In addition to spotlighting the achievements and histories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander peoples, this AANHPI Heritage Month also welcomes new experiences that challenge us through fun, creative fare. Such is the case with interactive experiment the Mahj, which asks, “What impact do creative experiences in shared spaces have on social connection and mental and social well-being at the community level?” Thanks to a partnership with event planners Asian Season ATX and the Lucky Market Festival, exploring this question gets an in-person boost via a stacked night market; food and drink vendors galore; art installations, activations, and a gallery; spins by DJs Shelz, Carnotrocity, Spectre Moon, and Jaz EJ; a mahjong parlor with both open sets and lessons by Yellow Mountain Imports; a West China Tea lounge; a Sari Sari pop-up; and flash tattoos by Alyssa Does Tattoos. – James Scott
