We love the idea of public pianos not only because they bring music to the streets but because they spark some epic moments when people get to show off their special talents.
Back in 2014, a man playing the piano in NYC’s Washington Square Park was approached by a group of ballet dancers – and it made for some great video.
The “Piano Guy”
But it wasn’t just any man – it had to be Colin Huggins, the park’s well-known “Piano Guy.” After all, who leaves a baby grand piano in the middle of the park?
Huggins is known for lugging his around and performing in public.
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A song and dance
Our first clue that the group of young people who have approached the piano are all dancers is the foot movement of the young man – he’s definitely a pro!
It’s just a quick moment, but that makes it clear they are pros (or on their way to being pros).
But he’s not the one about to dance.
Taking a chance
It’s the young woman in the hat that seems to be chatting with her friends and the piano player about showing off some of her moves.
And as she finds a space to put on her short show, her friends are convinced she’s going to fall (perhaps due to a combination of the bricks and her shoes).
Alas, as soon as the music starts playing, she begins spinning!
Her pirouettes are perfect – and as she rejoins her friends the rest of the clip is just them chatting.
But about what?
Part II
In a second video posted from a few moments later, it’s clear the group was concocting a plan with the piano player to put on a little group performance.
As they place their coats in a pile, a few of the dancers line up to try and coordinate their moves.
But at first, they’re doing it sans music just to make sure they’re on the same page.
It’s not every day you get to see an impromptu piano concert AND ballet in the park! (Well, if you live in NYC maybe you do.)
Setting it to music
Now that the dancers have their act together, so to speak, Huggins joins in on the piano.
And they all put on quite a show!
In perfect unison, the three dancers twirl, plié, pull off perfection extensions, and leap through the air.
Of course, this is NYC, so while people are watching and appreciating and they are drawing a crowd, things don’t get too out of hand. There are talented performers on every corner after all!
The fourth dancer (the one who did the pirouettes) joins in for the last part as they all laugh their way through the routine.
It looks beautiful but they’re clearly having a lot of fun and not concentrating on technical proficiency.
They’re also probably pretty cold since everyone else is bundled up and the video was posted in February! (Remember, they threw their coats on the ground.)
The comments were nearly all positive as people watched the graceful dancers over and over again, hoping to someday come across such a novel moment themselves.
Be sure to scroll down below to see parts I and II of the impromptu street performance.
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