explores the author’s artistic insight and fragile emotional state. This production is made through an international collaboration between puppeteers Koryu Nishikawa V (Tokyo) and Tom Lee (Chicago), with live music by Yukio Tsuji (New York).

AKUTAGAWA is supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) and The Osaka Community Foundation / anonymous fund No.22.

Tickets are not yet available, but those interested can pre-register to get more information later. The JASP says of the puppeteer panel discussion on the 7th:

Koryu Nishikawa V and Tom Lee will join Pittsburgh-based puppeteer David English in a panel discussing how puppetry can be a vehicle to express art and literature, as well as the cultural differences in the medium.

Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts is located at 111 9th Street downtown (map).

Japanese animated movie The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie (映画 五等分の花嫁) continues in Pittsburgh through December 14.

The 2022 Japanese animated movie The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie (映画 五等分の花嫁), which opened in Pittsburgh on December 2, will remain here through (at least) December 14. From the distributor:

When five lovely young girls who hate studying hire part-time tutor Futaro, he guides not only their education but also their hearts. Time spent has brought them all closer, with feelings growing within the girls and Futaro. As they finish their third year of high school and their last school festival approaches, they set their sights on what’s next. Is there a future with one of them and Futaro?

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

Fangirl Fantasy: K-Pop Night, February 18 at Mr. Smalls Theatre.

Mr. Smalls Theatre will host "Fangirl Fantasy: K-Pop Night" on February 18, 2023. A summary of the "ultimate fangirl experience" that travels around North America, from ths promotion's official site:

Fangirl Fantasy is the ultimate fangirl experience created by a fangirl for a fangirl. A night where all your favorite music is played in one place. It’s a night where you can be yourself unapologetically.

Fangirl Fantasy events celebrate the passion and enthusiasm fangirls share for their favorite artists. We curate events featuring fangirl favorites, including The Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, One Direction, and more!

Tickets for the all-ages show are available online for $18, plus the multitude of fees. Mr. Smalls Theatre is located at 400 Lincoln Ave. in Millvale (map).

Yo! Tea Boba Studio & Yoka Grills, serving bubble tea and hot pot, now open in North Oakland.

Yo! Tea & Yoka Grills has opened this fall at 4615 Centre. Ave in North Oakland (map), in the spot formerly occupied by Pizza Twist. It had a soft open on October 8. Photos here courtesy of the restaurant.

Invitation-only W Board Game Studio in Shadyside.

Signage for an invitation-only, board game studio for Chinese speakers at 731 Copeland St. in Shadyside, on the second floor abovce Le Mardi Gras (map).

English-dubbed version of My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ) at Row House Cinema, December 4.

As part of its upcoming Miyazaki Week film series from December 2 through 11, the Row House Cinema will present My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ) dubbed in English on Sunday, December 4, in a screening more accessible for children or those who do not enjoy subtitles.

In this adorable, family friendly classic, two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest.

The movie starts at 5:00 pm and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Japanese choreographer and artist Hiroaki Umeda at Wood Street Galleries, December 28 - 30.

Japanese choreographer and artist Hiroaki Umeda will perform at downtown Pittsburgh's Wood Street Galleries from December 28 through 30, it was announced recently.

Hiroaki Umeda is a choreographer and a multidisciplinary artist recognized as one of the leading figures of the Japanese avant-garde art scene. Since the launch of his company S20, his subtle yet violent dance pieces have toured around the world to audience and critical acclaim. His work is acknowledged for the highly holistic artistic methodology with strong digital background, which considers not only physical elements as dance, but also optical, sensorial and, above all, spatiotemporal components as part of the choreography. Based on his profound interest in choreographing time and space, Umeda has spread his talent not only as a choreographer and dancer, but also as a composer, lighting designer, scenographer and visual artist.

Join us at Wood Street Galleries for special, small group performances of Hiroaki Umeda’s high intensity solo work, Intensional Particle. The piece showcases Umeda’s signature style of mixing digital imagery, minimal soundscape, and extremely potent corporeality.

Tickets are available online. Wood Street Galleries is located at 601 Wood Street, atop the Wood Street T Station (map).