The chilly Friday night was alive with energy as attendees from all over Kamloops gathered at the Sandman Hotel to visit the Misfit Night Market on October 18th, 2024. This local market drew in a crowd of close to 700 people, all eager to participate in the community that has been created. Emphasizing its connections to various under-represented groups in Kamloops like the LGBTQ+, punk, or alternative communities, the market is truly inclusive. With a shared love for creativity, and community, the Night Market is more than an artisan bazaar- it’s a sanctuary for unapologetic self-expression.
The Misfit Night Market showcases, “the people who didn’t necessarily fit in, and the vendors who don’t fit into your standard craft market,” describes Jess Santos, creator of the Misfit Night Market and owner of Haus of Misfit when asked about the demographic of the market. “I’m trying to give space to those people who are more alternative, witchy, queer, nerdy…the freaks and geeks.” As a local in Kamloops, they recognised a lack of spaces that were truly inclusive for all communities to gather. Each niche had their own small events but unless you ran in those circles you would never know about them. By creating the Misfit Night Market, they hoped to bring these smaller, underrepresented communities together and allow people to express themselves more fully. Having spaces that are inclusive and more importantly, safe, for members of marginalized groups is a rare occurrence in town and the Night Market is an oasis in this desert.
Conceptualised in late 2019, the first Misfit Night Market was set for March 28, 2020. Which in hindsight, turned out to be a difficult time to organise large events. However, the love and passion shown from the community for even the idea of a market like this was enough, fire had caught and it wasn’t going to be extinguished. Forging ahead, Jess moved the first Night Market to October 30, 2020 and – with some modifications- made a covid-friendly market. Selling various goods from art prints, to handmade soap, to jewellery, and clothing, the market offered something for everyone. Reflecting back on it she said, “It was a tiny thing. I didn’t have any vendors, I just had their tables set up and it was just all the artisans stuff. Then I was there selling it all for them, and then paying them the money after.” Word of this unique market spread quickly and vendors and customers alike were clamouring for more.
Both artisans and attendees feel a special connection with the Misfit Night Market. “It’s just overall been the best experience for me,” said Avery, the owner of AvesCreations and long-time vendor with the market. “I’ve been the most profitable, had the most fun, and met the most people. So I’ve stuck with that market. It’s the one where I know I need to sign up cause I would rather do that one than any other market.” They had a large table sprawling with jewellery like rings, necklaces, and boot chains which catered to the alternative crowd at the market. Selling their custom jewellery at these markets, they enjoy being able to form more connections within the community. And with the diverse crowd the market draws, they appreciate that, “It’s an inclusive place, where all of us can come together.” Despite every vendor selling different works, a respect and mutual understanding exists between them that this event is a privilege to be a part of, and their enthusiasm in partaking is infectious.
Tucked away in one of the corners of the stuffy room was artist Dre Levant, selling his original framed artwork. Despite the mass of people trying to navigate through the narrow path between booths, he looked at home behind his table. Chatting with passer-bys, and engaging with those interested in his work he was able to balance all the roles required of him expertly. As his fourth Misfit Night Market, Levant is no stranger to the vendor lifestyle. A self proclaimed “misfit” he has tried other local markets like the Farmers Market, but found that he didn’t quite fit into the expected mould of an art vendor. “My art is a bit more on that alternative side. It’s a little bit creepy, a little bit cute,” he said when asked about why he prefers the Misfit Night Market over other local markets. “For me being on the misfit side of things, being a queer person- a queer creator, and someone who likes to make art that’s kind of weird, or strange, or even grotesque to some people, I think going to the Misfit Night Markets is ways to find people who align with that as well. And who are on the same wavelength as you. Other queer people or people who feel just a little bit different.” As a Visual Art student at Thompson Rivers University, Levant is exploring his identity through his art. Even when creating pieces that are self described as strange or horrific, he finds that other students often don’t understand his pieces. But at the Misfit Night Markets, he feels understood. Speaking about the market he said, “It’s just a space where you can be weird here, you can be different here, you can be as visibly queer as you want to but everyone here’s just going to accept you, and I think that’s so important to have spaces like that.”
An anonymous attendant at the market commented on the importance of spaces where people can feel safe, “Kamloops really needs more events like this, where kids- not just kids but it’s important for them- to see different ideas and possibly recognize themselves in the community that’s around them.” As an all ages event, the Misfit Night Market is, “for everyone, except for jerks,” Santos said on the idea of making the event child-friendly. “I want the kids who feel more alternative, give them a place that they feel like they feel represented in Kamloops.” According to Elections BC data from the 2024 Provincial election, Kamloops had a Conservative vote of 49%, with the closest party being NDP with 41%. As a city that houses Conservative views, queer people and other minorities feel more unsafe and unsure than ever. Being able to gather at events in person and see that they are not alone is pivotal for the longevity of these communities. The Misfit Night Market provides not only an option for communication amoung each other, but a chance to form strong community bonds that are vital to survival.
Despite the overwhelming success of the market in terms of sales and attendance, it is a rare occurrence. With only four markets in 2023, and two in 2024 the time between events fluctuates. “Usually by January I have the dates and locations in mind and because Kamloops does not have a ton of venues, it’s good to always get that taken care of right away,” Santos explained about her behind the scenes preparations. She then described how she sends out the call for vendors through Instagram and Facebook, receiving anywhere from 35 to 70 applications. Applicants are then placed on a waitlist where Santos picks the vendors depending on location size, trying to accept as many as possible. Only once accepted do vendors pay a table fee around $70, and Levant is happy to pay this. Making several hundred dollars throughout the night offsets the initial table fee. Santos then does a daily creator feature on the Misfit Night Market instagram page running up until the week before the market. With so much experience under their belt now they feel it is, “A little formulaic, and there are a lot of hidden things that go into it, but there’s always small hiccups.” However, this doesn’t dissuade her from continuing to organise the market.
In a city that often lacks safe spaces for queer and alternative communities, the Misfit Night Market stands out as a vibrant reminder of the power of art to bring people together. By supporting and uplifting these communities, Santos and many others through the Market are providing respite through the tumultuous storm that is the future of Kamloops. Connections are the most important thing that a community can have at times of unrest or instability, and by allowing a physical space for people to share themselves with others, these communities are growing and being bolstered by their own strength. Supporting each other by vending at the market, visiting the physical Haus of Misfit, or buying directly from artists through their social media, people in the Kamloops community can all participate in this niche community. Staying informed of future events by following the Instagrams: Jess Santos @misfitnightmarket, Dre Levant @jupiter.bloom_art, and Avery @avescreations, allows further inclusion into this marvelous market.
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Instead of: “My art is a bit more on that alternative side. It’s a little bit creepy, a little bit cute,” he said when asked about why he prefers the Misfit Night Market over other local markets.
Write: Levant prefers the Misfit Night Market over other local markets because his art is “a bit more on that alternative side. It’s a little bit creepy, a little bit cute.”