Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performing in Pittsburgh, November 16.

The Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan will perform in Pittsburgh on November 16.

Claimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), Cloud Gate has set out to engage with local history, culture, and subject matter through classical, folk, and modern dance for over 50 years. Cloud Gate combines their practices in Qi Gong, martial artist, modern dance, street dance, and ballet—transforming ancient aesthetics into a thrilling celebration of motion.

Cloud Gate shares 13 Tongues by artistic director CHENG Tsung-lung, a work based on Bangka/Wanhua, the oldest district of Taipei, and legendary 1960s street artist “Thirteen Tongues”. Through imagination and storytelling recalling childhood memories and visual art, 13 Tongues evokes centuries of human endeavor, behavior, and belief.

The performance will be held at the Byham Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map). Group tickets are available for purchase now, but individual tickets will go on sale August 16.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka in Pittsburgh, November 2.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka will perform in Pittsburgh on November 2.

Atsuko is growner than ever, having figured everything out from doing laundry to charcuterie platters to her relationship with her father. No notes or tweaks needed, she's a perfect human!!

ATSUKO OKATSUKA is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer based in LA. Atsuko was born in Taiwan and spent her childhood in Japan. Her debut standup special, THE INTRUDER – directed by Tig Notaro premiered on HBO, December 2022 and was named the "Best Debut Special of 2022" by the New York Times and one of the "Best Specials of 2022" by Vulture and Variety. She won the 2023 Gracie Award for "Best Special" and Atsuko was nominated for "Best Comedian" by the Wowie Awards. She was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2022, and when she made her late-night stand-up debut on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN, Vulture proclaimed she “won late-night.” She has performed to sold-out crowds all over North America on her 2023 theater tour, FULL GROWN, which she will be taking to Europe, Asia and Australia/NZ in 2024.

Atsuko is currently developing a half hour comedy series based on her life with FX. Her on-screen credits include HISTORY OF THE WORLD PT. II (Hulu), ROOM 104 (HBO), and THE SHOW NEXT DOOR WITH RANDALL PARK (ROKU+). Atsuko was recently featured on THIS AMERICAN LIFE with Ira Glass and told the story of how she got to the USA. She was raised by her grandmother, and they created the #DropChallenge together which has amassed more than 10 million views. Her unique upbringing brings an artfully-offbeat resilient persona which is perfectly embodied in her blunt bangs and bowl cut.

The performance is at the Byham Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online.

Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba to open in East End's Meridian development next spring.

Sushi Atarashi, a small chain of sushi restaurants in Pittsburgh, and national bubble tea chain Wushiland Boba are confirmed as tenants for the East End Meridian development in Shadyside set to open next spring, according to restaurant ownership and a June 25 Pittsburgh Business Times article.

Sushi Atarashi is the rebranded outcome of Sushi Fuku, as the two split back in 2015 with the S. Craig St. location in Oakland retaining the original name. Sushi Atarashi---atarashi means "new" in Japanese---has several locations around the Pittsburgh area in addition to the original Oakland Avenue location, and is aiming to open a revolving sushi restaurant in Robinson later this summer. Restaurant ownership confirms revolving sushi will be part of this new Meridian location as well. Wushiland Boba is a growing chain that opened its first Pittsburgh location in January. Sushi Atarashi and Wushiland Boba will join Market District, Shake Shack, and Barnes & Noble at The Meridian, which is replacing a small strip mall in Shadyside.

Spice Island Tea House holding its final take-out offer through 3 pm today, June 25.

Spice Island Tea House, the longtime Oakland restaurant that closed its doors on September 30, will hold its final take-out event through 3:00 pm today, June 25. The restaurant has been holding occasional pop-up events since the fall. Supplies and quantities are limited, but orders may be placed via their Squarespace site.

2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪) in Pittsburgh, from June 27.

The 2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪) will play in Pittsburgh from June 27.

"That's a hassle." That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro's favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi's hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. What awaits him there is an encounter with the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi's dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he's never known. A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him... now, striker Nagi Seishiro's incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.

The movie is the 13th-highest grossing film this year in Japan, where it was released in April. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2004 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) in Pittsburgh, June 23, 24, 26.

The 2024 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) will play in Pittsburgh on June 23, 24, and 26.

In the year 2032, the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction. A string of murders perpetrated by a prototype android model has drawn the attention of Public Security Section 9, a unit specializing in counter cyber-terrorism. With none of the victims' families pressing charges, suspicions arise regarding the nature of the androids and their production company. In the course of the investigation, the almost entirely cyber-bodied agent Batou, and his still human partner Togusa embark on a journey through a technological dystopia, taking on ferocious Yakuza thugs, devious hackers, government bureaucrats, and corporate criminals to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime. Acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii pushes further into the world and concepts first developed in his groundbreaking film Ghost in the Shell, considered one of the most important and iconic anime films ever made. With its thought-provoking speculations on artificial intelligence, which have only become more relevant in our present world, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE celebrates its 20th anniversary returning to cinemas in a lustrous new 4K restoration.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson. Tickets are available online; some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Signage up at Shadyside's Paris Baguette.

Temporary window signage is up at 5514 Walnut St. (map), where a Paris Baguette is coming soon. It is one of two Pittsburgh-area locations for the Korean bakery chain, though the franchisee aims to open five throughout the region.

Paris Baguette will be the second international Korean bakery chain to open in Pittsburgh, following Tous Les Jours in March 2024. The bakeries are part of a recent wave of national and international chains finally opening locations in Pittsburgh after ignoring the area for years; these chains include Mango Mango, Tiger Sugar, Kpot, Kyuramen, Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ, and Wushiland Boba, among others. In my view these chains are a healthy, welcome complement to local restaurants and cafes, a sign that Pittsburgh is able and very willing to support the franchises we see in many larger or similarly-sized cities.

Bellevue's Thai Tamarind to open second location in Glenshaw.

A second Thai Tamarind location is coming soon to Glenshaw. It will be located at 2909 Mt. Royal Blvd. (map) in what is currently Le Thai Cafe. Expansion was foreshadowed by a new Thai Tamarind Noodle & Rice LLC created last month. Updates will be posted on its newly-created Instagram page.

1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) at Row House Lawrenceville, from July 12.

The 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) will play at Row House Lawrenceville from July 12, part of the theater's Samurai Remix series.

We are thrilled to show the brand new 4k restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s thrilling, two-part masterpiece set in 16th century Japan that is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. When a village is invaded by bandits, they turn to seven samurai warriors for protection.

Showtimes and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Japanese rock group ASH DA HERO performing in Pittsburgh this July at Tekko.

Japanese rock group ASH DA HERO will perform in Pittsburgh this July at Tekko, Pittsburgh's largest anime convention with special attention to Japanese animation, fashion, music, and entertainment. Their US talent agency describes the group:

ormed in September 2021 with 5 members: ASH (Vo.), Narukaze (Gt.), Sato (Ba.), WANI (Dr.), and Dhalsim (DJ).

ASH DA HERO is a new-age mixture rock band where the five talents met by fate.

With an ever-changing musical style, the band’s music has its roots in rock, punk, and hip hop. ASH’s vocal power and the band’s overwhelming live performance makes this band a must-see.

Tekko runs July 18 through 21 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown (map), and tickets are available online. More specific show time and information will be posted later.