October of 2009

October 3	The Taiwanese film CAPE NO. 7 is shown at the Rice Media Center as part of an Asian Film Festival, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Film Auditorium. This romantic comedy explores the unwavering pursuits of music, dreams, and love intertwined with themes of generational differences, cultural diversity and small town life. This event is free and open to the public. The dialog is in Mandarin and Japanese.
3	Sushi Club of Houston is scheduled to meet at 1:00 pm at Kaneyama, 9527 Westheimer. An RSVP is absolutely required.
5	This is roughly the peak of the fall sun outage season for TV Japan, the major source of Japanese culture in Houston. This occurs when the sun appears behind the satellite (61.5 W longitude) at about 10:36 am Houston time. Areas cleanly illuminated by sunlight at exactly this time of day are suitable for setting up a satellite dish for receiving TV Japan without blockage of the microwave signal by obstructions such as trees, buildings, etc.
7	The Houston Bonsai Society holds their monthly general membership meeting.
7	Cooking class SUSHI will be taught at Central Market (Westheimer at Weslayan), 6:30 - 9:00 pm, by Chris Nemoto. Call 713-993-9860 for more information.
9	The Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association presents "Japanese American Resettlement through the Lens" as part of their Through the Lens Author Series, at Kim Son Restaurant-Bellaire, featuring photos from the WWII resettlement camps.
10	At the Sansuikai Center, a mother-child book reading event will be held today for children and mothers who speak Japanese, beginning at 10:30 pm. Contact sansuikaijbahouston.org for further information.
10 & 11	The Bayou City Arts Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Houston. Typically one or two crafts people attend this festival selling Japanese materials, but the festival WWW site is presently not functioning (no listing of crafts people). Call 713-862-5530 for more information.
11	The Houston Bonsai Society holds their Fall Show and Sale at the Houston Garden Center in Hermann Park.
11	This is the final sign-up date for the 6th Friendly Tennis Competition of the Japanese Association of Greater Houston, which takes place on October 18.
12	The Houston Japanese Conversation Group meets at 7:00 pm at Kaneyama on Westheimer. This is a great opportunity for students and native speakers to socialize and speak Japanese in a casual setting. Like other MeetUp events, this is organized using the MeetUp WWW site.
12	This is roughly the final date for registration for Session V Japanese language classes at the Japan America Society of Houston. Contact the Japan America Society of Houston for further information, 713-962-0121.
15	Beginning Japanese Writing Lab is taught at Leisure Learning as class no. S5752B. Note that these Leisure Learning classes are typically far too short to teach beyond low level basics. Call 713-529-4414 for more information.
15 - 18	The International Quilt Market & Festival takes place at the George R. Brown center downtown. This typically features an exhibit from Japan, several vendors selling Japanese materials, and several Japan-related craft classes. Consult the festival WWW site for detailed information.
16	The Culture Kai of the Japan America Society of Houston tours the Woodlands, 9:30 am through 2:30 pm. Although the tour is in English, most of the participants are Japanese, so there is certain to be Japanese conversation during lunch. An RSVP and payment by October 6th are required. Contact the Japan America Society of Houston for further information, 713-962-0121.
18	Class "Sushi & Sashimi" is taught at 3 pm to 6 pm at Leisure Learning as class no. S4100J. Call 713-529-4414 for more information.
18	This is the final day of the pottery exhibit "Fragmento - Carlos Runcie Tanaka" at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama.
18	The 6th Friendly Tennis Competition of the Japanese Association of Greater Houston takes place at 8:45 AM through noon at the Pine Forest Country Club, 18003 Clay Road (281-463-0900).
23 - 30	Ron Hartgrove's exhibit "Basho's Garden and Musashi's Five Rings" runs at Hartgrove Galleries, 5905 Winsome Lane, 713-789-4854. Over 100 paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and oil honor Basho and Musashi as artists. A private opening also occurs prior to the public opening. Contact the Japan America Society of Houston specifically for information on the private opening, 713-962-0121.
25	The Japanese Medical Association of Greater Houston will hold a Texas Wine Tasting Party at 2 pm to 5 pm in the general area of the Astrodome. Wines from Texas will be featured. Since this is a family-friendly event, non-alcoholic beverages will also be served. Contact members of the Japanese Medical Association of Greater Houston for more information.
30	Class "Advanced Sushi" is taught at 3 pm to 6 pm at Leisure Learning as class no. S4103H. Call 713-529-4414 for more information.
October 30	Lectures at Rice University will be presented on Japanese smart grid, LED lighting, and the hydrogen economy technology (not the presently widespread existing hydrogen economy of oil refining, but rather hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles and home heating/electricity). Contact the Consulate-General of Japan at Houston for further information.

Do you know of an event that is missing? Write to the Japan-Houston mailing list, which provides timely notification of these events. Also see Useful Japan-related Links for the Houston Area.