Sounds of 'dueling pianos' at Surrey's pop-up park this summer

SURREY — So-called "dueling pianos" will be part of the pop-up park at Surrey Central SkyTrain station this summer.

The city's annual PARKit design challenge has been won by the "Pantone" submission from the team of Ryan McClanaghan, Daniel Hawkins and Shane Oleksiuk.

They'll be given up to $15,000 to fabricate and install their pop-up park at the transit station by the end of June.

"Pantone" is described by contest judges as "a vibrant, colourful design, inspired by traditional theatres and playful shapes."

The winning design features "two elegantly curved wooden forms to house, shelter and amplify the sound of two dueling pianos. Bold, uniform colour will unify bistro tables, the pianos and a central table feature housing a tree."

Creating engaging activities in our public spaces is ideal for building community spirit and connections, stated Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner.

“PARKit has grown to be a welcome and anticipated addition to Surrey’s City Centre each summer.”

Incorporating two street pianos was part of the entry criteria for the 2015 PARKit Challenge. Individuals and groups were invited to submit their ideas for a creative outdoor public space capable of supporting "dueling pianos" hosted by the Piano Teachers Federation of BC.

PARKit entries were judged by an interdisciplinary City of Surrey staff committee, as well as representatives from Translink and the Piano Teachers’ Federation.

An honorarium of $500 of will be awarded to the contest's first runner-up, "Two and a Half Piano Park," by David A. Davies, with $250 for second runner-up "Music in the Streets," by Jay Tseng and Joanna Long. Meanwhile, the People’s Choice Award, with votes from Facebook and a display at the Central City Library, goes to "Rest Area" by Jason Farra, Angela Tam, Chantal Tam and Uyen Tran.

The installation is meant to "provide a fun, refreshing and playful place of activity, performance and an opportunity for pedestrians to pause and enjoy the public realm," according to organizers.

Full bios of submissions are available at Surrey.ca/parkit.