1989 Hong Kong film The Killer (喋血雙雄) in Pittsburgh, from April 5.

The 1989 Hong Kong film The Killer (喋血雙雄) will play in Pittsburgh on April 5, 7, and 8, part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series this year. A synopsis, from the distributor:

A Hong Kong hitman accidentally blinds an innocent woman during a hit. He is determined to get her surgery to help her regain her sight but he needs to complete one more hit first. He completes the job but then is ambushed as he tries to escape: someone wants him dead. Meanwhile a resourceful, unorthodox police detective is hot on his trail.

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

Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters at Kamin Science Center's Buhl Planetarium, from May 2.

The Kamin Science Center's Buhl Planetarium will present Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters from May 2 through June 26.

Dazzling lasers, harmonic melodies, and catchy lyrics you can’t help but sing along to. You know we’re going to be golden to protect the fans and seal the Honmoon! Inspired by the hit movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”

Opening weekend for the 25-minute show will be Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 pm. It plays weekdays from May 4 through June 26 (except May 13) at 2:00 pm, and weekends during that span at 1:00 pm. Tickets are available online. The Kamin Science Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

1997 Satoshi Kon film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) in Pittsburgh, from April 3.

The 1997 Satoshi Kon film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) will play at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville from April 3 through April 9, part of the theater's Girls Gone Mad film series.

This creepy and mind-bending thriller from Satoshi Kon follows a pop star who looks forward to a bright new career as an actress when she quits her chart-topping trio. Her first role in a sexually charged murder mystery blurs the lines of her reality and upends her once wholesome life.

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

Steel Love Kpop Meetup at the Park, March 28 at Schenley Plaza.

Steel Love Kpop will organize a Meetup at the Park from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on March 28 at Schenley Plaza in Oakland. From their announcement on Instagram:

✨ Kpop Meetup at the Park ✨
Hi guys I can’t wait to see you all for our next meetup!

✨ Be sure to bring your photo cards, pickets, and/or Kpop merch to trade, customize, or show your collection.

✨ There’s park benches, chairs, and a lawn so feel free to bring a blanket if you enjoy the grass.

✨There are several food options from vendors and there’s a restaurant in the plaza area or you can bring your own food and snacks if you’d like.

✨ Feel free to break off and have fun! Some might trade, some might dance, it’s your choice!

✨ For those who want to record dance content we can film short dance covers (the chorus section only) of the songs you’d like, let me know in the comments or by DM what songs you’d like to record. If you want to bring speakers for music in general or use them for the dance covers, feel free to bring those as well.

I’ll suggest some songs in the comments if you want to learn them and record them! Comment or send a DM of the song(s) you choose between now and the official meetup date.

We can always reschedule if the weather conditions aren’t very well.

See you all soon! 😇

Pitt Filipino Students Association (FSA) Barrio, featuring RC AVENUE, March 28.

The University of Pittsburgh's Filipino Student Association will present its annual Barrio on March 28, which will feature a performance by pop/R&B artist RC AVENUE. It runs from 5:00 to 9:00 pm in the Assembly Room on the first floor of the William Pitt Union (map). From the Asian Studies Center newsletter:

“Barrio” means neighborhood or community in Tagalog. Pitt FSA’s Barrio event shares and celebrates Filipino culture through special guest performances, delicious Filipino food, singing & dancing, and more!

 

Barrio will feature special guest RC AVENUE. They are a Pop/R&B artist based in Los Angeles with over 200k monthly listeners on Spotify.

The theme is Alamat, meaning “legend” or “folklore” in Tagalog. Alamat honors the stories that connect generations and communities, celebrating Filipino heritage while also recognizing the shared experiences and stories of those at Pitt.

Dress theme will be Traditional Filipino cultural attire (modern/precolonial), cultural mythology, or fairytale-inspired dress.

4K restoration of 1989 Japanese animated movie Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) stays in Pittsburgh through March 31.

A 4K restoration of 1989 Japanese animated movie Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), which opened in the Pittsburgh area from March 12, will stay here through (at least) March 31.

It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world[.]

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

4K restoration of 1995 Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) in Pittsburgh, April 21.

A 4K restoration of the 1995 Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) will play in Pittsburgh on April 21.

A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a girl with her head in the clouds, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, an antique cat figurine who guides her to listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination. Based on a screenplay and storyboards from Hayao Miyazaki, WHISPER OF THE HEART is a precious gem in the Studio Ghibli catalog, directed by veteran animator Yoshifumi Kondo.

It plays locally so far at the AMC Loews Waterfront, but there will likely be additional dates and theaters announced later.

Korean movie The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자) stays in Pittsburgh through March 31.

The 2026 Korean movie The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 13, will stay here through (at least) March 31.

