Street piano planted near library
Dorval now has its very own sound of music: an inviting street piano.
The city has placed a street piano in a public square behind Dorval Library in hopes that passersby will tickle the ivories and play a few songs.
When someone does hit the keys, the resulting music is pure magic, says Andréanne Alain, a cultural officer for Dorval.
“It’s great in so many ways and there is so much magic that happens around it,” said Alain, a pianist herself. “We believe it’s a great way to bring people together to share experiences that bring peace and joy and to just have fun.”
The upright grand piano was donated and was brightly painted recently by Levy Johnson, a local visual artist. It could use a proper bench, but a stool is sitting in for now. The city is hoping the piano adds another dimension of musical creativity to the community and enhances the already beautiful library setting on Lakeshore Rd.
“That’s what the city wishes: to build a strong sense of community and to create beautiful urban spaces for the population while offering rich cultural experiences,” Alain said.
The street piano initiative began in Quebec in 2012 when some pianos were installed in Plateau Mont-Royal. Since then, the project has continued to grow in Montreal, and Dorval came aboard this summer.
“The initiator of the project in Montreal, Julien Leblond — inspired by the international project Play Me, I’m Yours — came and fixed our piano in July and told me he gives lessons to homeless people sometimes,” Alain said. “It builds self-esteem, soothes the soul, creates opportunities to come together. About the only rule is that people take good care of the piano. The public is asked not to drink over the keyboard or spill any liquids in or on the piano.”
Since the piano went public on July 16, people have warmed up to the idea of spontaneously making music.
“So far several people have come by to play and it is always very heartwarming,” Alain said.
“A young teenage girl was playing beautifully two days ago. Then an older man sat and played for a while. Children with their mom came to listen,” she said. “People gather and sing sometimes. I hope all this will happen here also. It is great to hear people come and play piano outside.”
There are plans for a “mini performance” on Aug. 11 (4 p.m.) for Dorval Celebrates.
The Dorval street piano project continues until Oct. 1. It is available for playing from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — except in the case of rain.
The Dorval Library and Peter B. Yeomans Cultural Centre are located at 1401 Lakeshore Rd. in Dorval.