Image courtesy of Bored in Vancouver | Flickr.com
If you happen to hear the sounds of a piano being played in an unlikely location, don’t be confused – Pianos on the Street has returned for its eighth season in Vancouver! The initiative features fine-tuned heirloom pianos, which are placed around the Lower Mainland to bring piano performances to the public.
Open for both those who have mastered Mozart and those who can barely complete ‘Chopsticks’, Pianos on the Street are free for public to use at your leisure (before you take a seat – why not learn a simple song or two?).
This year, there are more than 30 pianos to be discovered around the Lower Mainland in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond and beyond. Each piano is painted with a unique and colourful design that is eye-catching and perfect for photographs!
Image courtesy of Piano on the Street
In fact, if you think you’ve taken the best photograph, Pianos on the Street is currently running a contest and you could win $300 for best photo or video featuring the pianos.
These pianos didn’t just appear out of thin air! Each heirloom-quality piano has been installed thanks to an initiative founded by the Piano Teacher’s Federation that offers a creative outlet and community space for locals.
To make each piano special, each one is hand-painted by non-profit groups such as Kids Up Front and Studio in the City. They can be found stationed at several iconic locations around Vancouver including Pacific Centre, Lonsdale Quay Market, City Studio, and Richmond Nature Park.
The pianos will be out on the streets until September 15, 2017. Until that date, they are available to be played 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Image courtesy of Pianos on the Street
A full list of the pianos is available below, or you can view a map of the pianos on the Pianos on the Street website:
Vancouver
- Lot 19
- Nelson Square
- Pacific Centre
- Oceanic Plaza
- 401 West Georgia
- Cathedral Square
- East Village (2602 East Hastings Street)
- Main & Broadway
- City Studio
- Bute & Robson
- Pacey’s Pianos (11 E Broadway)
- City Square
Surrey
- Surrey Central (13450 102 Ave)
- South Surrey Rec Centre (14601 20th Ave)
- Cloverdale (5723 176 St)
Richmond
- Cultural Centre (7700 Minoru Gate)
- Britannia Ship Yard (5180 Westwater Dr)
- Terra Nova (2631 Westminster Hwy)
- Cambie Community Centre
- Nature Park
Maple Ridge
- Memorial Park (11900-22498 Haney Pl)
Port Coquitlam
- City Hall (2580 Shaughnessy St)
- Settlers Park
- Hyde Creek Community Centre
- Lions Park
North Vancouver
- Lonsdale Quay Market (123 Carrie Cates Ct)
- JBCC Rec Centre (145 W 1st St)
- City Hall (141 14th St W)
- Lynn Valley Village
- Lions Gate Hospital Hope Centre (1337 St Andrews Ave)
- Parkgate Community Centre (3625 Banff Ct)
Next time you see one of these pop-up pianos on the street, make sure you stop and play a while to entertain those around you! Learn more about the initiative on the Pianos on the Street website.
