Dragons and Melodies: Aliens Ensemble Enchants the Richmond Night Market
Greetings, music enthusiasts. Gloria here, with an exciting update about our recent performance with Aliens Ensemble.
Since the formation of our group, we’ve been fortunate to participate in various events around Vancouver. Recently, we had the pleasure of performing at the Richmond Night Market during the Mid-Autumn Festival, an experience that was both rewarding and memorable.
The Richmond Night Market, established in 2000, has grown into a significant event that attracts visitors from across Metro Vancouver and even from the United States. This year’s theme, “Summer of Sweet Dragon,” provided a vibrant backdrop for our performance.
Allow me to share some highlights of this remarkable event. The Night Market boasts over 600 international food options, tempting visitors with an array of flavors from around the world. More than 110 retail booths offer a diverse selection of trendy fashion items and artisanal crafts. For the young (and young at heart), there are enormous bouncy castles and a lively game section, adding an element of playful excitement to the festivities.
As dusk fell and the market came alive with its dazzling light display, we took to the stage. Our ensemble for the evening consisted of Helena on pipa, Kaitlyn on erhu, Yvonne on yangqin, and myself on guzheng. We performed a selection of beloved pieces, specially arranged to showcase our unique instrumental combination. It was gratifying to see our music resonating with both Chinese and Western audience members.
After our performance, we couldn’t resist indulging in the culinary delights offered by the numerous food stands. Being of Chinese heritage ourselves, we were particularly drawn to the authentic dishes that reminded us of home. The aromas and flavors were truly exceptional, and we may have overindulged a bit!
Performing at the Night Market was a genuine honor, made even more special by the knowledge that this is the final year the event will be held at its current outdoor location. The area is scheduled for development, but we’re looking forward to the completion of the project, which promises an indoor venue for future Night Markets.
As we reflect on this experience, we feel a deep sense of gratitude – for each other, for the opportunity to share our music, and for all those who support us. We look forward to many more evenings of music and cultural exchange in the future.