In a remote mountain village of 15th-century Joseon, a humble headman, Heung-do, hears a rumor that any village hosting an exiled nobleman will be blessed with abundance and fortune. Hoping to bring prosperity to his impoverished community, he eagerly submits a petition to host one—unaware that his guest is none other than the fallen monarch, the deposed boy-king Danjong. While an unlikely bond begins to form between the dethroned ruler and the man assigned to watch over him, the quiet village finds itself drawn into the perilous undercurrents of royal intrigue—where loyalty and survival collide.

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

2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) remains in Pittsburgh through March 31.

The 2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 27, will remain here through at least March 31. It is the highest-grossing film in China in 2026 thus far, and is the 10th-highest-grossing film in China of all time.

After the final stage at Bayanbulak, Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng) is invited to compete in a brand-new event, the “Muchen 100 Rally,” as the head coach of the team. The once “wild” racer now steps onto the international stage. Facing a completely new course filled with top-tier competitors, Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (played by Zhang Benyu) once again fight side by side with Zhang Chi. Powerful drivers such as Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu) are also invited to join, and a team built on top-level speed and shared belief is formed. However, Zhang Chi soon realizes that the true challenge does not seem to come from the race itself. Beneath the surface, tensions are rising beyond the track, casting uncertainty over their high-speed journey ahead.

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

YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan, in Pittsburgh February 2027.

YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan will perform in Pittsburgh on February 3, 2027, presenting Tamayura: Echoes of the Soul.

YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan is a globally touring troupe based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture, a place well known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. Since their 1993 inception, with more than 4,000 performances across 54 countries, the work of YAMATO has brought energy and joy to thousands around the world.

YAMATO’s productions incorporate over 40 Taiko drums of different characters, sizes, and sounds. Their expert musicians train their bodies to the absolute limit to beat these massive instruments. While the acoustic pressure far surpasses what one could imagine, the ensemble’s acclaimed performances range from explosive percussion to delicate musical moments that offer a palette of meticulously crafted sound.

As the audience is engulfed in the sound of the Taiko—intense, sometimes sad, at times comforting, and even comical—they become one with the performers. People from all backgrounds gather around the power of Taiko, interweaving their lives and feeling the strength of one another’s passion and heart. Together, they create an unforgettable moment in which they feel truly alive.

The show starts at 7:30 pm at the Byham Theater, located at 101 6th Street in downtown's Cultural District (map). Tickets are available online.

2025 Japanese animated movie ChaO (チャオ) to have screenings at Row House Hollywood in Dormont, from April 10.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie ChaO (チャオ), which was announced earlier for the Pittsburgh area from April 9, will also play at the Row House Hollywood in Dormont on April 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16.

In a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist, the life of mild-mannered office worker Stephan is upended when he is suddenly proposed to by Chao — a princess from the mermaid kingdom. With no time to make sense of what’s happening, Stephan soon finds himself living with the unpredictable, wholehearted Chao, and her sincere love begins to break down his emotional barriers.

There are multiple screenings per day, and tickets are available online.

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

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

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

A show of hilarity and culture in equal doses!

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

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

Café Filipino returns April 25.

Café Filipino, a family-style Philippine Cuisine Experience from the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, is resuming monthly programming from April 25.

The event is brought to you by Cafe Filipino, our initiative to feature talented cooks within our community and showcase their signature dishes. The plan is to offer this event by popular demand as a way for us to bring a consistent fine-dining Filipino food experience to Pittsburgh. This will be a periodic fundraising event to cover the operating costs of our Philippine Center and other Fil-Am PGH programs.

Dinners are held at the Philippine Center of Pittsburgh in West Mifflin (map) and tickets are available online.

ScottyCon 2026, the student-run anime and games convention at Carnegie Mellon University, March 28.

ScottyCon 2026, the student-run anime and games convention at Carnegie Mellon University, will be held on March 28.

Welcome to our sixth year of ScottyCon! We hope you enjoy CMU's one and only (and therefore best) anime and video gaming convention! We'll have a blast of events this year, ranging from panels, masquerade, artist alley, and much more.

Events include 14 panels, Artist Alley, game vendors, karaoke at night, a Masquerade, a manga library, and a performance from guest of honor Phoebe Chan, and more. ScottyCon runs from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm in the Jared L. Cohon University Center (map) and tickets are available online through March 25 (and at the door on the 28th).

ASIA POP LECTURE: "When Two Worlds Collide: K-pop Idols & Influencer Marketing," April 1 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Mathieu Berbiguier and his talk "When Two Worlds Collide: K-pop Idols & Influencer Marketing" on April 1, part of the Center's ASIA POP lecture series.

