Roundup: upcoming JETAA events in Summer 2019

This section of the newsletter is designed to be a guide to upcoming JETAA UK events right across the country, coordinated by active Chapters in London, the Midlands, the North West and Scotland. Some individual chapter updates and news is also included.

London

Recent events have included a trip to sunny Primrose Hill in May, a very well-attended visit to Kanpai sake brewery in Peckham in June and an afternoon of Wimbledon-watching in July. A pre-departure Q&A at The Marquis Cornwallis near SOAS, where this year's UK JET Programme Pre-departure Orientation took place, was also phenomenally well-attended! 

Upcoming Events (more info to follow):

In September, please keep an eye out for a returnee event in Central London. In October, a Rugby World Cup-related event is on the cards. And in November, karaoke! Please look out for more information nearer the time or email londonchair@jetaa.org.uk 

Midlands

JETAA Midlands held a successful pre-departure meet-up on Saturday 8 June at Quad in Derby. More events, linking in with the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020, are being planned from October onwards. Please email midlandschair@jetaa.org.uk to learn more. Take a look at the diverse connections between Japan and the Midlands in the meantime. 

North West

Greeting and Chair's Message

Summer greetings from JETAA North West! Hopefully this message finds you well. As spring has moved into summer, we’ve continued to have good things happen in the NW. In May, we teamed up with Chester-based SugarSalt Japanese Bakery and Kimono Keiko to present a Japanese-style Afternoon Tea. This is the second year running we have collaborated on this event and it was oversubscribed in both cases so it looks set to become an annual event in the JETAA NW calendar to keep up with the demand.

In the last month, we have also had two JET pre-departure events: the first at Etsu Japanese restaurant in Liverpool, and the second at Yuzu Japanese restaurant in Manchester. We have a great group of people in the NW about to embark on their JET adventure. We had a good turnout of alumni who gathered to share their experiences of Japan with this year’s outgoing JETs. It was lovely to be involved in something that produced so many smiles from stories of Japan, and it is interesting how JET remains such a memorable part of the lives of alumni. It seems pre-departure get-togethers are some of the most important and enjoyable events on our calendar. Don’t worry if you missed out though: we have more events planned from the summer onwards. Friends, family, and those interested in Japan are also always welcome so do bring some people along to our next event as you’re sure to have a fantastic time with us.

I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in events so far this year. I’m often told of the friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic nature of JETAA NW from outgoing JETs, recent returnees, and long-term alumni alike. I am thrilled to have confirmation that JETAA is working in the NW and feel motivated to continue to support both JETs and alumni throughout the UK and in Japan also. As mentioned earlier, we have put together some great collaborations and fantastic new events not only for the summer but for the remainder of the year too. You are bound to find something to suit you so please do join us in making more wonderfully fun memories together.

Upcoming Events:

Noh performance and workshop in collaboration with Japan Society North West and the Centre for Asian Performance and Dance at Royal Holloway
Date: Saturday 24 August
Venue: Liverpool Friends Meeting House
Times: 13:15-17:00
Blurb: Master Noh actor of the Kita School, Akira Matsui, will be offering a 2 hour workshop on Noh singing and movement. This is a rare and special opportunity to witness this beautiful art, so should not be missed.
RSVP: contact northwest@jetaa.org.uk for more information

Rakugo performance by Sudo Tatsuya and Uehara Masako
Date:  Sunday September 1
Venue: St. Peter’s Chaplaincy, Manchester
Blurb: JETAA NW is collaborating with Japan Society North West to bring members, friends, and family an afternoon of traditional Japanese comedy at St. Peter’s Chaplaincy, Manchester. An advert was circulated by Japan Society North West on July 14th and will be sent out to JETAA  members via Mailchimp thereafter. Please contact northwest@jetaa.org.uk for more information. 

 Example performances can be viewed here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaCVLL0CH_E & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A2PJdyYHIE

Scotland

Upcoming Events: 

Monthly socials at Maki & Ramen (Fountainbridge)
Date: Friday 2 August; Friday 6 September; Friday 4 October; all from 19:30 PM
Venue: All at Maki & Ramen, 97-101 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG
RSVP & more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/315193732692128