Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts

Friday, January 10, 2025

2025 Squirrel Hill Lunar New Year Parade, February 16.


Pittsburgh's Lunar New Year Parade will return in 2025. From the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition:
Please come out to join us to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year with a parade starting at Phillips and Murray (Streets closed Phillips to Forbes on Murray Ave from 9 - 12 pm)
The relatively new annual tradition returns after taking 2024 off. The parade starts at 10:00 am, moving up Murray Ave. from Phillips Ave. to Forbes Ave. (map).

Thursday, January 9, 2025

2021 Korean film Made on the Rooftop (메이드 인 루프탑) in Pittsburgh, February 11.


The 2021 Korean film Made on the Rooftop (메이드 인 루프탑), also known as Made in Rooftop in accordance with the Koreanlish title, will play in Pittsburgh on February 11 thanks to ReelQ and City of Asylum.

Pittsburgh-based film organization Reel Q presents screenings of films from all over the world—Argentina, Iran, Pakistan, Taiwan, and many more—that center queer voices and perspectives. This February, Reel Q enters its 11th year of collaboration with City of Asylum with the whimsical rom-com Made on the Rooftop, directed by Kim Jho Gwang-soo. 

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Seoul, Made on the Rooftop is a romantic journey through heartbreak, friendship, and rediscovery. After his breakup with the reserved and closeted Jeong-min, Ha-neul is left heartbroken and homeless, forced to leave not only his lover but also their beloved cat, Ari. Finding refuge with his flamboyant and supportive best friend, Bongsik, Ha-neul tries to mend his heart while navigating life on a rooftop where love, laughter, and second chances are always in the air.

With its candy-colored visuals, witty humor, and heartfelt moments, Made on the Rooftop is an ode to young love and the courage to start over. Perfect for Valentine’s Week, this rom-com reminds us that love, whether romantic or platonic, always has a way of finding us when we need it most. 

Before the screening, join us for our very first Reel Connections, a social speed-friending happy hour! From 6–7 PM, we’ll partake in a lively and fun-filled hour of games, drinks, and snacks, and the chance to meet new friends…or perhaps even something more. Whether you’re coming solo, with your partner, or a group of friends, this is the perfect way to mingle and set the tone for a romantic and joyful Valentine’s Week celebration.

The film played at the 2021 ReelQ Film Festival. This in-person and online screening is free, though tickets are required. It starts at 7:00 pm at Alphabet City on the North Side (map).

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space Between at Contemporary Craft, February 7 – May 3.


Contemporary Craft will host Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space Between from February 7 through May 3, with a free artist-led tour on February 8. From today's press release:

Contemporary Craft Announces Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space in Between

 

PITTSBURGH, PA (January 2025) – Contemporary Craft is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition, Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space Between, on view February 7 – May 3, 2025. The exhibition features a comprehensive survey of California-based artist Keiko Fukazawa’s 40-year career, showcasing new works and archival materials. The opening reception will take place on Friday, February 7, 5:30 – 8:00 PM.

 

Influenced by her Japanese heritage and American environment, Fukazawa explores Asian pop culture and social issues through conceptual interpretations of traditional forms. Featuring 30 pieces, the exhibition is organized into three themes: “Culture Clash,” “ARTivism,” and “In Betweenness,” reflecting stages of Fukazawa’s creative evolution as an immigrant artist navigating cultural identities.

 

Through her use of porcelain, Fukazawa highlights ceramic artistry, process, and history advocating for the medium’s importance in the contemporary world. Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective offers a compelling narrative of artistic journey and cultural dialogue, showcasing Fukazawa’s enduring commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the intersection of tradition, innovation and materiality with her practice.

 

Keiko Fukazawa's work is eclectic, poignant and thought-provoking, exploring themes through distinctive material choices and symbolic representation. This retrospective spans 40 years of her creative evolution, weaving together her Japanese heritage and American environment through conceptual exploration”, said Yu-San Cheng, CC Director of Exhibitions and Operations. “The exhibition invites the audience on an emotional experience, evoking contemplation and insight as they engage with each piece. I hope these selections move you and inspire reflection."

 

Opening Weekend Events

 

Opening Reception: Friday, February 7, 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Free and open to the public. Join us as we celebrate the opening of Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space Between. Light refreshments will be served.

Artist Talk: Saturday, February 8, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Free, registration required. Keiko Fukazawa will be in the gallery discussing her work and answering questions from visitors.

2024 Japanese animated film The Colors Within (きみの色) in Pittsburgh, from January 23.


The 2024 Japanese animated film The Colors Within (きみの色) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from January 23.
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn’t play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true 'colors'?
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson through the 29th, though more locations are likely to be announced later. Tickets for the English-dubbed shows are available online now, with shows in Japanese with English subtitles likely to follow.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Spiral Symphony: A Chorus of Transformation and Renewal: The 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show, January 26.


