Many thanks to JET alum Vlad Baranenko for capturing the JET Alumni Author Showcase in photographs. Click “Read More” below to see all the photos.
Japanese Violinist Sayaka Shoji at Carnegie Hall April 6
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Thanks to JETAA DC President Michelle Spezzacatena for sharing this. See below for both English and Japanese versions of the event info:
Performance by Japanese Violinist
Sayaka Shoji庄司紗矢香
Monday, April 6, 2009
7:30pm~
At Carnegie Hall
(Weill Recital Hall)
57th Str. & 7th Ave.
On Monday evening, April 6, 2009, the S&R Foundation is sponsoring a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City by an extraordinary Japanese violinist, Sayaka Shoji. Sayaka will be performing with pianist Julien Quentin. Read More
Here are some photos from yesterday’s JET Alumni Author Showcase, courtesy of Noriko Furuhata, the JET Liason at the Consulate-General of Japan in New York:
Randall David Cook (Fukui-ken, 1991-93), Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) and James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) discuss their writing
The first-ever JET Alumni Author Showcase is done and in the books, and by all accounts it was a big success.
- Wonderful readings by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) and Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04). (Stay tuned for photos and video clips.)
- Engaging and informative discussion, led by Randall David Cook (Fukui-ken, 1991-93).
- Great post-program schmoozing, connecting and re-connecting (including a mini-Nara reunion).
- And I think Kinokuniya sold pretty much all the books it brought.
Thanks to everyone who attended, helped out and supported the event. Hopefully this will be the first of many more to come.
JETAA Hanami Forecast (updated)
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The JETAA Hanami Forecast (updated)
The Consulate-General of Japan in New York has a listing of all of the NY and Philly area upcoming hanami festivals, so let’s add those to the mix from the original post. (Email jetwit at jetwit dot com if you have other events to add to the list.)
Sunday, April 5
- JETAA Northern California – 11:00 am – Garden Gate Park, Speedway Meadow
- JETAA Philly (NY subchapter) – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (Ambassador Nishimiya, who will be replacing Ambassador Sakurai starting in April, will attend and speak)
Sunday, April 19
- Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival – Bloomfest -Sunday, 4/19, from 11AM to 5PM -The Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark – List of more event, please visit www.essexcountynj.org/ or call at Essexy County Park Department 973-268-3500
Saturday, April 25
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens) 5th Sakura Matsuri – 11am – 2pm – For more information, please call Japanese American Association at 212-840-6942
Saturday, May 2 & Sunday May 3
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri – 10am – 6pm (Note: Hanami will officially run there from April 4 – May 10)
- 10th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival – Sunday, May 3, 2009, noon to 5PM – Turnure Park – 20 Lake Street, White Plains, NY 10603 – For more information, please contact 914-774-3187
JETAA DC Grad School Night – update
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Via JETAA DC:
Were you interested in the 2009 Grad School and Fellowship night, but waiting to RSVP until you see who’s going to be presenting? Well, get ready because JETAADC’s got an all star line up for you this year!
JETAADC will host 5 panelists to discuss their graduate school and fellowship/scholars hip experiences, to answer your most burning questions about the process in a question & answer session, and to network with you over free food and drinks after the event. The panelists are:
- Michael Acton – The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Masters of Arts in International Development
- Brooke Howell – University of Maryland Graduate School’s Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, Master of Journalism, with a concentration in Public Affairs Reporting, Merrill Fellowship recipient
- Thomas Kodiak – College of William & Mary’s Mason School of Business, Masters of Business Administration AND Thunderbird School of Global Management, Masters of International Management
- Lisa Mayorga – The American University’s School of International Service, Masters of International Communications
- Bina Sheladia – The University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School, Masters of Higher Education Administration. Bina’s unique job experience related to fellowship administration will be discussed as well.
See you on the 31st!
Margaret Burton
JETAADC Outreach Chair Read More
Let’s Sento!
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JETAA DC recently announced an upcoming sento event at SpaWorld, a Korean bath place in the D.C. area. JETAA NY will also be doing a similar event at the SpaWorld located in Queens. Are there any other chapters doing sento or onsen type events?
Here’s the JETAA DC announcement:
Hey guys, Just a friendly reminder for those of you who want to come with us to Sento, please RSVP by tomorrow.
http://www.facebook .com/n/?event. php&eid=68174107 128&mid=207e87G1 e50db98G3fbc3b9G 7
Thank you.
********************* Read More
Remember in Japan how the news would show the hanami progressing across the country, akin to a weather forecast? U.S. geography isn’t quite as conducive to that approach, and I can’t really picture any local news channels taking that approach anyway. But now JetWit is providing you with the next best thing:
The JETAA Hanami Forecast
JetWit has the unique, gaijin-riffic superpower to forecast the progression of hanami throughout the U.S. based on the scheduling of JETAA chapter hanami events! Here’s what’s on tap so far. Don’t see your chapter’s event listed? Email jetwit at jetwit dot com and let us know.
