MEDIA RELEASE – June 19, 2015
NORTH VANCOUVER - Pianos on the Street is a community engagement initiative spearheaded by Pacey’s Pianos and the Piano Teachers Federation in partnership with the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission (NVRC) and the City of North Vancouver. Pianos on the Street will be in two new North Vancouver locations this summer: the City of North Vancouver Civic Plaza at 14th & Lonsdale, and Parkgate Community Centre at 3625 Banff Court in the District of North Vancouver.
The official launch of the North Vancouver Civic Plaza piano will take place on Thursday, June 25th at 4pm. North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussatto; Studio in the City artists; Sean Pacey, President of Pacey’s Pianos and founder of the Pianos on the Street program; NVRC representatives; and, performers from the Piano Teacher’s Federation will be in attendance to unveil the latest addition to the Pianos on the Street family. Everyone is invited!
Since 2014, Pianos on the Street has been placing pianos in public places throughout Metro Vancouver for the enjoyment of all members of the community. A focal point at popular gathering places, the colourful pianos are a catalyst for drawing people together and sparking conversations between strangers. They provide a friendly performance platform for pianists of all ages and abilities - inspiring some to pursue a new, or renewed, passion for the piano.
The Pianos on the Street initiative was jointly created by Pacey’s Pianos and The Piano Teachers Federation. Pacey’s Pianos has been providing the Lower Mainland with the highest quality pianos for over three generations. Founded by Sean Pacey of Pacey’s Pianos, the Piano Teachers Federation is an organization dedicated to supporting independent piano teachers in the community.
As part of the program, all pianos are painted by a local community group under the direction of a lead artist. The Civic Plaza piano, located outside the entrance to North Vancouver City Hall will be painted by youth from the City’s Studio in the City art program.
This year, the popular Pianos on the Street video contest returns where individuals can upload their performance to be eligible to win cash prizes and an opportunity to audition and perform with Lions Gate Sinfonia during their 2015-2016 season. Plus, there’s an Instagram contest with cash prizes for the best photo taken at one of the outdoor pianos.
Pianos in the Street - North Vancouver Partners:
The City of North Vancouver has long considered arts and culture a priority in considering the lifestyle and well-being of the community. The City’s Studio in the City program is an initiative that provides local youth with opportunities to apprentice in the arts on various public art canvasses and landscapes. Lead artist for the piano project is Sierra Tasi Baker, local First Nations artist Sierra Tasi Baker whose Tlingit name, Gesuqwaluck, loosely translated means ‘creative one’.
The North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission (NVRC) is coordinator for the Pianos on the Street in the two new North Vancouver locations at Civic Plaza and Parkgate Community Centre. A bimunicipal organization of the City and District of North Vancouver, NVRC is dedicated to building healthy individuals, families and communities by providing and facilitating diverse, accessible recreation, arts and cultural opportunities.
For more information about the Pianos on the Street project and contests visit:
www.pianosonthestreet.com
Contact: Anne Rodgers, Communications Coordinator
North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission
604 983-6346 rodgersa@nvrc.ca