Public pianos will be on Powell River’s streets for the summer, encouraging experts and novices alike to tickle the ivories.
Although music festivals welcome beautiful noise into Powell River’s public spaces each year—from Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy’s outdoor symphonies to the rock sounds of Beer on the Pier—having pianos on the street gives all ages and abilities a chance to join in.
“It’s all about making people’s visit or errand running fun,” said Ann Nelson, Powell River Council for Arts, Culture and Heritage representative. She is launching the initiative with the assistance of fellow arts council board member Ray Boogaards, director of City of Powell River Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Modelled after similar programs in Vancouver, Campbell River and Victoria’s Oak Bay, themselves modelled after a British program launched in 2008, Nelson said the arts council is starting with five pianos, although this number could expand as more pianos become available or as more businesses express interest.
“Usually you have people plunking their little fannies down and playing quite remarkable stuff; this has been the experience of every town and city that has participated in this,” said Nelson.
Famously, a video of a homeless Edmonton man, Ryan Arcand, playing a street piano went viral last year, helping him find community support, as well as joy in a newfound talent.
Interested players can find street pianos secured in place with cable locks at the Wharf at Westview, Powell River Recreation Complex, outside Tree Frog Bistro, beside MLA Nicholas Simons’ office and in the Patricia Theatre’s foyer or at Sycamore Commons, Anglican Church on Sycamore Street in Townsite.
In case of rain or dew, good for flowers and crops but not much use for pianos, volunteers will be covering instruments with “nightie-night” tarps and bungee cords between sundown and 9 or 10 am.
Pianos will be available for play this week until the weekend after Labour Day, weather permitting.
Pianos are undecorated as yet, but Nelson said local artists are welcome to contact the arts council about adopting a piano, as there is a small budget for paint.
For more information about the pianos, or how to volunteer, readers can go to the arts council website or contact the council at [email protected].
