Events
Upcoming Events
2023
Makoto Taiko Performs at Nisei Week
August 20, 2023
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC)
244 San Pedro St,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Showcasing Japanese drum (taiko) groups from across Southern California.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Past Events
2023
Makoto Taiko Performs Our Promise Launch at JANM
August 5, 2023,
Japanese American National Museum 100 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
2 pm to 5 pm
2023
Makoto Taiko Performs at the Altadena Library
July 22, 2023, 600 E. Mariposa Street Altadena, California 91001
Main Library Parking Lot 11 am to 12 pm. All ages welcome
2023
Makoto Taiko Annual Concert
June 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA at the Aratani Theater
The power, precision, and artistry of Japanese drumming will take center stage when Makoto Taiko presents its annual concert – Legacy
The 129-member Pasadena-based ensemble—one of the largest in Southern California—will perform both traditional and modern compositions sure to inspire. Makoto Taiko invites you to join us as we honor our sensei Koji Nakamura and celebrate his 40 years of playing taiko.
2023
ArtNight Pasadena
March 10, 2023, in Pasadena, CA – FREE PERFORMANCE
Makoto Taiko will perform 4 sets during the evening scheduled for 6:15, 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15 at the Shumei Center, 2430 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
ArtNight Pasadena is the city’s premier art and culture event. As many as 20 arts and culture venues open their doors for a free evening of art, music, and entertainment.
2023
Huntington Library Chinese New Year Festival
Feb. 4-5, 2022, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
Makoto Taiko will perform 3 sets 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, with Wushu Tai Chi
2022
Makoto Taiko Performs at the GREEN LIFE FOOD MARKET
December 18th, 2022
Shumei Center, 2430 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
2022
Makoto Taiko Winter Recital
December 10, 2022
Franklin Elementry School, 527 Ventura St, Altadena, CA 91001
2022
Makoto Taiko Performs at The Suicide Prevention Walk
November 25th, 2022
2022
Makoto Taiko Performs at Nisei Week Taiko Gathering
Sunday, August 21, 2022
2:30-3:00 PM
Arrive early for parking and walk to the JACCC courtyard to see this
FREE PERFORMANCE
10 taiko groups in Southern California will be performing 30 minute sets continuously starting at 11am. Come enjoy the diverse taiko styles and support the taiko community.
For more information on the week’s festivities:
https://niseiweek.org/schedule/
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival is one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the United States. This year, it is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
https://niseiweek.org/
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 4:30 PM
See the link for more details on this FREE festival
https://www.janm.org/events/2022-08-13/2022-natsumatsuri-family-festival
2022
Makoto Taiko Annual Concert – HAJIME!
June 18, 2022, in Los Angeles, CA
2022
ArtNight Pasadena
April 29, 2022, in Pasadena, CA
We are excited to announce that Makoto Taiko will perform 4 sets during the evening tentatively scheduled for 6:15, 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15 at the Shumei Center, 2430 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
ArtNight Pasadena is the city’s premier art and culture event. As many as 20 arts and culture venues open their doors for a free evening of art, music, and entertainment. This year will be the first in-person ArtNight Pasadena since 2019.
2022
Palms Middle School Special Performance
March 29, 2022
Enhancing 7th-grade history curriculum on Japan.
2022
Huntington Library Chinese New Year Festival
Feb. 5-6, 2022, Pasadena CA
SATURDAY, FEB. 5, 2022 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEB. 6, 2022 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Celebrate the lunar new year and welcome the Year of the Tiger at The Huntington’s Chinese New Year Festival Feb. 5 and 6. Families can enjoy lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese music, art and craft demonstrations, and more. The festivities will take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces.
2021
Bowers Museum Cherry Blossom Festival
March 28, 2021
Makoto Taiko performs in-person!
