August Moon
Last year’s live art creations from August Moon HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART PHOTO
Each summer, Honolulu Museum of Art raises funds to support its programs, and it has found a winning way to do so through its annual August Moon event, which combines food, wine and art. Now in its seventh year, August Moon returns from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7 and features wine from more than 20 makers, dishes from various local restaurants and live art.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to present art in a more casual environment,” says Honolulu Museum of Art director of communications Lesa Griffith. “And who doesn’t like to taste food and wine?”
The range of wine offerings — which include everything from sparkling to dessert wines — are made possible by local liquor distributor Johnson Brothers. The August Moon selections are part of the company’s annual tasting tour — which typically is only available for those in the industry. Featured wines come from vineyards in Napa Valley, France, Argentina, New Zealand and more.
“It’s a great opportunity to try a wide range of wines,” Griffith says.
Meanwhile, 14 local restaurants are creating dishes to pair with the wine. Monkeypod Kitchen, for instance, will serve up Mahi Mahi Tacos that are designed to go with Fess Parker Winery Maricella’s White Blend, while Stage Restaurant’s Soy Braised Pork Belly pairs with Freeman Winery Russian River Pinot Noir. Griffith also notes that this year’s August Moon includes some of the latest restaurants to hit the local dining scene, including Mud Hen Water and Mission Social Hall & Cafe.
“It’s like the art — we want to present new, fresh stuff — and we want to present new, fresh flavors, too,” Griffith says. “We wanted to choose people who are on the forefront of food creativity.”
Throughout the event, a group of artists will be drawing as guests dine. All drawings created during the evening will be available for purchase. Participating artists are Bradley Capello, Andrea Charuk, Julia Cornell, Marika Emi, Sam Guerrero, Ryan Higa, Kelsey Hughes, Heather Matsuura, Noah Metteucci, Brandon Ng, Cade Roster, Tara Tomayori, Tom Tong and Roger Whitlock.
Proceeds benefit the museum’s operations — funding everything from its programs to electricity bills. And while the goal is to raise money, the event’s underlying purpose really is to introduce people to the museum.
“Of course, we want to raise money. But the reason we’re doing it in this kind of format is to reach out to new people,” Griffith says. “We have a core audience of people who love art — we want to reach out to (other) people and get them to feel like the museum is their museum.”
Tickets cost $115 in advance, or $95 for Honolulu Museum of Art members. Although tickets are available at the door (prices jump to $125), Griffith warns they likely will sell out before then. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 532-6099 or visit honolulumuseum.org/augustmoon.
