I remember in 2010 when New York City hosted some street pianos. Because I am a pessimist, I wasn't all that impressed. The artist part of me knew there was something cool about making instruments accessible in public, and that the unexpected placement of those pianos would be whimsical and fun. But a greater part of me was not all that excited.
This is because my gut reaction was not to envision the best. I envisioned obnoxious high schoolers making a nonsensical racket, adults rudely using it as a flat space to rest their soda can, and small children plunking out Jingle Bells incessantly while I tried to read. So I wasn't holding my breath for them to come to Boston.
Recently, and lasting until mid-October, they arrived, and have been decorated by local artists. Given that I'm out an about in Boston quite a bit, I've seen several, including the ones in Harvard Square Plaza, outside Sullivan's on Castle Island in South Boston, and near the Berklee Bookstore on Boylston Street.
The pessimist in me has been squashed. I have not witnessed any of the scenes above. I've only witnessed delighted elderly men dusting off songs from long ago, children plunking out pieces of pop songs to happy audiences, and a presumably homeless woman smiling and improv'ing while her belongings sat nearby and a group of her friends listened.
This is because my gut reaction was not to envision the best. I envisioned obnoxious high schoolers making a nonsensical racket, adults rudely using it as a flat space to rest their soda can, and small children plunking out Jingle Bells incessantly while I tried to read. So I wasn't holding my breath for them to come to Boston.
Recently, and lasting until mid-October, they arrived, and have been decorated by local artists. Given that I'm out an about in Boston quite a bit, I've seen several, including the ones in Harvard Square Plaza, outside Sullivan's on Castle Island in South Boston, and near the Berklee Bookstore on Boylston Street.
The pessimist in me has been squashed. I have not witnessed any of the scenes above. I've only witnessed delighted elderly men dusting off songs from long ago, children plunking out pieces of pop songs to happy audiences, and a presumably homeless woman smiling and improv'ing while her belongings sat nearby and a group of her friends listened.
This young man serenaded a large audience at Castle Island on Wednesday.
People, perhaps, can be trusted more than I generally envision.
Music, perhaps, has a power to make people see only good possibilities.
This was, perhaps, a really great idea.
Music, perhaps, has a power to make people see only good possibilities.
This was, perhaps, a really great idea.
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