Pittsburgh Japanese School looks to relocate after Shady Side Academy building sold to Aviary.

Ceremony for the first day of school in April. 

The Pittsburgh Japanese School in Fox Chapel is scouting new locations as work nears completion on the new Middle School campus and after news of the current grounds' impending sale. In February it was reported the National Aviary had purchased the campus; Shady Side Academy and PJS students will discontinue use of the building in December.

The Pittsburgh Japanese School was established in 1977 and offers education in the Japanese curriculum for Japanese and Japanese-American children from pre-kindergarten through high school.

Located on the beautiful campus of Shady Side Academy, PJS is one of the three supplementary Japanese schools in Pennsylvania. We offer Japanese instruction for grades Pre-K - 12th in accordance with the guidelines and curriculum set by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan.

The primary purpose of PJS is to provide a Japanese curriculum for children of Japanese families who have relocated to the Pittsburgh area so that their children may make a smooth transition back to the rigorous Japanese educational system upon their eventual return. The secondary purpose of PJS is to provide children who are fluent or proficient in Japanese with the opportunity to receive instruction in Japanese and to participate in the cultural traditions of Japan while residing in the Pittsburgh area on a long term basis.

The Pittsburgh Japanese School is grateful to the Japanese government and the Office of the Consulate General of Japan in New York for providing us with funding, invaluable advice, textbooks, and other educational materials which allow us to deliver quality education to our students. We are equally grateful for the continued support of our warm community, our dedicated teachers and staff, and our friends and families who all generously donate their time and energy into making our school a truly unique “home away from home”.

As detailed on its website, the Pittsburgh Japanese School has moved to increasingly large spaces after its formation, including Fox Chapel Area High School in 1994, before finally moving to Shady Side Academy in 2006. The present location offers classroom space for each grade level, a cafeteria, a Japanese-language library, a gymnasium, and outdoor spaces for classes and an annual sports day (運動会).

Those with potential leads on viable school campuses may contact the PJS office at office [at] pittsburghjapaneseschool.org.

Japanese ambassador and consul general Shinichi Nishimiya visits a pre-kindergarten class in August 2009, ahead of the G-20 summit. (Photo via August 31, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

Jordan Wong Artist Talk and PRACTICE +/- Exhibit Walk Through, free, March 28 in Bakery Square.

The Portal Art Gallery in Bakery Square will host an Artist Talk and Exhibit Walk Through with Jordan Wong on March 28. The gallery provides an overview of the exhibit:

PRACTICE +/- shares the contemplations and visual dynamism of artist Jordan Wong (WONGFACE). Building on his recent exhibition, Play is Infinite, at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (on view in 2025), this body of work furthers Wong’s imaginative exploration of the Ultimate Self, the endless possibilities of leveling up in life, and the transformative power of play.

The artwork is inspired by the question, 'What am I practicing?' It stems from the artist's ongoing examination of his own thoughts, feelings, and emotions that are repeated both consciously and—most importantly—subconsciously. The work also celebrates the philosophy that play inspires practice and, in turn, fosters greater play, emphasizing the power that comes from complete freedom to explore, experiment, and express.

Spanning a range of media, the exhibition blends traditional techniques like screen printing and aquatint etching with contemporary industrial processes such as digital UV printing and laser engraving. These dynamic methods reflect Wong’s layered approach, echoing his personal journey of identity as an artist and belonging as a second-generation Chinese American.

The event begins at 6:00 pm and is free and open to the public. The Portal Art Gallery is "located in the thoroughfare through Bakery Office One from Bakery Square Boulevard to East Liberty Boulevard" (map).

Pittsburgh Opera presents Madama Butterfly, featuring an entirely Japanese and Japanese-American creative team, from March 22.

Pittsburgh Opera will present Madama Butterfly from March 22 through March 30 with an entirely Japanese and Japanese-American creative team. PennsylvAsia readers can save 20% on tickets through an exclusive promo code.

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa • MARCH 22, 25, 28, 30, 2025

His escape is her cage.

In this groundbreaking new production created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, Madama Butterfly’s story is transported to a fantastical realm where reality and dreams intersect.

