Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Lunar New Year Celebration at University of Pittsburgh, January 22.


The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host a Lunar New Year Celebration on January 22.
Celebrate the Year of the Snake! Fun Activities & Delicious Snacks. Come join us and bring in the Lunar New Yeat with joy and excitement!
It runs from 12:00 to 1:30 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map), and is free and open to the Pitt community.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Oakland's TapiLab to hold grand opening, January 15.

TapiLab, a bubble tea place in Oakland that soft opened around Christmas, will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, January 15. Hours on the 15th are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. It's located a couple months ago at 3606 Fifth Ave. (map), what was most recently, and briefly, Gussy's Bagels & Pizzeria.
Welcome to TAPILAB, where we redefine bubble tea! Our passion for creating the ultimate bubble tea experience drives us to craft everything from scratch, starting with our signature homemade tapioca pearls. Our pearls offer an extraordinary burst of flavor that sets us apart. We believe great flavors begin with pure ingredients, which is why we use filtered water wherever it's needed. Quality and authenticity are at the heart of what we do. That’s why we take pride in making our tapioca fresh daily, ensuring that every cup is a delightful experience. Our signature product is the Brown Sugar Tapi, which is our freshly caramelized brown sugar tapioca made in-house with natural ingredients with milk. We’re dedicated to crafting unique drinks that cater to your personal taste, turning every sip into a moment of joy. Join us in discovering the delicious world of bubble tea, where simplicity meets creativity!
Its social media boasts of tapioca pearls freshly made daily and gacha gacha machines.

"Flourishing Asian American Pacific Islander Communities and Beyond: Developing Cross-Cultural Awareness, Advocacy, and Alliance ," January 24 at Pitt.


The School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh will present "Flourishing Asian American Pacific Islander Communities and Beyond: Developing Cross-Cultural Awareness, Advocacy, and Alliance" on January 24. The hybrid program includes:
  • 10:30 - 12:00 - History of Racism against Asian Americans and Mental Realities in the APIDA Community - Dr. Josephine Kim
  • 1:00 - 2:30 - Work Compulsion and Anxiety Among AAPI Students and Professionals - Dr. Noel Ramirez
  • 2:30 - 3:20 - Students Presentation
  • 3:30 - 4:30 - Roundtable: Re-Envisioning Advocacy for Our Community - Linda Lieu, Katelan Hudson
In-person events, including lunch and dinner, are held in 2017 Cathedral of Learning. Registration is required for Zoom links to attend online.

Concert film (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [iDOL] IN CINEMAS in Pittsburgh, January 29 and February 1.


The concert film (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [iDOL] IN CINEMAS will play in Pittsburgh on January 29 and February 1.
“Now, are you ready to have some real fun?” The unforgettable energy of the 2024 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [iDOL], which mesmerized fans across 14 cities, is coming to the big screen! Experience the magic of their Seoul concert, the grand kickoff to this electrifying tour. Experience iconic performances of hits like Super Lady, LATATA, Queencard, and TOMBOY, paired with a perfectly curated setlist and breathtaking visuals. Starting January 2025, immerse yourself in the dreamlike excitement with one of the biggest K-POP stars!
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

Book Talk: Conversation with author Laura Gao, February 6 at Pitt.


The University Library System and Alliance of Queer and Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS) will host a conversation with Laura Gao on February 6.
This collaborative event, hosted by ULS and the Alliance of Queer and Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS), brings together a diverse community to engage in meaningful conversation and reflection.

4:30–5:00 PM:

Join our student representative for a book club session, featuring a group reading followed by a discussion. Faculty members and a librarian will facilitate the conversation, offering insights and fostering dialogue around the themes of the book.

5:00–6:00 PM:

Book Talk: A Conversation with Laura Gao

Engage in an intimate roundtable discussion with Laura Gao, moderated by faculty, students, and librarians. The conversation will explore crucial topics such as queer identity, Asian American experiences, and the intersectionality of these themes in contemporary society.
The event runs from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on the first floor of Hillman Library (map).

CMU 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration, January 31.


The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics' Chinese Studies program at Carnegie Mellon University will host a Chinese New Year Celebration on January 31.
Come to celebrate Chinese New Years with the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics! Free and open to the public, this event will feature many fun activities with rich Chinese cultural aspects including performances, snacks, games and raffles.

This celebration is co-hosted by LCAL's Chinese Studies program and CMU's Chinese Students Association.
It runs from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the Rangos Ballroom on the second floor of the Cohon University Center (map).

