Chicago Cultural Alliance

Holiday Delight & Kodomo Matsuri 2023
2023-11-11 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Japanese American Service Committee, 4427 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640, United States
Join the fun in the Clark Street building for one last time before JASC moves to their new location. Food, fun, and festivities for all ages – don’t miss it!

Soup & Rice
2023-10-20 18:00 - 20:00
Based on the idea of Soup & Bread community meals, come enjoy a good meal for a good cause.

JASC Kids Day Off Camp
2023-10-09 09:00 - 13:00
School’s out? Come to the Japanese American Service Committee for fun with traditional Japanese games.

Donguri Kai: Summer Storytime
2023-07-01 10:30 - 11:30
Listen to children’s stories read aloud by students from Japanese American Service Committee’s children’s Japanese program.

Tampopo Kai Summer Pop-Up Class
2023-06-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-19 10:00 - 11:00
Japanese American Service Committee will be teaching about Japanese summer celebrations and the Star Festival, with crafts, songs, and more at this special family class.

Bento Box Flower Arranging Workshop
2023-05-12 18:00 - 20:00
Flower Arranging Workshop In Person at JASC !
Spark your imagination into action with spring blossoms and create your own “Bento Box” flower arrangement with instructor Mrs. Yuko Inoue Darcy of the Ohara School of Ikebana. This special square shaped arrangement looks like a Bento Box (a Japanese lunch box). Just in time for Mother’s Day and other May celebrations. Take home your beautiful arrangement after the workshop. Come early at 5:30 pm for a pre-workshop tea time mixer before the workshop starts at 6 pm.
All flowers and materials needed for the workshop are included in the class fee.
Please park on nearby side streets for free or use the metered parking on Clark Street. The JASC parking lot is not available on the evening of May 12.
Cost of Workshop:
JASC Members: $60.00
Non- Members: $65.00
Bring a Friend Discount:
$110 (JASC Members) $120 (Non-Members) when you register two people at the same time.
Registration closes May 9, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Friday, May 12, 2023 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm
JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640
Register HERE.

Learn to Make Japanese Sweets – Hinamatsuri Suhama
2023-03-03 18:00 - 19:30
Create a Hina-ningyo (Emperor and Empress doll set) made of Suhama, a type of Wagashi (Japanese sweets)
Celebrate Hinamatsuri learning to make suhama (a type of Japanese sweet wagashi) with Wagashi Master, Toshiko Sugii Steffes at the JASC!
Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day) is March 3 and what better way to celebrate than learning to make a set of Hina–nigyo (Emperor and Empress dolls) out of suhama for the holiday. Attendees will make the wagashi dolls as well Bonbori (Lantern shaped sweets) and Hishi-mochi (Diamond shaped cakes of three colors).
Attendees will be able to view an elaborate doll set display with eight tiers donated to the JASC by Jennifer Mari Goldberg.
All materials needed for the workshop are included in the fee.
Free parking in our lot to the north of our building.
Date: Friday, March 3, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Pre-event Tea Time from 5:30 pm with tea and light refreshments
Cost: $55 for JASC Members, $45 for Non-members
Bring a Friend Discount: $80 (JASC Members), $100 (Non-Members) when you register two people at the same time.

Soup & Rice February 2023
2023-02-24 18:00 - 20:00
Based on the idea of Soup & Bread community meals, we are hosting our own series of monthly gatherings this winter.
Join the fun ~
Volunteer soup makers bring a crock pot of soup to share. JASC provides rice, bowls, and spoons. Attendees may donate any amount and all funds raised at the February meal will be donated to Care for Real.
Sign up online to make soup HERE or contact Jenn Trautvetter at (773) 275-0097 ext. 228 or email her at jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org to volunteer or ask questions.

Flower Arranging Workshop
2023-02-10 18:00 - 20:00
Make a beautiful arrangement just in time for Valentine’s day! Mrs. Yuko Inoue Darcy (Ohara School of Ikebana) will lead a flower arranging workshop on February 10, 2023 from 6 – 8 pm.

All flowers and supplies included in the class fee, and you take your creation home at the end of the workshop.

