10/06/2024 Senior Center Performance

Authored by Elena Chen

It’s October, the month of spookiness! This visit, we brought along some new performers and Halloween-themed spirit to brighten the day of the seniors at the center. The afternoon was a mix of lively performances and creative activities that had everyone smiling and engaged.

The program began with a lively dance performance by a talented 6-year-old girl, Katallin, whose energetic and graceful moves captured everyone's attention. The seniors were visibly delighted, and they clapped and cheered, spreading the positive atmosphere around the room.

After the dance, Rien played The Flight of the Bumblebee in response to a request from a lady here a month ago, followed by several other students who sang and played various instruments.

During the middle of the performance, we realized that because one performer canceled at the last minute, our program might not reach the full 30 minutes. Cielle sang two songs instead of one, and Chloe Li played an entire Bach piece; instead of just 5 minutes, she played for 9 minutes from memory!

 I was also assigned to play an extra piece on the piano. I had injured my wrist two weeks ago and hadn't practiced for a while, which is why I hadn't planned to perform today. However, my wrist had mostly recovered, so I decided to play River Flows in You by Yiruma from memory. It went well since I really like this piece and often play it at home. After my performance, the seniors applauded enthusiastically. I felt glad that I could step up and help the performance run smoothly. It was a small contribution, but I’m happy I could play my part.

One of the highlights of the day was the closing performance by Grace who played the Guzheng. Her skill on this traditional Chinese instrument left everyone in awe. The intricate melodies and her mastery of the instrument sparked audible excitement from the audience. 

Many of the seniors later commented on how talented they thought the children were, expressing their love for the music and how much it brightened their day.

After the performance, just like we’ve been doing for the past few months, we asked if any seniors were celebrating a birthday this month. Though we’ve asked each time, we hadn’t had any birthdays until now. This time, we finally had two seniors with October birthdays! Rien had been practicing for months and finally got to play 'Happy Birthday' on the piano while everyone sang along. We also heard that one lady had just turned 100 yesterday, but unfortunately, her family took her out today, so we didn’t get to meet her. Still, everyone was excited to sing together.

After the performance, as usual, it was time for games. Since it was October, we transitioned to a fun, fall-themed activity—painting pumpkins! The seniors were eager and enthusiastic, creating colorful and vibrant pumpkins that filled the room with laughter and creativity. It was heartwarming to see everyone so engaged in the activity, chatting and sharing past experiences as they worked.

Today, Marcus also joined us as the game host. He was friendly to everyone, and the seniors really liked him.

One moment that stood out to me was when a senior woman shared her story. She told us that she wasn’t originally from California and didn’t have any family nearby. Seeing the children perform and spending time with them made her feel connected. She had been a teacher and principal before retiring, and watching us serve with such passion and care filled her with gratitude and comfort.

It was a beautiful reminder of the power of music, art, and human connection. The joy on the seniors' faces as they listened to the music, painted their pumpkins, and shared stories was a reflection of the love and care we aim to bring during each visit. The experience left me feeling fulfilled and grateful to be able to give back to a community that has given us so much, and we eagerly anticipate the next time we come here.

Performers: Grace Ma, Chloe Li, Chloe Wong, Cielle Chan, Elena Chen, Rien Chen

Performance Host: Cielle Chan

Guest Performer: Katillin Cheng

Game Hosters: Marcus Lee, Grace Ma, Chloe Li, Chloe Wong,Elena Chen, Rien Chen