2021
New West Symphony’ Symphonic Adventures – Passport to Rhythms
March 6, 2021
In March 2021, Makoto Taiko participated in an educational program for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders called Symphonic Adventures-Passport to Rhythms hosted by the New West Symphony, a professional orchestra in the Los Angeles area. The program aims to introduce students to the orchestra, its conductor, and the elements of music to inspire a life-long appreciation of music. This year’s virtual session included a video featuring Makoto Taiko’s Artistic Director, Hunter Loyd, interacting with two children, Scarlett and Torrey, as they explore taiko drumming, its roots in Japan, and the types of drums, and how to create wonderful music through rhythms. This video and Study Guide is made available to 21 California school districts and meets several California Content Standards education goals for this age group. See the video times between 6:00 to 18:01. https://newwestsymphony.org/symphonic-adventures-2021/
2021
Makoto Taiko Winter Recital
December 4, 2021, Altadena, CA
The recital on 12-4-2021 was our first public event since 2019. A total of 55 members (including 20 kids under 12 years old) performed to an audience of approximately 250 family and friends. It was held at a Pasadena Unified School District middle school, Eliot Arts Magnet Academy.
2020
ArtNight Pasadena
October 23, 2020, in Pasadena, CA
In keeping with social distancing requirements, VIRTUAL ARTNIGHT PASADENA is on October 23, 2020. ArtNight Pasadena is the City’s signature cultural event where dynamic arts and cultural venues open their doors each March and October on the 2nd Friday. 18 venues provide free programming, including visual, literary, and performing arts virtually. Makoto Taiko, in partnership with Shumei Arts Council, showed a video of last year’s explosive ArtNight performance of Sakura Fubuki and Revelation.
Here are the video links to the 2019 ArtNight videos that were rebroadcast for the 2020 virtual ArtNight Pasadena:
Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59FRtryZKOQ
Sakura Fubuki:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEkSmySbRdo
2020
New West Symphony Festival
October 18, 2020, in Thousand Oaks, CA
The New West Symphony, which is the resident orchestra at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, reached out to Makoto Taiko to perform in their virtual mini-festival that highlights the diverse cultures found in the local community. The first of eight festivals titled “Tour of Japan” on October 18th and Makoto Taiko is featured performing Miyake at the Ronald Reagan Library.
Here’s a link to Hunter’s full interview from 0:38 – 8:33.
https://youtu.be/7NlvXhdNrqA
Here’s the link for the full concert. It’s over an hour. So if you want to skip to Makoto Taiko, fast forward to 1:04:40.
https://youtu.be/crTZJOUydDs
2020
Bowers Museum Virtual Family Festival Livestream
August 30, 2020, in Pasadena, CA
On August 30, 2020, Makoto Taiko will be featured in the Bowers Museum Virtual Family Festival Livestream on Facebook. This month’s theme is “International Drumming” with performances of an Asian Indian drum called a tabla, West African drums, and Native American drums and hoop dance, and Makoto Taiko demonstrating the taiko. Hunter Loyd will give a demonstration of the various types of taiko drums, and Kristen Hayashi will give a short history of taiko in the U.S. and of Makoto Taiko. See Makoto Taiko starting at 31:10 here: https://www.facebook.com/bowersmuseum/videos/1070363136712959
2019
Pasadena ArtNight
March 13, 2019, in Pasadena, CA
Don’t miss Makoto Taiko at Pasadena ArtNight!
Performances and Mini-Workshops at Shumei Pasadena.
Performances at 6:15 pm, 7:15 pm, 8:15 pm, and 9:15 pm.
http://www.artnightpasadena.org/
2019
Chinese New Year Festival
February 1, 2019 in Pasadena, CA
2019
Makoto Taiko Recital
December 7, 2019, in Pasadena, CA
Makoto Taiko held a recital at Franklin Elementary to celebrate and show the progress the members had made in their classes.
Shumei Anniversary Celebration
October 13, in Pasadena, CA
Makoto Taiko’s 20th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, June 8 at 7pm and Sunday, June 9th at 3 pm
At the Arcadia Performing Arts Center
Cultural treasure Makoto Taiko’s awe-inspiring performance of traditional Japanese taiko drumming is a powerful experience for all cultures and the entire family to enjoy. Tickets $15 to VIP $40 with artist meet-and-greet.
Tickets at https://www.arcadiapaf.org/makoto-taiko
The Makoto Taiko, 20th Anniversary Japan Trip, Summer 2019!
Main Tour: July 18 – 29, 2019
Optional Sado Island Tour: July 16-19 and then joining with the Main Tour on July 19.
Click on this link to get more information and to register. (Registration ends on April 5th) http://www.cvent.com/d/r6q1tq
This special tour is only available for current Makoto Taiko members, member’s friends and families, and OMNY Taiko members
Pasadena ArtNight
March 8, in Pasadena, CA
Chinese New Year Festival
February 2-3, in Pasadena, CA
2018
Pasadena ArtNight
Shumei Center Pasadena
March 8, 6-10pm
Makoto Taiko with Daniel Ho Trio at the LA County Holiday Celebration on Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24, 2018
Live streamed at PBS SoCal (KOCE TV), 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at pbssocal.org and presented live and free at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles
Here is a video of Makoto Taiko and the Daniel Ho Trio playing together back in June:
Shumei Anniversary Celebration
October 14, 2018
Wiggle Waggle Walk
Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Brookside Park, Pasadena
Join our community of animal lovers in raising funds for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA by participating in the 20th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk on Sunday, September 30 at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl.
Ability First International Night
September 22, 2018
AbilityFirst provides a variety of programs designed to help people with disabilities achieve their personal best throughout their lives. We do this by: creating targeted programming to help an individual successfully transition from childhood to adult life. Makoto Taiko held a concert and workshop to teach participants the art of taiko drumming.
Nisei Week Taiko Gathering
Sunday, August 19 @ 1:00PM
Japanese American Community & Cultural Center (Little Tokyo)
Asano Taiko U.S. 5th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, July 29 @ 3:30PM
Pasadena Playhouse Centennial Block Party
The Playhouse Block Party is a free family-friendly celebration of 100 years of California’s official State Theater, The Pasadena Playhouse. The Pasadena Playhouse is celebrating its Centennial in partnership with the Playhouse District Association on Saturday, June 9, 2018 on El Molino Avenue at Colorado Blvd. The Playhouse Block Party event features music, food, libations, guided tours, a kids’ zone, and more.
Makoto Taiko Performance
JUNE 9th 2018
Sat 7 PMPasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA
Makoto Taiko Presents: Gathering Currents
JUNE 2nd 2018
Pasadena Art Night
March 9, 2018 at Shumei Pasadena
Enjoy taiko drumming by Makoto Taiko at 6:15 pm, 7:15 pm, 8:15 pm and 9:15 pm, and Kimono Show by LA Kimono Club
Green Life Food Festival
February 18, 2018 at Shumei Pasadena
https://www.facebook.com/events/735100423313443
2018 Big Read Event at the Pasadena Central Library
February 3, 2018 at 11am at the Pasadena Central Library
Pasadena Public Library presents the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read event!
Makoto Taiko Presents: FORWARD
Makoto Taiko AI 2018 Recital
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Sunday at 2 PM – 3 PM
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2430 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California
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2017
DragonFest 2017
Saturday, August 5th, 2017
Burbank Marriott Convention Center.
“The most popular martial arts convention in the world!” This is a fundraising event supporting the Martial Arts History Museum.
Makoto Taiko’s performance will be at 1:35pm
For more information: http://museumdragonfest.com/
Taiko Ten Concert at the North American Taiko Conference
Friday, August 11th at West Ballroom, Price Center, UC San Diego
Makoto Taiko will be one of ten taiko groups performing at the North American Taiko Conference. This is a free concert for attendees of NATC.
The North American Taiko Conference (NATC) is a biennial event sponsored by the Taiko Community Alliance (TCA). NATC has become a central element of the taiko community, with workshops and discussion sessions for players of all levels. NATC also features public performances featuring a wide variety of taiko groups. NATC is attended by virtually all of the taiko community’s leaders, along with hundreds of players from around the world.
For more info: https://natc.taikocommunityalliance.org/
24th Annual Taiko Gathering
Sunday, August 27, 2017 – 12:00pm-12:30pm
Makoto Taiko will also be playing at the Nisei Week Japanese Festival Ondo & Closing Ceremony at 3:45pm!
