Saturday, February 6, 2021

Oriental Market to move to new location in early March.


Signage at Oriental Market, an Asian grocery on McKnight Road, says it will move to its new location further up the street in early March. Its new store will be at 7300 Old McKnight Road (map), which used to house David's Bridal.

Friday, February 5, 2021

"Paisley Rekdal & Matthew Salesses Live Reading and Conversation," February 22 with City of Asylum.


City of Asylum will host "Paisley Rekdal & Matthew Salesses Live Reading and Conversation" on February 22.
Appropriate, A Provocation — Utah’s poet laureate Paisley Rekdal’s newest book is a timely, nuanced work dissecting the thorny debate around cultural appropriation and the literary imagination. Paisley Rekdal will be joined in conversation by bestselling author Matthew Salesses for a live discussion and audience Q&A.

How do we properly define cultural appropriation, and is it always wrong? If we can write in the voice of another, should we? And if so, what questions do we need to consider first? In Appropriate, creative writing professor Paisley Rekdal addresses a young writer to delineate how the idea of cultural appropriation has evolved—and perhaps calcified—in our political climate. What follows is a penetrating exploration of fluctuating literary power and authorial privilege, about whiteness and what we really mean by the term empathy, that examines writers from William Styron to Peter Ho Davies to Jeanine Cummins. Lucid, reflective, and astute, Appropriate presents a generous new framework for one of the most controversial subjects in contemporary literature.
The online event runs from 7:00 to 8:15 pm. It is free and open to the public, though registration is required.

Crazy Rich Asians at Tull Family Theater, February 5 and 9.


The movie Crazy Rich Asians will play at Tull Family Theater in Sewickley on February 5 and 9. A synopsis from the distributor:
"Crazy Rich Asians” follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can’t buy love, it can definitely complicate things.
Tickets for the two dates are available online. The Tull Family Theater is located at 418 Walnut St. in Sewickley (map).

Thursday, February 4, 2021

2020 Korean-American film Minari (미나리) in Pittsburgh, from February 12.


The 2020 Korean-American film Minari opens nationwide on February 12, and is currently scheduled to play at a local theater. A synopsis, from the distributor:
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
While more theaters may be announced later, it is currently scheduled to play at the Waterworks Cinemas; ticket information is not yet available.

2020 Goro Miyazaki film Earwig and the Witch (アーヤと魔女) to stay in Pittsburgh through February 11.


The 2020 Goro Miyazaki film Earwig and the Witch (アーヤと魔女), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 3, will stay in some local theaters through the 11th. A synopsis, from the distributor:
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
After its initial run at local Cinemark and AMC theaters, it will continue at the Waterworks and Cranberry cinemas through the 11th. Tickets are available online; please note that some screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

"2021 Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration," February 23 at Pitt.

via fourbrickstall (Creative Commons)

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center, Global Studies Center, and Institute for International Studies in Education will host the "2021 Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration" on February 23.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The event will occur in the evenning at Eastern Time because that is the best time for our global participants.

Join us for a virtual Lunar New Year celebration as we learn about the meanings and traditions of this important and festive holiday from global perspectives! All are invited!
It runs from 9:00 to 10:00 pm and is open to the Pitt community. Registration is required.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Chaya says good bye (and thank you).

A farewell message of thanks from the owners of Chaya Japanese Cuisine, which closed on January 30 after two decades of service to sushi lovers and the Japanese community.

Mosaic Leaf Matcha Tea Bar opens in Lawrenceville.

via @mosaicleaf

The Incline shares news of Mosaic Leaf Matcha Tea Bar, which opened recently in Lawrenceville.
Mosaic Leaf is Pittsburgh's first matcha tea bar and botanical blending company located in Lawrenceville. We feature Ultra Matcha, our artisan matcha tea blends and premium Japanese matcha straight from the farm.
It is located at 3511 Butler St. (map).

"Pittsburgh's Lost Chinatown" with Doors Open Pittsburgh, February 8.


Doors Open Pittsburgh will hold an online presentation on "Pittsburgh's Lost Chinatown" on February 8.
In the early 1900s, Pittsburgh’s Chinatown was thriving. With more than 20 restaurants, bakeries, import shops, and food markets, it was a lively center for commerce. This story reveals why, how, and when Chinatown vanished from the Pittsburgh landscape.

Its temple, social halls, and merchant societies formed a welcoming home base for Pittsburgh’s 500 Chinese residents. Today just one restaurant remains. This story reveals why, how, and when Chinatown vanished from the Pittsburgh landscape.
The event begins at 7:30 pm and tickets start at $5.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Signage up for new Panda Supermarket location in Squirrel Hill.


Signage recently went up for the new Panda Supermarket (熊猫超市) location in Squirrel Hill, a few storefronts down from its current spot on Forbes Ave. It purchased the building at 5818 Forbes Ave. (map) in August 2019 and began renovations on the spot last summer. It originally opened in 2017 and will stay open at its current spot until it moves in a month or two.

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