Monday 16 July 2012

Night It Up 2012: The Celebration and Showcase of East Asian Culture


Night It Up 2012

It was the "Asian night market" that had everyone talking. Night It Up has, once again, successfully showcased the East Asian community around the GTA over the past weekend. Organized by the Power Unit Youth Organization, a non-profit youth empowerment and development group comprised of volunteers, the team assembled a display of pop-cultural performances and authentic Asian street food.

What exactly, may you ask, attracted more than one hundred thousand people to this venue in the Town of Markham?

Was it the sounds of multicultural performances from talented young singers, bands and dance groups?
Was it the selection of over 100 food vendors representing Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other parts of East Asia, or the distinct aroma of stinky tofu from one specific cart?

Maybe it was even through word of mouth that there were muscular men at the "Trojan" sponsorship booth - willing to take pictures.

All of these features may have been a part of the reason, but the sense of community among the East Asian within the GTA was definitely the deciding factor.

Night It Up offers the experience to gather and celebrate each others' East Asian culture. There is a sense of pride when coming together to embrace our common backgrounds, values and interests.

There is a sense of comfort when walking around the night market venue and sipping fresh watermelon and pineapple juice straight out of the fruit with family and friends.

There is a sense of appreciation when taking the time to be immersed in one's own traditions, even for a few hours, while having the utmost respect for the multiculturalism in Toronto.

Just like Toronto's annual Caribana, this night market allowed the acknowledgement and celebration of an unique culture - and this opportunity was certainly not overlooked. The physical presence and high spirits among the East Asian community at Night It Up 2012 were overwhelming!

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