Across Sarasota, people are looking for ways to branch out and find new ways to have fun. The Sarasota Mahjong Club was founded last year when organizer Emily Wilson was looking for people to play the tile-based game with. Now, the group has grown to 850 members and continues to expand.  At first, people were fascinated by the 19th-century game and its emphasis on skill and strategy. “The game is layered, so it takes a little bit to learn, and you do have to use your cognitive skills,” Wilson explains. “It feels so good to be using my brain and experiencing joy and laughter with friends at the same time.” She highlights that mahjong is the perfect way to bring people together and allow them to find community. “I think that’s a little bit harder to find as an adult,” she says. The club hosts mahjong lessons and drop-in games weekly, with the occasional themed event. Similarly, MVP Sports and Social has been encouraging community through team sports, offering opportunities to meet new people and stay active. “It’s not about being good or being competitive, but about meeting people,” group organizer Chris McComas says. “Whether they’re here for six months or eleven years, I hope they build relationships with people they travel with, go to concerts with and stay connected to long after they leave.” MVP Sports and Social has something for everyone, with 18 leagues across 9 different sports. In such a rapidly expanding city, MVP Sports and Social and the Sarasota Mahjong club showcase Sarasota’s appetite for connection.  —O.Fanders mvpsportsandsocial.com, @sarasotamahjongclub