The Carnegie Museum of Art will host "Spiral Symphony: A Chorus of Transformation and Renewal: The 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show" on January 26.

Inspired by the Year of the Snake, the 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Celebration heralds the new year with a resplendent celebration of change and rebirth. Presented by the CASTP Organization, with support from Carnegie Museum of Art, this multicultural festival harmonizes ancient Lunar New Year traditions with global customs. Guests will embark on a mesmerizing journey through spiraling rhythms and evolving melodies, where the snake’s wisdom and symbolism come alive in spectacular performances and hands-on activities. This immersive experience invites attendees to shed the old and embrace the new, fostering a joyous chorus of global unity and growth as we step into the promising dawn of a new year.

The fair will be from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 2:30 p.m.

R.F. Kuang in Pittsburgh as part of Ten Evenings series, April 28.


Author R.F. Kuang will speak in Pittsburgh as part of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures' Ten Evenings series on April 28.


White lies. Dark humor. Deadly consequences… Bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American–in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R.F. Kuang.

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I. So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song–complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.

Rebecca F. Kuang is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy, Babel: An Arcane History, and Yellowface. Her work has won the Nebula, Locus, Crawford, and British Book Awards. A Marshall Scholar, she has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford. She is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale, where she studies diaspora, contemporary Sinophone literature, and Asian American literature.

Copies of the book are available to purchase at White Whale Bookstore, and tickets for the event are now available online. The event takes place at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland (map) and will also be livestreamed.

Friday, January 3, 2025

One Piece Music Symphony with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, January 25 and 26.


The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform One Piece Music Symphony on January 25 and 26.
The most memorable moments of the beloved TV series will be projected on a giant screen to the sound of a 50-musician orchestra!

It is time for an epic array of music full of action and emotion! Immerse yourself in the magic of a full orchestra as it performs One Piece’s iconic music live on stage, while the greatest moments from the anime come to life on screen in perfect sync. Relive the thrilling adventures of the Straw Hat Crew, all set to the vibrant sounds of the series’ most memorable music!

Join us for a special anniversary world tour that showcases a brand-new program from the world of One Piece. Experience the highlights from 25 years of adventures, including unforgettable moments with the entire Straw Hat Crew, all presented in a film concert with a giant screen projection! The music program of the One Piece Music Symphony will feature fan favorite songs like “We Are!,” “Sai sai saikyo!!!,” “Oitsumerareta,” and “Binks no Sake”, along with some new pieces specifically made for this anniversary celebration.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

1962 Japanese film Harakiri (切腹) in Pittsburgh, January 9 - 15.


The 1962 animated film Harakiri (切腹) will play in Pittsburgh from January 9 through 15.
In 18th-century Edo, a masterless samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) wanders into the virtuous House of Iyi, asking to commit ritual seppuku (suicide). He is met with skepticism by the clan’s retainers, who have learned of drifting ronin making similar requests as a means of extortion. Nevertheless, the samurai promises to disembowel himself, but not before imparting the tragic circumstances that have led him to this final act. Adorned by stunning chiaroscuro compositions, an unnerving Toru Takemitsu score, and a bitingly acerbic script by Kurosawa scribe Shinobu Hashimoto, director Masaki Kobayashi’s slow-burn rebuke of authority culminates in a scathing takedown of the bushido code and the shallow valor it vowed to uphold.
It plays in Japanese with English subtitles at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

2006 Japanese animated film Paprika (パプリカ) in Pittsburgh, January 8, 9, and 12.


The 2006 Japanese animated film Paprika (パプリカ) will play in Pittsburgh on January 8, 9, and 12, part of the 2024-2025 Anime Expo Cinema Nights series.
Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents the 15th anniversary and a 4K restoration of the last film ever made by visionary director Satoshi Kon with his mind-bending thriller PAPRIKA. When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients’ dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson. Tickets are available online; the shows on the 8th and 12th are in Japanese with English subtitles, while the shows on the 9th are dubbed in English.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Monthly Chinese & English Storytime for kids, starting January 4 at Cooper-Siegel Library in Fox Chapel.


