Chinese calligraphy workshop downtown, October 12.

"Chinese calligrapher," by David Boté Estrada (Creative Commons).

The downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a Chinese calligraphy workshop on October 12.

A Chinese calligraphy expert will show us pictures of her home in China, give background on the art of calligraphy, and lead a Chinese calligraphy workshop for all ages! No registration is necessary for these sessions. Seating for all workshops is available to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll want to come early to be sure you MAKE it on time.

The event runs from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. The Downtown & Business branch is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

Japanese/Chinese restaurant to replace China Palace in Shadyside.

Shadyside's China Palace closed in July after nearly 30 years in business, and handwritten signage went up to announce a Japanese / Chinese restaurant will fill the space at 5440 Walnut St. Below that sign, and slightly obscured by the fold, is another note that says both the China Palace and Mt. Everest cuisine will be available; Mt. Everest sushi is the name of a restaurant in Oakland.

"We Are Here: Asian Pacific Islander American Artists in Pittsburgh" part of Gallery Crawl in Cultural District, September 27.

by @pattytran.art

The exhibition "We Are Here: Asian Pacific Islander American Artists in Pittsburgh" at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is part of this month's Gallery Crawl through the Cultural District on September 27.

Although Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) have been present in Pittsburgh since the 1870s and represent an ever-growing community in the city and in the country at-large, APIA’s continue to struggle for representation. This exhibition aims to provide visibility for this community: for the first time in Pittsburgh’s history, every exhibiting artist in "We Are Here" identifies as APIA. While some of these artists create work directly informed by their race, family backgrounds, and sociopolitical history, all possess an identity created in the context of omission and discrimination.

By giving a physical space for viewers to look at and engage with these artists’ work, we hope to set a precedent for the local art scene, educate the larger public, develop dialogue, and voice that "We Are Here," we have been here, and we will continue to create.

All art will be for sale. The event is free but online RSVP is required. It runs from 5:30 to 8:00 pm on the 12th in the GPAC Big Room on the 7th floor of 810 Penn Ave. (map).

"Sonic and Visual Trajectories: Taiwan's Pop Music in Chinese-Speaking Asia," September 26 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Marc Moskowitz and his talk "Sonic and Visual Trajectories: Taiwan's Pop Music in Chinese-Speaking Asia" on September 26.

Taiwan's popular music has shaped China's music and culture to a surprising degree. The roots of Taiwan's music industry can be found in the 1930s Jazz era in Shanghai. Sixty years later, Taiwan was the hub of the Chinese-language pop music industry--a sonic movement that shaped CHinese understandings of music, gender, and individuality in the contemporary age. Today, music videos and mash-ups that are posted to YouTube (and its Chinese counterparts Youku and Tudou) demonstrate cultural proximity between China and Taiwan that reveals both shared cultural understandings and ongoing regional tensions that arise out of their distinctive pasts.

The talk starts at 5:00 pm in 144 Cathedral of Learning and is free and open to the public.

2017 Japanese zombie comedy film One Cut of the Dead カメラを止めるな!) back in Pittsburgh, October 18 - 23.

The 2017 Japanese zombie comedy film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!), which first came to Pittsburgh in January and was part of the last Japanese Film Festival, will play in McKees Rocks from October 18 through 23. A 2018 Variety review says:

Viewers get three films for the price of one in “One Cut for the Dead,” a terrific Japanese horror-comedy that proves there’s somewhere the zombie apocalypse movie hasn’t yet gone. Writer-director-editor Shinichiro Ueda’s cleverly conceived and executed debut feature opens with an unbroken 37-minute shot of monster mayhem before hitting the reset button and turning into a funny satire of low-budget genre filmmaking — and eventually becoming a charming family comedy-drama. Packed with witty nods to classic horror movies, “One Cut” is a natural for genre fests and has such a warm and winning heart it could also fit into mainstream festival programs.

The movie runs from October 18 through 23 at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks (map). Showtimes are available via Facebook but tickets are not yet for sale.

2019 film Promare (プロメア) in Pittsburgh, September 17 and 19.

The 2019 Japanese animated film Promare (プロメア) will play in Pittsburgh on September 17. The distributor summarizes:

The first feature-length film from the acclaimed studio TRIGGER, creators of the hit series KILL la KILL and Little Witch Academia, and director Hiroyuki Imaishi (GURREN LAGANN, KILL la KILL), Promare uses a bold cel-shaded visual style to tell a blistering action-adventure story, and is the spiritual successor to many of director Imaishi’s former works.

Thirty years has passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves “Mad Burnish” appears, the epic battle between Galo Thymos, a new member of the anti-Burnish rescue team “Burning Rescue,” and Lio Fotia, the leader of “Mad Burnish” begins.

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and AMC South Hills Village, Southside Works Cinema, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson. The September 17 shows are dubbed in English while the September 19 ones are in Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets are available online.

"Storytime: Japanese and English" at Carnegie Library in East Liberty, September 17.

via archdaily.org

The next installment of the monthly program "Storytime: Japanese and English" will take place on September 17 at the Carnegie Library in East Liberty.

Celebrate our city’s diverse culture as we explore new words through songs, action rhymes and stories in both English and Japanese for children and their parents or caregivers. For children age birth – 5 and their caregivers.

It runs from 11:00 to 11:30 am. The library is located at 130 S. Whitfield St. (map).

"Fall Flower Show: Japanese Inspirations" at Phipps, October 19 - November 10.

Phipps Conservatory will present "Fall Flower Show: Japanese Inspirations" from October 19 through November 10.

Starting Sat., Oct. 19, Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Japanese Inspirations will take you on a spectacular journey to experience an inspiring celebration of harmony and nature. Join Phipps for a trip to Japan, where festivals are spectacular and the colorful chrysanthemum reigns as king. Explore the festivities as you wander through room after room of stunning Japanese-inspired botanical displays with hundreds of vibrant blooms in dramatic cascades, giant disbuds and other exciting forms. From the show’s giant origami peace cranes, dry garden and serene floating lanterns to a vibrant dragon festival display, Japanese Inspirations will capture the imaginations of visitors of all ages. Phipps’ new show lasts for just three weeks — don’t miss this grand celebration of the season!

Visit the Phipps website for more details about events and exhibitions. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is located at 1 Schenley Drive in Oakland (map).

Love Tea, formerly Love Ramen and Love Yogurt, is now open in Oakland.

Love Ramen, which closed its Atwood St. location in May for renovations, is now open as Love Tea. It is located at 229 Atwood St. (map). Love Ramen's noodle operations moved to Fifth Ave. over the summer. The Atwood St. space was formerly called Love Yogurt, but changed its name to Love Ramen in 2017.

Japanese punk band Shonen Knife returning to Pittsburgh, October 5.

Japanese punk band Shonen Knife will return to Pittsburgh on October 5 for a show at Cattivo (map) as part of its 2019 US tour.

Since their pure DIY beginnings in 1981, Osaka, Japan’s Shonen Knife have been building a faithful following of music enthusiasts and the alternative rock elite. Their relentless journey secured the band’s place as one of the pioneer ambassadors of Japanese rock music and culture on the international stage.

The band features original members (and sisters) Naoko on Vocals and Guitar, Atsuko on Bass and Vocals and introduces their newest member, Risa, on Drums and Vocals.