The 2024 CCYAA Celebrity Classic capped off a day of fun-filled activities, including a food and shopping bazaar, FRESH FEST and a youth variety show, YOUTH JAM.
The fun took place last night at Mattamy Athletic Centre, drawing another star-studded who’s-who in talent including Jeremy Lin, Dominique Wilkins, Gordon Cormier, Jason Williams, Olivia Cheng, Julie Kim, The Brothers Sun stars Justin Chien and Sam Li, plus MANY more!
So wonderful seeing Simu and The CCYAA committed to the amazing work they do for our youth across the GTA! The way Simu always smiles when he sees me. So proud of him!
Some snaps:
An overview of events yesterday’s events:
CELEB CLASSIC 2024
BASKETBALL GAME (MAIN EVENT)
Watch a Hollywood actor, an NBA legend, your favourite YouTubers and more lay it all on the court for a good cause. Catch rival matchups, fierce competition and hilarious beef in this epic game you won’t want to miss.
Coaches: Dominique Wilkins and Jack Armstrong
FRESHFEST
Come experience FreshFest, a curated collective of Toronto’s leading Asian-owned businesses. From Chefs and makers to community leaders and supporters, FreshFest is the place to taste, sip, shop and play.
Vendors:
EAT
The Alley
Bungkus
PAI
Hong Shing
A-Sha x Super Noodle Company
Chef Suman Ali
Namwan
EATABLE Popcorn
Sisters & Co
Gushi Japanese Street Food
Roselle Desserts x Steven Tran Chocolates
DaanGo Cake Lab
SHOP
SoleStop
Chronic Ink
Osume
KayTran Eyewear
Dim Sum City
Banana Games & Hobbies
Jollybeast
Tuft Theory
Hey Fun Market
Mindzai
Kalamansi Collective
Pin Boy Fresh
Styll
Akira
draa
Arcadia Puzzles
ArtketGoods
Bowl Cut Paper Goods
YOUTH JAM VARIETY SHOW
A high-energy, family friendly show featuring performances and celebrity appearances inspiring the next generation to dream big and break barriers.
Learn more here.
(Photo/video credit: CCYAA/Mr. Will Wong)
It was one for the books as the second CCYAA (Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association) Celebrity Classic powered by Virgin Plus, took place last night at the University of Toronto‘s Goldring Centre! Headlined by and featuring guest appearances by the likes of Simu Liu and NBA star Jeremy Lin, Comedian Ronny Chieng, Comedian Hasan Minhaj, Bling Empire star Kim Lee, Shang-Chi star Meng’er Zhang and more, the weekend was highlighted by a series of events leading up to the match. The event raises funds for the Jeremy Lin Foundation and the CCYAA’s new Community Centre.
Among the festivities this weekend were three Comedy Shows at Yuk Yuk’s with Comedian Julie Kim headlining. Kim recently wrote the Script for the JUNOS, hosted by Liu, and is confirmed for the upcoming Just for Laughs Festival! There also was a Youth Jam held at Goldring Centre, plus a four-day vendor Festival, FRESH FEST, at indoor Asian Night Market, SUPERFRESH in the Annex. For one day only, popular California Bubble Tea Chain BOPOMOFE CAFE did a pop-up shop which saw at one point, a 90-minute queue outside the hotspot.
As expected, Lin strut his stuff at the tournament, not to be outshined by Content Creator Mike Wu, whom many were saying deserved MVP! Fans went wild seeing up-close and personal some of their Asian-Canadian/American idols!
We were out and about and so thrilled to get to meet some of the stars in-town for the affair celebrating North American Asian Excellence.
See who we spotted, with a little help from beanie!
This event is amazing and hoping in coming years it remains an annual thing! So important to celebrate the accomplishments of this Community!
Learn more about it here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
In celebration of the 2nd Annual CCYAA Celebrity Classic presented by Virgin Plus in partnership with Actor Simu Liu, various events will be taking place around town, celebrating excellence in the North American Asian Community. The Basketball match will feature a star-studded line-up including professional Basketball Player Jeremy Lin, Actor Ronny Chieng and Comedian Hasan Minhaj. The Game takes place Saturday, July 9, 2022 6 PM at the Goldring Centre, University of Toronto. We’re hearing Bling Empire star Kim Lee might even make an appearance!
Just down the road from Goldring Centre in the Annex, FRESHFEST will be taking place at bustling hotspot SUPERFRESH. The four-day event showcases Arts, Music, Food, Drink, Lifestyle, and Retail. Just some of the vendors appearing for a limited time only between Wednesday, July 6, 2022 to Saturday, July 9, 2022:
● A Bopomofo Cafe (based in California) pop up which was co-founded by WongFu Productions creator Phil Wang
● An art-toy exhibit from Mindzai
● A free sneaker cleaning station courtesy of Crep Protect
● A merch-market which includes collaboration pieces with Mitchell & Ness including a limited
edition variant of the infamous BobaRaptor line
Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, July 6 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Day Market, as curated by Auntie’s Supply Founder and Owner Christina Tolosa Pack, will feature a diverse line-up of 10 of the freshest Asian vendors Saigon Drip, Apothegeri, Kopi Thyme, Kumain Kitchen, Baker Rae Desserts, Mad Love Creative Co. and many more
Thursday, July 7 (9:30 pm – Close)
Freshfest DJ Night showcasing a line-up of local Asian DJs spinning fresh beats, curated libations and select street eats
Friday, July 8 (4:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Freshfest Pop-up featuring Mindzai, Crep Protect and CCYAA Merch Market
Saturday, July 9 (12:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
Freshfest Pop-up featuring Bopomofo Café, Mindzai, Crep Protect and CCYAA Merch Market
Also taking place this weekend is a Comedy Night at Yuk Yuk’s with Headliner Julie Kim, who happened to write Simu Liu‘s JUNO Awards Script. And you just never know who will show-up!
Limited Tickets still are available here to the CCYAA CELEBRITY CLASSIC with Simu Liu and Jeremy Lin.
Learn more about Superfresh here.
We had the chance to visit recently. More here:
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