2019 documentary Geographies of Kinship at Pitt, November 10.

The 2019 documentary Geographies of Kinship will play at the University of Pittsburgh on November 10.

In honor of National Adoption Month, the Pitt Adoption Community for Education is screening Geographies of Kinship. The film follows four adult adoptees as they return to Korea, their country of birth, and recover the personal histories that were lost when they were adopted in the U.S. We'll have tea and cookies and open discussion after the film.

The Pitt Adoption Community for Education includes faculty from the English Department at the Oakland and Greensburg campuses.

It starts at 7:00 pm in 118E Mervis Hall (map).

2022 Japanese animated film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes (夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口) in Pittsburgh, from November 2.

The 2022 Japanese animated film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes (夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口) will play in Pittsburgh from November 2.

Kaoru finds himself standing in front of a mysterious tunnel and thinks of Karen, the sister he lost in an accident five years ago. Anzu Hanashiro, the new transfer student, follows him and promises to help him experiment with the tunnel.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

"Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890," November 1 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh will host Hiroshi Nara and his colloquium "Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890" on November 1.

Ernest F. Fenollosa (1853-1908) was an art theorist and administrator known to many in Japna today. His name is spoken in admiration for his work in rediscovering traditional Japanese art, saving it from extinction, and modernizing it. Without his intervention, Japanese painting (nihonga) would have died. So goes the received reputation of Fenollosa's work. In this talk, Nara will explore some aspects of the work of Fenollosa that directly pertain to this reputation, by first discussing the pivotal speech he made in 1882 that made him very famous in the world of Japanese art then analyzing how his revolutionary ideas were implemented. The talk will attempt to answer the question of whether his work saved Japanese art from extinction.

The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 1219 Cathedral of Learning.

2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) in Pittsburgh-area theaters, October 28 - November 1.

The 2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from October 28 through November 1 as part of this year's Studio Ghibli Fest. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.

Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.

It plays locally at numerous theaters, including: the AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinema, Cranberry Cinemas, Phoneix Luxury 14 in Bridgeville, and the Cinemarks in Robinson, Monroeville, Monaca, and McCandless. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Kujira, serving sake and sushi, coming soon to Shadyside.

Kujira is set to open this winter in Shadyside. Signage recently went up at 736 Bellefonte St. (map) in the spot formerly occupied by The Yard, where Dr. Tea opened upstairs earlier this year. Kujira---Japanese for whale---has the same ownership team as Bubble Bee, which has opened a few bubble tea spots around the city recently.

Bubble tea place Meetcha to open in Oakland, too.

Yesterday we read about Meetcha and Kyo Matcha opening in Squirrel Hill, and it turns out Meetcha will also open a spot in Oakland. The bubble tea place will be located at 303 S. Craig St., in what was formerly Little Asia restaurant. It will be run by the same Little Asia and Bao 2 ownership, and will be across the street from Wushiland, another bubble tea chain that will open its first Pittsburgh location soon.

Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐) in Oakland eyes January opening.

The new all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ place coming soon to Oakland is eyeing a January opening, according to ownership. The new restaurant will be called Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐), and it has recently put up new signage at its 414 Semple St. (map) storefront. The menu will consist of Korean-style self-grill meats, along with various Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes available for take-out.

Dessert chain Kyo Matcha, bubble tea place Meetcha coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Signage is up for Kyo Matcha in Squirrel Hill, at at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Signage is also up for Meetcha, which will likely bring another bubble tea place to Squirrel Hill. Signage for something first went up in September, when plans for published for a restaurant/cafe in this spot. It will be one of several new Asian dessert places coming soon to the neighborhood, in addition to Meccha Matcha and Mango Mango/Tiger Sugar.

Footer's is owned by the same family who ran Lord Duncan Cleaners on Forward Avenue, which also closed earlier in 2023, and Sumi's Cakery.

2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) in Pittsburgh, November 1, for 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day.

The 2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) will play in Pittsburgh on November 1 for the 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

Pitt's Korean Student Association hosts Michelle Zauner, October 28.

