The City of Redmond will present the third annual So Bazaar, a festival focused on music, art and cuisine. So Bazaar comes to life in the form of pop-up urban night markets from 5-10 p.m. on three upcoming Thursdays: Aug. 11, 18 and 25.

“So Bazaar has quickly become a favorite local festival celebrating the arts and cuisine,” said Mayor John Marchione. “Redmond residents and visitors will have the opportunity to meet artists, listen to music, and sample a variety of food and drink based on a different theme each night.”

With roots in the exciting street life throughout Asia, the So Bazaar Night Market returns to downtown Redmond with music, shopping and food in other-worldly settings along the Redmond Central Connector (RCC) trail located between 161st Avenue Northeast and Leary Way.

“There are lots of summer art fairs, food truck festivals, and concert series throughout Seattle and the Eastside,” said Lara Lockwood, Redmond Arts and Culture Commission chair, “but So Bazaar brings all of these cultural experiences together with a twist, thanks to themes that get everyone dreaming beyond the ordinary.”

The culinary arts are a focus of So Bazaar with artisan markets that feature items such as kitchenware, prepackaged food and more. The culinary themes for each night are listed below.

Aug. 11 – Le Cirque will offer up peculiar and fantastical culinary traditions. Featured chef demonstrations will introduce unusual (and delicious) pairings.

Aug. 18 – Urban Hoedown will feature artisanal traditions of the American frontier with an urban twist. People can unleash their inner cowboys and pull up for some barbecue and campfire cooking. A celebrity chef will make a surprise appearance and do a cooking demonstration. Sponsored by the Carter Apartments.

Aug. 25 – Global Bazaar draws on the traditions of Middle Eastern bazaars and Asian night markets. There’s a spicy twist in the market with special Asian street food demonstrations.

• The featured performances for the evening of Aug. 11 will be:

The Cabiri: a dance troupe with stilt walking, aerialists, juggling and more.

Moisture Festival: a variety show with acts highlighting comedy and awe-inspiring physical and mental dexterity.

• Aug. 18: The Moving Art Center will host the MoonDoggies right after a spirited square dancing session with live music by the “Trail Buddies” playing Appalachian porch music led by caller Amy Carroll.

“Whether you need some serious recharging after a long day at work or looking for something memorable to do with the entire family, The MoonDoggies are it. They’ve headlined indie-rock festivals and been featured on KEXP as one of the best bands in Seattle. We’re proud to bring such talented artists to Redmond,” said Culture and Arts Administrator Jessica Rubenacker. “It’s the creative energy and talent in Redmond that always makes me smile,” she said. “It’s not every day that you dance to ‘caffeinated gypsy dance music,’ swing your way through a square dance or stomp in a celebratory Dabke.”

• Aug. 25: Gypsy party dancing led by Balkanarama and DJ Riz will meld into a finale performance by the Jafra Dabke Troupe.

Originally designed by Brooklyn artist Janet Zweig, the Moving Art Center has been responsible for turning unexpected areas around Redmond into an impromptu stage.

“The best thing about the Moving Art Center?” said Lockwood. “You never know where it will be next. It always feels like a stroke of good luck when it shows up.”

For more information and a complete listing of So Bazaar night market activities, visit www.RedmondSoBazaar.com.