2023 Philippine film Asog in Pittsburgh, October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

The 2023 Philippine film Asog will play in Pittsburgh on October 6, part of Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival.

This unique narrative incorporating documentary elements follows Rey, a 40-year-old non-binary teacher and typhoon survivor, on a roadtrip to fame. With surreal comedy and social portrait realism, filmmaker Seán‌ Devlin explores climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and the impact of colonialism on contemporary Philippines.

It plays at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville (map) and tickets are available online.

Theatrical release of first three episodes of Dragon Ball DAIMA (ドラゴンボールDaima) in Pittsburgh, from November 10.

The first three episodes of the 2024 Japanese animated series Dragon Ball DAIMA (ドラゴンボールDaima) will play in the Pittsburgh area from November 10. A brief synopsis, from the distributor:

The world English dub premiere of “Dragon Ball DAIMA”, the newest series in the Dragon Ball universe, will debut in U.S. theaters, featuring the first three episodes of the series.

Before the film, there will be a special introduction from the Japanese voice of Goku, Masako Nozawa.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, and Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh, October 6 and 7.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh will play in Pittsburgh on October 6 and 7.

Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing. Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of “Chainsaw Man”, Look Back captures the highs and lows of pursuing artistic excellence and the special bonds formed through creative collaboration. The heart-wrenching story is the stunning feature-length directorial debut from Kiyotaka Oshiyama that will leave you in tears and inspire you to chase your own artistic dreams.

Look Back was among the highest-grossing Japanese films of the summer. It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) returns to Pittsburgh, October 18, performing entirety of Amplifier Worship.

The Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) will return to Pittsburgh on October 18 to perform "Amplifier Worship" in its entirety.

In 2024, Boris will undergo a tour performing all the songs off their first album. We have already reached a quarter-century since the release of that 1st album, “Amplifier Worship”. Boris has been in constant pursuit of their own ideal “heavy” since their formation in 1992. From the outset they became like a chimera, evolving at a rapid pace, establishing a unique style with extreme downtuning and megavolume. Their broad sense of “Heavy Rock” swelled grotesquely, as it engulfed powerviolence, ambient and drone, with a trance component of krautrock and so on.

"Sogetsu Ikebana: Fundamentals & Techniques with Sogetsu Pittsburgh," October 5 at Contemporary Craft.

Contemporary Craft will host "Sogetsu Ikebana: Fundamentals & Techniques with Sogetsu Pittsburgh" on October 5, part of the 芸［Gei] : The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal exhibition running September 13, 2024 through January 18, 2025.

Create your own ikebana arrangement with the guidance of Sogetsu Pittsburgh.

3-Hour Workshop

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Time: 10am-1pm

Description: Led by Sogetsu Pittsburgh’s founder and principal teachers Reiko Nakajima and Atsumi Sewell, this session will include an introduction to the modern Sogetsu school of Ikebana, a demonstration of the process and key techniques of crafting a basic ikebana arrangement, followed by participants creating their own arrangements with guided instruction and one-on-one feedback.

Tuition: $55 + $50 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided and the practice Ikebana supplies are yours to keep!

1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 6.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 6, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

In Universal Century year 0078, the space colony Side 3 declares itself the Principality of Zeon and launches a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Eight months have passed since the war entered into a deadlock. Learning of a secret plot by the Federation Forces, the Zeon Forces launch reconnaissance followed by an attack against Side 7. A young boy by the name of Amuro gets wrapped up in the war, and by coincidence ends up piloting the mobile suit Gundam and defeating the enemy. The Federation’s White Base, having lost its proper crew in the battle, escapes from Side 7 with forces still in training and civilians both.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The other two films derived from the Gundam series will play in Pittsburgh later in October.

University of Pittsburgh hiring full-time Instructor of Japanese.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is hiring a full-time Instructor of Japanese.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a full-time instructor of Japanese language position in the Japanese language program starting in the fall of 2025, pending budgetary approval. Candidates must have near-native or native language proficiency, hold at least a master’s degree in Japanese linguistics, language pedagogy, or studies, and be authorized to work for the University. At least two years of prior experience in teaching Japanese and prior experience in teaching with the performed culture approach is strongly preferred. 

Grand Opening for Atarashi Revolving Sushi, October 4 and 5; 30% off coupon for confirmed reservations.

Atarashi Revolving Sushi opened its doors on September 16 in Robinson, but is hosting its full, Grand Opening on October 4 and 5th. Guests with confirmed reservations can enjoy 30% off their order. The restaurant is located at at 210 McHolme Dr. (map), near the Walmart, and reservations can be made online.

At Atarashi Revolving Sushi, a large conveyer belt brings dishes ($3.75 each) by your table, and diners can pull their choices off the belt. Custom orders are delivered by mini robots from Taiwan that zip along another track. Revolving sushi places are ubiquitous throughout East Asia---and larger American cities---but only arrived to Pittsburgh in September 2023 with the Kura Sushi chain.

Sushi Atarashi is a small local chain of build-your-own sushi roll restaurants, formerly known as Sushi Fuku, with several locations in the area. In addition to this concept in Robinson, it has a revolving sushi place planned for Shadyside's East End Meridian development currently under construction.

Celebrating [Pittsburgh's] Chinatown, October 5 at Carnegie Science Center, helping mark the addition of Chinatown Inn to legendary model railroad display.

The Carnegie Science Center will host "Celebrating Chinatown" on October 5.

Join us as we celebrate the debut of Chinatown Inn in the Miniature Railroad & Village®. Experience the unveiling of this new model while immersing yourself in Chinese culture with vibrant Lion Dances, martial arts demonstrations, hands-on activities, dancing, music, and more – led by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center and Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center. The celebration is included with general admission to the Science Center.

The event runs from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and is included with admission to the Science Center. There are a host of performers scheduled for the event, with a growing list online. The event centers around the addition of Pittsburgh's Chinatown Inn restaurant to the legendary model train display at the Center:

Chinatown was composed of a small and vibrant Chinese immigrant community between Second and Third Avenue that included markets, grocery stores, and shops from the mid–19th to early 20th centuries. Today, Chinatown Inn is the only remaining remnant of this bustling community.

The Miniature Railroad & Village® exhibit at Carnegie Science Center is a quarter-scale model train display that captures western Pennsylvania’s history, architecture, cultural heritage, and topography. The Miniature Railroad showcases the region as it was prior to the 1940s with 57 replicas of historic buildings.

Every year, a new model is added based on visitor voting. This year, visitors selected Chinatown Inn!

The Carnegie Science Center is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

Comedian Sheng Wang in Pittsburgh, March 6.

Comedian Sheng Wang will perform in the Pittsburgh area on March 6, 2025, at the Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead.

Sheng Wang is a comedian, actor and writer originally from Houston, TX. His first Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, released in September 2023 and was produced and directed by Ali Wong. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Sheng resides in Los Angeles and in his time off, he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm, and tickets are available online. The Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead is located at 510 E 10th Ave. (map).