The University of Pittsburgh's Korean Student Association will host Michelle Zauner on October 28.

what’s that I hear??? 📣⁉️Michelle Zauner, lead vocalist of the band Japanese Breakfast & author of the book Crying in Hmart, is coming to Pitt campus?!?! 😱🙊😎

‼️join KSA on October 28 from 5-7 PM at the Cathedral of Learning Room G24 for a conversation with Michelle‼️ we will be discussing themes such as loss, cultural identity, familial bonds, Korean heritage, breaking out into the music industry as an Asian American artist, and the power of her dreamy, poignant, and unique music & writing to be a source of inspiration for many, whether you are of Asian descent or not 🌍

🗣️🗣️🗣️ pssst I heard she’s also doing book autograph signings towards the end of the event 🙊 feel free to bring a copy of her book, Crying in Hmart 🤭

The event is free but registration is encouraged as seating is limited.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) returns to Pittsburgh, October 27.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which played in Pittsburgh in April and May, will return October 27 through (at least) November 1.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some screenings are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh, December 11 - 13 as part of "Satoshi Kon Fest."

The 2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh December 11 - 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights' "Satoshi Kon Fest."

Anime Expo Cinema Nights invites you to celebrate TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), as it returns to theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers. On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo's nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising -- and sometimes miraculous -- connections that have brought them all together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, the December 11 and 13 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while the December 12 shows are dubbed in English.

Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital, October 28 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh will host Devon Osamu Tipp and "Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital" on October 28.

Please join Devon Osamu Tipp for a recital of contemporary and traditional shakuhachi music. Featured on the program are new multimedia compositions by Pitt alumni Cullyn Murphy, and Devon Osamu Tipp, and current grad students Luis Miguel Delgado Grande and Jay Rauch. Rauch's work features an experimental film that mixes elements of Japanese aesthetics, noise, and improvisation.

It starts at 5:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium in Oakland (map) and the suggested donation is $10.

"Stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown," free at Heinz History Center, October 29.

The Heinz History Center will present "Stories from Pittsburgh's Chinatown" on October 29.

Join the History Center for a rich celebration of stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Featuring two short film screenings and a panel discussion, this event will vividly explore family and communal narratives from this long-overlooked neighborhood. Panelists (including community members, artists, and experts) will share their memories and research reflections on the history and legacy of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Attendees will learn how Chinese Americans established businesses, started families, and created community despite the racism and discrimination that they faced. Participants will also garner insights into the decades-long partnerships and advocacy within the Chinese American community that has resulted in broader recognition of this history.

It runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and is free with advance registration. More information about the presenters and the films is available on the Heinz History Center's hompeage. The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. at the western edge of the Strip District (map).

Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver in Pittsburgh, March 14.

The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver will perform at Spirit Hall on March 14. Tickets are now available online; PennsylvAsia will be doing a ticket giveaway on social media as the concert gets closer. Spirit Hall is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) at Row House Hollywood, October 28.

The 2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) will play at the Row House Hollywood in Dormont on October 28, part of the theater's Zombiefest.

Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie in an abandoned Japanese World War II facility, when they are attacked by real zombies. Or, that’s what it says on the tin, but this is the story of how it really happened.

Tickets for the 4:30 show are available online. The Row House Hollywood is located at 1449 Potomac Ave. (map).

2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days at Three Rivers Film Festival 2023, November 11 and 12.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, will play in Pittsburgh on November 11 and 12 as part of the Three Rivers Film Fest 2023.

Who knew Japan has the most elegant public restrooms in the world? Wim Wender’s Perfect Days is a poetic reflection on finding the simple beauty that surrounds us in our everyday world. Kôji Yakusho delivers an award-winning performance as Hirayama, a quite-contented man who spends his days working as a cleaner of public toilets in Tokyo. His thoroughly structured daily routine reveals his passion for music and books and his love of the trees he photographs. As we are immersed in his daily life, a series of unexpected encounters gradually expose more of his past.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema on the 11th at 7:30 pm and at the Harris Theater in Downtown's Cultural District on the 12th at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available online.

Studio Ghibli Week, November 17 - 23 at Row House Lawrenceville.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present its annual Studio Ghibli Week from November 17 through 23, featuring 2008's Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ), 1997's Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫), 2005's Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城), 1986's Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ), and 2023's Spirited Away: Live on Stage. Tickets are available online.

Little Viet Kitchen soft opening in Wexford.

