Salt Lake City Street Pianos

For the past two weeks a really cool art installation has graced the streets of downtown Salt Lake City.  A number of pianos were donated, painted and setup on street corners all over town with a sign that encouraged people to sit and play.  The boys had some fun trying a few of them out.  Some sounded better than others, but all looked really fun and unique.  The art installation or movement (not really sure what you call it) originated in Britain and has been all over the world, but surprisingly to not that many places.  I'm so pleased they picked Salt lake City.

And here are some videos of the boys playing said pianos.

Roman playing Coldplay

Roman playing Nyan Cat theme tune

Callum playing something classical

The Dingley boys playing some kind of boogie woogie song

Roman playing Downton Abbey

Roman playing an original song

You can read more about this amazing art installation here.

I was trying to encourage Roman to play a tune by the British band Keane, who played at the Gallivan Center on Tuesday.  There was a piano actually just outside the concert venue.  The Keane song was one of the first tunes that Roman's old piano teacher taught him to play on the piano.  Unfortunately he'd forgotten how to play it.  But, we were fortunate to actually meet the lead singer and piano player from the band before they did their sound check.  The boys got their autographs, but despite the fact that I had just filmed Roman playing one of the street pianos, I forgot to get a photo of the boys with the band.  Ugh I was so annoyed with myself.  Anyway, the lads were very nice, and we chatted for a short while before security kicked us out.

We surprised the boys with tickets to see Keane perform later that evening.  The show was fantastic of course.  But what I really love is when we get to see famous (in the UK at least) bands play smaller venues, it makes it so much more personal.  The boys are doing quite well for gigs this year.  Last month we saw The Shins at Red Butte Gardens, and next week we're all going to see Ringo!  Rock on!  Peace and Love, peace and love.

Ikat Chevron Wingback Chair

Ok I maybe a bit obsessed with chevron, and thankfully I think that obsession is starting to wane.  But look what I spotted today at a local consignment store!  A little bit of nailhead trim on some ribbon on the bottom and maybe blue legs and you have a very modern looking wingback chair.  I think I'll show the hubby and see what he thinks.  He's bound to think I've lost my mind.

And if I told you it was almost a tenth of the price of the Josef wingback chair from Anthropologie, you maybe wondering why I haven't snapped it up yet.  Maybe it's because I remember what my friend Jenne said to my husband about me needing a "chevron intervention".  Umm, I might have to ignore that and deal with the derision.

Josef Wingback Chair, Anthropologie

And here's some more ikat chevron chairs.

Julia Wong

Williams Sonoma Home

And talking about chevron, I keep seeing my chevron/floral office chair popping up all over other people's blogs.  Often there isn't a link to the image and I just happen to stumble across it by accident.  It's always a pleasant surprise.  It seems my chair has inspired many people including someone who even designed a greetings card after it!?!

The Boys Perform at the School Talent Show

This morning I attended my boys' school talent show.  It's so much fun watching all the different talents.  There were a couple of pianists, some mime acts, lots of hula hoops and then The Nothings!  They performed an original song called "Let's Go Crazy" that  they co-wrote with their old music teacher.

Roman also decided to show his sensitive side by playing The Downton Abbey theme tune on the piano.

I seriously don't know how they get up in front of a bunch of people and do what they do.  I was never so brave.  Let's hope they keep this confidence.

And here's Roman's performance from the talent show last year.  Notice he's wearing the same t-shirt, purely a coincidence I think (although it is a Beatles t-shirt which happens to be his favorite band).