There is an informal Japanese speaking night at Asian Art Museum @ Civic Center. This is for both native and non-native Japanese speakers to chat over a cup of tea or sake (you may need it to release your stress of speaking foreign language) and/or delicious meal at Cafe Asia. You can polish and practice Japanese and make new friends at the same time.
There are no given topic or lecture, no speeches. Just talk about anything; art, food, movie, jobs, manga, anime, etc
Date: Aug 9, 7pm.(First time) Cost: none. Entry to Cafe Asia is free, just tell the admissions attendants that you are going to the Cafe and they will give you a special sticker. You just pay for your drink/food. If you want to take a look around the museum and/or special exhibitions: "Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga" and/or Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales:Woodblock Prints from Edo to Meiji, Thursday nights (after 5pm), admission is just $5.