Posted on

WANTED: Natsumatsuri Festival Committee

Did you know that the Florida JETAA Natsumatsuri in Tampa has is our largest event each year? What started 13 years ago as a small, local festival run by former JETs has turned into a huge community event that draws over 800 guests! Most importantly, it remains a FREE community event run by volunteers.

After 13 years, John McGee and his family, who spearheaded and led Tampa Natsumatsuri, are returning to Japan. We are sad to see them go, but are excited for a chance to see the festival grow with a newly established Festival Committee under the leadership of Festival Director Tom Gregorich. You don’t have to live in Tampa to participate!

To Join

MESSAGE Tampa Kumicho or email Tampanatsumatsuri@gmail.com.

New committee members that join by June 5th will have a chance to shadow/learn from John directly how he has prepared the festival each year.

Positions

-Floor Manager
Arrange, direct, and monitor set up for festival. Main contact for vendors.

-Festival Treasurer
Keep budget, man front desk at festival

-Inventory Chair(s) (2) 
In charge of storage unit and inventory

-Activities Chair 
Coordinate all FLJETAA activity booths, recruit and direct volunteers

-Stage Manager
Coordinate all on-stage activities. MC.

Posted on

2018 Tampa Natsumatsuri! Calling for volunteers!

 

June 23, 2018 | Tampa Natsumatsuri | Tampa, FL,
Christ the King Church,  821 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Our 2018 flyer is up and ready. About a month and a half to the festival. Join us for this celebration of Japanese culture on a Florida summer evening. Bring the family and enjoy the many vendors, presenters and games. It’s a great time and you’ll be part of an awesome community of friends of Japan.

We’re still looking for volunteers. If you are available to chip in with set-up, break down or during the event, your help is much appreciated! Please contact Tom Gregorich (Orlando@floridajetaa.org).

 

Posted on

5.26.18 | Children’s Day Festival | Gulf Breeze, FL

Date: Saturday, May 26, 2018
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: St. Sylvester Catholic Church 6464 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
Description: This is a free community event. This event provides children a variety of Japanese cultural activities including yo-yo catching game, origami, face painting, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, mini language workshop, mochi (sticky rice) sampling, Okinawa taiko and Karate performance, etc.

There will be koi-fish coloring contests for little children, Japanese brush writing contest for older children and costume contest for all children. There will be food vendors offering various Japanese dishes and sweets. If you have any questions, or are interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Takami Taylor at ktaylor1@uwf.edu.
Posted on

A Visit with the First Lady of Japan!

Some representatives of Florida Jetaa in West Palm Beach were invited to have tea with the First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Akie Abe! Thank you very much for dedicating time to sit with us during Prime Minister Abe’s visit with President Trump.

Thank you, also, to Mrs. Sugiyama (Wife of Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.), Consul General Ken Okaniwa (Consulate General of Japan in Miami), and Ms. Tanaka (Executive Assistant to Mrs. Abe). We thoroughly enjoyed discussing the impact that JET has had on our careers and our views of Japan, and how the JET Alumni network can further contribute to mutual, cultural understanding and foreign relations.

【Photos Copyright: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan】

Posted on

May 12, 2018 | Yukata Bar Crawl | Winter Garden, FL (Near Orlando)

May 12, 2018 | Yukata Bar Crawl | Winter Garden, FL (Near Orlando)

Let’s explore the craft breweries of Winter Garden. Japanese summer festival wear is highly encouraged, so grab your yukata and go!

When: Saturday, May 12, 4:00 p.m.

Where: A selection of bars in downtown Winter Garden starting with Crooked Can Brewing Company. Please see below for full lineup.

Contact/RSVP: Dolly Sanborn (webmaster@floridajetaa.org)

Pub Crawl Lineup:
1) Crooked Can Brewery – 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
2) The Attic Door (on plant street) – 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
3) Moon Cricket Grill (right next door) – 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.
4) Tony’s Liquors (this place is a straight dive bar, so only the serious pub crawlers will be left at this point!) 6:30 -7:00 p.m.

For tips on how to put on your yukata, see here!

Posted on

Volunteer Opportunity 4/22 – Morikami Hatsume Fair

Have you heard of the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens? It’s the only public museum dedicated solely to Japanese Culture, and it’s here in Boca Raton, FL!

Florida JETAA needs volunteers to help with tabling on SUNDAY, APR. 22 at the annual Hatsume Fair. At their table, they will be talking about JET, JETAA, and also raising money for a Japanese Scholarship Fund with a photo booth. Although you’re still quite a ways away from departure, this is a good opportunity to start getting involved with the JET community and meet some JET sempai!

TO VOLUNTEER: Please send a private message to Allan Mordetsky (FL-JETAA Vice President)

Posted on

Calling all Japanese language high school teachers in the US

We are now accepting applications from US high schools for the 2018-19 Global Classmates program, our grant-covered 6-month virtual cultural and language exchange for high school students in the US and Japan.

Move beyond the textbook and provide an opportunity for your upper level Japanese language students to practically learn Japanese in a fun and exciting way, while making friends with Japanese teens in Japan, all from your classroom!

If you are interested in applying, please fill out this simple form (https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfkVleOHZntflcrJn…/viewform) and we will follow up with an application and further details. Applications must be received by April 18th, so be sure to get in touch with us right away!