UPTOWN — The final Argyle Night Market of the season is this week and will again honor Uptown poet, activist and rapper John "Vietnam" Nguyen, who died in 2012 saving a drowning friend.
Argyle Night Market is hosted by Uptown United and Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. through Aug. 25. The market is located along Argyle Street between Kenmore Avenue and Sheridan Road.
This marks the second year the market has concluded with a celebration of Nguyen's life. The night will feature performances by the Chinese Mutual Aid Association's dancers, Elephant Rebellion, Kuumba Lynx and Connect Force.
Nguyen died on Aug. 30 in Madison, Wis., at the age of 19. He was just about to start his sophomore year at University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to WBEZ.
"[Nguyen] was an outstanding student artist and leader, easily one of the most talented ever admitted to the university," Damon Williams, vice provost and the university's chief diversity officer told WBEZ.
Two years ago, the 5000 block of Winthrop Avenue where he grew up was named "Honorary John 'Vietnam' Nguyen Way" and murals were placed at the corner of Winona Street and Winthrop Avenue to celebrate his legacy of positive artistic expression, community organizing and tolerance.
The Uptown Bikes Pop-Up shop, 1124 W. Argyle St., will also have a bike valet for cyclists. The shop will give away a free water bottle if you check-in and visitors, who give an email address, will be entered into a raffle for a free T-shirt, according to the event's Facebook page.
Vendors for the Argyle Night Market include: Axis Lab, Empanadas Argentina, Hai Yen Restaurant, Homemade Sin Bakery, Hon Kee, Krazy Krab, MissSaigon, Pho Viet Vietnamese Cuisine and Phoenix Bean LLC.
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