Minnesota Public Radio's Fitzgerald Theater to Participate in Pianos on Parade
Jun 2, 2011
(St. Paul, Minn.) - June 2, 2011 - The Fitzgerald Theater is proud to be a participant in Pianos on Parade, an arts initiative coordinated by Keys 4/4 Kids. Pianos on Parade is placing 20 working pianos painted by commissioned artists in strategic locations around St. Paul. The pianos are available for the public to spontaneously play, enjoy and engage with art, music and one another.
As part of its participation in Pianos on Parade, the theater has commissioned an artist to paint a themed backdrop on the Wabasha side of the theater, just around the corner from the Exchange Street entrance. This special display will celebrate the grand finale of the Fitzgerald Theater's centennial season, and play homage to A Prairie Home Companion by featuring the theme song, "Oh Hear That Old Piano." A unique Pianos on Parade hand-painted piano will be placed in front of the mural where folks can sit down and play a tune, or even perform an impromptu concert. In addition, numerous activities have been planned by the Fitzgerald Theater to keep the celebration going throughout the summer.
The Fitzgerald Theater piano will be featured along with 15 other Pianos on Parade in the Grand Old Day Parade on June 5. It will be installed on June 7, and remain through September 30 so that it will be in place for the annual A Prairie Home Companion Street Dance on September 17. In addition, pianist Kevin Rotty will be featured playing the piano every Thursday in June and July from 4 - 6 pm as well as when guests arrive for Fitzgerald Theater events on June 11, 13 and 24. Additional scheduled activities include:
Thursday Themes
Taking place at all pianos city-wide, 4 - 6 p.m. each Thursday in June and July:
June 9 - Jam It, Damn it! Bring your instruments and find a piano and player that does a great job of making your stuff sound great.
June 16 - "Irish, I-Wish" A little too much Irish music performed on the city streets of St. Paul.
June 23 - Jazz Fest In coordination with the 3-day festival, now in it's 13th year.
June 30 - Sappy & Soulful The emotional tunes and torch songs and the best lyrics for lovers.
July 7 and July 28 - Piano Bar Wild Card Piano players that make the singers shine and put the "care" in Karaoke.
July 14 - Movie Musicals Gone Amuck Channel your Carol Channing for a city walk of musical theater and way too much drama.
July 21 - Singer/Songwriters Slam Original works and the classic tunes from the singer/songwriters we know and don't know.
About the Fitzgerald Theater
The Fitzgerald Theater creates events that serve the stage, radio and digital audience of Minnesota Public Radio. The programming is specifically designed to complement the broadcast content represented by the three radio formats, News, Classical, and The Current. This 1,000-seat theater is MPR's largest broadcast studio, with airwaves reaching millions of people tuned in to A Prairie Home Companion. Our staged productions present culture, arts, and insights through authors, artists and radio hosts. These shows create intellectually stimulating programs that delight and enlighten our vast public radio community.
About Pianos on Parade
Pianos on Parade is a joint collaboration between Keys 4/4 Kids and the office of St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Together, the City of St. Paul, Keys 4/4 Kids, community and business sponsors will showcase the work of local artists and musicians and will coordinate events around these pianos that will optimize their presence throughout the city. Keys 4/4 Kids' mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves through the arts. Keys 4/4 Kids accepts pianos as donations, refurbishes them, and then resells them, with all proceeds benefitting music and arts education
About Kevin Rotty
Kevin Rotty has 20 years experience as a singer, actor, and composer. He has served as musical director for over 40 regional and national touring companies including The Ordway Center for the Arts, Hey City Theater, History Theater and Plymouth Playhouse. He also plays dueling pianos frequently at the "The Shout House" in downtown Minneapolis.