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How this event came about:

The Ann Arbor Asian Night Market came about from a culmination of many different experiences the team at Marupo ACTS yearn for. Some of us emigrated from Asia and are nostalgic of the Hong Kong style 大牌檔 (Dai Pai Dong) open food stalls. Others have visited Japan countless times and are enamored with their local 祭り (Matsuri).

The idea of a festive and lively event has always been central to Asian traditions, and is a cornerstone to a thriving and healthy AAPI community. When we look at the Asian festival scene in the United States, the closest resemblance are usually found in California, with the 626 Night Markets in Los Angeles area being particularly famous.

So what's to stop us from having one in Michigan..?

Answer: Nothing really.

In fact back in 2023, Detroit's own Little Asian Bites team started hosting their night market series in Eastern Market.

Seeing all these inspirations, as well as a successful local example so close by, the Marupo ACTS team decided to give our own spin for a night market in Ann Arbor.

A lot of us are University of Michigan Alumni, and have organized similar festivals when we were students at our alma mater, most notably of which being the University's annual Japanese animation convention Con Ja Nai.

This has given us ample experience with coordinating with artists, vendors, guest performers and more as well as the other logistical fires (metaphorically speaking) that comes along with pulling off an event of this type.

Moreover, we have a strong board that already has contextual experience being vendors in similar events

(Bennett) has been a vendor at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market for 2+ years (and 1 year at Eastern Market). He has also participated (both as an attendee and vendor) at similar events in the AAFM venue (such as the Food Truck Rally, Local Food Fest)
(Jessica Trombley) has helped bring the Dreams Come Chuu Cafe and Performance team to state-wide events, starting with the local Con Ja Nai convention, and traveling to other regions including Lansing, Kalamazoo, and most recently even Ohio.
(Tina Lin) has experience running operations in a family-owned Asian restaurant, including coordination with large orders and transporting large catering requests.

But most important of all, we have a team of passionate self driven individuals, who all want to see this vision to fruition. A lot of us wished for an Asian Night Market while we were young students, and now that we have the opportunity and experience, we plan to make it a reality.

We know there'll be some hiccups and areas for improvements, but we are confident this will be the first of many recurring AAPI Food events based in Ann Arbor for years to come.

Thanks for joining us at the inaugural Asian Night Market in Ann Arbor, see you there soon :)

-Yours Truly

Marupo ACTS Team

Confirmed Participants (last updated May 27th 2025):

11 Food Vendors (Food Vendor Sign up Form):

8 Artisans (Artisan Vendor Sign up Form):

6 Performers (Performer Interest: Please email jtrombley@marupo.org):

Dreams Come Chuu
Spirit of Aloha Hoaloha Polynesian Dance Group
Revolution Chinese Yoyo
[Update] Asian Martial Arts Studio
[Update] Great Lakes Taiko Center
[Update] Ann Hua Guzheng Group
+ More to come...

Confirmed Participants:

YOU :D

Our Sponsors (Sponsorship Interest: Please email sponsor@marupo.org):

Interested in getting involved?

Volunteer Interest (day-of event and in general): Please email volunteer@marupo.org

Marupo ACTS general Info:

[June 2025] Ann Arbor Asian Night Market

AAPI Themed Food, Crafts and Performances for the Public, brought to you by Marupo ACTS

Team Members