Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books, March 13 in East Liberty.

Photo credit: Philip Groshon, Cincinnati Opera

The Carnegie Library branch in East Liberty will host "Pittsburgh Opera’s Madama Butterfly Panel Discussion: Women’s Role in Tech, Video Games, Manga, and Comic Books" on March 13.

Join us for a free panel discussion with RAD Pass participating organization Pittsburgh Opera where we will explore Women’s Role in Video Games, Anime, Manga, and Comic Books. Women have often been unrealistically represented in these art forms leading to detrimental outcomes in the real world. This discussion aims to unpack the origins of female representation in art and explore the fine line between fandom and fetish.

Pittsburgh Opera leads this discussion in anticipation of its groundbreaking new production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, the story is set in a fantastical realm where reality and dreams intersect.

“The male protagonist, Pinkerton, puts on a VR headset and transports us into a vibrant virtual reality playground where he has ultimate control. As his avatar, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, he can seduce and marry Cio-Cio San, his fantasy girl, and abandon her just as easily. But to Cio-Cio San, this is no game and the love and betrayal she feels is all too real.”

Attendees receive a discounted ticket offer to the performance of Madama Butterfly of their choice (March 22nd, 25th, 28th, and 30th) and will be entered into a raffle to receive a pair of free tickets. All performances of Madama Butterfly will take place downtown at the Benedum Center.

The event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at 130 S. Whitfield St. in East Liberty (map). A reminder that Pittsburgh Opera is recruiting panelists for this event; those interested in participating should email Rebekah Diaz, Director, IDEA Initiatives/Community Engagement, at rdiaz@pittsburghopera.org.

2001 Japanese animated film Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉) in Pittsburgh, February 5, 6, and 9.

The 2001 Japanese animated film Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉) will play in Pittsburgh on February 5, 6, and 9, part of an Anime Expo Cinema Nights series.

Caught up in a world of dreams, lost in the cruelty of reality. What should have been an easy bounty turns into biological war after a terrorist gets hold of a deadly virus. Drawn in by the pretty price on the mastermind's head, Spike and the Bebop crew are ready to collect a much-needed reward. Unfortunately, the gang's about to find themselves in more trouble than money when the terrorist threatens to unleash the virus on Halloween--effectively killing everyone on Mars. With little time and leads that seem more dreamy than helpful, they'll have to use their own bag of tricks to stop a dangerous plot.

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

1995 Wong Kar-wai film Fallen Angels (墮落天使) in Pittsburgh, from February 28.

The 1995 Wong Kar-wai film Fallen Angels (墮落天使) will play at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville from February 28 as part of its Big 3-0 film series of movies turning 30 years old.

Originally conceived as a segment of Chungking Express, Fallen Angels spun off into its own hallucinatory, neon-colored story of lost souls looking for human connection.

It runs through March 6 and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Chinese movie Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force (封神第二部：战火西岐) in Pittsburgh, from January 29.

The Chinese movie Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force (封神第二部：战火西岐) will play in Pittsburgh from January 29.

Helmed by visionary director Wuershan, Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force continues the epic Fengshen Trilogy adapted from the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods. Jiang Ziya and Ji Fa, aided by the Kunlun immortals, lead Xiqi’s defense against the Shang Dynasty’s dark forces. As the battle for the Fengshen Bang intensifies, alliances shift, and secrets emerge in this stunning clash of mortals, gods, and monsters.

It plays locally at the AMC Lowes Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

2019 Korean film Parasite (기생충) in Pittsburgh, from February 7.

The 2019 Korean film Parasite (기생충) will play in Pittsburgh from February 7.

Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.

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

Signage up for Hong Kong Dim Sum in North Oakland.

Signage has gone up for Hong Kong Dim Sum at 4520 Centre Ave. in North Oakland. The dim sum restaurant (map), which would help fill one of the larger gaps in Pittsburgh's dining scene, was announced for the One on Centre appartment building back in September 2023. When it eventually opens, the new spot from the Mi Fan ownership team will occupy over 4200 square feet on the ground floor.

Sesame Inn North Hills location relocating to The Block Northway, eyes February opening.

Work is well underway on the Sesame Inn location in the North Hills, which is relocating to The Block Northway from its current spot on Browns Lane. The new location will occupy the storefront most recently occupied by Wahlburgers and is tentatively scheduled to open in February. Sesame Inn, which also has a location in Mt. Lebanon, has routinely been voted among the most popular Chinese restaurants in Pittsburgh in various readers' polls over the past few decades.

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).

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.

2024 compilation film Attack on Titan: The Last Attack (劇場版「進撃の巨人」 ～THE LAST ATTACK～) in Pittsburgh, February 10.

The 2024 compilation film Attack on Titan: The Last Attack (劇場版「進撃の巨人」 ～THE LAST ATTACK～), consisting of the last two episodes of the anime series, will play in Pittsburgh on February 10.

Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK brings together the last two episodes of the highly acclaimed anime series in the franchise's first-ever theatrical experience delivering the epic finale in a colossal-sized omnibus film. Humanity lived quietly behind massive walls built to protect themselves from the threat of monstrous creatures called Titans. Their century of peace was shattered by an attack on their city that left a young child, Eren Yeager, motherless and vowing revenge on the titans. Years after joining the Survey Corps, Eren finds himself facing a deadly foe, and ultimately gains a special ability that unveils a new truth about the world he knows. After venturing beyond the walls and separated from his comrades, Eren finds himself inspired by this new truth and plots the "Rumbling," a terrifying plan to eradicate every living thing in the world.

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