Firemen normally carry people out of burning buildings, not into a perfectly safe train station.
Yet, that is exactly what happened at the St Pancras Station in London. The fireman, known as Dr. K, was not carrying Cara McKinnon for safety reasons, he was carrying her to keep the musical surprise from being ruined. The moment he sets her down, he sits down at the street piano within the station, but she does not. Why did she need to be carried?
Cara McKinnon had her tap shoes on for an impromptu performance with Dr. K for the arriving and departing guests.
If Cara was not carried by her fireman hero/piano player their surprise would have been ruined from the very beginning. The sight of a fireman carrying Cara was already a spectacle and started to grow the attention of the busy travelers. So, when he sat down and starting playing the piano some travelers completely stopped to watch.
Then Cara jumps into her tap dancing and everyone realized they were in for a full show.
Dr. K has been a drawn to the piano since a very young age. At 17 he heard boogie woogie music for the first time and his entire playing shifted. He has been trained by legendary pianist throughout his life. At an early age he was taught under famous concert pianist Nelly Benor. When he fell in love with boogie woogie he had lessons from legendary boogie woogie player Hammy Howell.
Dr. K took these professional lessons to the street pianos to provide everyone with fun and free musical performances.
His impromptu performance with Cara McKinnon demonstrates two amazing musical arts, piano and tap dancing.
They compliment each other amazingly. They perform as if they have been performing together every day, with such ease. Normally a person would have to pay to watch two professionals give such a fun concert but these travelers were able to watch for free. Dr. K and Cara McKinnon were able to provide the travelers with their song and dance because of the Play Me, I’m Yours project.
“Play Me, I’m Yours is an artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, which has been touring internationally since 2008. More than 1500 pianos have now been installed in over 50 cities across the globe, from New York to London bearing the simple invitation Play Me, I’m Yours. The project has reached more than 10 million people worldwide, with each new city that commissions the work becoming part of a growing legacy,” Street Pianos explains.
The musical arts should be shared everywhere, not just in concert halls.
Dr. K and Cara McKinnon are making sure to do their part with the street piano left behind at the St. Pancras Station. Their performance shows the creative and fun side of piano and tap dancing. It does not always have to be a serious performance, piano playing and tap dancing can be for a bit of fun too. Their fun performance gathers a large crowd, that only gets larger as the continue on.
Ever the gentleman, Dr. K carries Cara McKinnon right back out when their performance ends. As she waves to the cheering crowd.
Watch their full performance right below!
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