A Night Of Flamenco At Tokyo American Club’s First Embassy Night

The Savvy Team had the honor of experiencing a night of Spanish culture and culinary at Tokyo American Club’s first Embassy Night.

The Tokyo American Club is a premier private club founded in 1928. With over 4,000 members, it offers a wide range of world-class cultural, recreational and business-oriented events in Japan’s capital. Embassy Nights is the club’s newest cultural event, inviting members and guests to celebrate international traditions. Having experienced the event ourselves, we eagerly anticipate the next celebration featuring the Jamaican embassy.

Embassy Nights: Olé España

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

As the first installment in a series done in collaboration with different embassies in Tokyo, Embassy Nights is a black-tie affair that has members and guests alike experience a taste of each country. Olé España featured top-class performances by flamenco dancer Ken Nagata, a troupe of bailaores (flamenco dancers) and pianist Azumi Nishizawa.

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

The multi-course menu for the evening was crafted by the Spanish embassy’s resident chef. Each dish was inspired by a region in Spain and its local specialty. This included a selection of tapas, classic seafood paella, roasted Spanish beef and an indulgent Basque burnt cheesecake with Castillo de Canena Olive Oil on ice cream.

At the end of the night, a pair of roundtrip premium economy tickets to Barcelona sponsored by Cathay Pacific were given away to a lucky club member.

A Truly Immersive Experience

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

From start to finish, the event was a truly immersive experience. Prior to entering the New York Ballroom at the Tokyo American Club, guests were treated to a demonstration of sherry pouring from a venencia (a tool for drawing sherry from barrels) vessel alongside hors d’oeuvres. As club members made their way to their seats, traditional Spanish music by a live band filled the air, and members of the troupe of bailaores danced around and welcomed everyone to their tables.

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

A few of the event highlights included a dance by Ken Nagata fusing traditional Japanese music with Flamenco dance techniques and the riveting projection mapping that accompanied the pieces Azumi Nishizawa played on the piano.

Future Embassy Nights

© Photo by Tokyo American Club

The night ended with Spanish ambassador Fidel Sendagorta Gomez del Campillo​ passing on the baton to Jamaican Ambassador Shorna-Kay M. Richards, whose embassy will be hosting the next Embassy Night in June 2024.

Embassy Nights: One Love

Join the upcoming Embassy Night for an elegant black-tie dinner celebrating 60 years of Japan–Jamaica friendship, where Jamaican Ambassador Richards will welcome guests to an evening filled with the vibrant sounds of steelpan and reggae from artist Mackaruffin, along with displays of Jamaican art and culture. Savor a full-course menu crafted by Jamaican-Japanese chef Angelee Koshiishi, featuring delights such as Caribbean bouillabaisse, oxtail ravioli, jerk chicken and Blue Mountain Coffee crème caramel. Raise a glass of the ambassador’s secret-recipe rum punch and toast to the islands and Jamaica’s “one love” philosophy!

• Date: Sat, Jun. 15 (Register by Tue, Jun. 11, 5 p.m.)
• Time: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Location: New York Ballroom, Tokyo American Club
• Price: Members: ¥20,000; Guests: ¥25,000 (Premium tables are available for booking up to 8 people.)
• Dress code: Formal
• Adults only

For more information about signing up for membership with Tokyo American Club, visit their official website.