The 97 Street Night Market hit the streets of Chinatown on Saturday, August 23, 2014, to happy crowds and sunny skies!

A lion’s welcome

We had set out to build on the strengths of last year’s inaugural market and showcase the vibrancy and cultural richness of Chinatown. With the steadfast support of our sponsors, vendors, performers and volunteers, we were able to make it an event that succeeded in these ways and so many more.

Food trucks!

Thank you to our event sponsor, the City of Edmonton, and to our sponsors-in-kind: Chinese Benevolent Association and ASSIST Community Services Centre.

Fortune sticks were a hit!

Thank you to Cally’s Teas for donating the beautiful gift basket door prizes, and to Sunny Snapshots for their donation of an always-fun photobooth for the evening. All photos have been posted on Sunny Snapshots’ website here. (If you’d like request to have your photo taken off the site, just contact the site administrator.)

97 Street Night Market vendors

Thank you to our amazing performers and artists: Rory Lee, Shang De Martial Arts (a.k.a. Ross Sheppard Lion Dance Team), Red Dragon Tai Chi Club, Vivian Tao, Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team, Rise to Beat (or R2B), and Convergence Dance Crew.

The intense Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team

A huge thank you to our wonderful team of volunteers, including our dynamic walking tour leaders: Wilson Wu, Judy Wu, Lan Chan-Marples, Peter Wong and Paul Giang. Be sure to catch up with Wilson and Judy and stock up on some ready-to-heat foods at their Wild Tangerine Urban Cuisine booth at Mother’s Market!

The Chinatown food tour gears up for one last taste from Molly’s Eats

Finally, thanks to all who attended and helped make the event a success!

Stay in touch! For updates on our happenings, follow us on Twitter (@YEGchinatown) and find us on Facebook.

If you still need convincing to check out tonight’s 97 Street Night Market, here are five reasons!

What: 97 Street Night Market
When: August 23, 2014
Time: 6-10pm
Where: 97 Street & 106 Avenue

#1: The Food

We’ve got a great line up of Asian-themed menus tonight from Molly’s
Eats, Nhon Hoa and Yellowbird Cafe.

Gyu-Don Beef from Yellowbird

Molly’s Eats

Nhon Hoa

• Combo Cold Cut Sub
• Juicy Meatball Sub
• Shredded Chicken and Pork Sub
• Vietnamese Sausage and Shredded Pork Sub
• Satay Chicken Sub
• Satay Beef Sub
• Teriyaki Chicken Sub
•  Tofu Sub
• Vege Shredded Chicken Sub
• Vege Satay Chicken Sub
• Vege Satay Beef Sub
• Spring Rolls
• Salad Rolls
• Fresh Fruit Bubble Drinks

Yellowbird

#2: The Performers We have a great mix of local talent that  honors traditional cultural
arts and more modern sensibilities.

• 6:15pm – a lion dance performed by the Shang De Martial Arts will kick things off with a bang!
• 6:45pm – have you ever wanted to try tai chi but didn’t know where to go? The Red Dragon Tai Chi Club will not only demonstrate basic tai chi and explain its benefits, but also lead those interested in a brief lesson.
• 7:15pm – twelve year old Vivian Tao has mastered the guzheng (the Chinese plucked zither). Come be amazed!
• 7:45pm – the Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team will show us their equivalent ofStreet Fighter moves. Stay back – you’ve been warned!
• 8:15pm – Rise to Beat, or R2B, was brought together in 2012 by a love of music and dance. Their style of dancing varies mainly between hip-hop and K-Pop. They’re sure to get the energy up!
• 8:45pm – the Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team will be back for an encore performance!
• 9:15pm – Convergence Dance Crew is a K-Pop dance group made up of mostly non-Korean performers. Back after their popular appearance at last year’s night market, will close out the stage with a light-infused performance that will raise the bar.

As a bonus, we are fortunate to also have artist Rory Lee on hand, who
will be live painting a piece all evening.

#3: The Vendors

Come to the market for a selection of accessories, trinkets and souvenirs.

Show that you love Chinatown!

The Chinese Benevolent Association will also be selling their fabulous
“I Heart Chinatown” t-shirts, and Sunny Snapshots will be offering free photos in their booth!

#4: The Tours

Back by popular demand, we’ve brought back our wonderful tour guides
from last year’s market to provide a pedestrian introduction to the
neighborhood’s history and art. New this year is a food tour, to
showcase some of Chinatown’s culinary gems.

