Piano street project for East Lancashire (From Blackburn Citizen)

Piano street project for East Lancashire

8:00pm Wednesday 9th June 2010 in News

A CHANCE for East Lancashire’s answers to Jools Holland and Myleene Klass to showcase their talents will be on offer throughout July.

Twenty-three pianos are being left at strategic locations across Burnley and Blackburn at bus stops, band stands and parks for those who fancy tickling the ivories in public.

For three weeks piano maestros will line up alongside enthusiastic amateurs, students and buskers for the Play Me, I’m Yours event promoted by the Creativity Works group.

Arts development officers from the two boroughs have launched an appeal for spare uprights to ensure there are enough instruments to go around. Similar piano fiestas have been held in Rio, Sydney and across the UK.

In Burnley spots such as the bus station, central library, St James Street bandstand and Barden Campus have been selected.

But open-air auditoriums, like Ightenhill, Thompson and Towneley Parks will feature, and the Singing Ringing Tree at Crown Point will be possibly the most remote backdrop.

Across Blackburn and Darwen, the town hall, Turton Tower, Darwen Market, Edgworth’s Barlow Institute, Witton Park and Sunnyhurst Woods have been picked.

Luke Jerram, the artist behind the initiative, said: “Play Me, I’m Yours is designed to act as a catalyst for strangers who regularly occupy the same space, to talk and connect with one another.

The street pianos will provide a interconnected resource, an empty blank canvas, for the public to express themselves and share their creativity.”

Rachael Hawthorn, arts development officer, added: “Both towns are renowned for being home to creative talent, and this event is a great way to show that to people.

“We’d love to hear from anyone who is willing to donate a spare working piano to the event.”

The pianos will be decorated and looked after by arts development officers at each location, and will be removed at the end of each day.

For more information visit www.bbstreetpianos.co.uk or to donate for the intiative can contact Rachael on 01282 664 413, or e-mail rhawthorn@burnley.gov.uk.