Humboldt Taiko

Humboldt Taiko is a community-based Japanese taiko drumming group based in Arcata, California, and a project of Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI). Led by founder Gary Ronne, the multi-generational ensemble performs kumidaiko — thunderous ensemble drumming on traditional Japanese drums — at community celebrations across Humboldt County, including the annual Obon Festival, the Eureka Chinatown Street Festival and the North Country Fair. The group emerged from the organizing behind the Swingposium Humboldt collaboration with San Jose Taiko in 2019 and 2020, and continues to share Japanese culture and 'taiko love' with North Coast audiences.