Mar 21

JETAA DC Grad School Night – update

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:

  1. Michael Acton – The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Masters of Arts in International Development
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Lisa Mayorga – The American University’s School of International Service, Masters of International Communications
  5. 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


Mar 20

Let’s Sento!

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


Mar 20

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


Mar 19

JETAA Orange County – Bowling and Dinner this Sunday

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


Mar 19

JETAA NY Meishi Exchange tonight

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


Mar 19

Meet Utada Hikaru – New York, LA, Miami

hikaruutadaevent

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.

Come Meet Utada!

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


Mar 17

Special Event Masthead


Photo © Asif Iqbal.

KRAZY! Cosplay Party

Saturday, March 28, 2009

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:

  • Classic anime film screenings – Paprika, Akira, Mind Game, and more!
  • A costume competition with prizes from Kinokuniya Bookstore and Manga Entertainment and judging from World Cosplay Summit Team USA and Ningin.com!
  • A special performance from Reni singing songs in Harajuku and Akihabara style!
  • Free entrance to the KRAZY! exhibition featuring original Manga artwork, hundreds of manga to read, an environment by cutting-edge architectural practice Atelier Bow-Wow, and playable video games!

Those without a costume are welcome to attend, to observe, and to cheer on their friends.

Costume Contest Prizes:
1st Place:  $200 gift certificate to Kinokuniya Bookstore
2nd Place: $100 gift certificate to Kinokuniya Bookstore
3rd Place: $50 gift certificate to Kinokuniya Bookstore

Tickets:
$10 pre-register
$15 at the door

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged!

Buy Tickets Online or call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm.

Join the discussion on our Facebook Page!

LOCATION
333 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017
(212) 832-1155
http://www.japansociety.org/


Mar 16

JETAA DC Grad School Night Panel Discussion and Networking Event – March 31

********************

“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


Mar 15

More acclaim for Robert Weston’s “Zorgamazoo”

Zorgamazoo Cover ArtAccording 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!



Mar 14

JETAA Ongaku Connection Google Group

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


Mar 11

JETAA Toronto Art Exhibit

JETAA Art Exhibit
torontojetaaartexShowcasing Japan-inspired art by former JET English teachers

JETAA Toronto is has put together a terrific event that both taps the JET alumni community’s talent and shows off the wonderful accomplishments as well.

When: Saturday, March 28 (7:30 pm)  & Sunday, March 29 (1:30 pm)

Where: Gladstone Art Bar, 1214 Queen St. W., Toronto, ONFeeling sentimental about the land of rice and the rising sun? Never been and interested in an artistic adventure?

Come join Toronto’s JET Alumni Association for our first ever art show on Saturday, March 28. The art exhibit, titled Natsukashii (Japanese for sentimental), will feature a wide range of Japan-inspired art by our talented alumni members.

Have a drink with us as you admire their creativity, listen to tunes spun by a deejay and reminisce about the good times you had teaching Japanese kids the difference between Rs and Ls.

Those not members of JETAA are also welcome.

Doors at the Gladstone Art Bar, located on 1214 Queen St. W., open at 7:30 p.m. Cover is $5.

For questions, please email Amber Hildebrandt at jetaatoronto.sports@gmail.com.

More info on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=55540550813&ref=nf


Mar 10

JET Alumni Author Section at Kinokuniya – more photos

Here are a few more photos from the photo-op last Friday to promote the JET Alumni Author section at Kinokuniya in anticipation of the JET Alumni Author Showcase (set for March 22; e-mail authors at jetaany dot org to rsvp).

The books featured include:

*See a more complete list of JET alumni authors and their works at https://jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/

Stop by Kinokuniya and take a look!

kinokuniyagroup2

L to R: Noriko Furuhata (Consulate), John Fuller (Kinokuniya Store Manager), Toru Mukaikubo (CLAIR), Hirotaka Ono (Consulate), Tony McCormac, Steven Horowitz, Amber Liang, Roland Kelts, Akira Sugiyama (Japan Information Center), Ryoko Kobayashi (CLAIR)

Read More


Mar 10

KRAZY! Roland Kelts to speak at Japan Society (NY) this Thursday

Talking KRAZY! Japan’s Evolving Pop Culture

Curatorial Panel Discussion
Thursday, March 12, 6:30 PM


Left to right: Bruce Grenville, Toshiya Ueno, and Roland Kelts, photo © Matthias Ley.

What are the forces that drive the narrative and artistic sophistication of Japanese manga and anime? What accounts for their dominance in Japanese visual culture and their international popularity?

Join KRAZY! curators Bruce Grenville, Senior Curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and Toshiya Ueno, Professor of Sociology at Wako University, in conversation with Roland Kelts, Lecturer at the University of Tokyo and author of Japanamerica, together with moderator Joe Earle, Director of Japan Society Gallery, as they discuss the continuing evolution of visual culture in Japan.

Followed by a reception.

Tickets

$15 non-members
Japan Society Members free

Advance ticketing is required.  Please call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm.


Mar 9

SWET Workshop: Problems with Presentations? The Doctor is In! (Tokyo)

Via the e-mail list for the Tokyo-based Society of Writers, Editors and Translators:

Problems with Presentations? The Doctor is In!

If you usually work with words, but are wondering how to make the most of your presentation software, this hands-on seminar is for you.

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:15 – 16:00 (lunch break 12:00-13:00)
Place: Sophia University, Library room 524
Price: 10,000 (SWET members), 15,000 (non-members)
Presenters: Hugh Ashton & Shuji Yoshida
Language: English
Participants: Up to 12 Read More


Mar 8

Kinokuniya sets up JET Alumni Author section

In anticipation of the upcoming JET Alumni Author Showcase (set for March 22; e-mail authors at jetaany dot org to rsvp), Kinokuniya has set up a table featuring books by JET alumni authors.  The table is on the ground floor in the main aisle, right by the magazine section and features the following books:

*See a more complete list of JET alumni authors and their works at https://jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/

Stop by Kinokuniya and take a look!

img_6956

Other Kinokuniya-related information that may be of interest to you:

  1. Kinokuniya now offers an Anime/Manga Membership Card – for $15 you get 10% off all of your purchases.  You can find the application form at the checkout desk in their stores.
  2. Anime Day @ KinokuniyaSunday March 15  (1073 Avenue of the Americas & 40th St. in NYC) – 11am to 6pm – First 10 fans dresses as Zetsubou-Sensei will win Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Vol. 1 from Del Rey Manga!
  3. Japanese Young Artists’ Book Fair_3rd – Feb 15 thru March 8 – Comics, graphic books, picture books, art books, phtoograph books, poetry books, art object books and more at 4 different locations in NY:  Kinokuniya (Midtown), Printed Matter (Chelsea), St. Mark’s Bookshop (E. Village), Spoonbill & Sugartown, Booksellers (Williamsburg) and

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