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Pianos invite Ybor City visitors to play their music

10 pianos are scattered through Ybor City as part of a new art installation.

Staff photo by ANTHONY ALLRED

Alexandra Morales was more than happy to stumble upon a piano outside the Muvico Theater. She was waiting for her husband and needed help occupying her 4-year-old daughter, Ananda.

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2009

TAMPA - People don't have to be professional musicians — or classically trained — to tickle the ivories throughout Ybor City.

Through January, people are being encouraged to play 10 pianos, decorated by local artists, placed throughout the historic district. The effort is part of a public art installation, "Pianos in Ybor: Please Play Me!" sponsored by the Gaybor District Coalition, which promotes gay-owned businesses and efforts in Ybor.

Scott Lau was on his way to dinner with friends Saturday, when the pianos went on display, when he felt the urge to play the piano in front of New York New York Pizza on Seventh Avenue.

"It said, 'Come and play me,' so we figured we'd give it a whirl," Lau said.

So what was the piano novice playing?

"Chopsticks, we think -- our version," he said and laughed. "'Heart and Soul?' Yeah, that might be what it was called."

The pianos are tied down and placed under roofs for protection from the elements and will be donated to charity once the exhibit ends Jan. 9. They are located at Hillsborough Community College's Ybor City campus, Streetcar Charlie's, The Ritz Ybor, New York New York Pizza, L'Olivier's & Teatro Hallway, Muvico Centro Ybor 20, Rock-N-Sports, La France, Gameworks and The Mermaid Slipper.

Alexandra Morales was more than happy to stumble on a piano outside the Muvico theater. She was waiting for her husband and needed help occupying her 4-year-old daughter, Ananda.

"You get to use them, and it's a fun thing for adults and for kids," Morales said. "I didn't want use it [the piano] at first, but now I'm into it."

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.

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