All are welcome to attend, not only those interested in joining the group!

Recruitment for 2011 has finished.  Please check back next year!

On Saturday, August 20th, Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, Inochi Taiko, Mirai Daiko, San Francisco Taiko Dojo, and Soh Daiko performed for a packed house of 1700 people at the Stanford Memorial Auditorium for the 8th Bi-Annual North American Taiko Conference‘s Taiko Jam Concert. What a rush!

Soh Daiko spent months preparing for this event that was filled with blood, sweat and tears. The last time Soh Daiko performed at Taiko Jam was in 1997, which was the first conference held in Los Angeles. To be invited again and to perform with such prestigious groups was an honor and privilege.

Soh Daiko performed our two signature pieces, Yuudachi and Hachidan, with musical interludes by our good friend, Yoko Fujimoto of Kodo.  Our group avoided a near catastrophe in Yuudachi as an odaiko on stage right began to roll off the riser during our performance. Luckily Matt, one of our newest members, caught the stand as it rolled off the stage to save the day! MVP!!!

We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to San Jose Taiko, Meg Suzuki, Kris Bergstrom, Yuta Kato, Taiko Jam and Conference staff, Yoko Fujimoto, and many others who helped put together an amazing conference and concert. We would also like to thank all the audience members, family, and friends for your overwhelming amount of support and standing ovation! Otsukaresama!!!!

Photos by Kim Nakashima

Escaping the 100+ degree temperatures, the group transported our equipment from the basement of our dojo on the Upper West Side to the prestigious museum on Central Park West, carting our stands, taiko, and sweaty selves through its displays of African masks and moon rocks.

After setting up our pieces, Soh Daiko performed for alumni, friends, and family. We would like to give a big THANK YOU to all of you who gave us valuable feedback and comments.

Shortly after adjusting our pieces, with seats packed and audience members in the aisle, Soh Daiko performed for the public. We would also like to thank everyone who attended this open-rehearsal performance! We feel slightly more prepared for our upcoming show at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California on August 20th. Buy your tickets now!

Soh Daiko would also like to thank Matt Tom-Wolverton for not only all his technical skills, but for providing all these amazing photographs for all Soh Daiko posts.

You must be on the guest list to receive free admission and to be guaranteed seating in the theater, and MUST enter at the 77th St Staff entrance (between Columbus Ave and Central Park West) no later than 2:30 pm. Doors will be open to the general museum public at 2:45 pm.

Please RSVP for each person attending.

As a tradition, our bus stopped off at the Sorbello Girls Farm Market to pick up some delicious locally-grown produce before reaching the festival.

We arrived at the temple shortly after 5PM to join our sister groups, Nen Daiko of Fairfax, Virginia, and Hoh Daiko, of Seabrook, New Jersey, to celebrate obon with the church and local community.

After over three hours of drumming, dancing, foods and crafts, Soh Daiko packed up and made our long journey back to the big city. We look forward to returning to the lovely town of Seabrook next year, where the people are friendly and the corn grows high beneath the big blue summer sky.

Yesterday, July 10th, Soh Daiko celebrated the New York Buddhist Church‘s 62nd Annual Obon Dance Festival in the scenic Bryant Park. With church members dressed in beautiful yukatas and Soh Daiko in festival happi shirts, we joined  the public to celebrate this cheerful holiday in which we honor the memory of those who have passed away.

The hot summer day started off with an exciting performance from our good friends and sister group, Hoh Daiko, who traveled over two hours from Seabrook, New Jersey, to join us in this annual celebration. 

With warm messages from Reverend Hoshu Matsubayashi, the NYC Mayor’s office,  the Japanese Consulate, and others, the Obon festivities lasted over four hours of dancing and drumming. In fact, one of Soh Daiko’s rising stars joined his mother in leading one of the dances!

Soh Daiko performed some of our signature pieces, including Matsuri-daiko, Yuudachi, and Hachidan-uchi, for a very enthusiastic and supportive crowd. Thank you to those who attended and for all those who continue to make the Obon Dance Festival one of our favorite performances! And much thanks to Rob Mitchell, Jr., for taking this wonderful picture!

Mets Citi Field in Queens

On June 21st, Soh Daiko hit the Mets Citifield Stadium in Flushing, Queens, for an opening performance of Hachidan for Japan Heritage Night, followed by a traditional dance performance by the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY. This was the 2nd year of this event, which became a fundraiser as a portion of each ticket sold through Japan-affiliated groups and mets.com/japan went towards Japan relief efforts.

Soh Daiko setting up

Hideki Matsui of the Oakland A's

The Mets played the Oakland A’s with Hideki Matsui in attendance. The game went back and forth, but the food was good! Matsui came to the plate with bases loaded, and he hit a sacrifice fly ball that scored one run. In the end, the A’s beat the Mets 7-3.

Soh Daiko members watch the game

Mets score a home run!