News Summary
Monterey Park is fostering community bonds through its Intergenerational Mahjong event, attracting nearly 200 participants of all ages. Organized by Jaimie Wan at the Langley Senior Center, the initiative encourages families to connect via the traditional game of mahjong. The gathering promotes multigenerational interaction, allowing younger players to assist seniors while enhancing social connections. With positive feedback from attendees, plans for ongoing events are being made, with the next gathering scheduled for October 19 at the Langley Center.
Monterey Park is embracing community interaction through an event called Intergenerational Mahjong, which has attracted nearly 200 participants of various ages. The games take place at the Langley Senior Center and features the sounds of mahjong tiles clashing combined with the nostalgic melodies of vintage Cantopop music.
Organized by Jaimie Wan, the event highlights that mahjong is a game suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster connection among families, as the concept originated from observing families bringing their grandparents to mahjong gatherings. This led to the development of a special space dedicated to allowing families to bond over this traditional game.
The event takes a multigenerational approach, inviting children to join seniors in playing mahjong, thereby reinforcing inter-family communication and relationships. Upon arrival, participants engage in introductions and friendly conversations before diving into the games.
Mahjong is a more than a century-old game that originated in China and has become integral to many Asian cultures and their diaspora. In recent years, it has gained traction among younger demographics in Los Angeles, resulting in the emergence of various mahjong social clubs. The Intergenerational Mahjong initiative is an offshoot of Mahjong Underground, which conducts regular mahjong games in Chinatown at General Lee’s bar.
To support these community activities, the organizers have collaborated with OCA-GLA and the nonprofit Golden Guide to secure funding for events at the Langley Center. The Intergenerational Mahjong series operates entirely on a volunteer basis, augmented by donations from local businesses.
The goal of the event is to provide a consistent and enjoyable community gathering space, particularly in the post-pandemic era where social connection has become increasingly important. Participants represent a diverse array of age groups and backgrounds; younger players frequently assist older ones in learning the game, creating a shared learning environment.
Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Both younger and older players report that they find value in the experience, which not only fosters community spirit but also promotes mental acuity among the seniors involved. One participant noted that mahjong is beneficial for the mental sharpness of elderly players while also recognizing the skills of younger competitors.
As a result of the event’s success, plans for future gatherings are already underway to sustain community engagement. Intergenerational Mahjong is held every third Sunday of the month, with the next gathering scheduled for October 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Langley Center, located at 400 W. Emerson Ave., Monterey Park.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Mahjong is Having a Moment
- TimeOut: Best Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles
- Elle: Monterey Park Lunar New Year Mass Shooting
- LA Times: Mahjong Mistress
- Netflix: The Brothers Sun Restaurant Guide
- Wikipedia: Mahjong
- Google Search: Intergenerational Mahjong
- Google Scholar: Mahjong cultural impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mahjong
- Google News: Monterey Park events
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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