ASIA POP Net-Fluxed Korea: Squid Game, Acting in/on the Logic of Platform Economy, January 22 at Pitt.


The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Dr. Seung-hwan Shin and his talk "Net-Fluxed Korea: Squid Game, Acting in/on the Logic of Platform Economy" on January 22, part of this term's ASIA POP series.
Reflecting on the global success of Squid Game (Hwang Dong-hyuk, 2021) and its reinvention of the death game genre, this talk explores both the opportunities and challenges presented by new media systems, particularly global video streaming platforms, for local creators.

Netflix, renowned for decentralized approaches and departure from corporate-driven and center-to-local strategies in traditional media, allows for greater financial and creative freedom for local creators. However, concerns have arisen over Netflix’s dominance in local media landscapes and the overreliance of local creators on the platform giant, which would eventually lead to the demise of local media.

In exploring the rise of Netflix as the leading global platform, with a particular focus on its success in Korea, this talk thus aims first to articulate the double-edged nature of platform economy. In the latter part of the talk, attention shifts towards Squid Game itself, focusing on how it creatively adapted to the platform culture and how it questions contemporary capitalism through an innovative investment in the trope of survival game, where participants voluntarily enter the death game, rendering values such as free will empty promises.

Highlighting the show’s own dilemma between its anti-capitalist ethos and its success on Netflix, this talk also addresses the broader irony of resistance within the logic of platform economy that local production faces as the platform ecosystem continues to expand.
The talk runs from 6:00 to 7:15 pm in 149 Cathedral of Learning 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Lunar New Year Archives & Special Collections Gallery Talk: East Asian Book Culture, January 29 at University of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh Library System will host "Lunar New Year Archives & Special Collections Gallery Talk: East Asian Book Culture" on January 29.
Join us to hear directly from curator Runxiao Zhu, Head of the East Asian Library at the University of Pittsburgh Library System (ULS), about the exhibit "Beyond the Page: Exploring East Asian Book Culture and Printing Technology"!

In this exhibit, discover the intricate artistry and cultural significance behind historical texts from China and Japan, spanning from the 12th to the 20th century. From the scholar's desk to the printer's workshop, explore the innovative techniques and materials that shaped the way knowledge was preserved and shared. Learn about the symbolism and artistry of woodblock prints, the elegance of thread-bound books, and the unique formats of scrolls and accordion books.

As we usher in a new lunar year, let's celebrate the rich cultural heritage and technological advancements that continue to inspire and influence our world today!

All items on display are part of Archives & Special Collections and other ULS collections.  
The talk runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the 3rd Floor Exhibit Cases of Hillman Library (map).

Monday, January 13, 2025

"A Musical Conversation with Sean Gao and Friends on Tradition and Innovation in Chinese Music," January 23 at Pitt.



The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host "A Musical Conversation with Sean Gao and Friends on Tradition and Innovation in Chinese Music" on January 23. Gao is producing the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center's Lunar New Year Gala on January 25.
“The world needs music and art to help solve some global issues more than ever. If leaders and people are looking for happiness, sustainability, justice and hope, they shall look to music and art.” - Sean Gao
For 30 years, Sean Gao has been a global engagement professional and an environmental artist who is an advocate for the sustainability of performing art, quality education and environmental justice and policy.
Humans have always been a musical species from the beginning of time, and Sean believes music is from the people and for the people. This student-centered and audience-centered musical conversation will feature instrumental and vocal music from the East and West to inspire teachers and students about teaching and learning Asian content. The guest artists include members of his world traveling 6-WIRE trio and others.
Promoting Asian American music and art has been a shared artistic goal since Sean’s first day of college (U of Delaware) teaching career at 9am ET on September 11, 2001.
The event starts at 5:30 pm in 125 Frick Fine Arts Building (map).

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Call for artists and makers for Novo Food Hall's Lunar New Year celebration, February 1.


Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District is looking for artists and makers for its Lunar New Year celebration on February 1.
Are you a local artist or maker with a small business that you’d like to promote in 2025? If so, join us on Saturday, February 1 for a special Lunar New Year edition of the markets at Novo. We’re hosting a special celebration all day long to ring in the new year and we want YOU to be a part of it! 🧧🎊🏮🎇

To participate, just send an email to kaitlinnovo at gmail.com with a little info about yourself and your business or concept, and we'll get back to you!
Novo Asian Food Hall is a food court featuring eight different Asian eateries in The Terminal Building in the Strip District (map). It opened in March 2024.

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