Yesterday afternoon, against driving wind, a few of us headed west to see whether piano #10 was up in Riverbank. We crossed the footpath @ 138th and headed for the north end of the track, where the first of two pianos sits on a veranda facing the George Washington Bridge.
We arrived to find masses of our neighbors huddled around the piano seeking shelter from the sun showers. Although on lockdown, the piano looked very beautiful sheathed in plastic, alternately billowing and slapping in the wind. While waiting out the storm, I took some pictures and spoke with people about the project. "What's going on, do you know why this is here?" people asked. Few knew of the project. We exchanged maps and information; people photographed their children sitting on the bench. Everyone was pleased to learn that the beast would eventually be unleashed; a handful were excited to learn of the pianos in the Bronx and down the hill at St. Nich's.
Eventually, I flagged down a NYS Parks & Recreation staffer. The group asked him when they'd be able to play. He radio'd the cultural center and kindly showed a few of us to the other piano, seen in Luke's photo at the entrance to the skating rink. "A good idea, for people to have some exposure to music and culture, more than TV" he said, while drying the bench and readjusting the plastic.
Heather, Dom, and I started our morning on Wednesday at Riverbank and had a fabulous time playing.
http://onemagicalmomentperday.blogspot.com/2010_06_22_archive.html
http://onemagicalmomentperday.blogspot.com/2010_06_22_archive.html
photo credit: yours to play, by Urban Gazelle
We arrived to find masses of our neighbors huddled around the piano seeking shelter from the sun showers. Although on lockdown, the piano looked very beautiful sheathed in plastic, alternately billowing and slapping in the wind. While waiting out the storm, I took some pictures and spoke with people about the project. "What's going on, do you know why this is here?" people asked. Few knew of the project. We exchanged maps and information; people photographed their children sitting on the bench. Everyone was pleased to learn that the beast would eventually be unleashed; a handful were excited to learn of the pianos in the Bronx and down the hill at St. Nich's.
Eventually, I flagged down a NYS Parks & Recreation staffer. The group asked him when they'd be able to play. He radio'd the cultural center and kindly showed a few of us to the other piano, seen in Luke's photo at the entrance to the skating rink. "A good idea, for people to have some exposure to music and culture, more than TV" he said, while drying the bench and readjusting the plastic.
Feliz Dia de los Padres, Francisco.