Calgary street pianos attracts musicians from all walks of life

Peoplefrom all walks of life canonce againmake musicon Calgary's busystreets.

Thestreet piano project wasstarted three years ago as an experiment in crime prevention and community building.

"It was so successful in bringing people togetherpeople that would never play the piano together,probably would never even have a conversation together," said Maggie Schofield, executive director ofthe Downtown Calgary Association.

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Schofield says the outdoor pianos have been played by everyone fromaccountants and lawyerson their coffee breaks, to clients of the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

"We have people that are living in apartmentsthat clearly don't have the space or the means to have a piano."

By the end of the summer, a total of threepublic pianos will be parked on sidewalks in downtown Calgary, each onecustom-made by the National Music Centre's collections and artifactcare manager, Jesse Moffatt.

"Itactually looks like a plant container," said the project'scuratorKennaBurimaabout the "Woodlands"piano, which is currently sitting on the corner ofSixth Avenueand Third StreetS.W.

Then there's a 61-key piano (standard pianos have88) on Stephen Avenuein front of Saltlik called the "WeeLittle Piano Book Exchange," whichhas alibrary built into its backside, inviting peopletotake or leave a novel.

The third piano will be revealed later this summer.

"It's a surprise," said Burima, who is busyhiringlocalmusicians to play these wacky pianos over the lunch hour this summer.

The concerts will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noonto 1 p.m., staring June 30 with Calgary Flames organist WillyJoosen.