What an idea! The charitable organization, Sing for Hope, organizes a city wide festival in the summer, placing eighty-eight pianos (matching the number of keys on a piano) in public spaces.
The pianos are decorated, some by celebs, some by artists, and some by community and youth groups. Anyone can go play one of these pianos.
And, there are also scheduled concerts—free, of course—that run the gamut from opera to jazz to kid music.
When Will Sing For Hope Pianos Be Made Public?
From June 1-16, 2013, for 2 weeks, you wil find 88 pianos distributed across 5 boroughs.The idea? Their vision is that "all New Yorkers have access to the arts.".
After the two week event, the pianos are donated to schools and hospitals.
The point is to make music on these pianos. So you can also just find a public Pop Up Piano...and play!
Want to Try It? Find a Pop Up Piano Near You
2013 SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED. BELOW IS 2011 SCHEDULE (Get an idea of where to look for them...)
1. June 24, 2011: Pop Up Piano Concerts in Clinton Hill,DUMBO,Brooklyn Bridge Park
- 1-1:30pm: Brooklyn Bridge Park: Enjoy Mid 20th Century Classics by Lois Berseth. Hear love songs from the 40s and 50s, such as These Foolish Things, Body & Soul, Because of You, When I Fall in Love, and Deep Purple.
- 6-6:30pm: Under the BQE @ Park and Washington Avenue (Clinton Hill): The High and Mighty Brass Band play New Orleans-style funk and R&B with a gorgeous baby grand piano.
- 6-7pm: DUMBO Archway: Mixed media fun! Elaine Kwon performs throughout the evening wearing a custom outfit matching her piano. Both are wearing crochet work.
2. June 25 2011: Pop Up Piano Concerts in Coney Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park
- 1-1:30pm: Coney Island: Jazz and Blues wiht Sarah LeMieux.
- 6-6:30pm: Brooklyn Bridge Park: Musical Theater and Fun Opera with Aditi Chakravarty, soprano, and tenor Carl Rosenthal, who'll perform operatic arias and musical theater classics.
3. June 26 2011: Pop Up Piano Concerts in Bay Ridge, Prospect Park Carousel (FREE)
- 1-1:30pm Shore Road Park: Concert by Valerie Kraft.
- 6-6:30pm: Prospect Park Carousel: Hear Tunes while Kids Chalk: Great local pianists will play the piano in tune with the carousel, while the kids can make chalk art.
4. June 27 2011: Pop Up Piano Concert in Grand Army Plaza, Park Slope
6-6:30pm: Prospect Park: Grand Army Plaza: Piano music by Ellie Aaron.
Learn more about Sing for Hope.
