Heiwa Taiko welcomed our Chinatown elders for a session of performance and participation. Three generations of taiko drummers played for the elders, then invited them to join in.

The drummers shared the history of taiko and of Japanese American incarceration, along with their own experience performing at San Quentin. A 92-year-old member of the group shared stories, and the elders listened, beaming. The drummers said it was one of the most engaged and joyful audiences they had played for.

The elders loved it so much that they asked for weekly taiko classes.