2017 Queens International Night Market. Photo via Facebook
March 13, 2018 by Tara Law
The Queens International Night Market will open its fourth year in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with two special sneak preview events.
A limited number of tickets are now on sale for the sneak previews, which will take place on April 21 and 28. The popular market draws crowds from across the city to experience performances, food and crafts from around the world.
Organizers decided to presell a limited number of tickets this year in order to control the size of the crowd and minimize traffic on the concert’s first two opening nights, following “unexpectedly large turnout” during previous years, according to the event website.
Tickets for the sneak preview events will be $5, or $8 at the door if not sold out. After the sneak preview events, the market will return every Saturday through the summer.
The Night Market will bring back perennial favorites and introduce new vendors.
New vendors will serve specialties such as thai roasted crickets, mexican tacos al pastor,
Italian porchetta, moldovan waffle rolls and many other dishes.
Most dishes, with a few exceptions, are capped at a price of $5. Market founder John Wang has said that it is important to the market’s mission to keep the cost of food down.
“In order to create a uniquely diverse and welcoming event, we have focused almost obsessively on affordability and accessibility,” said Wang. “As a testament to that, we continue to draw perhaps the most diverse crowds in NYC – it feels like a true cross-section of NYC is in attendance on any given night. That’s really what makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.”
Wang also anticipates that the performances will be nearly as diverse as the food. Performers will showcase many styles of dance, music and acrobatics including Balinese gamelan, jazz cartoon theme songs, an all-women Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble, capoeira, street juggling and acro gymnastics.
The market is continuing to solicit performers and sponsors for the coming year. Performers should contact performer@queensnightmarket.com.
A limited number of vendor slots are still available. Interested vendors can learn more online here.
