Outdoor pianos are back this summer.
The city hall-based CityStudio program plans to put out 10 pianos in Vancouver’s parks and community centres by July 1. The project is an expansion of last year’s Keys to the Streets project, where four pianos were put in public spaces.
Moving 10 pianos in less than two weeks is no easy feat. East Van Moving Company co-owners William and Luis Galvan are donating their time and truck to help move the instruments.
“It’s tough. If you don’t have the proper equipment for a piano, it’s one of the hardest things to move,” said William. In fact, the brothers normally refuse to move pianos and refer customers to other moving companies if a piano is involved.
But last year the Galvans were approached by CityStudio to help with the Keys to the Streets project. The brothers loved the idea so much that they offered to move the pianos pro bono.
“We don’t move pianos unless it’s for free,” joked William.
The pianos featured in CityStudio’s Key to the Streets program weigh around 400 pounds and are fragile because of the hammers and strings inside that give the pianos their sound.
Jennifer Vallee hopes the pianos provide Vancouver’s neighbourhoods with lively music throughout July and August. “We aim to bring life to the urban environment by placing accessible and public pianos that are vibrant and colourful, that will allow people to play spontaneously and connect with the community,” she said. Vallee, along with SFU student Ebba Hassel, are this year’s project leads for Keys to the Street.
This year, CityStudio is reaching out to artists to paint the pianos. The hope is that artists living in neighbourhoods that receive a piano can display their art on the instrument.
Another key factor in making the project feasible is enlisting the help of people who are willing to look after the pianos. Community stewards cover the piano at night and keep an eye out for graffiti or any other vandalism.
Vallee says that public trust is an important part of this outdoor pianos project.
“We leave them out there in the public and trust that everyone will take good care of them and give them lots of love,” she said. “If that happens, I’ll be more than pleased.”
The Galvans think their Strathcona neighbours would welcome a public piano. There are plans to place a piano in Strathcona Park, but William said they are hopeful that there will also be a Keys to the Streets piano for the artist workshop, called Shop Wrong. The multipurpose workshop does everything from holding wood carving classes to providing space for local artists to display and sell artwork.
Creekside Community Centre is hosting a piano on the False Creek seawall again this year. Recreation programmer Manabu Koshimura recalls the enthusiasm people had for the project last year and looks forward to the arrival of this year’s piano.
“It provided great public entertainment because anytime someone played the piano, people would just pause and listen.”
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