Community Corner
Sing For Hope Pianos: Tickle The Ivories In Beverly Hills Parks
Sixteen, LA artist-designed pianos are coming to BH parks & community spaces as part of Wallis Annenberg Center & city's public-arts effort.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The City of Beverly Hills and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts next week are launching the local "Sing for Hope" program. And for piano enthusiasts — whose talents may range from "Chopsticks" to Chopin — this is your time to shine!
Sixteen, upright pianos, uniquely designed by 16, Los Angeles-based artists, will be placed throughout the city's parks and public spaces, including the iconic Beverly Gardens Park and city hall, from Aug. 5 through Sept. 6 for all to stop, play and enjoy as part of the hope-and-healing mission of the New York City-based, Sing for Hope organization.
After the Beverly Hills program concludes, the decked-out, Sing for Hope Pianos will be placed in the fall at public schools across the Greater Los Angeles area, organizers said.
Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these wonderful works of art to our public spaces for all to enjoy,” Beverly Hills Mayor Bob Wunderlich said, adding, "We are delighted that these one-of-a-kind piano artworks will continue to be an artistic resource and source of joy when they are moved to schools and other community-based permanent homes following their public display.”
The Wallis is planning a public performance Thursday, Aug. 5, to mark the Sing for Hope kick-off. (RSVP here on Facebook.)
Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Planned locations for Sing for Hope Pianos in BH, as of now as more will be added, include: Beverly Hills City Hall; Beverly Gardens Park; the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Will Rogers Memorial Park; La Cienega Park; and Roxbury Park.
The 16 regional "piano artists," selected in June by a panel of California-based, art-world luminaries and community leaders, include:
- Adam Rodgers
- Alexandra Nechita
- Bendow
- Chaz Guest
- Çiğdem Akbay
- Gooey
- Helena Faitelson
- Laishan Mui Ito
- Laurie Tsou
- Marisabel Bazan
- The Miracle Project with GRoW @ The Wallis
- Mireille Fournier
- Ms.Yellow
- Punk Me Tender
- Sheila Darcey
- Yalda Sepahpour
“We’re eager to hear our local musicians, neighbors, co-workers and other fellow Angelenos play these pianos, which have provided blank canvases upon which artists share their creativity,” said Rachel Fine, executive director and CEO of The Wallis.
“Beyond solo piano playing, we encourage choirs, bands, all kinds of musical ensembles, even dancers, to stage performances or jam sessions at the piano sites," she added. "Some may choose to seek out all pianos to experience them in every location, as well as the visual aspects unique to each instrument. The pianos are there to be embraced by and spark joy in everyone.”
Los Angeles-area schools slated to receive the pianos are Jordan High School in Watts, Vanalden Early Education Center in Tarzana, Montebello Gardens Elementary in Pico Rivera, Dorris Place Elementary School in Elysian Park, View Park Preparatory High School in Hyde Park and George Washington Carver Middle School in South Park. Additional schools and organizations to be announced later.
Sponsors for the program include paint sponsor Liquitex and Beverly Hills Tower for providing communal work space for the artists, along with: The National Endowment for the Arts; The Sing for Hope Founders’ Circle; International Foundation for Arts and Culture; Arnhold Foundation; Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation; The Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation; Ann Ziff; and Fosun International.
“Los Angeles and Beverly Hills are beautiful, resilient cities and we’re thrilled to bring hope and healing to people in these communities as the country continues its path to reopening,” said Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope co-founder. “Music and art bring people together, and as the world emerges from the pandemic, the Sing for Hope Pianos aim to share vital moments of joy, connection, and arts for all.”
Follow this link for more info on Sing for Hope Pianos.
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