Come early for tea time starting at 5:30 pm. Register at tinyurl.com/jascregister

Setsubun Day Camp
2023-02-03 10:00 - 13:00
Let’s welcome spring together!
JASC hosts a day camp for children to experience traditions for the Japanese holiday of Setsubun (節分).
February 3 is Setsubun (節分); the last day of winter in the 24 solar terms that divide a lunar calendar year.
Campers will learn about traditions for bringing good luck. They will do a craft project creating a demon mask followed by making and eating sushi rolls.
NOTE: Your child MUST BE in between 1st grade and 6th grade as of the date of the registration.
Fee:
JASC members $40
Non-JASC members $50

New Year Kids Camp
2023-01-16 10:00 - 12:00
Come to the JASC and experience Kakizome（書初め – calligraphy）and Hatsuike (初生け – ikebana/flower arranging）at our New Year Kids Camp!
This cultural event is a full day, in-person, drop-off day camp for children in 1st – 6th grades.
Kakizome and Hatsuike are annual traditions for the New Year in Japan. People write the first calligraphy of their resolution for the new year in Kakizome. Hatsuike is a first ceremony of the year to continue to practice diligence in ikebana.
In the camp, participants will learn the basics of calligraphy and flower arranging. Their work will be displayed in an exhibit at the end of the camp for everyone to view and appreciate the artwork of each camper.
Full capacity for the camp is 24 students. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register now at by clicking HERE
WHEN: Monday, January 16, 2022, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
WHERE: JASC (4427 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640)
FEE: JASC Member: $25; Non-JASC Member: $30

Wear clothes that are OK to get stained. (Black ink is used in the calligraphy lesson)
Bring a water bottle.
Let your teacher know if you have any allergies.

Donguri Kai New Year Kids Camp
2023-01-04 15:34
JASC’s Children’s Program Donguri Kai invites 1st through 6th graders to a day camp celebrating Japanese New Year traditions. Campers will learn the basics of calligraphy (kakizome) and flower arranging (ikebana) and the cultural significance of these practicing arts at the new year. Everyone will showcase their creations at the end of camp.

Ikebana Holiday Workshop
2022-12-13 14:00
Ikebana Workshop In Person at JASC building!
Explore the art of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) by creating your own holiday centerpiece with instructor Mrs. Yuko Inoue Darcy of the Ohara School of Ikebana. Take home your beautiful arrangement after the workshop.
All flowers and materials are included in the class fee.
Free parking in the lot north of our building.
Cost: JASC Members: $60.00
Non- Members: $65.00
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640
Register HERE.

42nd Annual Holiday Delight & Kodomo Matsuri
2022-11-12 10:00 - 16:00
Family fun for all ages at the 42nd annual Holiday Delight. The festival hosts a wide variety of vendors selling one-of-a-kind goods such as fine art, jewelry, fabric arts, pottery, and Japanese collectible items. Homemade baked goods donated by community bakers will be for sale as well as craft kits, raffle tickets, and a silent auction.
Cultural performances include Tsukasa Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming at 11:30 am and 3 pm), Toyoaki Shamisen (Japanese lute at 2:30 pm), and Shubukai (Japanese classical dance at noon). Official Welcome followed by Visit with Santa at 12:30 pm

Soup & Rice
2022-09-23 18:00 - 20:00
Are you ready to attend a community meal and support a good cause?
Based on the idea of Soup & Bread community meals, we are hosting our own community meal and gathering.

How does this work?
Volunteer soup makers bring a crock pot of their favorite soup to share. JASC provides rice, bowls and spoons. Soup eaters make a donation with all funds raised going to a local nonprofit organization.
Come join the fellowship and fun for a good cause Friday, September 23.
Questions? Want to volunteer to bring soup?
Contact Jenn Trautvetter, 773-275-0097, ext. 228 or jtrautetter@jasc-chicago.org

JASC Legacy Center Screening Event
2022-08-04 18:00 - 19:30
Join the Japanese American Service Committee for a free screening event on Thursday, August 4th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.! Our amazing Legacy Center interns will be premiering their audio and video projects as a culmination of their eight-week experience at JASC. Come to meet these talented young people, learn what resonated with them in the Legacy Center’s archives, and see the fruits of their labor. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with our six interns.
This event will be held in person at the JASC building (4427 N Clark St, Chicago) with a simultaneous livestream on the JASC Youtube channel for those who are unable to attend, and a recording will be available afterward.
In person attendees are invited to stay for a reception with refreshments to congratulate the interns on their successful completion of the program.
To attend in person: Pre-registration required, registration cutoff is noon on Monday, August, 1st. Click here to register.
To join remotely or watch a recording afterward: No registration required. Simply visit the JASC Youtube channel to watch the program.
