Monthly bash cultivates fusion of art, activism
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
| |||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
||
Savvy, sexy and sustainable — what more can Earth-loving party people ask for?
The Night Market, happening Wednesday and every third Wednesday of the month at Aloha Tower's Waterfront Plaza, is a fusion of fashion, food, art, design, music, specialty retail and green products, and produce and herbs, as well as environmental awareness and community activism.
"We encourage people to come to the Night Market because you are not only supporting small businesses based in Hawai'i, you are cultivating our future as a community and stimulating the growth of creativity," said Cyrina Hadad-Ralya, the event's creative director.
Organizers partner with clean energy experts to showcase this event as carbon-neutral and sustainable. A planned portion of all fees collected from vendors will be used to offset the event's carbon footprint. In addition, recyclable and biodegradable disposables will be used and zero-waste measures taken.
"Our ultimate goal is to have a monthly place for everyone to come and gather, shop, discuss, listen to music and enjoy the island's harbor as we cultivate a sustainable community in Hawai'i," Hadad-Ralya said. "We plan to continue this through the summer in hopes it catches on as an uber-hip place to go."
Among Wednesday's offerings:
The Night Market, first held in December, is the creation of longtime event planners and business partners David Booth and Rick Schneider.
With the partners' main focus of operating the Waterfront as a banquet and events facility, they were looking for a signature public event to develop, Booth added.
Community and night markets have historically been the hub of community life in many Asian cities, such as Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok and Saigon, said Booth, who operates Events International, a 21-year-old event-planning corporation. "Contemporary versions of these markets have become a global social trend that showcase art, culture, fashion and cutting-edge products," he said, citing examples in Seattle, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco.
The Night Market at Aloha Tower is envisioned to become a combination of such concepts: an intersection of art, commerce and social responsibility, as well as a destination for shopping, networking and entertainment for residents and visitors alike, Booth said.
Community involvement and social responsibility will be a main underlying theme at every Night Market event at Aloha Tower.
"Local not-for-profit organizations will be offered a space to raise funds and awareness for their cause, and utilize the exposure provided by those attending the event," Booth said. "Nonprofits may hold an auction, sell retail items or use the space for community outreach."
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.
