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This Friday to Sunday, there is a Harbourfront Summer Festival I’ve been looking forward to this summer. Dim Sum: Sampling Contemporary Chinese Culture.

Here are a few choice tidbits that have caught my eye from the programme. (Congrats to Letty for getting a very promising start in fashion design).

Jin (USA)
Saturday July 23rd
8:00 pm
Right now, Jin is arguably the world’s best freestyle rapper! This Miami bred, New York based performer got his big break after winning multiple BET Freestyle Fridays championships. Ruff Ryders records scooped him up and signed him to a lucrative contract. His debut album The Rest Is History features contributions from Kanye West and Wyclef Jean.

Kid Koala (Montreal)
Saturday July 23rd
9:30 pm
Internationally acclaimed Montreal turntablist Kid Koala was signed to Ninja Tune in 1995 - the first North American artist on this prestigious label! Shortly thereafter, the gigs started flowing - opening for the Beastie Boys & Radiohead. Since then, he’s been working on illustrated books and of course, cementing his world class skills! Who else can work four decks so seamlessly?

Chinese Canadian Youth Cabaret
Lakeside Terrace
Saturday July 23rd
9:30 pm
Live dance and music performers from across the GTA. Featuring Mississauga’s own M1, author Day’s Lee, jazz singer Edward Tsoi, soul singer Moulann and fashion designs by Letty Lam and others.

John Kong and Stuart Li (featuring No Luck Club)
Brigantine Room
Saturday July 23rd
11:00 pm
John Kong of Do Right Music and Stuart Li (a.k.a. Basic Soul Unit) deliver broken beat, nu jazz and funk fused with beat driven sounds. Vancouver’s No Luck Club bring us their unique collage of hip hop and eclectic sample-based sounds.

Dadawa (Zhu Zheqin)
Sunday July 24th
4:30 pm
Canadian debut!
The first China-based artist to be signed to a major label since 1950. Her album Sister-drum and the song of the same name is a milestone in Chinese music history. World-pop singer/songwriter Dadawa has collaborated throughout her career with one of China’s greatest composers He Xuntian.

Traditional Chinese Paper Cutting Demo
Marilyn Brewer Community Space
Saturday July 23rd
2:00 pm
An intricate craft that originated over 2,000 years ago, paper cutting has long been admired in China. Master Weiqi Zhou demonstrates this ancient paper craft with precision and delicacy.

Mom, Dad, I’m not an Engineer!
Brigantine Room
Saturday July 23rd
2:00 pm
Artists and their parents face off at this panel discussion about Asian parental expectations when it comes to what their children pursue as a career. Join in this intimate dialogue about coping with identity and contrasting values between the two generations.

Hosted by Margaret Chan

Beijing Bicycle
Studio Theatre
Saturday July 23rd
12:00 pm
Curated by Jane Kim
(Wang Xiaoshaui / China / 2002 / 113 min)
This film gently uncovers the struggles between class, human nature and the rites of passage, while blurring the line between right and wrong.

Lantern Making
Kids Tent
July 23 & 24, noon - 5 pm