https://www.facebook.com/events/945264665569366/
LITTLE MEKONG NIGHT MARKET INTRODUCES AN ARTWALK AND ACTIVITY ZONE
Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) brings back Minnesota’s
Original Southeast Asian Night Market for a bigger weekend of new arts
programming, more food, and highlight performances
(St. Paul) Little Mekong Night Market is back on the streets, this year on
Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24, with more activities and programming
than before. Happening in the heart of Little Mekong District on Western
Ave. and expanding into the new upcoming Little Mekong Plaza, this year’s
night market will introduce our first ever artwalk and kid-friendly
activity zone.
We’ve expanded to create more space for attendees and opportunities for
vendors and artists. This year we have a new artwalk zone, which will
include MANIFEST: Refugee Roots, an indoor art and cultural exhibit
highlighting refugee narratives in Minnesota with support from The Linking
Community. The show will take place inside the community hall of the newly
opened Western U Plaza, thanks to the generosity of developers ASANDC and
Sands Properties, and will feature artists Koua Mai Yang, Ifrah Mansour,
from mixed media to short films and cultural groups including the Somali
Museum, the Immigrant History Research Center (UMN) and a sand art mandala
by monks of the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery. Festival goers will also
find streetscapes of rich variety of unique local and Asian artisan-made
handicrafts. The expansion of our event will also include a newly
designated kid-friendly activity zone, where families can enjoy an
interactive exhibit from the Minnesota Children’s Museum, Mobile Comedy
Suitcase, sParkit Lantern Making, and more.
Attendees can also enjoy a number of performances on any of our three
stages. Hmong Breakers Leadership Council will be back this year,
programming their own stage. This year we have partnered with Center for
Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT) to bring their 13th Annual Arts and Music
Festival with local Hmong talents such as Ka Lia Yang, Itchy Fingers, and
Speakers of the Sun. Make sure to stay and witness our highlight
performers, including LOTT, Jayanthi Kyle, Mu Daiko, and Mayda. This is an
amazing opportunity to experience the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of
traditional Southeast Asian night markets with a twist of Minnesota, right
here in St. Paul.
Little Mekong Night Market
July 23: 5pm-midnight; July 24: 5pm-10pm
Western Ave. & University. Ave., off the Western Green Line stop
Free and Family Friendly
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/945264665569366/
ABOUT LITTLE MEKONG DISTRICT
An initiative of the Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA), Little
Mekong’s mission is to develop the area around University and Western
Avenue as an attractive destination for visitors and residents; to support
and promote businesses; to share cultural traditions and activities; and to
create a living, breathing, colorful district for all to enjoy. The
district’s names derives from the Mekong River, which flows from China
through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and connects the
cultures of Southeast Asia.