Seattle’s popular summertime Pianos in the Parks program is making a return engagement this month. Each day — through July 17 — a special piano will appear at a local park, waiting to be played for one day only. Then another piano, at another park.
Ten parks and public spaces across King County will host 10 artistically enhanced pianos for public play. New this year, each participating park will host a free daily musical performance — featuring the piano — from noon to 12:30 p.m.
On Saturday, July 16, the piano titled “Imaginary Piano” by artist Karina Kudinova will be featured, with a performance by Andrew Gu from noon to 12:30 p.m at Chism Beach Park at 9600 SE 11th St. in Bellevue. An instrument Petting Zoo will also run from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Other participating parks include Luther Burbank Park in Mercer Island; Alki Beach Park, Kerry Park Viewpoint, Kubota Garden, Golden Gardens and Westlake Park in Seattle; Sammamish River Trail in Redmond; and Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation.
In addition to the 10 park pianos, a piano will be available for public use every day for the duration of the program at KEXP Plaza (at Seattle Center). Ticketed passengers will also find a special piano at Sea-Tac International Airport’s central terminal greeting passengers flying to and from the city of music.
Pianos in the Parks is designed to encourage the discovery of parks through music and art by placing one-of-a-kind, artist-designed upright and grand pianos in parks for free public use and music exploration.
The pianos — all previously owned — are procured, repaired, tuned, transported and maintained by Bellevue-based Classic Pianos.
The complete park schedule is available at http://pianosintheparks.com/.