• 6:00pm, Taste of Chinatown: Ever curious about the tastes of Chinatown, but were too afraid to ask? New this year, Wild Tangerine’s Wilson Wu will be introducing you to some of the culinary treasures in Chinatown, from a fresh tofu factory to a bakery and a barbecue shop. Samples will be included along the way! Space is limited on this tour, and is first come, first served.
• 6:30pm, History of Chinatown: – Join Lan Chan-Marples and Peter Wong, Chinatown Heritage Tour Guides, on a walking tour of Chinatown past, present and future. Learn about Chinese settlement to Edmonton that began more than 120 years ago, the businesses and associations that sprung up to serve a growing community, and the location and relocation of Heritage Chinatown.
• 7:30pm, The Art of Chinatown: Join Paul Giang, Spacing Edmonton founder, and Olivia Fung on a walking tour of Chinatown that explores its artistic side and other curiosities. The tour will include work done by Dirt City Dream City, the Living Bridge, the free wall along the LRT, and the proposal of arts district in quarters.
• 8:30pm, History of Chinatown: – Join Lan Chan-Marples and Peter Wong, Chinatown Heritage Tour Guides, on a walking tour of Chinatown past, present and future. Learn about Chinese settlement to Edmonton that began more than 120 years ago, the businesses and associations that sprung up to serve a growing community, and the location and relocation of Heritage Chinatown.

#5: The Spirit of Chinatown

Chinatown is a diverse area that has undergone many changes in its
history. With continuing revitalization and promises of new
development, growth and transformation will be a constant in this
neighborhood. But what will remain true is the enduring spirit of
Chinatown, its foundation as a gathering space for different cultures
and the potential it has to capture future generations.

2013 Night Market

Hope to see you there!

We’re excited to finally announce our schedule of performers at the 97 Street Night Market on August 23, 2014! We’ve gathered a great mix of talent from the community for an evening that honours traditional cultural arts and embraces more modern sensibilities. Performances take place every half an hour.

• 6:15pm – a lion dance performed by the Shang De Martial Arts will kick things off with a bang!
• 6:45pm – have you ever wanted to try tai chi but didn’t know where to go? The Red Dragon Tai Chi Club will not only demonstrate basic tai chi and explain its benefits, but also lead those interested in a brief lesson.
• 7:15pm – twelve year old Vivian Tao has mastered the guzheng (the Chinese plucked zither). Come be amazed!
• 7:45pm – the Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team will show us their equivalent of Street Fighter moves. Stay back – you’ve been warned!
• 8:15pm – Rise to Beat, or R2B, was brought together in 2012 by a love of music and dance. Their style of dancing varies mainly between hip-hop and K-Pop. They’re sure to get the energy up!

• 8:45pm – the Sung Lee Taekwondo Demo Team will be back for an encore performance!
• 9:15pm – Convergence Dance Crew is a K-Pop dance group made up of mostly non-Korean performers. Back after their popular appearance at last year’s night market, will close out the stage with a light-infused performance that will raise the bar.

See you there!

Last year, our Chinatown walking tours were immensely popular. Those who took part learned about the neighbourhood’s history, its inhabitants, businesses, and notable art. We’ve asked our able guides to return again this year, so put on your walking shoes and join us for one of four free tours starting at the 97 Street Night Market on August 23, 2014:

• 6:00pm, Taste of Chinatown: Ever curious about the tastes of Chinatown, but were too afraid to ask? New this year, Wild Tangerine’s Wilson Wu will be introducing you to some of the culinary treasures in Chinatown, from a fresh tofu factory to a bakery and a barbecue shop. Samples will be included along the way! Space is limited on this tour, and is first come, first served.
• 6:30pm, History of Chinatown: – Join Lan Chan-Marples and Peter Wong, Chinatown Heritage Tour Guides, on a walking tour of Chinatown past, present and future. Learn about Chinese settlement to Edmonton that began more than 120 years ago, the businesses and associations that sprung up to serve a growing community, and the location and relocation of Heritage Chinatown.
  
• 7:30pm, The Art of Chinatown: Join Paul Giang, Spacing Edmonton founder, and Olivia Fung on a walking tour of Chinatown that explores its artistic side and other curiosities. The tour will include work done by Dirt City Dream City, the Living Bridge, the free wall along the LRT, and the proposal of arts district in quarters.
• 8:30pm, History of Chinatown: – Join Lan Chan-Marples and Peter Wong, Chinatown Heritage Tour Guides, on a walking tour of Chinatown past, present and future. Learn about Chinese settlement to Edmonton that began more than 120 years ago, the businesses and associations that sprung up to serve a growing community, and the location and relocation of Heritage Chinatown.

All tours will meet at the information tent.