Sunday, April 5
- JETAA Northern California – 11:00 am – Garden Gate Park, Speedway Meadow
- JETAA Philly (NY subchapter) – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (Ambassador Nishimiya, who will be replacing Ambassador Sakurai starting in April, will attend and speak)
JETAA Orange County – Bowling and Dinner this Sunday
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Via JETAA Southern California’s Orange County subchapter:
Here’s the info for this Sunday. The plan is to bowl a couple of games at the Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley then dinner at Ebisu afterwards just down the street. And whoever is interested in a nijiikai, karaoke is right there a couple doors down.
I’m holding this event so alumni who live in Orange County who have not been able to attend any events held by the major alumni association have something to go to and hang out with fellow alumni and meet others in the area. I also hope this gives a chance for any new members who recently return to attend. Basically, let’s just get together and have some fun. Read More
JETAA NY Meishi Exchange tonight
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MEISHI EXCHANGE Thursday, March 19 at 7pm Come join JETAANY for the biggest networking/social event of the year. Meet fellow JET alums, their friends, and co-workers. We have rented out the 2nd floor of Aja; the very chic Asian fusion restaurant in the West Village . Don’t forget to bring your business cards. We are giving away many great prizes this year.
Aja http://www.aja-asianbistro.com/ 432 Sixth Avenue (between 9th and 10th) Subway: West 4th A, B, C, D, E, F, V or Christopher Street1, 2, 3
Admission: JET alums: free admission including 2 free drink tickets & hors d’oeuvres. Friends of JET and guests: $10. Includes 2 drink tickets & passed hors d’oeuvres.
Photo/art contest: All are welcome to join. Fabulous prize for the winner! Theme: “Story Through a Picture” Work should reflect a Japanese theme through photography, drawing, or painting. Size: 5×7 to 8×10; One entry per person.
Questions: contact Monica at social at jetaany dot org
Thanks to JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) Magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for sharing this info for the benefit of all the Utada fans out there. Oh, and stay tuned for Justin’s exclusive, in-person interview with Utada-san in the Spring 2009 issue of JQ.
Utada will be appearing at the following Sephora Locations:
Sephora Hollywood & Highland
Tuesday, March 24 – 6-8PM
6801 – Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Sephora 5th Avenue
Wednesday, March 25 – 6pm-8pm
597 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Sephora South Beach
Friday, March 27 – 7-9pm
721 Collins Ave
Miami, FL 33139
More info at http://utada.com/news/default.aspx?nid=1698
 Photo © Asif Iqbal. KRAZY! Cosplay Party In conjunction with the exhibition KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Manga + Video Games, Japan Society holds its first-ever Cosplay Party, inviting local fans to create and showoff costumes of their favorite characters and share their enthusiasm for anime, manga and video games. Admission to the Cosplay Party includes:
Those without a costume are welcome to attend, to observe, and to cheer on their friends. Costume Contest Prizes: Tickets:
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Join the discussion on our Facebook Page! LOCATION |
JETAA DC Grad School Night Panel Discussion and Networking Event – March 31
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********************
“2009 JETAADC Grad School Night Panel Discussion and Networking Event” on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30pm.
Event: 2009 JETAADC Grad School Night Panel Discussion and Networking Event
“Come to eat, drink, and discuss opportunities with various graduate school programs. ”
Time: Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30pm
Where: Old Ambassador’s Residence, adjacent to the Japanese Embassy.
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=61450641385&mid=289272G1faf3ed5G1cb332bG7
According to Rob Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) recent post on his blog, “Zorgamazoo has been chosen by the Children’s Literature Assembly as a notable book for 2009. The Assembly is affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of English.”
Rob explains that each year the Assembly selects 30 titles that “demonstrate uniqueness in the use of language or style; involve word play, word origins, or the history of language; and invite child response or participation.”
It would be an understatement in the extreme to say that Zorgamazoo makes unique use of language, style and word play.
Omedetou gozaimasu from the JET alum community on collecting yet another accolade for your writing. And see you Sunday, March 22 at the JET Alumni Author Showcase in NYC!
Hey Folks,
Fresh from the desk of the JETAA Ongaku Connection Group, here are a few shows around NYC for music fans. Click here for more info or to join the group.
NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
– NIPPON JAZZ NYC Meet-Up – 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month, 8pm –
11pm. Yours truly hosts an event bringing together Japanophiles and
emerging Japanese talent.
Blue Owl Cocktail Lounge, 196 Second Ave @ 12th St., NYC 10003, $5
cover
www.meetup.com/Nippon-Jazz-NYC-Meetup-Group/
– CHIEMI NAKAI AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ PROJECT @ KITANO March 19, 2009, 8:00pm
– 11:00pm, The Kitano, 66 Park Ave. @38th St., NYC 10016, $15 min. www.myspace.com/chieminakai
– JAPAN NITE ’09 @BOWERY BALLROOM March 22nd, 8pm, 6 Delancey St. New York, NY 10002, NY, New York 10002, www.myspace.com/japannite
– ASOBI SEKSU @ BOWERY BALLROOM April 2, 8pm, 6 Delancey St. New York, NY 10002, NY, New York 10002, www.myspace.com/asobiseksu
