New signage up at Noodle Uchi in Oakland.

New signage up at Noodle Uchi, at 415 S. Craig St. in Oakland (map), in what was formerly Maximum Flavor Pizza Shop. The restaurant is owned by Ting Yen, the owner of Oakland's Sushi Fuku and Fuku Tea. "ready to create your own ramen noodle bowl" has replaced "Create Your Own Noodle Bowls". Work is being done by Peter Margittai Architects, who designed the space for Noodle Uchi's neighbor, the second Sushi Fuku location.


Interior design by Peter Margittai Architechts, via Noodle Uchi Facebook page.

Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno (るろうに剣心 京都大火編 ) in Pittsburgh, September 13 and 14; Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends ( るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編), October 4 and 5.

The 2014 Japanese movie Rurouni Kenshin 2: Kyoto Inferno (るろうに剣心 京都大火編 ) will play at Southside Works Cinema on September 13 and 14. The distributor has a synopsis of the second installment of the trilogy:

Spectacular fight scenes and swordplay capture the true spirit of the classic franchise in this thrilling live-action adaptation.Former assassin Kenshin Himura and his friends are called back into action when a ghost from the past era rises to wreak havoc across Japan. Makoto Shishio, another ex-assassin, was betrayed, burned, and left for dead at the end of the war. Badly scarred—but very much alive—Shishio has put together an army and aims to overthrow the new government—burning anything and killing anyone who stands in his way. After witnessing his brutality firsthand, Kenshin agrees to intervene and help keep the peace. Will the wanderer with a blade bathed in blood be able to withstand the fury of the swordsman forged by fire?

The trilogy has a limited release in the US this fall, with Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends (るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編) playing on October 4 and 5 at Southside Works Cinema. Tickets are currently available online via the theater's website.

Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ) at Pittsburgh Mills, October 11 to 18.

The 2016 Japanese blockbuster Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ) will have a limited theatrical release in the US from October 11 to October 18, with Pittsburgh Mills being one of the 440 theaters showing it. Ticket information, as well as a full list of theaters, will be available via Funmation Films on September 9.

Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro to open September 6.

Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro will have its grand opening in Squirrel Hill on Tuesday, September 6. Located at 1711 Shady Ave. (map) in what was most recently a laundromat, the restaurant is run by the former head chef of Rose Tea Cafe, another Taiwanese restaurant around the corner.

Japanese-English Reading Circle continues in Shadyside, from September 3.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania's Japanese-English Reading Circle groups will continue in at Kenmawr Apartments in Shadyside on Saturdays from September 3.

Things shaping up at Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro in Squirrel Hill.

Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro hits a lot of the requisite points for a new restaurant. Cafe plus number in the name? Check. Bistro? Check. Garage door patio? Check. Construction at 1711 Shady Ave (map) is nearing completion, the space rehabilitated from its previous use a dilapidated laundromat. The owner of Cafe 33 Taiwanese Bistro is the former head chef at Rose Tea Cafe, another Taiwanese restaurant around the corner on Forbes Ave.

Ming Wong lecture at Carnegie Mellon School of Art, November 1.

From 明年 / Next Year / L'Année Prochaine, via artist's site.

The Carnegie Mellon School of Art will host Ming Wong on November 1 as part of it's Fall 2016 Lecture Series. The School of Art profiles the artist:

Ming Wong re-interprets cinema and popular culture to consider how identity is constructed, reproduced and circulated. Through imperfect translations and re-enactments, the artist portrays multiple key characters irrespective of language, gender, ethnicity, nationality or historical period. His videos, photographs, installations and performances uncover the gaps and slippages that haunt the notions of “authenticity” and “originality” in self and society. The Singapore-born, Berlin-based artist represented Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009 with his solo presentation Life of Imitation, which was awarded a Special Mention.

The talk begins at 5:00 pm in Kresge Theater (map), and is free and open to the public.

Free Chinese, Japanese, Korean classes at Oakland branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

As the new school year begins, a reminder that the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has free Korean, Japanese, and Chinese classes at its Oakland branch (map). Depending on the class and the particular volunteer teacher, the sessions range from a period of casual free talking to more rigorous class with workbooks and chalk-and-talk instruction on grammar and usage.

