The Peking Acrobats performing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, February 27.

The Peking Acrobats will perform at IUP, roughly 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, on February 27.

For the last thirty two years, The Peking Acrobats® have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs and display their technical prowess at such arts as trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control.

The show takes place in the Fisher Auditorium (map) and tickets ranging from $10 to $20 are available online.

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.

Asian grocery opens in Indiana, PA.

via owner (@por.rider)

Chai-yo, a Thai-owned Asian grocery, recently opened in Indiana, PA. It's located at 1830 Oakland Ave. (map), along with Bann Thai Restaurant, and both are owned by a former manager at Bangkok Balcony.

IUP hiring language instructor fluent in Japanese and Korean.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is again hiring a foreign language instructor fluent in Japanese and Korean to teach elementary-, intermediate-, and advanced-level courses in those languages. An excerpt from the job posting:

The Department of Foreign Languages at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) invites applicants for an anticipated full-time, and temporary faculty position for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Duties

• Teach elementary, intermediate, and advanced Japanese and Korean.
• The successful candidate may be asked to work at off-campus sites and/or provide instruction through distance education.

Mongolia's HAYA making US debut at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, April 5.

The Mongolian music group Haya (Хаяа), will make its US debut on April 5 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A profile of the "Migrations" concert, from its management company:

“Migration” is about searching for one’s own spiritual home, experiencing the beauty of life itself, and returning to a simplistic, survivalist lifestyle. HAYA Band’s “Migration” Concert employs innovative musical language alongside classic traditional songs, fusing a variety of musical elements such as chants, the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, plucked string instruments, throat singing, and shaman drums. Their music is refined and captivating. Their shows have a distinct “ceremonious” feel. Migration provides us with a path for escape from this fast-paced modern world, a contemporary migration to another realm, one surrounded by the wonders of nature and life.

Tickets for the 8:00 pm show are available for $16 to $30 online. IUP is located roughly 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, and the concert will be held in the Fisher Auditorium of the IUP Performing Arts Center (map).

IUP hiring language instructor fluent in Japanese and Korean.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is again hiring a foreign language instructor fluent in Japanese and Korean to teach elementary-, intermediate-, and advanced-level courses in those languages. An excerpt from the job posting:

Summary
The Department of Foreign Languages at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) invites applicants for anticipated full-time, and temporary faculty position for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Duties
Teach elementary, intermediate, and advanced Japanese and Korean.

Position Qualifications
Fluency in Japanese and Korean. A master's degree in Foreign Languages, Education, or a related field are required. Ph.D. is preferred. Ongoing research and publications appropriate to one's area of specialty are expected, and teaching or field experience is preferred.

Mongolia's HAYA to make US debut at IUP in 2018.

The Mongolian music group Haya (Хаяа), will make its US debut in April 2018 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A profile of the April 5, 2018 "Migrations" concert, from its management company:

“Migration” is about searching for one’s own spiritual home, experiencing the beauty of life itself, and returning to a simplistic, survivalist lifestyle. HAYA Band’s “Migration” Concert employs innovative musical language alongside classic traditional songs, fusing a variety of musical elements such as chants, the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, plucked string instruments, throat singing, and shaman drums. Their music is refined and captivating. Their shows have a distinct “ceremonious” feel. Migration provides us with a path for escape from this fast-paced modern world, a contemporary migration to another realm, one surrounded by the wonders of nature and life.

Single tickets will be available online starting August 29. IUP is located roughly 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, and the concert will be held in the Fisher Auditorium of the IUP Performing Arts Center from 8:00 pm on April 5.

IUP still hiring Japanese teacher (preferably someone who can also teach Korean).

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is still hiring a teacher for elementary- and intermediate-level Japanese, with a preference for someone who can also teach Korean (as in the case of there current faculty there, Dr. Yongtaek Kim). An excerpt from the job posting:

Duties
Teach elementary and intermediate Japanese. Preference given to candidates either possessing a literature or cultures specialty or having the ability to also teach Korean language.

Position Qualifications
Fluency in Japanese and a master's degree in Foreign Languages, Education, or a related field are required. Ph.D. is preferred. Ongoing research and publications appropriate to one's area of specialty are expected, and teaching or field experience is preferred.

The department seeks candidates whose teaching, research, or services has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Candidates must communicate effectively and perform well during the interview(s).

IUP is located roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

"Natural and Unnatural Disasters 3/11, Asbestos, and the Unmaking of Japan's Modern World" at Pitt on April 3, IUP on April 4.

