Piano on sidewalk intended to get people’s attention at 6 Corners
by BRIAN NADIG
A baby grand piano has been installed on a sidewalk in the 4000 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in the Six Corners shopping district for passers-by to play.
The installation of the piano is one of several recent initiatives by the Six Corners Association to draw more visitors to the area. Hosting a drive-in movie, installing sculptures and placing bike parking corrals on the street are some of those initiatives.
The piano is located next to a "people spot" that was installed last year in front of Josi’s Frozen Yogurt Cafe, 4032 N. Milwaukee Ave. The 10-foot long platform, which includes cafe-style tables and benches, is located in the parking lane and is intended to serve as a gathering space for shoppers.
The Topher Allan Music school, 4018 N. Milwaukee Ave., has donated the piano.
"My school is just down the street. I can always keep on an eye on it by sticking my head out the window," owner Chris Morrow said. The piano’s keys are covered and locked each day at 10 p.m. so that residents who live above nearby storefronts are not awakened by piano music, he said.
Local artist Tony Passero recently painted the piano and its bench with colorful swans, paying homage to the term "swan song," which refers to the last performance before someone’s retirement.
"Everybody was saying to paint musical notes, but I just wanted to go in a different direction," he said.
The piano will be used as part of a small musical event which the association plans to hold at the people spot later this summer, Six Corners Special Service Area program manager Jessica Vazquez said. The piano was installed just in time for the association’s annual "BBQ Fest" that was held on Milwaukee Avenue between Irving Park Road and Belle Plaine Avenue June 10 to 11.
RESIDENT Martin Solis plays a baby grand piano that was recently installed on a sidewalk in the 4000 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in the Six Corners shopping district. The Six Corners Association has installed the piano for passers-by to play in order to draw more visitors to the area. The piano was donated by the Topher Allan Music school, 4018 N. Milwaukee Ave.
(Photo by Agnes Connolly)
