Mahjong Night with Sparrows 麻雀 + Closing Reception

​In Cantonese, mahjong is 麻雀, the sparrow, named for the clatter of shuffled tiles that sounds like birds chattering. Sparrows is Jessica Wu's mahjong video installation and workshop, and for one night it fills the exhibition, Your Hands Cover Me Like Cool Prayers, with tables in play from start to finish. It's also the closing reception, so come say goodbye to the show.

​New to mahjong? The night is set up for first-timers. Beginner tables run in short rounds with a volunteer teacher at each, and once you've played a hand you can move to a mixed table. The Sparrows video plays throughout, there's a short story session on the history of mahjong and early Chinese immigration in North America, and a question wall invites your own stories before you head home.

​Food is a big part of any mahjong night, so Susan Liu, her brother, Sissy and Kehan are home-cooking for the tables. It'll be ready upstairs from 7 pm, so help yourself.

​Free and open to all. Step-free entry.

​Hosted by Jessica Wu with Riversdale Chinatown and The 525 at 122 21st Street East, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Photos are taken with consent, so let our team know if you'd rather not be photographed.