City Of Davis: "In The Key Of Davis" Public Piano Program Returns To Davis

Press release from the City Of Davis:

June 23, 2021 4:30 pm

After over a year of quiet streets and little to no live music, the City returned the beloved public pianos out of their long hibernation for the City art program "In the Key of Davis" last week. The pianos are located at most of the past locations. You can play them this year at the newly improved Hunt-Boyer Plaza, on G Street between First and Second Streets, Davis Food Co-Op and Central Park. New locations this year include Veterans Memorial Theatre (203 E. 14th St.) and Davis Commons (500 First St.). 

Pianos will be tuned soon and ready to roll for the summer months. "In the Key of Davis" brings delight and surprise to Davis public spaces by providing used and vibrantly painted pianos for everyone to play. The pianos offer a space for improvisational gatherings, spontaneous connections and celebrations of music.

Pianos are painted by local students and artists and placed in outdoor public spaces where the City invites the community to help care for them for the summer months. These pianos create spaces that make Davis a more vibrant, engaged and interactive city. The pianos also address issues of social isolation in Davis by providing spaces that allow and encourage connections between many demographics, all levels of musical skill and those who simply want to listen. 

Mayor Gloria Partida recognizes the social/emotional health benefits of making and listening to live music. “In addition to creating a positive space that draws people in, we know that making and listening to music both release endorphins like dopamine in our bodies that help us to feel calm, and in general happy and less stressed,” said Partida. “Our community is definitely in need of this creative outlet right now. “

"In the Key of Davis" was launched in 2015 as the brainchild of two local teenagers Isabelle and Hailey Shapiro, who experienced a similar program while visiting another city. The Shapiro Family has taken the program under its wing and worked with the City each year to continue to build and refine the program. Once launched, it spurred a flurry of media and community praise. It has since been commended as one the most engaging and accessible projects in Davis by community members, media, tourists and music makers of all types, and continues to grow and delight players and audiences alike. You can learn more about the program, view its history and enjoy photos and video of players of every kind on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/inthekeyofdavis/  https://www.facebook.com/inthekeyofdavis/
 
After the social isolation due to the past 15 months of COVID public health guidelines, the City is pleased to be able to return the pianos to our public spaces and looks forward to a summer of music and joyful connections. 

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The City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs Program supports community-based arts projects, cultural opportunities, and education initiatives that foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in the arts. The program is the clearinghouse for all creative activity in the City of Davis government, and serves the entire Davis community. We develop community partnerships, explore best practices, manage the public art collection, and support Civic Arts Commission initiatives.

For More Information Contact:
Rachel Hartsough, rhartsough@cityofdavis.org
City Manager’s Office
530-747-5640

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This press release was produced by the City Of Davis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.