K-pop idols have long been perceived as the antithesis of authenticity, manufactured personas shaped by entertainment companies. Yet the global rise of influencer marketing, built on relatability and vulnerability, has pushed those same companies to rewrite the rules. Dr. Mathieu Berbiguier examines how Korean entertainment companies increasingly adopt influencer marketing codes — "authentic storytelling," mental health disclosure, and less scripted formats — to reshape the idol persona and deepen parasocial bonds with fans. Drawing on textual analysis and fan discourse, Dr. Berbiguier argues that the convergence of idol culture and influencer logics reveals less a collision than a mutual absorption, one that speaks to a broader, Euro-American-centered demand for authenticity in popular culture.

Dr. Berbiguier is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Korean Studies at Carnegie Mellon University. Since receiving his Ph.D. in Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Berbiguier's research has primarily focused on the nuances of K-pop culture, exploring power dynamics in fan communities and shedding light on how these interactions shape perceptions of authenticity in Korean popular culture.

The talk starts at 6:00 pm in 205 David Lawrence Hall (map) and is free and open to the public.

2025 Japanese animated movie ChaO (チャオ) in Pittsburgh, from April 9.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie ChaO (チャオ) will play in Pittsburgh from April 9.

In a fantastical future, humans and mermaids share a troubled coexistence. Stephan, an anxious employee at a shipbuilding company, has big ideas to save the sea. But his life explodes into ecstatic chaos when bubbly mermaid princess Chao proposes marriage out of the blue. Between shopping sprees, giant robots, and actual fireworks, the unlikely pair flounder through their new romance and unlock their true feelings. Crafted over 7 years by the acclaimed STUDIO4°C and veteran animator Yasuhiro Aoki, ChaO is an inventive and genre-defying delight bursting with color and character. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, ChaO’s singular narrative is an ode to boundless love.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Hyland Gallery Talk: Chūshingura 忠臣蔵：Musha-e 武者絵 and Kabuki-e 歌舞伎絵, March 27 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's University Library System will present "Hyland Gallery Talk: Chūshingura 忠臣蔵：Musha-e 武者絵 and Kabuki-e 歌舞伎絵" on March 27.

Join curator and Japanese and Korean Studies Librarian Hiroyuki Good to learn more about the exhibit Chūshingura: Musha-e and Kabuki-e! The exhibit explores the Akō Incident (1701–1703), in which 47 rōnin avenged their lord Asano Takumi no Kami after he was forced to commit seppuku for attacking Kira Kōzukenosuke in Edo Castle. This famous revenge story inspired the 1748 Kabuki play Kanadehon Chūshingura, which became one of Japan’s most enduring theatrical works. Featuring musha-e (warrior prints) of the 47 rōnin from the Barry Rosensteel Japanese Print Collection and a complete set of kabuki-e from the Japanese Theater Print Collection, the exhibit highlights the lasting cultural impact of Chūshingura in print and performance.

Each warrior print in this exhibition is accompanied by an introductory text about the individual depicted. Hiro has worked to transcribe and translate these cursive scripts using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, and the results of this effort will also be presented.

All prints are part of the Archives & Special Collections at the University of Pittsburgh Library System. 

The talk runs from 11:00 to 11:30 in Hillman Library's The Hyland Gallery Archives & Special Collections Exhibits on the third floor (map).

Korean movie The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자) stays in Pittsburgh through March 23.

The 2026 Korean movie The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 13, will stay here through March 23.

In a remote mountain village of 15th-century Joseon, a humble headman, Heung-do, hears a rumor that any village hosting an exiled nobleman will be blessed with abundance and fortune. Hoping to bring prosperity to his impoverished community, he eagerly submits a petition to host one—unaware that his guest is none other than the fallen monarch, the deposed boy-king Danjong. While an unlikely bond begins to form between the dethroned ruler and the man assigned to watch over him, the quiet village finds itself drawn into the perilous undercurrents of royal intrigue—where loyalty and survival collide.

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

4K restoration of 1989 Japanese animated movie Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) stays in Pittsburgh through March 25.

A 4K restoration of 1989 Japanese animated movie Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), which opened in the Pittsburgh area from March 12, will stay here through (at least) March 25.

It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world[.]

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

2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) remains in Pittsburgh through March 25.

The 2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 27, will remain here through at least March 25. It is the highest-grossing film in China in 2026 thus far, and is the 11th-highest-grossing film in China of all time.

After the final stage at Bayanbulak, Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng) is invited to compete in a brand-new event, the “Muchen 100 Rally,” as the head coach of the team. The once “wild” racer now steps onto the international stage. Facing a completely new course filled with top-tier competitors, Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (played by Zhang Benyu) once again fight side by side with Zhang Chi. Powerful drivers such as Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu) are also invited to join, and a team built on top-level speed and shared belief is formed. However, Zhang Chi soon realizes that the true challenge does not seem to come from the race itself. Beneath the surface, tensions are rising beyond the track, casting uncertainty over their high-speed journey ahead.

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