Thursday, September 24
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mini-concert and Nature Journaling experience: $35
Music, art, and nature can deepen our experience of the world around us.
Inspired by Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals, this special collaboration between Mānoa Heritage Center and Ocean Music Action invites participants to celebrate Hawaiʻi's remarkable biodiversity through live music, exploration, and hands-on art making.
The evening begins with a musical performance featuring harpist Megan Conley, bassist Shawn Conley, and violinist Iggy Jang. The program will feature music by inspired by the flora and fauna of Hawaii, including whales, butterflies, and kāhuli.
Following the performance, local artist and naturalist Kate Righter will lead a guided nature journaling experience through the beautiful gardens of Mānoa Heritage Center. Participants will observe native plants that provide food and habitat for Hawaiʻi's endangered species—including ʻōhiʻa and māmaki—and will be guided in the creation of their own nature journal pages, while learning how careful observation through writing and drawing can foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
This unique experience offers an opportunity to engage the senses— to listen, look closely, and deepen our understanding of the beauty and interconnectedness of Hawaiʻi's living landscapes.
Advance registration required; space is limited to 20 participants.
About the Artists:
Megan Conley grew up in Austin, Texas, and began playing harp at age 5. By age 15 she had performed on the Grammy Award-winning album. 'Los Super Seven.' She was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study music in Paris, France, and in 2012 she won first place in the International Ima Hogg Concerto Competition.
Megan served as Principal Harpist of the Houston Symphony from 2015-2022. She is the harpist of the NYC-based orchestra The Knights, and has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall with the New York City Ballet, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the International Contemporary Ensemble, and for the Broadway show The Fantasticks.
In 2021, Megan founded Ocean Music Action, a nonprofit that uses music to build community and promote action for ocean conservation.
Learn more at: Ocean Music Action
Kate Righter grew up in both Kailua and Virginia, exploring forests and tide pools, taking art classes, and writing stories and poetry.
After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2005, Kate returned to Hawaiʻi, where she worked as both a graphic designer and an elementary school art teacher. In 2022, she founded the Hawaiʻi Nature Journal Club, connecting people through nature journaling, environmental stewardship, and creativity.
Kate is a certified Nature Journal Educator through the Wild Wonder Foundation and leads workshops for schools, nonprofits, and community groups throughout Hawaiʻi. She has collaborated with organizations including Bishop Museum, Waikīkī Aquarium, and the Hawaiʻi Audubon Society.
Kate is also an artist and poet. She is creating a series of paintings inspired by Hawaiʻi’s coastal species and is the author of What Remains, a collection of poetry and essays inspired by nature and family life. She is currently working on an illustrated edition for children.