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Play Me, I’m Yours

February 22, 2016

The dusty piano displaying family photos in your childhood living room is about to get a makeover. In fact, twenty-four donated pianos from across the Valley are being transformed into playable works of art for a project of Mesa Arts Center slated to be unveiled this week. Street Pianos Mesa will pop up along Mesa streets for a six-week installation beginning March 1 and staying through April 9.

Mesa will be the first Arizona city to host the international project which was conceived by British artist Luke Jerram in 2008. Jerram created the project as an experiment, as a way to activate urban landscapes and get people talking to one another, through a language often thought to be universal -- music. The Street Pianos project was so successful and engaging in its first iteration that it has since been recreated in 50 cities across the globe, including Paris, Hong Kong and Melbourne, and it has been seen by over 10 million people.

When the pianos are installed in Mesa, you’ll find them in accessible public locations like your local library, on the corner of Main Street in downtown, and at the Oakland A’s ballpark. They’ll all be wearing this simple invitation: Play Me, I’m Yours. Anyone and everyone will be encouraged to take their turn at the pianos, which have been thoughtfully made over by community groups teamed up with accomplished lead artists.

When you stumble upon one of these pianos along the street, will you stop to play? Could you resist? The good news is you won’t have to. Follow the project and get the latest details at streetpianosmesa.com.

Tickle the Ivories

Mesa, AZ

Mar. 1 - April 9

Free public kickoff Feb. 27, 2-5 p.m.

Mesa Arts Center