Pinkerton puts on a VR headset and transports us into a vibrant virtual reality playground where he has ultimate control. As his avatar, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, he can seduce and marry his fantasy girl and abandon her just as easily. But to Cio-Cio San, this is no game and the love and betrayal she feels is all too real.

Enveloped in Puccini’s stunning music, this visually beautiful production is the perfect match. Pittsburgh Opera is proud to partner with Cincinnati Opera, Detroit Opera, and Utah Opera to co-produce this reinvention of Puccini’s classic, uncovering new and resonant meaning for all audiences to enjoy.

 

Pennsylvasia readers can save 20% with the promo code POASIA!

Tickets are now available online. The performances are held at the Benedum Center in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Story Saturday: Sashiko’s Stiches, April 12 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

The Carnegie Museum of Art will feature a reading of Sachiko's Stitches for the April 12 installment of its Story Saturday series.

Join us in the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Decorative Arts and Design galleries for an in-person morning story time with Alyssa Velazquez as she reads Sashiko’s Stitches by Sanae Ishida. Following the reading stick around for a making activity for children 12 and under.

This reading is made possible by Worthy Kids.

About the Book

Sashiko is girl with very big feelings. Sometimes the feelings weigh her down, or make her feel all tangled up inside. But when she learns about sashiko, the traditional Japanese practice that inspired her name, she finds hope and comfort in creative expression.

The storytime runs from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and is free with museum admission, but registration is required. The Carneige Museum of Art is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by numerous city buses.

Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books, March 13 in East Liberty.

Photo credit: Philip Groshon, Cincinnati Opera

The Carnegie Library branch in East Liberty will host "Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books" on March 13.

Join us for a free panel discussion with RAD Pass participating organization Pittsburgh Opera where we will explore Women’s Role in Video Games, Anime, Manga, and Comic Books. Women have often been unrealistically represented in these art forms leading to detrimental outcomes in the real world. This discussion aims to unpack the origins of female representation in art and explore the fine line between fandom and fetish.

Pittsburgh Opera leads this discussion in anticipation of its groundbreaking new production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, the story is set in a fantastical realm where reality and dreams intersect.

“The male protagonist, Pinkerton, puts on a VR headset and transports us into a vibrant virtual reality playground where he has ultimate control. As his avatar, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, he can seduce and marry Cio-Cio San, his fantasy girl, and abandon her just as easily. But to Cio-Cio San, this is no game and the love and betrayal she feels is all too real.”

Attendees receive a discounted ticket offer to the performance of Madama Butterfly of their choice (March 22nd, 25th, 28th, and 30th) and will be entered into a raffle to receive a pair of free tickets. All performances of Madama Butterfly will take place downtown at the Benedum Center.

The event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at 130 S. Whitfield St. in East Liberty (map).

The Linda Lindas at Spirit Hall, April 19.

American rock group The Linda Lindas will perform in Pittsburgh at Spirit Hall on April 19.

Half Asian and half Latinx. Two sisters, a cousin, and their close friend. The Linda Lindas channel the spirit of original punk, power pop, and new wave through today's ears, eyes, and minds.

The all-ages show with Pinkshift starts at 8:00 pm and tickets are available online. Spirit is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

The Annual Terry Smith Lecture in Contemporary Art: Marci Kwon, March 20 at Carnegie Museum of Art.

The Carnegie Museum of Art will host Marci Kwon on March 20 for its Annual Terry Smith Lecture in Contemporary Art.

The Annual Terry Smith Lecture in Contemporary Art honors the namesake emeritus professor in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Museum of Art advisory board member, and advances the critical mission of art history to generate a healthy discourse in the contemporary moment.

This year’s lecturer, Marci Kwon, is an award-winning art historian, writer, and teacher. Her work explores alterity, minorness, value, and the ethics of relation in art and material culture, with a special focus on the history of Asian American/diasporic artists and makers. She is Assistant Professor of Art History at Stanford University, and co-director of the university’s Asian American Art Initiative.

The talk will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Art Theater and is free with registration. The Carnegie Museum of Art is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by a number of city buses.

Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim and "When God Became White," April 10 at Pitt.

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh will present Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim and her talk "When God Became White" on April 10.

Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is Professor of Theology at Earlham College. She has written or edited two dozen books, many of which converge on the themes of race, gender, and religion. Some of her most recent books include When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity; Intersectional Theology: An Introductory Guide (with Susan Shaw); and Invisible: Theology and the Experience of Asian American Women.

Tickets still available for The Way of Tea 茶道: Recital and Ceremony, March 10 at The Art Room.

Pittsburgh Opera will present "The Way of Tea 茶道: Recital and Ceremony" on March 10, part of a series of events surrounding its production of Madama Butterfly starting on March 22.

Ceremony

The tea ceremony, or Chado (The Way of Tea), is a traditional Japanese art involving the ritualistic preparation of tea. Influenced by the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, the core teaching of chado is to attain a spiritual state of selflessness and peacefulness through making and sharing tea. Join us to learn the history and philosophy of Japanese tea ceremony while tasting Japanese tea and sweets.

Yuko Eguchi is a native of Tokyo, Japan and holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her tea master title and name, Soyu, in 2009 and the associate professor of tea title in 2013, certified by the head master of the Urasenke school. Yuko has performed and lectured on Japanese traditional arts at various higher institutions.

Recital

Japanese mezzo-soprano, Nozomi Kato, is in demand at leading opera houses in Italy, Spain, Japan and beyond. In particular, she has made a name for herself internationally as Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, which she will perform at Pittsburgh Opera in March of 2025 reprising her role in a production originated at Cincinnati Opera (dir: Matthew Ozawa).

The evening of events starts at 6:00 pm, and tickets are available online. The Art Room is located at 2010 Smallman St. in the Strip District (map).

"Asian American Identity and Place" (ANTH 1737) offered at Pitt this summer, from May 14.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Anthropology is offering a four-week "Asian American Identity and Place" course during Summer 2025.

To be Asian American means different things to different individuals and groups and certainly from one part of the country to another. Being someone who is of Asian American background does not necessarily result in expertise. According to the Pew Research Center, only one of every four Asian Americans are well informed about Asian American issues in the U.S. with half of those who feel extremely in the know having learned about the topics through college.

In this first-time experiential class students will interactively explore Asian American identity and its relationship to place. Help us shape what directions and focus the course will take in future iterations as we dive into the topic together. It’s opportunity to self-explore one’s relationship to the topic while doing so with others within the class. Take advantage of this opportunity while you still can learn more about Asian American identity.

The course description for ANTH 1737, a Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology course led by Dr. Jessica Sun and Lynn Kawaratani this term, reads:

What does it mean to be Asian American? Does it differ socially or individually? Does it depend on place? We invite students to explore Asian American identity nationally and locally.

We will connect with organizations, speakers, and businesses in Pittsburgh and bring in a national perspective through virtual visits and lectures. Discussions will include topics related to religion, immigration, nationality, poiltics and others. This is an opportunity for students to construct their own understanding of what it means to be Asian American.

The 3-credit course will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from May 14 through June 10. Those with questions can contact Jessica Sun at jhs39 at pitt.edu

2025 Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Parade, set for February 16, cancelled due to rain forecast.

The 2025 Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Parade, set to march through Squirrel Hill on February 16, has been cancelled due to the forecast of rain. Some festivities have been moved inside the Jewish Cultural Center (JCC).

Unfortunately the weather prediction for Sunday February 16th is 90% chance of rain with intermittent winds. Therefore the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and the OCA Asian American Advocates of Pittsburgh decided to cancel the outdoor Lunar New Year parade scheduled for noon on Sunday. As we consider the beginning of the New Year the safety of our performers and participants is essential. We apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation has caused.

The relatively new annual tradition was aiming to return in 2025 after taking 2024 off.

Opening reception for Jordan Wong (WONGFACE)'s PRACTICE +/-, February 28 at The Portal.

The Portal Art Gallery will host an opening reception for a new exhibition by Jordan Wong (WONGFACE) titled PRACTICE +/- on February 28. From the artist:

PRACTICE +/- builds upon my recent "Play is Infinite" exhibition at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (on view until May). This body of work furthers my imaginative exploration of the Ultimate Self, the endless possibilities of leveling up in life, and the transformative power of play.