Little Viet Kitchen is in the middle of a soft open in Wexford. It is the first Vietnamese place to open in the North Hills, located in the Pine Creek Shopping Center in McCandless (map). The menu includes customizable banh mi, rice bowls, vermicilli bowls, and pho, in addition to bubble tea and an assortment of Vietnamese coffee.

English Mandarin Language Social Hour, October 25 at Pitt.

Credit:  LRB: 安平影像 (风光), via @tongbingxue

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the English Language Institute will present an English Mandarin Language Social Hour on October 25.

A language and cultural exchange between Pitt language learners and international speakers. Lunch provided.

The event runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map), and is open to members of the Pitt community. Registration is required.

English Korean Language Social Hour, November 1 at Pitt.

via @VisitSeoul 

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the English Language Institute will present an Korean-English Language Social Hour on November 1.

A language and cultural exchange between Pitt language learners and international speakers..

The event runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall, and is open to members of the Pitt community. Registration is required.

Moving closer to new Korean BBQ place in Oakland.

More signage is up at the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ place under development in Oakland, this time featuring new photos of menu items and new blue lighting on the windows. The yet-unnamed restaurant will be in the spot formerly occupied by Korea Garden at 414 Semple St. (map). The menu advertises $27.99 for adults with over 30 types of meats; Korean dishes like bibimbap, jjajangmyeon, ramyeon, and bulgogi; Korean appetizers like mandu, japchae, and gaeranjim; and a selection of other Asian items like sichuan noodles, Chinese-style jajangmen, orange chicken, and fried rice.

Korea Garden closed in June in preparation for a new restaurant at Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District Terminal, which is set to open any week now according to social media posts today. Signage for this new BBQ place went up in September, after the building was bought by Jiyan An of Dormont in March.

Fantuan hiring Mandarin-speaking Marketing Assistant 宣传助理 for Pittsburgh area.

Fantuan, a delivery service catering to Asian restaurants and groceries that expanded to Pittsburgh in 2020, is hiring a Mandarin-speaking Marketing Assistant 宣传助理.

Fantuan was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2014. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company is a one-stop platform providing food delivery (Fantuan Delivery), reviews (Fantuan Reviews), an errand service (Fantuan Rush), e-commerce and marketing services. Fantuan is one of the top Asian life-services platforms in North America, currently operating across Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York and other metropolitan areas in Canada and the US.

Job Title: Marketing Assistant

Job requirement:

1. Work with BD team to develop and build up new channels to promote our business, focusing on but not limited to campus and local clients.

2. Work with another team internally to work out the promotion materials like the contents of the poster, banners and son on

3. Email marketing + Instagram and FB, Wechat group, Little red book content creation,

Requirement:

1. Marketing Major is an asset

2. Strong communication skills, willing to meet the challenges

3. Acted a leader of the student union in the University is preferred

4. English and Mandarin are highly required

5. 1 year of working experience in Marketing related is preferred, or similar experiences in Campus can be considered either.

Two weekends left: Asian Lantern Festival concludes October 29.

via @pghzoo

The Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo, now in its third year, will run for just two more weekends in 2023, concluding on Sunday, October 29.

The brand new 2023 Asian Lantern Festival: World of Wonders at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium honors our 125th anniversary with a global passport. Get ready for an adventure over the mountains, through the jungle, and under the sea to learn about decades of conservation with a dazzling display.

The festival will run on select Thursday – Sunday nights August 11th through October 29th.

Tickets are available online. The Zoo is located at 7370 Baker St. in Highland Park (map).

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills hiring bilingual (preferred) Mandarin-English office assistant.

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English office assistant.

Our Granite & Cabinet shop needs an additional sales associate.

We are looking for vibrant, energetic friendly people to join our team!

Sales/customer service experience preferred, but we are willing to train.

Skill: Basic excel, typing.

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Language skills: Bilingual , Mandarin speaking is ideal but not necessary.

Pittsburgh's Tous Les Jours now hiring.

A "Now Hiring" sign went up at the Tous Les Jours coming soon to East Liberty. The Korean bakery chain is opening its first Pittsburgh location in Eastside Bond Building C, across the street from Target (map). Those interested in employment opportunities should email TLJEastbond@gmail.com or phone 724-553-8223.

