Hip Hop Karaoke, a Street Fighter II video game tournament and a Night Vision projected photo show that includes images famed photographer Fred Herzog shot in Chinatown in the 1950s and 1960s will all be part of the rejuvenated Chinatown Night Market, which holds its grand opening June 1.
Passersby will be invited to pick up a paddle and play at the four ping-pong tables parked in the lot next to The Keefer bar, while a traditional variety show of singing, dancing and lion dancing illuminates the main stage. The market takes over Keefer Street between Main and Columbia streets.
The Night Visions is a huge thing for us, said managing director of the market, Tannis Ling. Were really excited about that.
Ling, a member of the Chinatown Revitalization Committee and owner of Bao Bei Chinese brasserie, told the Courier in February that shed seen attendance at the nearly 20-year-old market dwindle in the three years her restaurant has been in the neighbourhood.
So she and Ken Tsui, who runs pop-up shops and dinner events, got the go-ahead from the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association to rejuvenate the Friday and Saturday night market that saw its soft launch May 17 and runs from 6 to 11 p.m. until Sept. 8.
There were a little bit too many stalls with cellphone covers and a couple too many stalls with underwear, Ling said earlier in the year.
Now visitors will be able to buy jewelry, arts, crafts, artisanal ice cream, honey and Italian tomato sauce from new vendors alongside those slinging more traditional night market trinkets.
Twisty potato tornadoes on a stick will still be sold alongside food trucks offering their fare on Columbia Street on Saturday nights. A dumpling weekend Aug. 16 and 17 will include dumpling cook off, eating and making contests.
Night Vision happens July 5. The first Night Vision event popped up with a giant screen in Strathcona Park in 2009, projecting photos from more than 50 local and international artists. The Chinatown edition will feature shots by 40 local and international artists alongside Herzogs Chinatown photos courtesy of the Equinox Gallery.
Were trying to get the side of The Keefer painted to paint a screen, Ling said.
Hip Hop Karaoke will stream out of Fortune Sound Club and onto the street July 6 so wannabe rappers can spit rhymes in Chinatown. The Sonic Boom! Street Fighter II Tournament will see contenders battling for brawling supremacy on multiple screens, July 20.
Other highlights include storytelling nights hosted by Rain City Chronicles with tales about Chinatown June 8, mahjong socials where experts will give novices tips on how to master the tiles and a screening of the G-rated kung fu classic movie Iron Monkey June 22.
More details at vancouverchinatownnightmarket.com.
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