Dr. Brett L. Walker of Montana State University will speak at the University of Pittsburgh on April 3 and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on April 4 on "Natural and Unnatural Disasters: 3/11, Asbestos, and the Unmaking of Japan's Modern World":

At 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake devastated northeastern Japan and caused one of Earth’s most dangerous nuclear catastrophes. Along with an enduring nuclear legacy, it also left an estimated 25 millions tons of rubble, much of it contaminated with asbestos and other carcinogenic toxins. Indeed, when the tides of the devastating tsunami ebbed, the unnatural disaster of cleaning up Japan’s pulverized and aerosolized built environment remained. Now, every time a backhoe or shovel digs into this rubble, asbestos fibers are released into the environment to threaten human health.

Japan's history of asbestos use contrasts with many other industrialized nations. Although the United States EPA began phasing out asbestos in the 1970s, Japan continued to chrysotile asbestos until 2004. Indeed, asbestos was a critical fiber in the construction of Japan's modern built environment because of the culturally engrained fear of fire. Professor Walker will examine asbestos in the construction and, more importantly, destrucution of Japan's built environment, with a focus on the impact of the 3/11 disaster and the later clean up.

The event at Pitt starts at 3:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map). The event at IUP runs from 3:30 to 5:30 pm in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Rm. 225. Both are free and open to the public.

"Mystical Arts of Tibet" at IUP, October 19 to 26.

Video from a 2011 event at IUP.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania will host "Mystical Arts of Tibet" from October 19 through 26.

From October 19 to October 26, 10 Tibetan monks will be in residence at IUP to construct a sand mandala (representation of the universe), carve a butter sculpture, put on three short performances of Tibetan chanting and dance, and give four lectures.

Visitors may also participate in the community sand art (using the same implements as the monks do when they construct a mandala) make a peace flag, color in mandalas, and help put together mandala puzzles. Unless otherwise noted, all events and activities take place in the HUB Ohio Room. All events are free.

A full schedule is available at the IUP Department of Religious Studies page.

"Hidden History: Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War" at IUP, November 3.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania will host author Ruthanne Lum McCunn and her lecture "Hidden History: Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War” on November 3.

She will be talking about her research and writing on Asian American history and, in particular, her recent book Chinese Yankee, which deals with Thomas Sylvanus (Ah Yee Way), a Chinese-American Civil War veteran and Indiana County resident.

The lecture begins at 7:00 pm in room 201 Stapleton Library (map), and is free and open to the public. McCunn will also be giving a talk on this topic Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County on November 1 at 1:00 pm.

Cirque Peking: National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China coming to IUP, November 11.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced on Monday it will host Cirque Peking: National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China on November 11.

Direct from Beijing, the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China have been thrilling audiences of all ages for over 60 years with their spectacular stunts. Colorfully costumed acrobats and contortionists defy gravity with their jaw-dropping, nail-biting acts.

Founded in 1951, this touring group of acrobatic perfection has been one of the most acclaimed troupes in China. Over several generation, the Company has developed many unique acts like “Global Motorcycling,” “Russian Bars In Chinese Traditional Style,” “Diving Through Moving Hoops,” and “Aerial Bungee Tumblings.” These acts and many others have been enjoyed and praised by Chinese and foreign audiences for decades. Since its inception, there have been more than 200 artists of the Company who have won the gold and silver awards at international and national acrobatic competitions and circus festivals.

The show will be held in Fisher Auditorium (campus map) and will begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available online for between $18 and $40.

Korean Conversation Club at IUP, Tuesday afternoons.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania now hosts a weekly Korean Conversation Club. "Learn Korean Through K-Pop, K-Drama, and More" said the department release that advertised the first meeting on September 23.

The Korean Conversation Club meets every Tuesday afternoon. The club is open to beginners as well as to the public.

The next meeting is October 7. The class runs from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in 103 Wallwork Hall (map). Korean is currently offered at IUP as a Critical Language, in less-formal tutoring sessions led by graduate students or other native Korean speakers.

Chinese-Korean film Dooman River (두만강) at IUP, April 27.

The IUP 2014 Foreign Film Festival concludes on April 27 with Dooman River (두만강). From The Global Film Initiative:

Writer-director Zhang Lu’s fascinating window into a rarely seen corner of rural China revolves around 12-year-old Chang-ho, living with his grandfather and mute sister along the frozen river-border with North Korea. Although fraught with unemployment and other tensions, his community seems sympathetic toward the Korean refugees fleeing famine and misery; Chang-ho even bonds over soccer with one young border-crosser who comes scavenging food for a sibling. But he soon turns on his new friend as suspicions mount against the illegal immigrants and his sister reels from unexpected aggression, provoking a quandary over his loyalties in an exquisitely detailed story of compassion and strife across an uneasy geopolitical border.

