Night Market 2019 ✨
APASA Night Market 2019, as told from the perspectives of APASA Interns Josh Lu and Cody Mizuguchi.
• Josh Lu •
“When I say APASA, you say sksksksk.” - Austin Nguyen, 2019
Prior to our night of revelry and reverie, other than the innumerable “wait, it’s like, free free?” questions, many people approached me unaware of what a “night market” was. As a Taiwanese-American myself, it did not occur to me that one could not know what a night market was, something I grew up going to when I visited family in Taiwan. The fragrant food, bustling noise, and organized chaos of night markets have always held a special place in both my heart and stomach; night markets have always been a place of community, where family and friends bond over food. And I’m so grateful we could share that sense of community and culture through APASA’s annual Night Market.
• Cody Mizuguchi •
In the midst of the final hour before the sun’s descent, all APASA Interns and E-Boarders hustled, carrying boxes of Calpico, chairs and posters to set up for the night’s occasion: after months of planning and preparation, APASA’s Night Market, the biggest event of the year, was finally here. As the string lights flickered on and member organizations reported to their booths, everything began to fall into place. At 6:30, the annual APASA Night Market opened, and a flood of students eagerly rushed in to see it all and bask in its glory.
The night kicked off when emcees Yunmi Kim and Austin Nguyen took the stage. Their theatrical dialogue and energetic stage presence captivated the audience, as they introduced acts such as Kazan Taiko Drumming, Spade-A Dance, and Trogons, one of USC’s acapella groups on campus. Each act was authentic in telling their stories through their performances, and allowed me to appreciate and gain further insights about cultural diversity.
When the food arrived, an ethnic smorgasbord was laid out and served, ranging from Rutt’s Hawaiian Food to Northern Café and Indian Cuisine from Himalayan Kitchen. As a Hawaii native, my favorite dish had to be the Kalua Pig from Rutt’s, as the juiciness and tenderness of the savory pork reminded me of home. And of course, who could forget the colorful petit donuts from Fantastic Donuts, fizzy Fanta Orange (#sponsorship), and yummy pastries from 85 Degrees!
In attending Night Market as an APASA Intern for the first time ever, this was by far one of the most memorable events I’ll cherish during my college experience. From the cute Miniso plush prizes to the delicious cuisine and spectacular cultural performances, I was thrilled to see how our hard work and dedication paid off. Night Market successfully promoted a camaraderie of fusion and flare, spreading awareness and bringing the Trojan community together for the greater good.
Photos by Josh Lu