Asia Society's Night Market 2018 Draws Record Crowd as Guests Enjoy New Exhibitions, Beer Garden, Japanese-Style Carnival, and More

Friday, October 19, 2018 – Night Market 2018 presented by American First National Bank at Asia Society Texas Center.

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HOUSTON, October 22, 2018 — More than 4,000 guests came to Asia Society Texas Center’s Night Market 2018 presented by American First National Bank Friday, October 19, to enjoy an evening of tasty food, live music, free exhibitions, upscale shopping, and family-friendly activities.

Featuring newly expanded hours, Asia Society’s sixth annual Night Market brought a curated selection of more than 40 local vendors and artisans who filled the 1300 block of Southmore Boulevard, the Festival Lawn, and both stories of Asia Society’s building.

Almost 20 trucks and stalls sold freshly prepared food — including Asian-inspired street food staples such as dumplings, banh mi, and bubble tea — which guests enjoyed at picnic tables on the street and under twinkling lights on the lawn. Performances by a DJ and a dhol drummer kept visitors of all ages energized.

Outside on the lawn, under the Ayomi Yoshida installation in the Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall, and inside the Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center, local artisans sold an array of handcrafted jewelry, art, apparel, and home goods.

Guests enjoyed free admission to the new exhibition in the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery, New Cartographies. Docents led three guided tours, also free and open to the public.

New this year to Night Market, a Japanese-style carnival transformed the Water Garden Terrace, while the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Green Garden became a ticketed beer garden. The carnival — featuring games such as yoyo tsuri, a chopsticks challenge, and ring-around-the-Pikachu — delighted guests of all ages, who also participated in the Museum of Fine Art, Houston’s Community Art Scroll activity.

In the beer garden, guests enjoyed a wide selection of Asian beers and special culinary offerings provided by Café Natalie, Cordúa, and Tony’s, which corresponded with the countries of origin of the four artists featured in New Cartographies. Live music by sitar player Aaron Hermes and guitarist Vanessa McGrew created an inviting atmosphere for Asia Society’s first-ever Night Market beer garden.

American First National Bank has been a longtime supporter of Night Market and other art and cultural programs at Asia Society. Additional support for Night Market came from the Texas Commission on the Arts, Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Lori and Neil Martin, Avalon Group, and Maggie and Bruce Campbell. The event was co-chaired by Divya and Chris Brown and Janae and Kenneth Tsai.

Drawing inspiration from street markets in East and Southeast Asia, Asia Society’s Night Market celebrates the vibrancy of Houston’s arts and food scenes, while also engaging people through thought-provoking exhibitions and family activities. The next Night Market is expected to take place in fall 2019.

Previous Night Market events

2017 — In Photos: Night Market
2017 American First National Bank Night Market event details
2016 — Guests Enjoy Tasty Fare, Cool Crafts, and New Art at Annual Asia Society Night Market
2016 American First National Bank Night Market event details
2015 — Night Market Draws Diverse Crowd and Celebrates New Exhibition Dedicated to Nature
2015 American First National Bank Night Market event details
2014 Night Market event details
2013 — Enormous Crowd Electrifies Night Market Atmosphere As Thought-Provoking Exhibitions Open
2013 Night Market event details

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Asia Society's Night Market 2018 Draws Record Crowd as Guests Enjoy New Exhibitions, Beer Garden, Japanese-Style Carnival, and More

Previous Night Market events

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