Japanese short film Veils (ベール) named Reel Q Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Film Festival Best Short Film.

The 2021 Japanese short film Veils (ベール) was selected yesterday as an audience award winner at the 2022 Reel Q Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Film Festival for Best Short Film.

Ayumi Tani, an owner of a small bookstore, and Sayaka Murakami, a call center worker, are a lesbian couple living together. While they feel somewhat stifled by the fact that they are part of the LGBTQ community, they are looking forward to having a wedding-style photo shoot to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Sayaka finds a site for searching photo salons advertising “LGBTQ available" and enthusiastically makes an inquiry, but one photo salon’s disappointing response angers them. Ayumi decides to go confront the photo salon in person, even though Sayaka tries to stop her. Will Ayumi's words reach Ms. Oshima, an experienced staff of the salon? Will there be a place where Ayumi and Sayaka can enjoy their own slice of happiness.

2022 Japanese animated movie One Piece Film: Red remains in Pittsburgh through November 16.

The 2022 Japanese animated movie One Piece Film: Red, which opened in Pittsburgh on November 3, will remain here through at least November 16.

One of the most iconic anime and manga series of all time is about to get even bigger with the upcoming arrival of the big screen adventure, One Piece Film: Red. One Piece Film: Red centers around Uta, the most beloved singer in the world who is renowned for concealing her own identity. Now, for the first time ever, Uta will reveal herself to the world at a live concert.

It plays locally at many local theaters throgh the 10th, including: the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson; the AMC theaters in Mt. Lebanon, South Hills, and Waterfront; and the Pittsburgh Mills Cinema. From the 11th it will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online, though please note some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Slam Poetry with Asia Samson, November 15 at Pitt-Johnstown.

The University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Program Board will present Slam Poetry with Asia Samson on November 15.

Since 2009, The Asia Project has toured over 2000 colleges with an acoustic music poetry act that has amazed audiences all over the country. On the microphone is Asia Samson: writer, poet and part-time ninja. He has been seen on HBO Def Poetry Jam and has shared the stage with such artists as Janelle Monae, Jill Scott, DMX, Mos Def, Dead Prez and KRS-One. Accompanying him on the guitar is his brother-in-law Jollan who uses music to create an atmosphere that brings poetry to emotional levels you would never expect. They have been featured on HBO Def Poetry, Button Poetry, TEDx, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, SoFar Sounds, Story Conference, and Entrepreneur’s Organization. They have worked with companies such as the US Military, Nokia, Disney, To Write Love On Her Arms and AEvolve. They have broken college-booking records for the most booked poetry act in the college market garnering them the awards of APCA College Performer of the Year and thrice APCA Spoken Word Artist of the Year.

The event start at 8:00 pm in the Student Union at UPJ, and registration is required.

Nakashima: A Bridge between East and West, November 12 at Pitt.

via nakashimawoodworkers.com

The Japanese Nationality Room Committee at the University of Pittsburgh will host Mira Nakashima and "Nakashima: A Bridge between East and West" on November 12.

Mira Nakashima is the daughter of the acclaimed architect, furniture designer, and craftsman George Nakashima. She will speak about her father's legacy and how his cultural ties to Japan affected his method of design in both furniture and architecture.

Mira Nakashima President and Creative Director of George Nakashima Woodworkers, who produce one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, made to order furniture in their workshop in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

The event runs from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in 324 Cathedral of Learning. It is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required.

Sagisaka Duo, Cornelius Boots, The Jakarta Method at Vestige Concept Gallery in Lawrenceville, November 5; traditional Japanese music, "bass shakuhachi," and Indonesian rock.

Sagisaka Duo, Cornelius Boots, and The Jakarta Method will perform at the Vestige Concept Gallery in Lawrenceville tonight, November 5.

Join us on Saturday, Nov. 5th at 7:30 PM for an evening of music by Sagisaka Duo (traditional Japanese music), Cornelius Boots (bass shakuhachi, original compositions) and Risky Sasono’s “The Jakarta Method!” We’re asking for $15 suggested donation at the door to be split amongst the performers.

The event starts at 7:30 pm. The Vestige Concept Gallery is located at 5417 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

New Vietnamese restaurant coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Fresh Viet Nom Nom paint is up at 1711 Murray Ave. (map), where a new Vietnamese restaurant will be opening soon. The spot was most recently Nu Jewish Bistro.

Next Yanlai Dance Academy K-pop Dance Drop-in Class, December 3 with Itzy's "Not Shy."

The next K-pop Dance Drop-in Class with Yanlai Dance Academy will be December 3 with Itzy's "Not Shy."

Welcome to our drop-in classes!

These classes are 1.5 hours long where we will warm-up, stretch, and learn the chorus to a popular kpop dance song.
Each class is $20 unless you are a member of our Kpop Dance Team. We accept check, cash, or venmo as payment.

Masks are optional but encouraged. We recommend you bring a bottle of water and clothes and shoes you are comfortable dancing in.

If you are interested in joining our Kpop Dance Team who will be learning the full dance to "Not Shy" by ITZY as well as other dances, please join our December 3 class and speak to the teacher to sign up.

Future sessions will be held in March, April, and May. Yanlai Dance Academy is located at 2260 Babcock Boulevard in the North Hills (map).

Concert film NCT DREAM THE MOVIE: In A DREAM in Pittsburgh, November 30 and December 3.

An upcoming NCT concert film NCT DREAM THE MOVIE: In A DREAM will play in Pittsburgh on November 30 and December 3.

The brand-new film features high-energy performances with the seven members captured during their second solo concert, “NCT DREAM TOUR 'THE DREAM SHOW2 : In A DREAM,” at the iconic Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in South Korea and the dream venue for music artists.

This unmissable event also includes behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive backstage interviews and a look at the future the members envision away from the stage!

It is scheduled to play locally, in Korean with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Fudi Asian Mart 福宝超市 now open in Shadyside.

Fudi Asian Mart 福宝超市 is now open in Shadyside. The Chinese-owned Asian specialty grocery opened at 5020 Centre Ave (map) on November 1. Signage went up in September for the area's newest Asian grocery, located in the former AccuServ Pharmacy.

The interior is still a work in progress, and the store is smaller in size than the former Panda location, but at this point does carry a snacks, beverages, beauty products, frozen products, produce, and rice. It will likely flesh its supply out as the weeks go by, if the other Asian groceries' openings provide any lesson.

Asian-made short film festival at CMU, November 9.

Carnegie Mellon University will host an Asian-made short film festival on November 9. Films include:

FIRST TIMERS by Jee Hoon Seo
An advanced surfer encounters a beginner surfer struggling on his first session and is reminded of his own beginnings.

DE CLOSIN NIGHT by Shicong Zhu & Ella Rouwen Chen
A Chinese theater student tries to get rid of her accent in order to land a college performance. But as she tries harder, the line between the skill set. and her self-identity gets blurred.

WALINONG SARI by Eugene Foo & Honey Ahmad
A warrior princess of Inderapura has to choose between a kingdom that comes with a strategic marriage or, to follow her heart for a life of adventure with a man who truly understands her.

OINK by Milky Tran
A story about unconditional admiration and how mothers can unconsciously pass on their own unhealthy habits and insecurities to their daughters.

The evening also includes a keynote address by filmmaker and Pittsburgh native Milky Tran, and the first 50 people to arrive get free Boba. It will be held at cConomy Auditorium, Jared L. Cohon University Center (map). Registration can be made online. Presented in collaboration with CMU International Film Festival, aKDPhi, Project Smile, Screenshot Asia, UPitt Asian Studies Center, and Big Straw Magazine.