DAN DA DAN: First Encounter announced for additional Pittsburgh theaters, from September 13.

The new Japanese animated movie DAN DA DAN: First Encounter will play several Pittsburgh-area theaters from September 13. It was already announced for the Row House Lawerenceville's Anime Classics series. A synopsis, from the distributor:

DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak. The two of them start talking after Momo rescues Okarun from getting bullied. However, an argument ensues between them – Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts. To make the mutual deniers believe in each other, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital known for its UFO sightings, and Okarun goes to a tunnel that is said to be haunted. In each place, they encounter overwhelming paranormal activity that transcends comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to challenge the paranormal forces! Their fateful love begins as well!?

The story of the occult battle and adolescence starts!

Based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN is an electrifying, action-packed love letter to sci-fi and horror with the heart of a ruthlessly funny teen rom-com. The directorial debut from Fuga Yamashiro is the latest series from cutting-edge animation studio Science SARU (The Colors Within, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) with pulse-pounding original music from kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man).

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and the Row House Lawrenceville, and tickets are available online. 

Korean singer Babylon (베이빌론) in Pittsburgh, October 20.

Korean R&B singer Babylon (베이빌론) will perform in Pittsburgh on October 20.

Babylon is a distinguished R&B musician known for his unique and classic vocal style, which has left an indelible mark on the music scene. Rising to prominence with his collaboration with Zico on "Boys and Girls," which dominated the annual charts, Babylon has since established himself as a significant force in the hip-hop and R&B genres. Each of his albums features a stellar lineup of collaborations, earning him the moniker "musician's musician."

With a career marked by innovation and excellence, Babylon recently garnered acclaim for his contemporary album EGO 90’S, which brings the essence of 90s music into the modern era. This album further solidified his reputation for musicality and artistry.

He performs at the Greer Cabaret Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets for the 7:30 pm show are available online. VIP Meet & Greet add-on passes are available as well.

Concert film Seventeen Tour "Follow" Again to Cinemas in Pittsburgh, from August 21.

The Korean concert film Seventeen Tour "Follow" Again to Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh from August 21 through 25.

“It feels like we’ve been working hard for this day.” Rewriting history every step of their way, SEVENTEEN’s first Seoul World Cup Stadium concert and encore tour [SEVENTEEN TOUR ‘FOLLOW’ AGAIN TO SEOUL] is coming to big screens worldwide this August! From the eagerly awaited full thirteen-member performances to the premiere of “MAESTRO” and unique unit performances of “Spell”, “LALALI”, “Cheers to youth”, the film captures these unforgettable moments with cinematic cameras from multiple angles, ensuring an immersive experience. This concert film begins with a powerful daylight performance that transitions into an event brimming with a diverse array of music. Culminating under a night sky illuminated by CARAT light sticks, it captures the essence of SEVENTEEN’s record-breaking nine-year legacy.

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

芸［Gei] : The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal, September 13 - January 18 at Contemporary Craft.

Contemporary Craft will host the exhibition 芸［Gei] : The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal from September 13, 2024 through January 18, 2025, featuring a host of Japanese and Japanese-American artists and performers.

芸［Gei]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal invites viewers to explore the captivating duality of Japanese Sogetsu Ikebana and craft, highlighting the profound cultural connections woven through these art forms. Ikebana (生け花, living flowers), the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, captures the fleeting beauty of nature. Conversely, we celebrate the eternal through masterful craft objects. These objects embody enduring skill and meticulous attention to detail. From exquisite ceramics to intricate metal and wood sculptures, these crafts echo with the wisdom and patience of their makers, preserving techniques practiced over generations while celebrating individuality and collaboration.

 

Featured artists Tadao Arimoto, Yoko Sekino-Bové, Carol Kumata, and Miwa Neishi engage in dialogue with Sogetsu Pittsburgh, led by Reiko Nakajima and Atsumi Sewell. Embracing the notion of living sculpture in Sogetsu Ikebana, this juxtaposition prompts contemplation of time, materiality, processes, culture, and heritage. Ikebana celebrates simplicity and imperfection, while traditional crafts speak of a lineage committed to perfection and continuity, enriching our understanding of tradition and innovation.

 

芸［Gei] uncovers connective networks bridging natural forces with disciplined artistry. Through a community of hands and dedicated practice, these mycelial connections energize a diverse spectrum of artistic spirits. Join us in contemplating the harmony between impermanence and eternity, where fleeting blossoms and timeless crafts weave a narrative of Japan’s rich cultural tapestry—connecting past, present, and future.

