New piano in Penticton's Nanaimo Square available for musicians to entertain

The tinkle of ivory can now be heard emanating through Penticton’s downtown core.

We all need a little more entertainment in our lives — especially with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our day-to-day lives in so many ways.

So, the City of Penticton and the Downtown Penticton Association have installed a piano in Nanaimo Square to give people the chance to vent musically, and entertain those in close proximity.

“We were looking to bring some positive activity into the Square and the surrounding area, just getting people out and about again and being more active in the community.” said City of Penticton bylaw services supervisor Tina Siebert. “We wanted to invite people to the area for something fun and exciting and different. Getting them here to see some live art was the plan.”

The piano was a donation from a city employee who didn’t need it anymore.

“They gladly wanted to share it and put it here, which is really awesome. We didn’t want to incur too much cost, but we wanted to have something different and unique here,” said Siebert. “The timing was really good with the summer and getting people together in the Square.”

Once the piano had been secured, city staff connected with the Downtown Penticton Association, and the plan quickly came to fruition.

“The City asked us if we’d like to be involved in this project. And we thought, yes of course! It’s absolutely amazing to bring this creative and fun activity to downtown, and have it so people can come and watch this live painting and have it as an interactive activity, and at a safe distance,” said DPA event manager Amber Belcourt. “On Sunday we’re going to be prepping it and sanding it.

“Afterwards, The Long Gallery Studios Shop will be painting a beautiful design.”

What will the piano look like once it’s been painted? Well, you’ll just have to come down and check out the finished product, and maybe play a tune for everyone.

“We have a bit of an idea but really, we want them to use their own creativity abilities,” responded Siebert. “The artists in the studio kind of have a bit of free reign on what they want it to look like.

“It’s quite a unique canvas for them, so they’re able to be creative with it.”

Taking into account COVID, the city plans to wipe down the piano keys three times a day, and recommends piano players wash their hands before and after their set.

The city is also asking musicians to be respectful of the area, and to limit playing to business hours and early evenings. There is also free two-hour parking in the downtown core until the end of the year.

“We’re really excited to bring this creative activity downtown, involve our community and to have a positive, creative outlook,” summarized Belcourt. “We want to let people know downtown’s here, we’re open, we’re ready for you. Come down and shop and enjoy the beautiful music.”