Chicago JETAA

On Saturday, January 30th, please join the Chicago’s JET Program Alumni
Association (JETAA) for its 7th Annual Shinnenkai. This celebration of
Japanese culture will be held the Unitrin Building, (1 E Wacker Drive,
Chicago, IL), from 6 pm – 8 pm. The 2010 shinenkai will feature
Japanese food & drinks, games & contests, Japanese music, traditional
gyotaku fish painting, a Wii tournament and more! It promises to be a
great opportunity to meet others who share an interest in Japan.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 13 & under. All proceeds
will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Bring a
non-perishable food item (no glass containers) and receive a $5 discount
off the adult ticket price.

Join Chicago’s finest professionals for the Japan America Society of Chicago’s Suburban Business Card Exchange on Thursday, March 11, 2010. Connect with engaging individuals, enjoy delicious appetizers, and mingle in a vibrant atmosphere. Come make valuable contacts, grow social capital, and build your professional base. Registration (and cash bar) starts at 6:30 PM, with networking from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. This event will be held at the Stonewood Ale House (601 Mall Drive, Schaumburg, IL). Cost is $20 for JASC Members and $30 for Non-Members.

Presented by the JASC’s Young Professional Committee

Whether it is for a business function, a social engagement, or simply relaxing at home, increasing options for wine can often leave people feeling confused and flustered. Discover your personal favorites or simply have some fun with this Exploring Wine Tasting Series. You will sample Wines for Humanity’s exclusive stock and decide what you enjoy in a relaxed setting with your fellow YPCers.

In this series we will be working on pairing wines in the various courses of a meal. We will start with dessert and begin by investigating the mysteries of how wines taste with dark, milk and white chocolate. Next we will venture into appetizers and experiment wine pairings with four different cheeses. Finally we will arrive at the main course to finish the series by exploring wine and pasta with both marinara and white sauce.

During each tasting, you will be able to learn the basic concepts of wine tasting by sampling 7 different bottles. There will be an opportunity at the end of each tasting to decide which wine(s) you enjoyed and mark your preferences. Part of the proceeds from your preferences will go to charity. Giving back to society can be fun and rewarding!

The series will meet at the: Japan America Society (20 N Clark Street, Suite 750, Chicago, IL) on the third Friday of the month from 6pm – 8pm.

1. Wine and Chocolate Friday February 19 (RSVP by Friday, February 12)
Sample 7 different wines with 3 types of chocolates

2. Wine and Cheese Friday March 19 (RSVP by Friday, March 12)
Sample 7 different wines with four types of cheese

3. Wine and Sauces Friday April 16 (RSVP by Friday, April 9)
Sample 7 different wines while dining on spaghetti with red and white sauce

Cost: $25 for members per session; $30 for non-members per session. Pre-register for all 3 sessions and save money! In addition to saving money, sign up for all 3 sessions and you will also receive a bottle of wine in time for the second session! Cost for all three is just $60 for members; $75 for non-members. Please note that refunds will not be provided if you are unable to attend a session.

Beginning February 15, the Japan Information Center will show four recent Japanese films to Chicago. With the assistance of Columbia College and its wonderful theater, we are proud to present a series that illustrates the many ways man deals with nature. All screenings will be held at Film Row Cinema, Columbia College Chicago, 1104 S. Wabash Ave, 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605. Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with screenings to begin promptly at 6:30 PM.

eatrip
Monday, February 15
http://eatrip.jp/ (Japanese)

Miyori in the Sacred Forest (Miyori no mori)
Thursday, February 18
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/miyori/index2.html

The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones
Friday, March 5
http://www.tsurugidake.jp

School of Nature: The Children of the Satoyama
Friday, March 12
http://www.sakuraeiga.com/satoyama.html

The Japan Information Center (JIC) at the Consulate General of Japan (737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois) is hosting, “Advertising Photography in Japan: APA Award 2009 International Exhibition”. The exhibition will feature 63 award-winning posters selected by the Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association APA. Each year, the APA recognizes outstanding photographic works in the field of advertising on the basis of their artistic style and aesthetic values. The award-winning works include promotional posters and magazine advertisements that were used widely in the media and in public campaigns in trains and city streets. They depict topics such as the beauty of Japanese nature, cutting edge technology, and facets of the contemporary Japanese lifestyle. This exhibit is open to the public and will run through February 4. The JIC is open Monday through Friday from 9:15 AM – 5:00 PM.