The Maestro and the Monster
Saturday, November 21, 2026
3:00 PM – Doors Open
3:30 PM – Concert Starts
Nichols Concert Hall
1490 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Registration Fee:
$30 Members / $40 Non-Members / $10 Students
Special thanks to our sponsor:
Concert Program
View the full program (PDF)
Meet the Performers
Monster-Sized Raffle! 🦖
Godzilla is stomping into Chicago this November, and you could take home a piece of kaiju history!
To celebrate The Maestro and the Monster, our November 21 concert of Akira Ifukube’s legendary Godzilla music at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, the Japan America Society of Chicago is raffling off five special treasures for fans and collectors. They include posters signed by two legends of Toho’s golden age, Nakajima Haruo, the original actor inside the Godzilla suit, and Sahara Kenji, star of Rodan and veteran of more Godzilla films than any other actor. There are also autographed books by renowned Godzilla scholar William M. Tsutsui and a striking framed poster where Godzilla meets the art of ikebana.
Each item has its own raffle, so you can put your tickets toward the prize you want most, or try your luck on all five!
Tickets: $5 each, or 5 for $20
Choose your prize:
- Item 1: Godzilla Meets Ikebana Poster
- Item 2: Rodan Poster Signed by Sahara Kenji
- Item 3: Gojira Poster Signed by Nakajima Haruo
- Item 4: Autographed Godzilla on My Mind by William M. Tsutsui
- Item 5: Autographed In Godzilla’s Footsteps edited by William M. Tsutsui and Michiko Ito
The drawing will be held online on November 18, and winners will be notified by email. Prizes may be picked up at the JASC office (500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1000, Chicago) or at The Maestro and the Monster on November 21. You need not be present to win.
Proceeds support scholarships, language education programs, and year-round programs that encourage dialogue, cooperation, and lasting friendship between Japan and the United States.