For all of you New Yorkers out there, I have one question. Has anyone seen the pianos? A fabulous new art installation has taken over New York City. Thanks to the artist, Luke Jerram, about 60 scattered pianos have flooded all of the boroughs. Jerram has partnered with charitable organization Sing for Hope to install these colorful instruments in public places throughout this large city. Each piano has “Play me I’m yours” painted on it somewhere. A lovely sentiment if I do say so myself.
I was wandering around the big apple, following my feet back home per usual. When among the blaring car horns and people talking, the sound of a piano rose above it all. I kept walking towards a small crowd of people hovered around a man playing a green, orange, and purple painted piano. I squinted to see who was playing this divine music. Bet you can’t guess who was sitting on the stool pounding away at the keys. Yup, you got it. I heart NY boy.
Was this a mirage? No it was definitely him, I’d recognize that impish smile anywhere. As he finished his piece, he stood up and took a bow for his clapping audience. He quickly spotted me through the crowd and beckoned me to step forward. He patted the spot next to him signaling me to sit. Here we go, I thought to myself, my musical debut! (Insert earplugs now.) Of course to my embarrassment, all I could remember was chopsticks. Yet I figured it was better then nothing, so I started to tap the keys. When people actually started to walk away, my knight in shining armor chimed in and turned my sad chopsticks into a lovely duet.
Well, he has outdone himself yet again. Once we finished, people chatted with us and offered congratulations on a great collaboration. Just call me Mozart! Then without another word, he grabbed my hand and we walked.
When spontaneous things like this happen in a massive city where everyone is constantly in a rush or stressed out, it seems like a sign saying “Whoa there self, slow down. Look around. Enjoy the moment.” So the bottom line is thank you Luke Jerram for not only helping out my rather boring love life but for adding something unique and rather mischievous to NYC.
It’s amazing how a simple thing like a piano can interrupt the daily rush and flow on a city. It turns the pavement into a stage, city workers into entertainers and strangers into friends.
As for me, I can’t wait to tell I heart NY boy to, “Play me, I’m yours.”

























