Those Damned Denver Commies!

[bobbolink]

NOBODY is making a profit!

Any homeless tramp can walk up and start playing a piano... for FREE!

This is going to ruin the country!

Johnson: 16th Street Mall's newest forte offers some good vibrations
By Bill Johnson
Denver Post Columnist
Posted: 05/28/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT


I love the pianos. Maybe you haven't seen them, but there are nine of them, and they sit every block or so along the 16th Street Mall downtown.

Each is newly repaired and tuned, brightly painted in mostly bright blues and greens, and accompanied by a single metal chair. They dare you to walk up and play.

"I was just walking by," he explains. "Music, I guess, is like a magnet to me."

This is his third day on the mall pianos in the week since they were set out.
"They should always be here," he says, starting into another song. "You get to play for free, they are old but nice, and people stop to listen to you."

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15178798?source=rss


Local talent, piano prodigies and sightseers have until June 18 to enjoy the painted pianos along the 16th Street Mall, courtesy of the Downtown Denver Partnership. (Karl Gehring, Denver Post file photo)

[1monster]

1. Cool! What a neat idea!!!!

[bobbolink]

2. Isn't it? They did this at Christmas time, too. Makes you think of all the neat things

that towns and cities could do, if they put their minds to it.

:hi:

[bobbolink]

3. I'm glad you liked it, because some DUer hates pianos, and took away your rec.

Must have been a kazoo player.

[havocmom]

4. Hey, I play kazoo, and I rec'd this one

;)

Very cool. Thanks for posting this.

[Greyhound]

5. K&R. How reminiscent of the Denver I grew up in..

[bobbolink]

9. You played the free pianos on the 16th St. Mall when you were a kid?

uhoh... there wasn't a 16th St. mall then. ^_^
Yes, Denver used to be more playful, before Big Money came to town. :(

[Greyhound]

17. Oh yes, they had just connected it to Larimer Square before I left.

It was a cool little city.

I wish this spirit was more common, but this is nice.

[Bluebear]

6. What a wonderful idea! Music belongs to EVERYBODY

[bobbolink]

7. Oh, no! Music is the province of the upper classes!

:hi:

[Odin2005]

8. COOL!

:D

[bobbolink]

13. Glad you liked it. Think of all the similar kinds of things cities could do.

Imagine... we could use our imaginations to create more fun. For ALL.

Although, I guess it could cause travelers to spend more time in the city than they had planned. :)

[maryf]

10. Thanks Bobbie!!!

something to smile about!! :hi:

[tpsbmam]

11. Hmmmmm, I'm having a vision of me now....

I sit down to play, stretch my fingers, arch my back, and address the caress the keys I abandoned too long ago. I begin to play, hesitating a little at first, unsure of myself after so long. Before long I forget the crowd and the love between my soul and the piano overwhelms me, leaving me alone with my long lost beloved friend. I'm brought out of my solitary awakening when the crowd goes wild, an agent is in the crowd, she approaches me with excitement written on her face, begs to represent me saying, "That's the most heart wrenching, magnificent performance of chopsticks I've ever heard!!"

LOVE this idea -- wish I was there to enjoy it (from an appreciative audience prospective only). K&R!

[bobbolink]

12. And, just think----it's only a few short blocks from the Colorado Symphony!

Loved the scene you set..... you had me going there for a minute! :hi:

[Union Yes]

14. What an awesome idea. Cities that embrace the arts are much more livable cities.

Thanks for posting this heart warming story Bobbie!

KNR

Peace
UY

[bobbolink]

19. Yesss! for the arts! Does this give you any ideas that could be implementable?

I consider my self a unconventional thinker, but something like this had never occurred to me. So much could be done. I hope to hear DUers creative ideas on this. :hi:

[Hannah Bell]

15. kr

[donheld]

16. I really must get down there and see them.

[bobbolink]

21. I didn't know you were in the area. Watch out... all those homeless people hang out down there!

:hi:

[donheld]

22. Oh dear, I've been around Denver 42 years

Worked downtown 4 years, and have lived on Capitol hill 21 years. :hi:

[bobbolink]

23. born in Colorado, grew up in New Mexico, but all the family was here

so I consider both places my home. :hi:

Kicking for the last time, just because this is fun, and somebody may enjoy seeing this.

[CrispyQ]

18. These are the kinds of things that can really enhance & expand our sense of community!

A hearty :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[bobbolink]

20. I love these rare things that put everyone on an even plane. It doesn't matter how much money you

have, or how cool you look.... if there is an available piano, you get to sit down and play.

If there isn't, doesn't matter if you have tons of cash in your pocket.... you will wait for a piano just like everyone else.

There's something about this that just makes me smile.... wish I had thought of it!

:hi: