Issue:
WITH CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND HANAMI BECKONING, it’s definitely time to do something fun, and a glance at the FCCJ’s monthly calendar shows a remarkable mix of entertainment options. For all those wondering what benefits they can gain from membership, I’d like to highlight some of the many past and future events our hardworking committee members and staff have been organizing.
First, hats off to Tokyu IRS and president Masaichi Nakauchi. He and his busy staff have been collaborating with several of our committees on events like the March 19 maguro dinner which was a huge hit. Yashima Suisan provided a melt in your mouth selection of their best tuna, prepared and presented by the award winning sushi restaurant Suehiro zushi. Their top chef, Eiji Mochizuki, came all the way up from Shizuoka especially for the event. Food & Beverage Committee chair Rike Wootten said, “Over 20 people told me how much they enjoyed the event. And six people said it was the best event they have ever attended at the FCCJ.”
On March 24, Tokyu IRS, with Entertainment Committee support, held a “Delicious Tottori Prefecture” dinner featuring the region’s famous wagyu beef and sake. Special guest Governor Shinji Hirai was there to meet our members. From April 1, Tottori wagyu T-bone steak is on the menu of the Pen & Quill dining room the only place in Tokyo you can dine on one of these exclusive cuts. Tottori Prefecture and Governor Hirai have also invited a group of our Regular Members for a visit to the region April 22-23 as part of a press tour organized by IRS and the Special Projects Committee (SPC).
From the beginning of this month, 1,000 JTB sales staff are distributing a new FCCJ brochure advertising the Club as a venue for corporate seminars and events, and a new Tokyu IRS sales staff is joining us to support our banquet event sales. Students from Yokosuka high school are visiting the club for a tour and talk by regular member Jonathan Soble, organized jointly by IRS Tokyo and JTB.
Many thanks to Special Projects Committee chair Haruko Watanabe and the others who helped organize a birthday celebration for our beloved, long-time staff Mohammed Hanif on March 14. Members and staff donned “Happy Birthday Hanif” T-shirts and enjoyed the birthday cake. I’ll never forget Hanif- san’s smile. It was a truly memorable moment; a great opportunity to show appreciation for his years of service. (See page 18.)
Haruko-san and her SPC committee members manage to magically secure tickets to some of the most popular, sold-out performances in town. Recent conquests include a Takarazuka Revue 100th anniversary performance and champagne lunch on March 15. Upcoming events include: Press Tour to Flagship Atakemaru Cruise and Appreciation of Edo Theater Culture (April 7); Study Tour to Toray Mishima Factory (April 10); world premiere of the musical “Lady Bess” (April 19); and “The Prince of the Pagodas” ballet (June 15).
Entertainment Committee chair Sandra Mori has been the force behind countless superb in-house events since the 1990s. Committee member Dennis Normile oversees the excellent Saturday Nite Live music line-up. I was among the many fans that made up the full house for the Mike Price Jazz Quintet performance on March 8.
The Food & Beverage Committee also oversees an impressive array of events including the FCCJ Sunday Brunch Buffets (Spanish cuisine was the March feature). The popular Monthly Wine Tasting for April focused on affordable wines from “new world” countries such as Chile, South Africa and Argentina.
I must also mention the outstanding film screenings with guest appearances organized by the Movie Committee and chair Karen Severns; the eye-catching photography and art exhibitions in the Bar & Grill and sushi restaurant organized by the Exhibition Committee and chair Bruce Osborn; the monthly “Book Break” dinners and talks by a variety of captivating authors set up by the Library Committee with co-chairs Suvendrini Kakuchi and Koichi Ishiyama.