Brand Library and Art Center – Plaza Series Concert
Friday, July 21, 7pm at Brand Library & Art Center
1601 West Mountain StreetGlendale, California 91201
The City of Glendale’s Performance Series, now in its fourth year, provides a free cultural asset to residents and attracts visitors to experience arts and cultural opportunities in the city. This program has been designed to support arts organizations and to bring distinguished cultural programming to Glendale. The Performance Series is supported by the City of Glendale and the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission, with funding from the Urban Art Program and the Brand Associates.
For more information, visit Brand Library’s website: Events Calendar
or their Facebook event
Taiko Summit Colorado 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017 1PM at the Macky Auditorium, University of Colorado at Boulder
World Renowned Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka & San Francisco Taiko Dojo, Kenny Endo Ensemble, Grammy Winner Koji Nakamura & Makoto Taiko, GONNA-Wadaiko x Marimba from Japan, and Boulder Taiko Ensemble.
Rise
Makoto Taiko’s 11th Annual concert
Saturday May 6th at 7pm
Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation
Makoto Taiko presents RISE! – a powerful concert of Japanese drumming with Grammy Award-winning Taiko Master Koji Nakamura and guest artist Eien Hunter-Ishikawa.
Eien Hunter-Ishikawa is a member of the fearlessly innovative On Ensemble. A musician and global educator based in Portland, Oregon, he was born in Japan, where he developed an early passion for drumming specializing in drumset, Taiko, percussion, and shinobue. He’s performed at the North American Taiko Conference, Chico World Music Festival, Vancouver’s Powell Street Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Dancing on the Edge Festival, Hawaii International Taiko Festival, Honolulu International Jazz Festival, and the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival.
Pasadena ArtNight
Friday, March 10 6-10PM
Akabeko Project
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Workshop Hours: 1:00PM-4:00PM
Performances at 1:00PM and 3:00PM
Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute
595 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103
http://www.akabekoproject.org/adventure-2016
Founded in 2013, the Akabeko Project is an annual event that raises awareness for the victims of the March 11, 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster by engaging community members of all ages in creative, cultural, and educational activities.
The Akabeko Project fosters a continued awareness of the situation by hosting Akabeko painting workshops.
The Akabeko Project’s mission is to continue to strengthen international relationships between Japanese and Americans and to educate our communities, both in the United States and in Japan, about the continuing struggles that face the citizens of Fukushima.
2016
Heritage Day at Chandler School
October 28, 2016 in Pasadena, CA
Shumei America Pasadena’s Center Anniversary Celebration
October 23, 2016 in Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Peace and Unity Festival
September 25, 2016 in Pasadena, CA
AbilityFirst’s International Night
September 23, 2016 in Pasadena, CA
Altadena Church Fall Festival
September 17, 2016 in Altadena, CA
Nisei Week Taiko Gathering at JACCC Plaza
August 21, 2016 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Makoto Taiko One Pulse Concert
http://makototaiko.brownpapertickets.com
Join us for Makoto Taiko’s One Pulse – a powerful concert featuring traditional, modern, and fusion Japanese drum pieces with Grammy Award-winning Taiko Master Koji Nakamura, Koto Artist Yukiko Matsuyama, and Violinist Jason Yang.
Parking is available and free for all attendees.
Some premium seats will be reserved for donors to Makoto Taiko. For more information, please contact us at info@makototaiko.org.
2015
Makoto Taiko “Resounding BEAT” Concert
June 2015, Thorne Hall, Occidental College (Eagle Rock, CA)
9th Annual Concert.
