Monday, May 09, 2011

Play Me, I'm Yours

All around Austin there are painted and decorated pianos that have been placed outside in the elements for people walking by to sit down and enjoy. Austin shares this unique experience with the likes of London, Barcelona, New York, Bristol, Sydney, and even San Jose near our hometown. Not only am I blown away that Austin gets to experience something that these other cities get to enjoy, the actual piano tour experience itself is mind-boggling. If you get the chance to hear someone sit down and play who actually knows how to play, and if you're really lucky knows how to sing, the opportunity to be serenaded outdoors during a walk or even while kayaking is priceless.
For Brandon's Mother's Day present to me, he took me on a tour of the pianos. He knows me so well. I couldn't have asked for a better present, and, even better, he came up with the idea. The list of the piano locations on the website isn't quite up-to-date, as some of the pianos were only there for a month starting in April, so these are the ones we went to, which are still around. Our theory is the ones that are at commercial buildings have been taken down, but the ones on city property are still around. I am praying they stay around quite awhile, because it's an amazing experience! If you haven't had a chance yet, go see them.

The City Hall Plaza Piano had gorgeous golden light, even at the brightest part of the day. The steel overhang let just the right amount of light thru to cast a golden hue.



 The Long Center piano had a stunning view. Equally stunning is the building surrounding it which has the long what I call mono-rail like Disneyland surrounding it. The piano sits behind one of the poles holding up the monorail.












 The Butler Park piano (atop Doug Sahm Hill) has an arguably even better view than The Long Center piano, and sits atop a hill with stunning 360 degree views. Unfortunately one of those views has a bit of construction work right now, but when it is completed, that slight eyesore will be even prettier than before.



 The 1st Street Pedestrian Bridge piano overlooks Town Lake aka Lady Bird Lake and sits across from my favorite graffiti on the railroad bridge that says "Focus one point and breathe." Such true advice, and from a graffiti artist. It amazed me how many people walk by this piano without even a glance in it's direction. I even heard one mother say to her child, "Don't touch." when the sole purpose of the piano is there for people to touch, to play, to share, to strengthen a community around a common interest from young to old, from those who play to those who appreciate the beauty of the moment.











Yes, they do.

These pianos are one of those simple joys of life.
 The Fannie Davis Gazebo piano provides a waterfront view, with a fountain misting in the background on one side, and kayakers rowing by on the other. This was our last stop, and rightly so, we were serenaded by a man who decided to sit down and play for his enjoyment. The feeling of being in nature and hearing such a melodic sound is an insane out of the page of a storybook or a scene of a movie feeling.


Amen.


16 Comments:

Sarah OUaL said...

Image_7458 is the stuff indie travel publications are made of. Put that in a piece for Pudunk,BFE and I'd demand we go there for our honeymoon.

You're gorgeous. That's all.

Sarah OUaL said...

Oh, um not that it looks like *Podunk,BFE, but you know what I mean...

Great present, great photos :)

a tall sassy gal said...

Ok this is pretty cool!

L said...

This is awesome! I wish they would bring it here. What happens when it rains, though??

I love all the pics!! Beautiful.

Sorren said...

Those pianos are amazing! Halifax has something like it but instead it's painted mermaids... they don't play music or anything.

I would love to do something for the Uniquely Your City posts! I think that's such a great idea and am flattered you thought of me. Are you planning a certain theme for one of the summer months? Or should I just submit once Halifax gets some nice weather I can showcase? aha

AnEarly30 said...

What a fun and unique way to spend Mother's Day! I love stuff like this! :)

Anonymous said...

What a super cool idea!

Renée said...

Beautiful photos!! What an awesome art walk, these pianos are so cool! Looks like a fun day! xoxo

Teagan B. Sawyer said...

Love the City Hall pic with you and the boys in the background...and the Long Centre Piano looks like a magazine ad...I can picture a high end fashion shoot there or cool bridal photos. So fun! Thanks for sharing.

xo, Kimberly said...

So glad to have found your blog via Everybody, Everywear, today! You're beautiful and fun and (YAY) another young momma, like me!!!

Newest follower! Can't wait to see what's in store on your blog!

Meagan said...

That is such a great idea! Great photos too!
-Meagan
http://spunkychateau.blogspot.com

Pink Sun Drops said...

Sarah - I knew exactly what you meant. And, aw, thanks!!

Tall Sassy Gal - So is going to the Bahamas!!

L - They have tarps attached to the back that they count on the public to use to cover the pianos when it rains. There's a link on their site where you can suggest your city!

Sorren - No theme, just whatever you enjoy doing and post about! You can find more details here. So glad you love the idea!

Pink Sun Drops said...

AnEarly30 - So true. I loved it!

Sonya - Thanks! We had a blast!

Renee - Thanks! It definitely was.

Teagan - So funny, Sarah mentioned something along the same lines as you about that picture. That building is a venue for plays and is stunning.

Fashion Momma - So happy you're a new follower! It is fun to meet other young moms. Love your blog as well!

Meagan - Thanks so much. We had a great time!

Ashley said...

What fun!! :) Looks like so much fun. Glad you guys played the paino and took pictures with them. That is a great idea to get the community together like that.

Ashley said...

ps. love the piano with the buildings in the background - that would be so pretty, even at night!

<3 ash

Dominique said...

These are so much fun! We saw a similar installation of pianos when we visited ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan last year. Great memories of the artwork on the instruments themselves and being serenaded as we looked at other art work around town.

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