Chicago – Jan 31 2018

EuroCircle Mixer at the new ACE Hotel Waydown Bar (7th Fl)

Join the local Europeans to celebrate EuroCircle’s 19th annivesary in casual and fun environment at this new boutique hotel ACE featured even by Architectural Digest.
It has really been 19 years since the first event took place in NYC – and 18 years in Chicago.

The Waydown Bar is located on the 7fl at the ACE hotel.
The Chicago Google office is located across the street

See you there on Wednesday. January 31st Ace Hotel Waydown Bar 7fl – from 6 pm to 9 pm. ( Green Line Morgan Stop is a block away from Google.)

No Cover.

Hosted by:

Marjana Vucic

Yulia Tokanina (TBA)

More details will be posted shortly

Orange County – Feb 07 2018

Come out & have fun ! 😉😀
We justhad EuroCircle’s 19th Anniversary in January.

www.germanmixer.com
www.EuroCircle.com

How did Tomi Hinkkanen from Turku, Finland end up being a journalist in LA in the first place?

EuroCircle Team asked me to write a few words about myself, so here goes:

My name is Tomi Hinkkanen and I am a freelance journalist. I work mainly for Finnish news outlets. I have been working as a reporter in Los Angeles since 1994.

As you can imagine, journalism and the way it’s done has changed a lot since then. When I started there was just a phone and a fax machine. Deadlines were a little more lenient too. Now the story has to be done exactly when an event is over and preferably before that.

I am what you call a general assignment reporter, which means I cover a wide variety of topics. One basic category are Finnish people doing something interesting in America. I once met an old Mormon lady in a remote village in Utah, who spoke perfect, although antiquated Finnish. And she had never been to Finland! Her parents had taught her the language. I’ve recently worked on stories about a WW2 lotta (volunteer nurse), a Finnish holiday resort in Central California created by a Finnish immigrant, and a Finnish comedian, who was voted the funniest person in the world.

HOW IS HOLLYWOOD?

Don’t I cover Hollywood stars, being in Los Angeles, you might ask. Over the years I have done lots of movie star interviews. They are arranged by the movie studios, who have their publicists sitting in on every interview session. If you ask something they don’t like, they will ask you to rescind your question at the threat of being blacklisted from that studio’s junkets, as the studio interview events are called. I attended many junkets and met many stars, most of whom were nice. But I never quite got used to the idea that someone else can dictate what I am allowed and not allowed to ask. And yes, I have been blacklisted too for asking wrong questions. So, those star interviews have pretty tapered off for me aside from an occasional gig. think it’s a good thing. I rather spend my limited time doing something else than being an advertising arm for a Hollywood studio anyway.

WHAT STORIES DO I LIKE TO COVER

What do I then like to cover? The best part of my work is that I get to travel across this vast country and talk to people in faraway places. Before the last presidential elections, I went to Texas and the Midwest to chat with people. It was almost like going to a different country. My favorite trip last year took me to Salem, Oregon to witness a total solar eclipse. It was the most memorable experience of my lifetime!

How did I end up being a journalist in LA in the first place? I first came to the US from my native Finland at 19 to study film. I graduated from Columbia College Hollywood with a B.A. in Cinema degree. I then returned to Finland. I made corporate pr-movies and then got into broadcasting, first on a local radio station. One might say I liked to hear my voice on the radio. I was then hired by MTV3, a Finnish TV network as a domestic news reporter, first in my hometown Turku and later in the capital city Helsinki. I did that for five years. Then California called out to me again and I returned to the Golden State – this time as a freelance journalist.

The first years were tough. I should have made a lot more connections with potential employers back in Finland. Now I had to create those contacts from afar. Little by little I managed to gain a steady clientele. I first missed my co- workers, but by now I’m quite used to and comfortable being the lone wolf.

JOURNALISM TODAY

How has journalism changed during my time? As I said before, in the beginning there was just a phone and a fax machine. But there was also mail. And people responded to letters. Now we have gazillion ways of reaching people, but it’s harder than ever to reach them. Finns are especially notorious for not answering their messages. Stories have gotten shorter. Nowadays it’s just the facts, ma’am. Because of digitalization, newspapers can now get stories for next to nothing by copying and pasting stories previously published in big news outlets. Therefore, it’s harder to sell topics. Interviewees have gotten pickier too. But I’ve got to tell you: having a story written about yourself by a professional writer is a wonderful thing for you and your loved ones. Topics have remained pretty much the same. Perhaps editors have become stricter than before. In the past, an average Finn living in LA, doing something interesting might have been a story. Now that person has to be sexy or a celebrity or preferably both in order to make it into the news.

What will future bring? As everybody has a smart phone in their pocket ready to record sound, pictures and video and faraway countries are just a plane ride away, are we foreign correspondents needed anymore? I would like to think so. Surely you can interview people remotely and I have done so too on an occasion. And of course reporters can fly in, do a bunch of stories and leave. I have done that too. But nothing replaces a seasoned, well-connected reporter, who knows his or her turf, culture and customs and can put the story in the right perspective. We are fewer and farther apart, but we are still here – for now.