The opening reception will be held 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the 28th, and The Portal is located at 6425 Penn Ave in Bakery Square (map).

Annual Matsuri at Carnegie Mellon, February 23.

The Japanese Student Association at Carnegie Mellon University will present its annual Matsuri on February 23, from 12:00 to 6:00 pm in the Rangos Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Cohon University Center (map).

We are excited to announce CMU JSA’s major event of the year, our spring Matsuri! This year’s theme is 縁日（Ennichi）. Translated literally, it means a day of connections and signifies a major festival in Japan.

Join us on February 23rd, from 12-6 PM in the Cohon University Center Rangos Ballroom to play some traditional Japanese games, eat winter-themed Japanese foods, and watch performances from both university students and local Pittsburgh performers.

Feel free to reach out over Instagram or through our website cmujsa.com/matsuri for more information! We look forward to seeing you there!

本格的な冬の寒さも退け暖かい陽が戻ってきたなか、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。カーネギーメロン日本人学生会です。

この度は2月23日に我々が開催する祭りの広報、又ご参加をおねがいしたく連絡させていただいております。テーマは「縁日」ということでこのピッツバーグの冬のなか少しでも日本の夏を思い出していただくことを願いこのイベントを主催しています。日本での祭りを模した食べ物や遊び、パフォーマンスを用意させていただきます。お子様も大歓迎ですのでもしよろしければご家族での参加などを楽しみにしています。場所はカーネギーメロン大学の Cohon University Center の2階にあるRangosという部屋、開場は昼の12時、閉場は午後6時とさせていただきます。

当日にお会い出来るのを楽しみにしています。

New time for Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Parade on Sunday, February 16.

Organizers have moved the start time of the Lunar New Year Parde through Squirrel Hill from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the hopes of finding warmer weather. The relatively new annual tradition returns in 2025 after taking 2024 off. The parade moves up Murray Ave. from Phillips Ave. to Forbes Ave. (map).

Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill now accepting applications for six-week summer camp for kids' martial arts, fitness, culture, and language training; $30 discount for registration by April 30.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center's annual summer camp returns for six weeks of programming in July, and the school is now accepting applications. 

 Camp Schedule:

• Week 1: July 7 – 11
• Week 2: July 14 – 18
• Week 3: July 21 – 25
• Week 4: July 28 – August 1
• Week 5: August 4 – 8
• Week 6: August 11 – 15

 Location: Squirrel Hill Studio – 2705-2707 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
 Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (optional extended care until 5:30 PM)
 Ages: 5 – 15 years

 What to Expect

 Learn Kung Fu/Wushu/Tai Chi from champion masters
 Train in martial arts fundamentals
 Boost focus, fitness, and confidence with intensive training
 Dive into Mandarin language, Chinese culture, games, and movies
 Have fun in a supportive and engaging environment

 Tuition & Registration

• $240 per 5-day week (Save $30 when you register by April 30!)
• 10% discount for siblings
• New students: One-time $90 registration fee (includes a pair of training shoes, T-shirt, and training pants)
• Free registration for current Win-Win students
• Only 25 spots per week – First Come, First Serve!

 How to Register
 Current Win-Win students: Complete the selection form and submit a 20% tuition deposit.
 New students: Fill out the registration form, sign the waiver, complete the selection form, and submit a 20% tuition deposit along with the $90 registration fee.

Seats fill up fast, so don’t miss out on a summer of fun and learning!

For questions or to register, call (412) 336-8898 or email masters [at] winwinkungfu.com.

The studio is located at 2705 Murray Ave., on the ground floor of the Morrowfield building in Squirrel Hill South (map). 

The Way of Tea 茶道: Recital and Ceremony, March 10 at The Art Room.

Pittsburgh Opera will present "The Way of Tea 茶道: Recital and Ceremony" on March 10, part of a series of events surrounding its production of Madama Butterfly starting on March 22.

Ceremony

The tea ceremony, or Chado (The Way of Tea), is a traditional Japanese art involving the ritualistic preparation of tea. Influenced by the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, the core teaching of chado is to attain a spiritual state of selflessness and peacefulness through making and sharing tea. Join us to learn the history and philosophy of Japanese tea ceremony while tasting Japanese tea and sweets.

