Special Events at DAC
DAC Storytelling Night
with
Lopaka Kapanui and Jeff Gere
Two old friends and master storytellers reunite for a rare evening of back-and-forth storytelling, just as they’ve done many times before—but not for a long time. In the past, they’ve tackled the Japanese tradition of telling 100 ghost stories in three hours and once filled over two hours at a festival when another performer didn’t show. Expect some spooky tales… and more!
Lopaka Kapanui, a native Hawaiian storyteller, author, actor, kumu hula, cultural practitioner, and former professional wrestler, is best known as “The Ghost Guy.” His renowned ghost tours, ranked #1 in the U.S., take guests into some of Oʻahu’s eeriest locations.
Jeff Gere, the host of this DAC series, founded and produced the Talk Story Festival for 27 years, where Lopaka often performed.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Art Center 2nd Floor Classroom
Tickets: $10 per person
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Downtown Art Center (DAC) offers a unique way to experience the historical and artistic heritage of the HEART district of downtown Honolulu with this NEW walking tour, led by Historian Gary R. Coover, author of "Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile,” and veteran artist and educator Susan Hogan.
Your guides will lead you on a lively 1.5 to 2-hour walk through streets layered with cultural, architectural and historical backstory. Pivotal events, locations and commemorative artworks will be pointed out and discussed. Participants will engage with the vibrant stories that shape this area and receive a complimentary copy of Gary’s insightful book. Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistic and historical heritage of Downtown Honolulu!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 3
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (1.5-2 hours)
Meeting Location: Downtown Art Center 1st Floor Gift Shop
Tickets: $25
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!