Paris Baguette to open in Shadyside.

via @parisbaguetteus 

Paris Baguette, a Korean bakery chain with locations around the world, has announced plans to open a second Pittsburgh location in Shadyside. It will be located at 5514 Walnut St. (map), according to a Pittsburgh Business Times article, in what was William Sonoma until January 2022. The area's first Paris Baguette will open in Block Northway in the North Hills; since not much work has progressed on that location, it is undecided, really, which will be Pittsburgh's first to open.

Street View, via Google Maps

New film adaptation of Chinese TV series Shining for One Thing (一闪一闪亮星星) in Pittsburgh, from January 5.

A new film adaptation of Chinese TV series Shining for One Thing (一闪一闪亮星星) will play in Pittsburgh from January 5.

A young man plans to confess his love to the girl he has a crush on, but a sudden tragedy changes everything. He unexpectedly finds himself restarting the summer before the accident.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

New Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 11.

The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will remain here through (at least) January 11. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.

. . .

A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Tickets are available online for shows at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and Chartiers Valley Luxury 14. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) to remain in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 10.

The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will remain in local theaters through at least January 10.

Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?

It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemarks in Robinson and Monaca, and tickets are available online.

Japanese drum and dance ensemble DRUM TAO in Pittsburgh, January 27.

The Japanese drum and dance ensemble DRUM TAO will bring "30th Anniversary THE TAO 夢幻響" to Pittsburgh on January 27, 2024.

Established in 1993,with a dream of creating the best show in the world using Taiko drums (Japanese drums),the instrument which has a very rare and unique variety of sound expressions.

DRUM TAO set their base at Oita, Japan and started creating their own music, stage set-ups, and costumes to produce their one and only world of entertainment. Many talented artists and staffs gathered to join this creation from all over the world and this is why DRUM TAO can make the peerless and the most modern “JAPANESE ENTERTAINMENT” .

They will perform at the Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown (map) on Saturday, January 27, at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available online.

2009 Japanese movie Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete in Pittsburgh, February 21 and 22.

The 2009 Japanese movie Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete, the director's cut of the 2005 movie Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, will play in Pittsburgh on February 21 and 22.

Continuing the storyline based on the hit Playstation® game Final Fantasy VII, two years have passed since the ruins of Midgar stand as a testament to the sacrifices made in order to bring peace. However, the world will soon face a new menace. A mysterious illness is spreading fast. Old enemies are astir. And Cloud, who walked away from the life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again . . .

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. The February 21 screening is dubbed in English while the February 22 show is in Japanese with English subtitles.

1992 Chinese film The Story of Qiu Ju (秋菊打官司) at Northland Public Library, January 17.

The 1992 Chinese film The Story of Qiu Ju (秋菊打官司) will play at Northland Public Library on January 17 as this month's installment of Movie Matinee.

The story of a stoic peasant woman who demands an apology when her husband is humiliated by the village chief. The Chief is also a headstrong man who refuses to apologize, sending Qiu Ju on a futile trek through the complicated Chinese judicial system. In the west an assault on your honor may not be a big deal, but in the Chinese culture, it is. Though serious in nature, the movie is very comedic in parts. Winner of many awards, this movie is directed by one of the worlds leading directors, Zhang Yimou.

After her husband is publicly kicked in the groin, Qui Ju demands an apology from the Chief Magistrate. When she doesn't get it, she goes up the Chinese judicial system only to battle more bureaucracy and indifference at every stage.

No registration required.

The movie will play at Northland from 1:30 pm, and the library is located off of McKnight Road and Rt. 19 in McCandless Township (map). It is free and open to the public.

Ineffable Cà Phê to open inside Pittsburgh's forthcoming Fresh International Market in summer 2024.

via @bowenkou

Fresh International Market announced last year it will open its first Pittsurgh-area location later this year, and the owner recently shared on social media that Ineffable Cà Phê will open a location inside in what will be the area's largest Asian grocery store. Ineffable Cà Phê is a Vietnamese coffee shop and cafe that opened in Lawrenceville in 2017. The Fresh International Market press release from last March has more details about the opening, scheduled now for Summer 2024:

New tenant Fresh International Market will offer authentic Asian flavors to Pittsburgh customers.

A major grocery store chain is set to open its seventh store in Pittsburgh's North Point Breeze neighborhood, within the Rockwell Park innovation center. Known for its unique selection of international ingredients and authentic Asian cuisine, the market's new store will occupy the entire 40,000 RSF Apollo building.

Of the new store, Rockwell Park Principal Al Lardo shares: "We are thrilled to welcome Fresh International Market to Rockwell Park and the North Point Breeze community. This new store will be a fantastic addition to the city's vibrant food scene. The store's unique selection of international ingredients and prepared meals will provide greater convenience and comfort for local residents." He noted that the arrival of Fresh International Market would also contribute to the continued growth and development of Rockwell Park: “The opening of Fresh International Market at Rockwell Park marks a significant milestone for the Rockwell Park’s growth and development as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement."

According to Fresh International Market Founder and President Bowen Kou, the store aims to become a part of the local community:

"Fresh International Market is excited to join the vibrant Rockwell Park community and offer our unique range of international brands and Asian cuisine to local residents. We are happy to become a part of this beautiful and dynamic place and look forward to contributing to its growth and development. Our goal is to be more than just a grocery store, but a destination where customers can discover new flavors and expand their culinary horizons."

The store will be located in the Apollo building on 7511 Thomas Blvd, which was built in 1906. The construction work is expected to take up to 15 months.

21 Asian restaurants and eateries coming soon, or maybe not quite so soon, to Pittsburgh.

via @parisbaguetteus

Since 2011, PennsylvAsia has documented the Asian restaurant openings (and closings) in the Pittsburgh area. In August, we looked at the 15 biggest names coming soon (or not-so-soon) to the area, taking a page from the local news outlets that seemed to find success posting lists from PennsylvAsia scoops. Now, at the start of 2024, let's take a look at a list of the 21 biggest Asian restaurants coming in the near or distant future. Some of these are repeats from the summer, if progress has been slow, while others are recently new developments. The additions will certainly be welcome in the area: new bakeries and dessert spots, more dim sum, five Korean BBQ places this year, for example, and of course more bubble tea. We are also attracting a number of national and international chains, which is a testament to the growing power of Pittsburgh's food scene, since these places were content with overlooking Pittsburgh over the last decade or two. Let's dig in . .

"Book Excerpts We Should Read, Talk About and Act On: Year of the Tiger," January 4 with Carnegie Library, JCC, and Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host "Book Excerpts We Should Read, Talk About and Act On: Year of the Tiger" virtually on January 4.

Join JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s CivicCLP for a Zoom conversation based on book excerpts that can impact how we move towards reconciliation as a community and as individuals. No need to read the book; we will share excerpts and guide discussion.

 

Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life

 

Drawing on a collection of original essays, previously published work, conversations, graphics, photos, commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists, and more, Alice uses her unique talent to share an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and is free, though registration is required.