Special events include:

• Opening Reception - Friday, September 13, 5:30 - 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public.
• Artist-Led Guided Tour - Saturday, September 14, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free, though registration is required.
• Sogetsu Ikebana: Fundamentals & Techniques with Sogetsu Pittsburgh - Saturday, October 5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.
• 茶道 [Japanese Tea Ceremony] – A Talk and Demonstration by Yoko Motoyama - Saturday, October 19, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free, though registration is required.
• Sogetsu Ikebana: Freestyle & Form with Sogetsu Pittsburgh - Saturday, November 9, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.
• Guided Tour – 芸 [Gei]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal - Saturday, January 18, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free, though registration is required.

Contemporary Craft is a gallery and creative space that broadly states its mission as "To engage the public in creative experiences through contemporary craft.." It is located at 5645 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Thai Tamarind in Glenshaw holding soft opening Thursday, August 15.

Thai Tamarind is soft opening its second location on Thursday, August 15, located at 2909 Mt. Royal Blvd. (map) in Glenshaw, in a building previously Le Thai Cafe. The original Thai Tamarind opened in Bellevue in August 2015. The new spot's soft opening will start at 4:00 pm.

Four Japanese animated films comprise Anime Classics series at Row House Lawrenceville, from September 13.

Ghost in the Shell (GHOST IN THE SHELL/攻殻機動隊), Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), and 2024's DAN DA DAN: First Encounter will comprise the Anime Classics series at Row House Lawrenceville, from September 13. Tickets are available online; please note that not all films play all days. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

1993 Japanese animated movie Ninja Scroll (獣兵衛忍風帖) in Pittsburgh, from September 11.

he 1993 Japanese animated movie Ninja Scroll (獣兵衛忍風帖) will play in Pittsburgh on September 11, 12, and 15 as part of the distributor's celebration of the 30th anniversary of the film.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights Presents the classic anime Ninja Scroll’s 30th Anniversary with an all-new exclusive interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri. A mysterious vagabond sets out on a journey to confront his past. Little does he know he is up against a demonic force of killers, with a ghost from his past as the leader.

Tickets are available online. The September 11 and 15 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the September 12 shows are dubbed in English.

Miniso coming soon to South Hills Village Mall.

Chinese chain Miniso, "a Japanese-inspired lifestyle product retailer offering high-quality household goods, cosmetics, and food at affordable prices," is coming soon to South Hills Village Mall. The international chain arrived to western Pennsylvania in June with is Greensburg location, and is aiming to open in this suburban Pittsburgh mall in the fall.

MINISO is based on three core principles. Affordable high quality: guides our decisions from design to materials. Joy: the response our customers experience while in our stores. Lighthearted: the relaxed and happy feeling when encountering the large variety of goods available.
MINISO has collaborated with world-famous brands including Coca Cola, Marvel, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, Mickey and Minnie, Pink Panther, We Bare Bears and Beijing’s Palace Museum, releasing playful crossover products that have been hugely popular with our young shoppers.

Miniso has been described as a "Japanese Hot Topic" or a "Chinese Five Below" and seems to specialize in kawaii products, plushies, Japanese snacks, and various Disney and Sanrio branded products, as well as other Asian products.

via miniso-us.com

2024 film Didi (弟弟) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) August 22.

The 2024 film Didi (弟弟), which opened in Pittsburgh on August 8, will remain here through at least August 22.

In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and select dates at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill, and tickets are available online.

"Stories that Reflect and Heal: Young Women’s Suicide and Care in South Korea," October 10 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Humanities Center will host Department of Anthropology PhD candidate Jung-eun Kwon and her talk "Stories that Reflect and Heal: Young Women’s Suicide and Care in South Korea" on October 10.

Hosted by the Humanities Center and graduate fellow, Jung Eun Kwon. Respondents include Olivia Bloech from the Department of Music and Chikako Ozawa-De Silva, Professor of Japanese Studies and Anthropology at Emory University. This event will be hybrid, so you can attend it either in person in 602 CL or via Zoom as you prefer.

Jung Eun Kwon’s research examines the stories and lived experiences of suicidality among young women in South Korea, encompassing suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. She focuses on their narratives and care practices to explore how these stories both reflect sociocultural factors contributing to their distress and serve as tools of care. Based on these stories, Kwon suggests that the women encountered constant exposure to patriarchal relationships and normative ideologies, which led to the production and internalization of self-hatred. As a form of care, they engaged in various modes of writing, such as journaling and creating fictional narratives, to envision alternative futures.

The event is held in 602 Cathedral of Learning from 12:30 to 2:30 pm; the Zoom link is here for those interested in attending remotely.