Japanese rock band BURNOUT SYNDROMES in Pittsburgh, August 24.

The Japanese rock band BURNOUT SYNDROMES will play in Pittsburgh on August 24.

BURNOUT SYNDROMES are a 3-piece rock band from Osaka formed in 2005 consisting of Kazuumi Kumagai on vocals/guitar, Taiyu Ishikawa on bass, and Takuya Hirose on drums. Their goal is to constantly push the limit of a 3-piece band and create precisely calculated sound to color the world.

In March 2016, to celebrate their 10th anniversary since forming and their major label debut, they released the single "FLY HIGH!!" with EPIC Records Japan. The nationwide tour held to promote their latest album "Meisei" sold out at all venues.

BURNOUT SYNDROMES has provided theme songs for numerous series such as "FLY HIGH!!" for Haikyuu!!, "Hana Ichi Monme" for Gintama, and "Good Morning World!" for Dr. Stone.

Tickets for the show at Mr. Smalls Theater in Millvale, 8:00 pm, are still available online.

2024 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, September 28.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival will be held on September 28 at North Park. From its press release:

Get ready to paddle with a purpose and join the splash of excitement at North Park Lake! Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team invites you to a day of thrilling races, vibrant entertainment, delicious food, and family fun at our Sixth Annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival. The event runs from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

Mark your calendars for a spectacular day where community spirit meets fierce competition on the beautiful waters of North Park Lake. This year’s festival features spirited races with community teams, sport teams, youth teams, para-paddlers, all cancer survivors, and dedicated breast cancer survivor teams battling it out for glory. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a curious newbie, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. 

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performing in Pittsburgh, November 16; tickets go on sale today.

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 today, August 16.

RIIZE Fan-Con Tour 'RIIZING DAY' Finale in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, September 13.

The concert film RIIZE Fan-Con Tour 'RIIZING DAY' Finale in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh on September 13.

The grand finale of K-pop boy band RIIZE's first world fan-concert tour, 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON 'RIIZING DAY' FINALE in SEOUL, will be broadcast live in cinemas! After touring through Seoul, Tokyo, Mexico City, L.A., Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta in 2024, the first day of the FINALE in SEOUL will be presented live in cinemas across selected territories worldwide. Experience the magic of the 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON TOUR ‘RIIZING DAY’ FINALE IN CINEMA, featuring spectacular performances, including celebrated hits from their first mini album, RIIZING. On September 13th, BRIIZE can celebrate this unforgettable night together in cinemas. Don't miss out on the global celebration of RIIZE's 'RIIZING DAY' tour finale in Seoul on the big screen!

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

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).