AANHPI Heritage Month: Taiko Drumming – Rhythm, Stories, and Community

Join Karen Young and KASA Taiko for an interactive performance that blends powerful drumming, storytelling, and hands-on participation. Visitors will experience the vibrant art of Japanese taiko—learning how it has been used in Japan for celebration and communication, and how it continues in the U.S. as a form of cultural expression and community building. Through rhythm, movement, and shared energy, visitors are invited to play, listen, and reflect on their own stories and identities.

AANHPI Heritage Month at Boston Children’s Museum
Every May, the acknowledgement of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month offers an intentional time to learn about and celebrate the multidimensional histories, cultures, and lived experiences of AANHPI identifying communities, and to uplift the voices and stories that shape our society.

This year, Boston Children’s Museum is recognizing AANHPI Heritage Month with a series of music, dance, visual art, film, and storytelling programs developed in collaboration with community organizations and independent artists. Geared for children and families, these interactive activities highlight the artistic practices of local AANHPI identifying creatives. Visitors are invited to engage with topics of identity, traditions, and stories, while developing their sense of curiosity and a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them. 

At Boston Children’s Museum, we work towards affirming and supporting all identities. We recognize that belonging is not limited to a single day or celebration, but something that develops over time. We also believe that sometimes people may need to feel invited into a space in order to experience a sense of belonging. Because of this, some of our programs are designed to center specific communities, and we invite everyone to join in the celebration.