Here's a look at what's coming up:

* Chinese for Beginners (next meeting: September 11). Held the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. The Squirrel Hill branch hosts a Chinese for Beginners class every Saturday at 2:00 pm, the next meeting being September 10.
* Kasper Hua Presents Let's Learn Chinese (next meeting: September 1). Held every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:00 pm in the Children's Library. Helping children learn Chinese language and culture through songs, stories, and more.
* Chinese II (next meeting: September 4). Held the first and third Sundays of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Large Print Room.
* Chinese Conversation Club (next meeting: September 8). Held the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 in the Large Print Room. For intermediate and advanced learners.

* Japanese for Beginners (next meeting: September 12). Second and fourth Monday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Classroom A.
* Japanese II (next meeting: September 13). Second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Classroom A. "Japanese II is geared toward those who already have a basic understanding of Japanese and are interested in increasing proficiency," says the library website. "Ability to read and write hiragana is required to take this class."
* Japanese Conversation Club (next meeting: September 6). Held on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:00. For intermediate and advanced learners.

* Korean for Beginners (next meeting: September 3). Every Saturday from 1:00 to 2:30 in the Large Print Room. Focuses on reading Hangeul and producing basic phrases.
* Korean II (next meeting: September 3). Every Saturday from 11:00 to 12:30 in the Large Print Room.

Students may join the class at any time of the year, though registration is now required for the classes. This can be done online by clicking on the class and submitting your name and email address. For more information about the courses, and to register for one, visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh homepage, click events, and search for Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.

[With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats] We Move Night Market, September 17 in Squirrel Hill.

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition will present the [With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats] We Move Night Market on September 17. An excerpt from a forthcoming Squirrel Hill Magazine profile:

In July, as part of his Welcoming Pittsburgh Initiative, Mayor Bill Peduto announced the [ ] We Move series, an assortment of ten community-led cultural celebrations. The [ ] We Move events are focused on promoting immigrant, Latino and African American inclusion in Pittsburgh while celebrating our diverse cultures. The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition is proud to have been chosen to host one of these events and receive the $1000 mini-grant!

As a result, the last Night Market this summer will be an Asian/Pacific Islander inspired celebration: [With Asian/Pacific Islander Beats], We Move! Featuring special performances from the K-Pop Dance Club (KPDC) of Carnegie Mellon University and Steel City Ukuleles, the market will have you dancing in the streets!

. . .

Also scheduled are fun Asian games and traditions, such as the classic board game, Go, origami and a Kimono/Yukata photo booth! Market goers will also be able to experience a unique summer treat: Nagashi-somen. Part game, part dining experience, nagashi-somen is the act of catching noodles as they rush past on a water filled bamboo ‘stream’ before dunking them in sauce and devouring them. It promises to be a real treat!

The night market will also include some yet-unannounced performers of particular relevance tot he theme. It will run from 6:00 to 10:00 pm near the intersections of Forbes and Murray Aves (map), accessible via buses 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 64, and 74.

Chinese movie Time Raiders (盗墓笔记) in Pittsburgh from August 26.

The 2016 Chinese movie Time Raiders (盗墓笔记) starring Luhan and Jing Boran will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront from August 26. Wikipedia provides a plot summary:

Graduated from a top architect school, Wu Xie (Lu Han) is fascinated with old architecture and antiques. He was raised by his Uncle Wu Sanxing (Wang Jing Chun), a renowned archaeologist. One day, Xie heard that his uncle has gone missing. After some digging, Xie found a notebook which was full of secrets that belongs to Uncle Wu. Xie decides to find his uncle at all costs.

Surprisingly, Xie is not the only one who is looking for Uncle Wu. He teamed up with Uncle Wu’s best friend Chubby Wang (Zhang Boyu), Zhang Qiling (Jing Boran) & assistant Ning (Ma Si Chun). After much hardship, they found the place Uncle Wu last visited: The Heavenly Palace --- tomb of Ming dynasty Fengshui Guru Wang Canghai.

In spite of negative reviews for the plot and special effects, the movie is one of the most financially successful in Chinese history.

The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.