First Friday unveiling: Come Tickle Our Ivories
Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 30, 2015
by Mary Miller James, Project Organizer
“Come Tickle Our Ivories!” will finally come to the streets of Salisbury on Friday, May 1 for its five-month run.
This novel partnership between the Salisbury Symphony and Rowan County’s seven high schools will see seven donated pianos, creatively decorated by art students with a theme of their choice, take their place in a celebratory unveiling in front of seven Main Street shops for anyone to play anything any time, and passersby to enjoy!
An eighth piano is sitting under the clock at the square with signage showing which pianos are located where. Here’s the list:
• West Rowan HS at Textile Products, 119-121 N. Main St., theme: “Metamorphosis”
• Henderson Independent HS at Anna Lu’s Children’s Consignment & Gifts, 103 N. Main St., theme: “Turning Over a New Leaf”
• South Rowan HS at Maia’s Fashions, 103 S. Main St., theme: “Starry Night in China Grove”
• North Rowan HS at the Meroney Theatre, 213 S. Main St., theme: “Life is a Stage”
• Salisbury HS at Salisbury Wine Shop, 106 S. Main St., theme: “Music & Mystery of Mardi Gras”
• Jesse Carson HS at old Empire Hotel, 226 S. Main St., theme: “The Time Keeper”
• East Rowan HS at Creative teaching Aids, 310 S. Main St., theme: “Let’s Create Together”
Watch for additionally scheduled musical events over the summer including one involving our churches, another celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Sound of Music,” as well as the Salisbury Pride Festival.
So come witness the unprecedented artistic talent of our high school students, try your hand at tickling the ivories yourself, or simply enjoy the music from seven pianos filling the air in downtown Salisbury!
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The pianos were moved from the schools to the streets Tuesday and Wednesday, tuned Wednesday and Thursday, and will be unveiled at DSI’s First Friday Night Out at 5:30 p.m., with music students playing
their respective school pianos from 6 to 8 p.m.
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Not only will the pianos become public art located throughout Downtown Salisbury, they will be working tuned pianos made available to passersby who want to sit down and “tickle the ivories.”
This is the first public art piano project in North Carolina. The pianos will be available on display and to play through September 30.
During the First Friday event families can enjoy the pianos and live music as well as traditional First Friday activities including free trolley rides, horse and carriage rides, strolling entertainment and late night shopping and dining.
This is a free event and open to the public. For more information email mollie@vistisalisburync.com
Also happening Friday night is the popular Salisbury Ghost Walk at 8 p.m. Friday (also Saturday), that covers a six-block area down town. In the 1800s Salisbury earned the reputation as the “wettest and wickedest” town in the state. Bring a camera or smart phone and a flashlight. $5 students, $10 adults, 5 and under free. Info at salisburyghostwalk.org, email reservations to boo@salisburyghostwalk.com