Special Events at DAC
DAC Storytelling Night with Special Guest George Tanabe
Join GEORGE TANABE for “In the Footsteps of Uncle Primo” at this month's Storytelling Night!
George will share stories about his uncle, who served in the 100th Battalion during WWII. “He would get drunk on Primo beer and relive his war experiences.” When George’s grandsons were growing up, they experienced those memories through the “Uncle Primo” stories he told them.
George is a retired professor of religion at UH and published historian, and has spent his career exploring the intersection of fact and fiction in global religious literature.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 21
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 per person, online or at the door.
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Join historian Gary R. Coover and artist/educator Susan Hogan for a 1.5–2 hour guided walking tour through the HEART district, exploring the cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of downtown Honolulu. Highlights include significant landmarks, public artworks, and rich storytelling. Includes a free copy of Gary’s book Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile.
June 21 & July 19, 3–5 p.m.
Meeting Point: DAC Art & Gifts Shop, 1041 Nuuanu Ave (Chinatown Gateway Plaza)
Cost: $25 per person (max 20 participants)
DAC Wellness Workshop: Learn to Weave A Medicine Pouch
Learn the basics of basket weaving, and weave your own personal medicine pouch using natural materials and fibers! Materials and refreshments provided.
Sunday, June 22 from 2-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person (max 12 participants)
DAC-Produced Community Events
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The HEART of Honolulu Art-focused Street Festival
Next Event: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Save the date for our next annual HEART of Honolulu Art Street Festival on Saturday, April 12, 2025! We're inviting artists and arts organizations to take to the streets, as we shut down Nuuanu Avenue in Chinatown and open it to pedestrian traffic for everyone to experience and enjoy the HEART of the Chinatown Arts District, including art, free make & take crafts, live music, food, creative local vendors, performances and more. -
Guitars & Plein Air in the Park
Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FREE and open to the public!Save the date, Saturday March 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for Guitars & Plein Air in the Park, at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park on Bethel and Hotel Streets. It's a FREE public collab event with DAC and Hawaii Theatre that celebrates Hawaii's musicians and artists!
Experience the traditional Hawaiian melodies of Maikapu'uwai, the classic surf rock sounds of Men in Grey Suits, the folk harmonies of John Batdorf, from the ’70s duo Batdorf and Rodney, and the timeless energy of classic rock with Later Dave.
Artists, don't miss your chance to take part in the DAC Quickdraw Plein Air Painting Competition, juried by David Luchak. There is NO entry fee, and it's open to all mediums: watercolor, pastel, oil, pencil, and acrylic. Participants must bring their own supplies and register on-site. Upon check-in, canvases will be date-stamped, and artists will receive a designated area map. All artwork must be completed on the day of the event, within Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu!
More info + Artist Registration Forms at: downtownarthi.org/guitarsandpleinair. -
Sunset Arts Market at Fort Street Mall
Next Event: Date TBA, from 4-7 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Save the date! Sunset Arts Market at Fort Street Mall is a new evening arts market produced by Downtown Art Center, and focused on activating the historic Fort Street Mall at Pauahi Street with a spotlight on local art, live music, fashion, and food.
FREE Public Events at DAC
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Sunday Sessions Live Music
Every First Sunday of the month from 2-4 p.m.
FREE and open to the publicLocated in the second floor DAC Main Gallery or Classroom
Every First Sunday of the month, we host live music by different local bands, curated by local music veteran Terry Oyama. These performances are FREE, although donations are welcome. Refreshments available from the DAC donation bar. -
First Fridays at DAC
Every First Friday of the month from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
FREE and open to the public!Every First Friday, DAC and several other arts organizations in the Chinatown Arts District host art receptions and special events that showcase the local creative community, from visual to performing arts! Join the First Friday art walk and celebrate with us!