Signage first went up in June, though it will likely be a few more months before it's close to ready to open.  Tous Les Jours is the first of the big Korean bakery chains to announce a Pittsburgh spot (though it was followed about two months later by another one), and will complement Sumi's Cakery, which has been Pittsburgh's lone Korean bakery since it opened in 2012.  Tous Les Jours, says its US website, "has developed into a reputable neighborhood bakery specializing in French-Asian inspired baked goods, hand crafted beverages and bold, flavorful coffee and espresso made with the finest ingredients."
via @TousLesJoursUSA

MiFan now open in East Liberty.

MiFan is now open in East Liberty. Signage went up in August at 5923 Baum Blvd. in what was most recently Wings Over East Liberty (map). Menu information is available on its new website, and signage on the windows refers to a 10% off promotion.

2023 Japanese movie Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (デジモンアドベンチャー02 THE BEGINNING) in Pittsburgh, November 8 and 9.

The 2023 Japanese movie Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (デジモンアドベンチャー02 THE BEGINNING) will play in Pittsburgh on November 8 and 9.

It’s 2012, and ten years have passed since the adventure in the Digital World. Daisuke Motomiya is now twenty, and he and the rest of the DigiDestined seem to be changing bit by bit in terms of appearance and lifestyle. Then one day, a giant Digitama suddenly appears in the sky over Tokyo Tower. Daisuke and the others encounter a mysterious young man named Lui Ohwada, who informs them that he’s the first ever DigiDestined in the world… The feature will include an introduction from the director, Tomohisa Taguchi. PLUS, as a special bonus, the first 50 guests to arrive at each night’s screening will receive a complimentary Digimon Card Game Tamer Party Pack -THE BEGINNING- ver. 2.0, which includes 3 out of 14 possible cards from the new Digimon Card Game deck commemorating the film (while supplies last, first-come, first served).

Guests should check with the theater in advance to see if they are participating in the promotions. It is scheduled to play at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark Theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; the November 8 shows are dubbed in English while the November 9 ones are in Japanese with English subtitles.

JET Program Information Session with University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center, October 23.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host its annual JET Program Information Session on October 23. It starts at 5:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

2022 documentary Beyond Utopia, about families attempting to escape North Korea, in Pittsburgh October 23 and 24.

The 2022 documentary Beyond Utopia will play in Pittsburgh on October 23 and 24. A summary, from the Sundance Film Festival where the documentary made its premiere earlier this year:

A suspenseful look at the lengths people will go to gain freedom, Beyond Utopia follows various individuals as they attempt to flee North Korea, one of the most oppressive places on Earth, a land they grew up believing was a paradise. At the film’s core are a mother desperate to reunite with the child she was forced to leave behind, a family of five — including small children and an elderly grandmother — embarking on a treacherous journey across the Yalu River and into the hostile mountains of China, and a man of God on a mission to help these desperate souls. Leaving their homeland is fraught with danger — severe punishment if caught and possibly even execution — as well as potential exploitation by unscrupulous brokers. Family members who remain behind also may face retribution. Yet these individuals are driven to take the risk.

Gripping, visceral, and urgent, Madeleine Gavin’s film embeds the viewer with these family members as they attempt their perilous escape, palpably conveying life-or-death stakes. The result is a singular, illuminating, and unforgettable experience.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic in Greensburg, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

1993 Chinese movie Farewell my Concubine (霸王别姬) in Pittsburgh for film's 30th anniversary, October 15 - 19.

The 1993 Chinese movie Farewell my Concubine (霸王别姬) will play at the Harris Theater from October 15 - 19.

Cheng Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) and Duan Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) grow up enduring the harsh training of the Peking Opera Academy, where instructors regularly beat the students to instill in them the discipline needed to master the complex physical and vocal techniques of this ancient art. As the two boys mature, they develop complementary talents: Dieyi, with his fine, delicate features, assumes the female roles while Xiaolou plays masculine warlords. Their dramatic identities become real for Dieyi when he falls in love with Xiaolou, who fails to fully reciprocate his affections and marries a courtesan, Juxian (Gong Li), creating a dangerous, jealousy-filled romantic triangle.

