More tasty Chinatown Night Market news:

The much anticipated, revamped Vancouver Chinatown Night Market is ready to launch its 2013 season officially on June 1st.* After 17 years at the helm, the VCMA have welcomed a new group of volunteers to the project in order to “help give the Night Market a fresh look and feel,” says Henry Tom, VP of the VCMA and Chair of the Night Market Committee. After a long winter of hard work, the new team is eager to introduce its revitalized summer schedule revealing some of the best outdoor entertainment and shopping in the city as well as a weekly on-site food truck gathering organized by the Vancouver Street Food Society and will include favourites like Vij’s Railway, Roaming Dragon, Le Tigre, Tacofino, and Mogu.

“Now that the weather is warming up, it’s hard not to get excited about the night market and to see everything we’ve been working on become a reality,” said Tannis Ling, managing director of behind the new vision for the Night Market. “The buzz has grown quickly and the response from everyone has been extremely positive. People are looking forward to the changes but also their returning favourites so there is literally something for everyone.”

To kick off the new program, ping pong enthusiasts – novice and expert alike – are invited down to take part in the inaugural Chinatown Night Market Ping Pong Club. Some highlights to catch in the weeks following include Rain City Chronicles; Hip Hop Karaoke; The Chinatown Mahjong Social; Night Vision: Projection Photo Show including works by Fred Herzog; a Dumpling Festival; Weekend Leisure Karaoke; Chinatown Outdoor Cinema; Sonic Boom! The Street Fighter II Tournament; and much more.

“This summer is unlike any other in the history of the Chinatown Night Market,” said program director, Ken Tsui. “The team and I are proud to be collaborating with organizations in the neighborhood–places like The Vancouver Public Library, The Carnegie Community Center, Girls Rock Camp, Vancouver Moving Theater and Project Limelight–in creating culturally unique entertainment on the market stage.”

The team’s dedication to renewal, collaboration, and innovation has extended to the types of vendors that have been added to the existing line-up and that will rotate and change every weekend. As Tsui says, “We’re proud to host some fresh, creative businesses in the city and look forward to building a strong community that will last for many summers to come.”

In keeping with tradition, the market’s annual opening ceremony will be hosted by AM1320; federal, provincial, and civic government representatives and community leaders will also be present to take in the festivities. Representatives will give speeches, awards will be presented and a traditional roasted suckling pig will be carved followed by an evening of music and dance to mark the opening of the 18th year of the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market.

*An unpublicized soft launch will start on May 17th with a select number of vendors. A full event calendar will be available on the website.