Dooman River will be shown in McVitty Auditorium, Sprowls Hall (campus map) at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm, and is free and open to the public.

Lecture "'Catfish' Catastrophe in Japan", February 26 at IUP.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Department of Asian Studies will host "'Catfish' Catastrophe in Japan" by Dr. Gregory Smits of Penn State.

Gregory Smits will present an illustrated lecture discussing representations of the Ansei Edo earthquake in popular prints. The talk will be in the Susquehanna Room of the HUB on February 26 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.

At about 10:00 p.m. on November 11, [1855], a strong earthquake shook Edo (modern Tokyo), Japan’s de facto capital. The earthquake killed roughly 8,000 and did extensive damage to certain areas of the city. Along with death and destruction, the earthquake created opportunities for windfall profits for many of the city’s ordinary residents. One product of this earthquake was hundreds of varieties of broadside prints. These prints came to be called “catfish prints” (namazue) because many of them featured catfish, which symbolized the power of earthquakes.

An article by Dr. Smits on the topic published in the Journal of Social History , "Shaking up Japan: Edo Society and the 1855 Catfish Prints," is available online.

IUP's 2014 Foreign Film Festival begins February 9, includes one Chinese-Korean film.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced today its lineup for the 2014 Foreign Film Festival, which begins on February 9. A movie of relevance to this blog won't show until April 27, with Dooman River (두만강). From The Global Film Initiative:

Writer-director Zhang Lu’s fascinating window into a rarely seen corner of rural China revolves around 12-year-old Chang-ho, living with his grandfather and mute sister along the frozen river-border with North Korea. Although fraught with unemployment and other tensions, his community seems sympathetic toward the Korean refugees fleeing famine and misery; Chang-ho even bonds over soccer with one young border-crosser who comes scavenging food for a sibling. But he soon turns on his new friend as suspicions mount against the illegal immigrants and his sister reels from unexpected aggression, provoking a quandary over his loyalties in an exquisitely detailed story of compassion and strife across an uneasy geopolitical border.

IUP's festival website has not been updated yet with movie profiles and correct dates, but films will be shown in McVitty Auditorium, Sprowls Hall (campus map) and are free and open to the public.

Follow along at home with "History of East Asia" and "History of Early China" classes.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Alan Baumler has a couple of syllabi online for two of his courses: "History of East Asia" and "History of Early China". As I pointed out last winter, unlike other "free" "classes" that are merely reading lists without the readings, Dr. Baumler's courses often provide the chapters and journal articles online for students. In previous terms he offered "Introduction to Asian Studies" and "Modern Japan" courses, though they are currently unavailable online.

Dr. Baumler is also a contributor to the Frog in a Well China blog, the most active and best-written of the Frog in a Well series.

Korean totem in Indiana, PA.

Sinobi---a Korean restaurant with Korean owners and a Japanese name---has this totem outside their location in the Indiana Mall foodcourt. The inscription, 제36회교정작품전시회, refers to an art and cultural artifact exhibition held in the Korean city of Suwon in 2007. This sort of totem (장승) is a common piece of art throughout Korea, historically found at a village's entrance but today frequently seen at festivals and folk museums.

Tibetan film Old Dog at IUP, April 10.

The Tibetan film Old Dog will run on April 10 as part of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2013 Foreign Film and Music Series. From last year's Brooklyn Film Festival website:

A Tibetan sheep herder sells his father's prized Tibetan mastiff to a dealer without his father's approval. When his father finds out, he must travel into a frontier town to retrieve the dog that he raised for 12 years and is deeply attached to. The relation between father and son is turned upside down, and the mastiff has to be guarded at all times from dog-nappers and dealers who constantly harass the family with ever increasing offers. "Old Dog" is a poetic story about Tibet's changing society, where old values are in direct conflict with new.

There are two showings, at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm, in Sprawls Hall. The shows are free and are funded in part by the IUP Student Activity Fee.

Korean film Hwang Jin Yi (황진이) at IUP, April 3.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania will show the Korean movie Hwang Jin Yi (황진이) as part of its Asian Studies Club Film Festival on April 3. Hwang Jin Yi is a historical drama on the life of Hwang Jini--same person, different romanization--a 16th-century gisaeng. The Korean Film Database summarizes:

A story of HWANG Jin Yi, the most renowned courtesan of the Chosun Dynasty, and her love affair with a male servant named Nom-yi.

Koreanfilm.org gives it a very unfavorable review, though. The movie will be shown in room 233 Keith Hall (campus map) at 7:00 pm, and is free and open to the public.