Hailed as a “cultural achievement” (The New York Times) and widely considered one of the most important motion pictures ever made, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE is a “gorgeous, intoxicating epic” (Los Angeles Times) that is both “visually spectacular” and “sumptuous in every respect” (Time Out). Spanning 50 years from the early 20th century to the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, Chen Kaige's passionate, exquisitely shot film captures the vast historical scope of a changing country while revealing the intimate and touching details of a unique, tender, heartrending love story. Based on the bestselling novel by Lillian Lee, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Films in Global History” by TIME Magazine, was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and remains the only Chinese-language film to ever win the Palme d’Or.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Film Movement Classics is proud to bring the recently restored 4K version of this masterwork to North American theaters, where audiences in the U.S. and Canada will be able to see the complete, uncut film (20 minutes longer than its original Miramax theatrical release) on screen for the first time ever.

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

2019 Japanese movie My Girlfriend is a Serial Killer (羊とオオカミの恋と殺人) with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Pitt's Asian Studies Center, October 26.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main Branch in Oakland are collaborating to show the 2019 Japanese movie My Girlfriend is a Serial Killer (羊とオオカミの恋と殺人) on October 26. The movie starts at 7:00 pm in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Lecture Hall at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map).

Squirrel Hill (im)patiently awaits Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango.

Work has yet to progress on Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango, which will share a large storefront in Squirrel Hill. Signage first went up in May advertising the first Pittsburgh locations for the Taiwanese bubble tea chain Tiger Sugar and the Hong Kong-style dessert chain Mango Mango. They will occupy 5853 Forbes Ave. (map), which was most recently a beer distributor; Tiger Sugar will have Suite A and Mango Mango will have Suite B.

"Stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown," free at Heinz History Center, October 29.

The Heinz History Center will present "Stories from Pittsburgh's Chinatown" on October 29.

Join the History Center for a rich celebration of stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Featuring two short film screenings and a panel discussion, this event will vividly explore family and communal narratives from this long-overlooked neighborhood. Panelists (including community members, artists, and experts) will share their memories and research reflections on the history and legacy of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Attendees will learn how Chinese Americans established businesses, started families, and created community despite the racism and discrimination that they faced. Participants will also garner insights into the decades-long partnerships and advocacy within the Chinese American community that has resulted in broader recognition of this history.

It runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and is free with advance registration. More information about the presenters and the films is available on the Heinz History Center's hompeage. The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. at the western edge of the Strip District (map).

University of Pittsburgh hiring Teaching Professor of Korean Studies.

The University of Pittsburgh is hiring a Teaching Professor of Korean Studies (Open Rank) to support its new Korean major.  An excerpt from the job posting:

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a Teaching Professor (of any rank) position in Korean culture and visual culture, pending budgetary approval. The successful candidate should possess a primary disciplinary training in Korean literature and culture and strong competence in film and media studies, performance studies, or a closely related discipline. A Ph.D. in Korean Studies or related field is required by the time of appointment. 

The appointment starts immediately. The teaching load is six courses per year. The appointee will teach current undergraduate courses, develop new courses in the area of their specialization, help develop a new Korean major, and participate in the department’s interdisciplinary MA program. The successful candidate must demonstrate strengths as a teacher at all levels. The candidate must have native or near-native user of Korean and English in all language skill areas. In addition, the new hire should be willing to take an active leadership role for a vigorous growth of the Korean program and to collaborate closely with the established Korean language program. Besides working closely with other Korea studies faculty, the individual hired for this position is expected to collaborate with Asianists in other units to promote Korea studies and visual studies. 

Free guzheng performances by Zhongbei Wu at IUP, October 12 and 13.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts and Humanities will host two days of programming with guzheng performer Zhongbei Wu on October 12 and 13. A concert is scheduled for October 12 at 7:00 pm while a presentation and hands-on workshop is scheduled for October 13 from 11:20 am.

Professor Zhongbei (Daisy) Wu is a renowned musician of playing Guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument), and has performed in various countries and remarkable venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, United Nations Headquarters, China National Television, and many more. he is also a groundbreaking creator with her own contemporary compositions. Currently, she is a clinical professor of music at Alfred University, where she has been teaching Chinese music and the Guzheng courses since 2010, and is also director of its Chinese language and culture program. Prior to coming to the US, she was an associate professor of music and the director of the Chinese orchestra in Hunan University of Technology and Business, China.

The Corell Recital Hall is located in Cogswell Hall on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (map), a roughly 90-minute drive east of Pittsburgh.

Noodles of Burma Pop-Up Event, from Spice Island Tea House team, October 20-21.

The team behind Spice Island Tea House in Oakland is putting on a Noodles of Burma Pop-Up Event on October 20 and 21.

[W]e hope your love of noodles remain strong to join us on Oct 20 and 21! So save the dates! This is a dine-in only event, so no take-out will be available. No reservations. No BYOB. No rice. Just noodles.

Spice Island Tea House was a long-standing restaurant in Oakland that closed on September 30.  The storefront is located at 253 Atwood St. (map).

Happy 84th Birthday to Chinese Nationality Room at University of Pittsburgh.

The Chinese Nationality Room in 1939; via Historic Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh's Chinese Nationality Room was dedicated on October 6, 1939.

Taiwanese chain Wushiland Boba coming soon to Oakland.

Signage is up and interior renovations are underway on S. Craig St. where Wushiland Boba is coming soon. It will be located at 300 S. Craig St. (map), where Fuku Tea opened its second location in July 2020. The operator of this Wushiland is the Director of Operations of Fuku Tea and Atarashi Sushi, the latter an offshoot of the Sushi Fuku that had a few locations in Oakland and that opened Fuku Tea in 2015.

Wushiland is a Taiwanese chain with several locations in California.

2023 horror movie Tiger Stripes, with Director Q&A, closes SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Fest October 8.

The 2023 horror movie Tiger Stripes, followed by a Director Q&A, will close out the 2023 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Fest on October 8.

Zaffan (12) struggles with puberty, discovering a terrifying secret about her physical self. Her failed attempts to conceal the inevitable lead her friends to find out who she really is, and they attack her. As Zaffan is further provoked by her own community, she soon learns that embracing her true self is the only answer to her freedom.

It starts at 5:30 pm in 121 David Lawerence Hall in Oakland, on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map), and tickets are available online. SCREENSHOT: Asia screenings are free to those with Pitt IDs, and those guests may reserve tickets in advance as long as they bring their IDs with them to the event.

Many More Marketplace.

The City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning has a look at the proposed signage for the new Many More Marketplace location, set to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on October 12. Many More Asian Market in Lawrenceville is relocating to a larger space eight blocks down the street and has been sharing progress pics on Facebook.

Fortune Group hiring bilingual Mandarin-English Office Administrator.

Fortune Group, located in downtown Pittsburgh, is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English Office Administrator.

About us

Fortune Mortgage Company (Banking Group) is a wholesale lender with over 30 years of specializing in real estate, loans, financing, and commercial funding. We are has an opening job for Office Administrator. You will work with a great team as a full-time employee. We are professional and agile.

Job Description:
Ø PC, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel Knowledge
Ø Great Organizational Skills
Ø Great Telephone Skills and Communication Skills
Ø Full Time Job Monday ~ Friday, 9am~6pm
Ø Bilingual Preferred: Mandarin
Ø Located in Downtown Pittsburgh PA

Alphabet City Kids: Story Hour with Jack Wong 黃雋喬, October 14 at Pittsburgh International Literary Festival.

City of Asylum will present Alphabet City Kids: Story Hour with Jack Wong 黃雋喬 on October 14, part of LitFest'23.

Following along with our ongoing Alphabet City Kids series, this youth centered program offers story time with Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winning author/illustrator Jack Wong, as he celebrates the release of his new picture book The Words We Share. The story hour will be followed by an engagement activity and a Q&A with Jack.

In The Words We Share, a young girl named Angie helps her dad navigate life in a new country where she understands the language more than he does. Ever since they moved to Canada, he relies on her to translate for him from English to Chinese. Angie is happy to help: when they go to restaurants, at the grocery store, and, one day, when her dad needs help writing some signs for his work. Building off her success with her dad’s signs, Angie offers her translation skills to others in their community. She’s thrilled when her new business takes off, until one of her clients says he’s unhappy with her work. When her dad offers to help, she can’t imagine how he could. Working together, they find a surprising solution, fixing the problem in a way Angie never would have predicted.