Yuko Eguchi is a native of Tokyo, Japan and holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her tea master title and name, Soyu, in 2009 and the associate professor of tea title in 2013, certified by the head master of the Urasenke school. Yuko has performed and lectured on Japanese traditional arts at various higher institutions.

Recital

Japanese mezzo-soprano, Nozomi Kato, is in demand at leading opera houses in Italy, Spain, Japan and beyond. In particular, she has made a name for herself internationally as Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, which she will perform at Pittsburgh Opera in March of 2025 reprising her role in a production originated at Cincinnati Opera (dir: Matthew Ozawa).

The evening of events starts at 6:00 pm, and tickets are available online. The Art Room is located at 2010 Smallman St. in the Strip District (map).

Book Talk: Conversation with author Laura Gao, February 6 at Pitt.

via Wharton Magazine

The University Library System and Alliance of Queer and Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS) will host a conversation with Laura Gao on February 6.

This collaborative event, hosted by ULS and the Alliance of Queer and Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS), brings together a diverse community to engage in meaningful conversation and reflection.

4:30–5:00 PM:

Join our student representative for a book club session, featuring a group reading followed by a discussion. Faculty members and a librarian will facilitate the conversation, offering insights and fostering dialogue around the themes of the book.

5:00–6:00 PM:

Book Talk: A Conversation with Laura Gao

Engage in an intimate roundtable discussion with Laura Gao, moderated by faculty, students, and librarians. The conversation will explore crucial topics such as queer identity, Asian American experiences, and the intersectionality of these themes in contemporary society.

The event runs from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on the first floor of Hillman Library (map).

Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books, March 13 in East Liberty.

Photo credit: Philip Groshon, Cincinnati Opera

The Carnegie Library branch in East Liberty will host "Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books" on March 13.

Join us for a free panel discussion with RAD Pass participating organization Pittsburgh Opera where we will explore Women’s Role in Video Games, Anime, Manga, and Comic Books. Women have often been unrealistically represented in these art forms leading to detrimental outcomes in the real world. This discussion aims to unpack the origins of female representation in art and explore the fine line between fandom and fetish.

Pittsburgh Opera leads this discussion in anticipation of its groundbreaking new production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, the story is set in a fantastical realm where reality and dreams intersect.

“The male protagonist, Pinkerton, puts on a VR headset and transports us into a vibrant virtual reality playground where he has ultimate control. As his avatar, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, he can seduce and marry Cio-Cio San, his fantasy girl, and abandon her just as easily. But to Cio-Cio San, this is no game and the love and betrayal she feels is all too real.”

Attendees receive a discounted ticket offer to the performance of Madama Butterfly of their choice (March 22nd, 25th, 28th, and 30th) and will be entered into a raffle to receive a pair of free tickets. All performances of Madama Butterfly will take place downtown at the Benedum Center.

The event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at 130 S. Whitfield St. in East Liberty (map). A reminder that Pittsburgh Opera is recruiting panelists for this event; those interested in participating should email Rebekah Diaz, Director, IDEA Initiatives/Community Engagement, at rdiaz@pittsburghopera.org.

CMU 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration, January 31.

The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics' Chinese Studies program at Carnegie Mellon University will host a Chinese New Year Celebration on January 31.

Come to celebrate Chinese New Years with the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics! Free and open to the public, this event will feature many fun activities with rich Chinese cultural aspects including performances, snacks, games and raffles.

This celebration is co-hosted by LCAL's Chinese Studies program and CMU's Chinese Students Association.

It runs from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the Rangos Ballroom on the second floor of the Cohon University Center (map).

Lunar New Year Celebration, February 1 at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel.

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library will host a Lunar New Year Celebration on February 1.

Celebrate and learn about the Lunar New Year! This annual celebration organized by the Asian community of the Fox Chapel area features a wide variety of different festival activities. Final plans are still being made, but previous years have included: traditional Chinese music performed by Dorseyville Middle School students, taekwondo performed by the Young Brothers Taekwondo School students, a dragon parade, storytelling, crafts, as well as treats and gifts.

All ages are welcome.

The event runs from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Registration is required and can be completed online. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).