The monthly Chinese-English Storytime will continue in 2025 at the Cooper-Siegel Library with its first session on January 4.
Explore the Chinese language through bilingual songs, books, and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in grades preschool - 2nd grade with their caregivers. This program occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Please register for all dates you plan to attend.
The event runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 am in the Verne C. Koch Program Room. Future sessions are scheduled for February 1, March 1, April 5, and May 3. (There are also Chinese-English Storytimes scheduled for January 17, February 15, March 15, and May 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, at the Sharpsburg Community Library.) Registration is required and can be completed online. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

Sunday, December 29, 2024

2001 Japanese animated film Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉) in Pittsburgh, February 5, 6, and 9.


The 2001 Japanese animated film Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉) will play in Pittsburgh on February 5, 6, and 9, part of an Anime Expo Cinema Nights series.
Caught up in a world of dreams, lost in the cruelty of reality. What should have been an easy bounty turns into biological war after a terrorist gets hold of a deadly virus. Drawn in by the pretty price on the mastermind's head, Spike and the Bebop crew are ready to collect a much-needed reward. Unfortunately, the gang's about to find themselves in more trouble than money when the terrorist threatens to unleash the virus on Halloween--effectively killing everyone on Mars. With little time and leads that seem more dreamy than helpful, they'll have to use their own bag of tricks to stop a dangerous plot.
It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2025 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala, January 25.


The Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Center (PCCC) will hold its annual Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala on January 25 at the PNC Theater downtown.
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday celebrated by many international communities around the world. This year, the Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Center (PCCC) is once again partnering with the Pittsburgh Playhouse to present the annual Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala, celebrating the Year of the Snake.

For the first time, the Gala will feature an exciting new theme, “CivilizASIAN”, highlighting a remarkable fusion of Eastern and Western artistic elements. The event promises a spectacular gathering of top-tier talent, thanks to the visionary direction of Mr. Xiang Gao, a renowned large-scale arts event planner and producer, who has been appointed as the chief planner and director of the 2025 Lunar New Year Gala.

PCCC’s own Performing Arts Group, together with Yanlai Dance Academy, Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group, School of Oom Yung Doe, Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh Chinese School will share the stage at the Gala as well.

Join us for FREE cultural activities starting at 1 pm, featuring street food samples, games, cultural demonstrations, and much more!
Tickets are available online. PNC Theater is the performing arts venue of Point Park University, located at 350 Forbes Ave. downtown (map).

Friday, December 27, 2024

"International Poetry Forum Presents: Kimiko Hahn" at City of Asylum, January 5.


The City of Asylum will host "International Poetry Forum Presents: Kimiko Hahn " on January 5.
City of Asylum welcomes Kimiko Hahn, winner of the 2023 Ruth Lilly Prize, for a reading and discussion of the influence haiku poet Matsuo Bashō has had on her work, particularly The Narrow Road to the Interior. Matsuo Bashō is recognized as the greatest master of Haiku, legitimizing the art form and paving the way for poets like Kimiko Hahn to carry on and expand upon his legacy.
The free event runs from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at Alphabet City (map), and tickets are available online.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Pittsburgh's Kyuramen opening December 27, Cranberry location a couple months away.


Kyuramen has announced a grand opening for its Pittsburgh location for December 27, this time with an updated graphic featuring baseball players rather than Philadelphia landmarks. Its social media team has acknowledged the Cranberry location is about two months away.
All of our ramen are carefully developed by our ramen masters. The founder of KYURA MEN studied and absobed [sic] the essence of the Japanese ramen, to create the most unique and rich Ramen dish. The carefully crafted "white", "thick", “fresh” and “fragrant” soup bases are served with a fresh Japanese-style pork roast, a 7 minute boiled egg, and a pair of chopped green onions. DELICIOUS!
The national ramen chain's first Pittsburgh restaurant will be located at 6204 Penn Ave. at Eastside Bond (map), and will be accompanied by TBaar, a chain of bubble tea shops. The Cranberry location is in the "Streets of Cranberry" development, between Condado Tacos and Rally House. The ramen place is stylized Kyuramen, KYURAMEN, and Kyu Ramen at various times.

Kyuramen is one of several large national and international Asian chains to come to Pittsburgh in recent years---in addition to Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours, Fresh International Market, Yi Fang, Kura Revolving Sushi, among many others---and though some may look askance at chains, it also represents the growth of Pittsburgh's food landscape that companies that ignored Pittsburgh for the last decade or two are recognizing its appetites.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

OCA Pittsburgh Year of the Snake Banquet, February 15.


The Organization of Chinese Americans Pittsburgh will host its Year of the Snake New Year's Banquet on February 15. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Sichuan Spice in Pittsburgh, and tickets are now available online.

The Lunar New Year began in China more than 4,000 years ago and is widely observed in East and Southeast Asia. Over the years, the festivities have spread around the world. It is now celebrated by millions of people all over the United States, including here in Pittsburgh!

Come celebrate Lunar New Year with OCA Pittsburgh! Eat a 10 course meal, watch cultural performances and participate in a raffle!

OCA Banquet is our fundraiser that makes it possible for OCA to provide advocacy and services for Asian Americans in Pittsburgh.

If you are not currently an active member, we invite you become one. Your membership supports the important work we do as well as access to benefits. Please use this link to sign up.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Guided Tour - 芸 [Gei ]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal, January 18 at Contemporary Craft.


