At our house, it was War and Speed and Uno, and now that the kids are older, eyebrow-raising games of Pusoy Dos, a Filipino card game where the first one to get rid of all their cards tries not to preen. (Yes, I’m looking at you, Dad and Alicia.)
There’s nothing like family game nights to bring people together (hyper-competitive members of the fam included). And in the weeks since the Eaton Fire, any semblance of normalcy and space for joy and connection are sorely welcome.
“Love, Altadena & Spades” is all over it, and I thank them for it.
The free family game night is a fundraiser for Altadena’s beloved Little Red Hen Coffee Shop, a neighborhood institution since 1955. Organized by a group of creatives and grassroots organizers called Love, Peace and Spades, the free, all-ages event is set from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at Livery Studio, 155 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.
Bring your A game and gracious winner manners and play Uno, Bid Whist, Tunk, Dominoes and Spades. Newbies welcome, there will be tutorials, as well as raffles, music, food and perhaps some good-natured gloating.
The Shays, the family behind the comfort food and best coffee ever at Little Red Hen will be there. Proceeds will go toward rebuilding the shop on North Lake Avenue.
Barbara Shay owns the Little Red Hen coffee shop. Her daughter Annisa Faquir helped continue the “good food served right” legacy started by Barbara’s mother Rena, who took over the café in 1972.
A widow with 12 children, Rena Shay came to California from Mississippi, trained as a silk finisher but seamlessly transforming herself into a businesswoman with tried-and-true family recipes (blueberry French toast, and shrimp and grits topped with Slap Ya Mama seasoning were customer favorites).
Her son Lonzia took over when Rena retired. She died in 2010 at 81 years old. Lonzia himself retired in 2020, and his sister determined to keep things in the family. The business was thriving until the Eaton Fire.
Annisa Faquir said her mother helped raise the eatery’s profile, winning awards, gaining celebrity fans and welcoming anyone who came through the door.
Local artist Keni Arts chronicled the Little Red Hen in two paintings this month, one of many tributes and homages fans have bestowed on the local landmark since the fire.
Friday’s Black Family Game Night is the first of several community-led events to help rebuild what was lost, said Kevito Clark, founder of Love, Peace and Spades.
“This is more than just gameplay,” he said. “Creating spaces of joy, hope, and relief is imperative to our survival in the midst of chaos.”
While playing, enjoy complimentary bites from My 2 Cents restaurant in Los Angeles, fun led by host Joshua J. Pinkay and music spun by DJ Kaaos Jones. Spades Academy will also offer how-to’s on the culturally-rich games that raised so many Black children, organizers said.
To reserve your spot, visit Eventbrite