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30 Hours of Taiko to Celebrate 30th Anniversary

5/29/2024

Nen Daiko members at the end of the 30 Hours of Taiko wearing our commemorative tank tops - Photo: Tonia Sine

Nen Daiko says a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with 30 Hours of Taiko on May 24-25!

Thank you to all the Nen Daiko alumni who were interviewed or who sent best wishes videos. Some also joined in the fun during the livestream. Thanks to Ruth, Wally, Josh, Elsa, Kevin, Lisa, Greg, Brenda, Pearl, Calvin, Brig, Chris, Victoria, and Hana. See the videos at https://www.youtube.com/@nendaiko5459.

In the photos, you’ll see a very large drum owned by Nen Daiko member Ron. Thank you Ron for sharing your beautiful drum for this event, including transporting it!

How did we stay awake? First, we improvised to heavy-metal and pop songs. We put towels on our drums during those jam sessions so we could still hear the recorded music. Second, we played a taiko video game called Taiko No Tatsujin.

There were many hours of fun, but also serious moments. Nen Daiko celebrated Sachiko Tomomatsu who played with the group from 2000-2008. Her daughters Lya and Lyna continue her legacy as Nen Daiko members.

During the finale, Nen Daiko members took turns on the odaiko while wearing hats and other items of clothing that told a story - Photo: Tonia Sine

Dounen Daiko members playing with light saber bachi - Photo: Jeff Pichocki

We loved the visits from Dounen Daiko members and friends! On Friday, they played with lightsaber bachi that glowed in the dark. On Saturday, they gave us a much-needed break in the afternoon with their song Anthem. Thank you to Connor, Sasa, Sofi, Nami, Sami, Masa, Ryan, and Kai.

Thank you to everyone who brought us delicious food! Thanks to Nori & Ken, Tonia & Ron, Lisa & Greg, Ross & Brant, Miki, and the Andrews family.

Thank you to everyone who donated to 30 Hours of Taiko! With everyone’s generous contributions, we reached our fundraising goal! Now we can always remember our 30th anniversary as the moment when we gained two new chu daiko or medium-sized taiko! We will debut these drums at Ekoji’s Obon festival on July 13. Thank you Mr. Toshi Kato for making our drums. Our donors were:

Andrea
Anna
Arlene
Brenda
Brian
Bruce
Calvin
Carla
Christopher
Corinne
Dee
Diane
Donna

Elsa & Kevin
Emily & Bruce
Erika
Erin
Hana
Heather
Hoh Daiko
Jeff
Jim
John
Josh
Ken
Kevin

Lee
Lisa
Lisa & Greg
Lya & Lyna
Mark H
Maya & Brant
Miki
Miye
Nancy
Naoko
Nori & Ken
Norman
Paris

Paul
Phil
Ron & Tonia
Ruth & Steve
Steve & Kelly
Therese
Valarie
Vicki
Victoria
Wally & Maureen
Wes
Yurika

If you would like to make a contribution, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nen-daiko-for-30-hours-of-taiko or you can donate with a check - contact us at [email protected]. Thanks!

Screenshot from event livestream taken by Brant Horio - song is Omiyage compsed by Shoji Kameda

Photo: Tonia Sine

Greg & Lisa play in a double-wide happi coat - Photo: Carla Brown

Photo: Tonia Sine

Playing Yatai during the event finale - Photo: Tonia Sine

Photo: Carla Brown

Dounen Daiko members visit - Photo: Jeff Pichocki

Photo: Tonia Sine

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Nen Daiko's Favorite Eateries - 2024

5/7/2024

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This year as part of our 30th anniversary, we are taking a moment to document the “every day” - meaning the small moments that add up to make 30 years of awesome.

And food is definitely a big part of Nen Daiko culture. Nen Daiko spends a lot (like a LOT, a lot) of time eating together. We love to cook and share our homemade treats. But we also love eating out after shows and practice.

So here’s a list of our current favorite eateries and food! Great places to nosh and hang out!

Photo by Mike Gallan, May 2022

Breeze Bakery Cafe - 4125 Hummer Rd, Annandale, VA 22003 - www.breezebakery.com

Insanely good and artisanal baked goodies.
Delicious Sandwiches and such - Try the Bulgogi Quesadilla!

Korean BBQ! So many good places, but we frequent Iron Age and Yechon (open 24/7 for those late nights!)

Chi Mc - 9522 Burke Rd, Burke, VA 22015 - www.chimcusa.com

Korean Fried wings with Spicy or Soy garlic sauce. We go half and half!
Truffle fries are amazing too!
They serve Soju 😀

Foolishness at Kung Fu Tea - Photo by Mike Gallan

Dounen Daiko celebrates a performance at Kung Fu Tea - Photo by Mike Gallan

Kung Fu Tea - 9530B Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA 22015 - www.kungfutea.com

Great place for after-taiko bubble tea!

Glory Days - 9526 Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA 22015 - www.glorydaysgrill.com

We love this place after a big show for the amazing food and $5 margaritas!

Margaritas and more with Yuta after a workshop February 2024

Mochinuts!

BGR (Burgers Grilled Right) - 8420 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152 - www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com

The best build-your-own burgers! Wagyu, Bison, Lamb, Tuna!
Everything's better if you add bacon and an egg on it!

Ren’s Ramen- 11403 Amherst Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Great place any time we are in town for CONNECT!
Some of the best ramen in the DMV. Also try the yuzu soda!

L & L Hawaiian BBQ - 4363 John Marr Drive, Annadale, VA 22003 - https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/locations/annandale/

We hit this on opening weekend so it was way busy and so delish! Looking forward to their full menu!
Also houses Tiger Sugar - https://www.tigersugarva.us/ - yum!

Marumen, June 2015

Places we want to try! Let us know what your favorites are from these:

Rice Culture - 2672D Avenir Pl, Vienna, VA 221801 - https://www.riceculture.com/