SAT, MAY 10, 2014 | 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM | University of Washington - Red Square
14th Annual UW NIGHT MARKET
Overview
On Saturday, May 11th, 2013, over 3,000 people crammed into UW Red Square for the Taiwanese Student Association (TSA)’s 13th Annual Night Market. The theme this year was “Life of Night Market” (夜市人生), a parody and homage of Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning Life of Pi.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated and attendees were treated to a warm, overcast evening for this annual cultural festival. Bright red lanterns decorated Red Square, while officers/volunteers dressed as Ba Jia Jiang (八家將, The Eight Generals) and Bobo the Bubble Tea roamed around taking photos with attendees of all ages.
UW Night Market 2013 Recap: Life of Night Market (夜市人生)
By TSA Officers (5/31/2013)
Food
This year’s event featured 13 vendors offering over 110 food items (a new record)! From authentic Hakka cuisine (served by the Seattle Hakka Association) to yummy pastry desserts (from KiKi Bakery) to delicious bubble teas and popcorn chicken (from Mee Sum Pastry and Tapioca Express), this year’s vendor selection presented the most diverse Night Market yet!
The aromas of stinky tofu, steamed buns, Taiwanese sausages, and chicken chops wafted through the lines of hungry people, all eager for a taste of some Taiwanese night market delicacies. Most vendors sold out before the event was over, even those returning vendors from last year’s event! The lines were long from the get-go, and they never quite died down until late in the evening. Returning vendors (like Mee Sum Pastry) had order taking and line management down to an art, while others (like Tzu-Chi) just took it as it came.
Entertainment
For entertainment, the headliners were Asian-American YouTube star Joseph Vincent and comedian-rappers The Fung Brothers (Andrew and David Fung). Both helped draw audiences late into the evening. Joseph Vincent called the show “the best show he’s ever played”, while The Fung Brothers announced that it was by far the best Night Market they have ever attended (both are UW alumni).
NARB returned for their third Night Market, while we welcomed For You The Roof and Dub Dawgs Dance Crew to this year’s event. Eric Wu performed on Chinese Yo-yo, while Zhongling Yang and Jimmy Kwan (both TSA IDOL Champions) took the stage afterwards. Lions Ambition, School of TAIKO, DJ YUP, and Husky Wushu rounded out an exciting evening of fun and entertainment!
Activities
And of course, the ever popular game booths offered an array of traditional Taiwanese games, including Baseball Challenge (棒球九宮格), Knock 'em Down (砸瓶子), Push The Bottles (推酒瓶), Ring Toss (套圈圈), Ping Pong Challenge (彈跳乒乓球), Marble (打彈珠), and JUMP (跳格子)!
At UW, The Daily covered our event in their Monday issue (“UW Night Market allures crowds to Taiwanese delights”, 5/13/2013): “The succulent smell of tofu, the crispy popcorn chicken, and the slurping of tapioca in bubble tea are among the many joys accompanying the event.” Audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with many agreeing that this year’s event was the best night market yet!
So, that leads us to the most important question:
Are ready for next year’s Night Market yet? ;)
Sponsors
We’d like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors, without which this event would not have been possible: ASUW, GPSS, ECC, UWAA, Wells Fargo, The HUB, ASC, Student Activities Office, Chase Bank, East West Bank, AAT TV, TECO, OCAC, TAHW, Mei Mei Express, Facing East Taiwanese Restaurant, Korean Tofu House, and Car2Go!
Special thanks to Tony Yang for the photos!
Event Coverage
Leading up to the event, we had already received coverage from the UW Alumni Association (“Get a taste of Asia in Red Square at the UW Night Market”, 5/7/2013) and diversified our promotional campaign (through bus ads and flyering at Pike Place Market).
Night Market was also promoted in Chinese-language newspapers as part of “Taiwanese American Heritage Week”, a city-wide celebration of the Taiwanese American culture and part of the larger Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. We even filmed/edited a commercial that aired on AAT TV!
Over 3000 people came to UW Red Square for a fun evening of food, games, entertainment, and Taiwanese culture.
Several officers dressed up as Ba Jia Jiang (八家將) - The Eight Generals.
The Fung Brothers (Andrew and David Fung) entertained a huge audience with their comedy and music.
Bubble teas and chicken cutlets at Tapioca Express were extremely popular with attendees.
TSA officers celebrate with Joseph Vincent and The Fung Brothers after a successful event! Thanks for coming!
External Links:
Articles:
- The Daily at UW: “UW Night Market allures crowds to Taiwanese delights” (5/13/2013)
- UW Alumni Association: “Get a taste of Asia in Red Square at the UW Night Market” (5/7/2013)
- Asia Today (華聲報): "華大台灣同學會台灣夜市超爆" (5/15/2013)
- Asia Today (華聲報): "數個台美人傳統週精采節目 即將登場" (4/17/2013)
Videos:
- Compatriot News: "華盛頓大學「夜市人生」" (5/27/2013)
Facebook:
- UW Night Market 2013: Life of Night Market Event Page
- Taiwanese American Heritage Week - Seattle
Photo Galleries: