32nd ANNUAL “HONDA EVENING UNDER THE STARS WITH KENNY G.

Photos by Karen Ostlund
 

(Left) Richard Marx and Kenny G. Saturday Aug.25 at HONDA

 32nd ANNUAL “HONDA EVENING UNDER THE STARS FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE”
Last night, Saturday August 25th saxophonist KENNY G was headlining with orchestra, and a surprise guest performance by 80’s pop singer Richard Marx, in front of a full house at Honda Motor Company in Torrance, south of Los Angeles.
The benefit competed for attention the same night with Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival Marquee event (lafw.com) downtown LA.


"The fiber of a strong community is exceptional medical care. Honda has always focused on supporting the advancement of our community’s health,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Through Honda Evening Under the Stars, we are proud to create an enchanting evening of fun and philanthropy for our friends and neighbors in the community to enjoy.”

Saxophonist Kenny G with orchestra

   This year’s proceeds benefited the renovation of Torrance Memorial’s Donald and Priscilla Hunt Tower. The $33 million revamp includes a new mother/baby unit complete with 25 private rooms. In addition, the fourth floor will offer a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) unlike the current traditional open pod model. It will feature 24 private rooms—plus a specially equipped 25th room for higher acuity patients—each outfitted to provide a complete range of newborn intensive care and large enough to accommodate a newborn’s family. The tower’s third floor will serve as a pediatric/adolescent unit, consisting of 17 private rooms.

“Proceeds from this magical evening will advance our fundraising goals toward providing the most advanced care possible to mothers, babies and children in the community,” said Laura Schenasi, executive vice president, Torrance Memorial Foundation. “We are so grateful that American Honda has once again selected Torrance Memorial Medical Center to benefit from this longstanding community tradition.”

Sushi Chef Institute at 32nd Annual HONDA Evening Under The Stars

Truxton's shrimp tacos and beef w/macaroni w. Ortega 210 Margarita

Rolling Hills Quinda salad

BENIHANA shrimp risotto

Miyako Hybrid Hotel: crab roll w. desserts and Rosa Regale brut

Restaurants and beverage partners included:
Benihana
Bettolino Kitchen
Café Honda - Sodexo
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Depot
Disneyland Resort
Doubletree
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
Honda Classic / PGA Tour Professional Wines
Island Eats Hale A'ina
Jackson's Food & Drink
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Ortega 120 / Hey 19
Paul Martin's American Grill
Plough / Wooden Valley Winery
Red Car Brewery & Restaurant
Rolling Hills Country Club
Sake Shochu Institute of America
Sushi Chef Institute
Truxton's American Bistro
In addition to the best in South Bay cuisine, professional sommeliers from The Disneyland Resort was on hand to serve and educate guests on their wines.

Australian Wines: 19 Crimes and MATUA

   As part of the event’s festivities, guests had the opportunity to participate in live and silent auctions, bidding on exclusive items and experiences as a weekend stay at the InterContinental San Francisco with club lounge access and a $250 restaurant credit at Michelin starred restaurant, Luce; exclusive Disney private dining experience; and Harry Connick Jr. Hollywood Bowl box seats for four. A jewelry pull also offered 45 guests the opportunity to bid $50 to receive a Kendra Scott-designed jewelry item worth between $50 and $100.

American Honda created the Gourmet Food & Wine Festival in partnership with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce in 1987.  Honda Evening Under the Stars, Honda and the festival’s restaurant and beverage partners have raised millions of dollars and demonstrated a long-standing commitment to bettering the health care of children in the South Bay. www.facebook.com/eveningunderthestars

  www.torrancememorial.org/EveningUndertheStars