Special Guests: Marco Lienhard, Hidesomi Bando
ArtNight Pasadena
March, 2015 at Shumei Hall, Pasadena
Westfield Mall Lunar New Year Celebration
February 2015, Westfield Mall, Arcadia, CA
La Paz Intermediate School 4th Annual International Festival
March 27, 2015 Mission Viejo, CA
Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concert
November 2015, Santa Monica, CA
Disney’s “Big Hero 6” Wrap Party
October 2015, Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA
2014
La Paz Intermediate School 3rd Annual International Festival
April 3, 2014 Mission Viejo, CA
2014 Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley Spring Regional Games for the Special Olympics
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Makoto Taiko 15th Anniversary “Kizuna” Concert
June 2014, Thorne Hall, Occidental College, Eagle Rock, CA
Special Guests: Mike Penny and Roseanna Kuwata
2013
Pasadena Gakuen performance
January 2013, Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute
8th Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
June 2013, Thorne Hall, Occidental College, Eagle Rock, CA
Special guest Mike Penny
Special Olympics Fall Regional Games performance
June 2013, Los Angeles, CA
Nisei Week Taiko Gathering at JACCC Plaza
August, 2013 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Shumei Santa Cruz Open Farm performance
September 2013, Santa Cruz, CA
Annual “Inochi no Denwa” Suicide Hotline Benefit Christmas Concert
December, 2012-2016, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
2013 Honda LA Marathon
March 17, 2013, Los Angeles
2nd Annual Asian Deaf Awareness Day event
May 11, 2013, Los Angeles
2012
National Women’s History Month
March 27, 2012, Federal Women’s Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles
Makoto’s 7th Annual Concert
June 2012, Thorne Hall, Occidental College, Eagle Rock, CA
2011
Kotohajime
January 2011, Jaoanese American Cultural & Community Center, Title Tokyo
7th Annual Kaua’i Wellness Expo 2011
January 2011, Kaua’i War Memorial Center, Kaua’i, HI
Pasadena ArtNight
May 2011, Shumei Hall, Pasadena, CA
6th Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
June 2011, Thorne Hall, Occidental College, Eagle Rock
LA18 Harvest Moon Festival
September 2011, Arcadia County Park
World Festival of Sacred Music
October 8, 2011, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A.
4th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days
October 2011, Santa Monica, CA
U.S. Martial Arts Festival
November 2011, Redondo Beach, CA
Benefit Concert for The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
November 13, 2011, Beverly Hill, CA
2010
5th Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
June 2010, Scottish Rite Center, Pasadena
Cosmic Thunder concert
June 2010, Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena
U.S.-Japan Martial Arts Festival
June 2010, Redondo Beach, CA
Shumei Santa Cruz Open Farm performance
2010, Santa Cruz, CA
LEADERShift 2010
November 2010, Long Beach, CA
Emperor of Japan’s Birthday Reception
December 2010, Residence of the Consul General of Japan, Los Angeles
2009
4th Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
June 2009, Pasadena, CA
Makoto Taiko 10th Anniversary Concert
August 2009, San Gabriel, CA
Special Guests: Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Paul Winter, Mike Penny, Yukiko Matsuyama, and Yanjin Lam
2008
3rd Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
June 2008, Pasadena, CA
Shamballah LA
September 2008, Level 3, Hollywood, CA
Celebrate Immigrants Liturgy and Festival
September 2008, Cathedral of the Lady of Angeles, Los Angeles
Crestone Music Festival
September 2008, Crestone, CO
Prayer Vigil for the Earth
September 2008, Washington, D.C.
2007
Catskill Mountain Culture Festival
July 2007, Hunter, NY
Crestone Music Festival
August 2007, Crestone, CO
Prayer Vigil for the Earth
September 2007, Washington, D.C.
2006
Catskill Mountain Culture Festival
July 2006, Hunter, NY
Aum-Sho-Namah Concert for the World Festival of Sacred Music
July 2006, Torrance, CA
Collaborated with Marco Lienhard and Koji Nakamura
2nd Annual Makoto Taiko Concert
August 2006, Pasadena, CA
Prayer Vigil for the Earth
September 2006, Washington, D.C.
2005
1st Annual Shumei America Taiko Concert
June 2005, Pasadena, CA
Catskill Mountain Culture Festival
July 2005, Hunter, NY
Collaborated with Koji Nakamura and Marco Lienhard, former Ondekoza member and leader of Taikoza
Prayer Vigil for the Earth
September 2005, Washington, D.C.
2004
Catskill Mountain Culture Festival
July 2004, Hunter, NY
Collaborated with Toshiki Hirano, former Shumei Taiko Ensemble Member and Koji Nakamura