In 2023, we celebrated our 10th year of piano activities, back where we started life . . . at City Halls in the Grand Hall and Recital Room. This was a moment that brought together both singers and players who know our project well and people attending for the first time. It was a beautiful day with brilliant musical moments that you can now watch different versions of it on our youtube channel . . . here.
Our next event will be a specially extended Lids Open Day & Night on the last day of the Merchant City Festival on Sunday July 20th - during the day in the City Halls Recital Room ( 10am to 5pm ) and in the evening on stage inside Merchant Square ( 7pm - 9.30pm ). These events are free with friends and family always welcome to come along and listen. In the evening, things will be slightly different with members of the public already happily eating and drinking around Merchant Square - so, you will need to be confident about playing to an audience . . . Ugnius Pauliukonis, will provide a treat for our ears and a fitting finale to the festival by inviting us to:
"Experience the art of solo piano, showcasing a diverse range of evocative soundscapes on a delightful summer's evening. From the soothing music of Ennio Morricone and Claude Debussy to the contemporary rhythms of George Gershwin, the performance promises a musical journey of poignant reflection and vibrant energy."
Registration for this event will open on July 1st and as ever, please email us to attend to play by emailing: info@glasgowpianocity.org with a contact phone number and a rough time when you would like to play.
Lids Open Days began in the Grand Hall, City Halls, at the 2013 'Festival of the Piano'. It has grown into a highly successful event offering a rare chance for musician and instrument to connect, without the usual pressure or expectation to perform or entertain.
Our first 'Lids Open Night' was held under GAIA at Mackintosh Queens Cross in June 2023, below are 2 films of players from that event.
Our events are intended to welcome imperfection and expand widen our experience of listening to ourselves and others playing music in public. Wherever possible, we also aim to offer participants a choice about whether they want to invite along family & friends, maybe have some informal tuition or just enjoy 12 - 15 mins playing time on a beautiful piano, without a paying audience or any ears that might be carrying the usual expectation of a performance or waiting to be . . . entertained.
If you have never attended one of our LOD's before you can get a sense of the event by listening to Anna Magnusson's radio interview with participants at our 2019 event in the Glasgow Room or watching the short film above, from Mackintosh Queens Cross in 2015.