SHARE WITH ME YOUR STORIES

Finally, I would like to reach out to you. I’m always on the lookout for interesting stories, so if you think you have one, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

In this present anti-immigrant atmosphere, it is important that we immigrants stick together. I would like to see more solidarity especially from us Europeans toward our brothers and sisters from across the southern border. The circumstances in which we relocated to the United States may have been different, but we are all human beings and in this boat together.

Thank you for reading my story and have a wonderful year 2018!

CONTACT TOMI HINKKANEN:

Email Tomi here!
AT FACEBOOK

New York – Feb 16 2018

Come join us for a tantalizing evening of specialty cocktails, burlesque!

No Cover when you say EuroCircle at the door and RSVP by 5pm on February 16, 2018.

Music by DJ Ledwith

There will be a sexy burlesque performance by Puss N Boots who is considered one of NYC’s top teasers and commonly called the hardest working woman in burlesque. She’s a starlet on stage and staple in NYC nightlife.

Puss holds multiple titles from around the globe including Kansas City Queen 2015, 2017 and 2016 and is an artist in residency at Hotel Chantelle. Puss produces her own show in NYC, Naughty Noir, at the legendary rock and roll bar in the east village, Three of Cups Lounge.
Featured host:
Nina Kulmala, Finland
Look forward to seeing everyone for a fun night out! Feel free to invite friends, the more the merrier!
About Doux Supper Club!
Doux Supperclub looks to bring the mystery and exclusivity of a Parisian speakeasy to the heart of NYC. Behind the doors of Doux you’ll experience the concept of a clandestine Parisian bar through innovative decor, craft cocktails and a unique blend of delectable desserts and dark, seductive performances. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the illicit luxury and decadence of Doux.

Austin – Jan 30 2018

EuroCircle’s 19th Anniversary Winter Drinks @ South Congress Hotel Library

The first event took place on Jan 11 1999 in NYC.  Join us to celebrate our 19th anniversary.

The Hotel will create specialty menus with some discounted features including beer, wine and a few specialty cocktails available throughout that duration of time.
Guests may purchase food on their own, if you’d like. In addition, the hotel will have its existing food menus available.

The Hotel will offer also complimentary valet parking for the 3 event hours, if the guests do stay beyond that a $15.00 per car fee will apply.

(They  will stanchion off a side of the bar that is closest to the Library to offer our guests direct access to order drinks.)

Houston – Jan 31 2018

EuroCircle Celebrates Its 19th Anniversary at Cuchara

The EuroCircle Houston team requests the pleasure of your company to join and share its milestone at the authentic Mexico City bistro, Cuchara.
Its modern ambiance juxtaposed with jolts of color and texture makes a perfect backdrop for sipping cocktails at the bar, savor the intense flavors of authentic bites, share
old and make new stories with new and renewed friends …. Live, love, laugh, and happy 2018 !

You all helped us get here and it would not be the same without you to create more memories. See you’all on the 31st and bring more friends…. Cheers !

Location details: CUCHARA RESTAURANT
214 FAIRVIEW STREET HOUSTON, TX 77006

Date and Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018
Please RSVP and we look forward to seeing all of you, Venere, Shahla, Michelle and the extended EC family.

While logged on to FB, please go on and create an account with your FB credentials !

Denver – Jan 19 2018

 EuroCircle Denver Kick-off 2018 & 19th Anniversary Drinks

FINALLY! Let’s celebrate the new year with our first EuroCircle Event in 2018!!!

This location was recommended by one of our members, so let’s check it out and enjoy some great food and drinks together!
At the same time we can celebrate EuroCircle’s 19th Anniversary as an organization

See you there!

Atlanta – Jan 10 2018

EuroCircle New Year 2018 Get-together @ Three Sheets

I hope everyone’s new year is off to a great start.
Our first get-together for 2018 will take place at THREE SHEETS next Wednesday, January 10th.
This time, we will meet inside the venue where we will have a reserved area set up especially for our group. Complimentary appetizers will be served as usual and parking is free and plentiful around the venue.
Please feel free to invite all your international & like-minded friends and I look forward to all of us coming together to celebrate the new year.

See you next week!!! Please note that Jan 11 2018 is also EuroCircle’s 19th anniversary as an organization

Salutations,
David
Atlanta Eurocircle

San Francisco – Jan 11 2018

1st EuroCircle Event in 2018! Thursday January 11 at 8PM @ Water

We have the entire 2nd floor reserved for just us to enjoy the nice water/city view.

About The Water:

Classic & SAN FRANCISCO INSPIRED. Located along the historic SF waterfront, ATwater Tavern offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, AT&T Park, Bay Bridge and more. Our culinary focus is rooted in the story of San Francisco, its people, its waters and its history.

New York – Jan 23 2018

Empire Rooftop @ the Empire Hotel

Join EuroCircle as we celebrate our 19th anniversary at this hotspot rooftop overlooking Lincoln Center.
No cover when you RSVP by 5pm on January 23, 2018 and say EuroCircle at the door!
Our group has our own private section on the West Terrace and the rooftop is fully enclosed!

Empire Sunset cocktails will be on special throughout the night!
Dress Code: Dress to impress in either black or gold (recommended but not required)

There will be great music playing throughout the night.
A full cocktail and food menu are available for purchase.

Featured Host: Ana Calvo de Luis, Spain

We look forward to celebrating our 19th anniversary with you!

Best,

Alexandra and the EuroCircle New York Team