Blog

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!