On the last day of the 芸 [Gei ]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal exhibit at Contemporary Craft, January 18, the gallery will offer a free guided tour from 11 am to 12 pm.

芸[Gei]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal invites viewers to explore the captivating duality of Japanese Sogetsu Ikebana and craft, highlighting the profound cultural connections woven through these art forms. Ikebana (生け花, living flowers), the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, captures the fleeting beauty of nature. Conversely, we celebrate the eternal through masterful craft objects. These objects embody enduring skill and meticulous attention to detail. From exquisite ceramics to intricate metal and wood sculptures, these crafts echo with the wisdom and patience of their makers, preserving techniques practiced over generations while celebrating individuality and collaboration. Join Contemporary Craft on a artist-led guided tour of GEI !

Admission is free, please consider donating to support the sustainability of our public programs.

Tickets are available online. Contemporary Craft is a gallery and creative space that broadly states its mission as "To engage the public in creative experiences through contemporary craft.." It is located at 5645 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Registration open for newest sessions of Adult Mandarin Classes through the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning.


Registration remains open for newest sessions of Adult Mandarin Classes through the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning.
Embark on an extraordinary linguistic journey by learning Chinese! Because of this incredible support, we’ve crafted an environment that goes beyond language acquisition—it’s an adventure into the heart of Mandarin-speaking culture. Seize the opportunity to not just learn a language, but to unlock a world of possibilities and enrich your personal and professional journey. Don’t miss out on the chance to thrive in a community where language and culture converge seamlessly. Join us and let the language of opportunity be your guide!
Classes are Sundyas from 10:00 am to 12:45 pm at South Hills Middle School (map), and the next sesion runs from January 12 through April 6, 2025. The cost is $120 per term, with discounts for referrals available. Space is limited and registration can be completed online.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Spiral Symphony: A Chorus of Transformation and Renewal: The 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show, January 26.


The Carnegie Museum of Art will host "Spiral Symphony: A Chorus of Transformation and Renewal: The 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show" on January 26.

Inspired by the Year of the Snake, the 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Celebration heralds the new year with a resplendent celebration of change and rebirth. Presented by the CASTP Organization, with support from Carnegie Museum of Art, this multicultural festival harmonizes ancient Lunar New Year traditions with global customs. Guests will embark on a mesmerizing journey through spiraling rhythms and evolving melodies, where the snake’s wisdom and symbolism come alive in spectacular performances and hands-on activities. This immersive experience invites attendees to shed the old and embrace the new, fostering a joyous chorus of global unity and growth as we step into the promising dawn of a new year.

The fair will be from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Japanese metal band HANABIE。returns to Pittsburgh, March 12.


Japanese metal band HANABIE。will return to Pittsburgh on March 12, part of their US tour with Kim Dracula. Their Reddit fanpage provides an introduction:
Loud rock band HANABIE。formed at their school light music club in June 2015. Centering in Kichijōji, Tokyo, they started performing live around areas such as Shinjuku and Tachikawa.

The sound of Hanabie features the sound mixture of metalcore, hardcore, Hip-Hop, and J-POP. Their 1st album, "Girls Manifest" was released in 2020. With this album, they have established their own genre "HARAJUKUCORE"

Their live performances have a speed and power that exceeds expectations and captivates their audience. Yukina's powerful screaming/growling vocals never leave anyone without being amazed, along with this excellent melodic lines given by the clean voice of Matsuri, this is a complete basis for an amazing metalcore band but as for them it isn't enough they add different layers of voices between rap lines. If vocally they are great, in the instrumental part they're not left behind, aggressive, heavy, and dynamic. Certainly to define this band you need at least two words: dynamic and powerful.
The band played Preserving Underground in New Kensington in September 2023 and the Roxian Theatre in September 2024.

Ticket presale for the all ages show at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks (map), 6:30 pm, is happening now.

Monday, December 16, 2024

1962 Japanese film Harakiri (切腹) in Pittsburgh, January 9 - 15.


The 1962 animated film Harakiri (切腹) will play in Pittsburgh from January 9 through 15.
In 18th-century Edo, a masterless samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) wanders into the virtuous House of Iyi, asking to commit ritual seppuku (suicide). He is met with skepticism by the clan’s retainers, who have learned of drifting ronin making similar requests as a means of extortion. Nevertheless, the samurai promises to disembowel himself, but not before imparting the tragic circumstances that have led him to this final act. Adorned by stunning chiaroscuro compositions, an unnerving Toru Takemitsu score, and a bitingly acerbic script by Kurosawa scribe Shinobu Hashimoto, director Masaki Kobayashi’s slow-burn rebuke of authority culminates in a scathing takedown of the bushido code and the shallow valor it vowed to uphold.
It plays in Japanese with English subtitles at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.

Most Popular Posts From the Past Year