The streets of Parramatta and Sydney’s CBD will sound more joyous this January, as British artist Luke Jerram populates the streets with 30 pianos for his public piano project.

Play Me, I’m Yours grew from Luke’s observation of how we see the same people every day on our streets, around our workplaces and in our parks but rarely stop to say hello. Out of this came a plan to use music as a catalyst for strangers to talk and to connect with one another.

The idea is simple – place playable pianos in public areas and invite everyone to come, play a tune or accompany a song.  In previous cities Play Me, I’m Yours has brought hundreds of pianists out of the woodwork, encouraging people in a modest yet potent way to engage, activate and claim ownership of their city streets.

Luke Jerram previously surprised residents of Western Sydney during the 2007 Festival with an ‘orchestra’ suspended from hot-air balloons. This year’s earthbound intervention is sure to capture the imagination once again.

Check out each piano’s journey online. Upload films and photos of your street piano to streetpianos.com

Kickstart is Next Wave’s major artist development program, and young emerging artists working across all art forms are invited to apply. Kickstart will give you time and money to create ambitious new work for the 2010 Next Wave Festival. Kickstart artists will receive a series of free workshops in Melbourne, development funding, and the ongoing advice and support of the Next Wave staff. Kickstart is a chance to meet and work with other artists also making new work. Kickstart is open to individuals and groups. You must be under 30 at the start of 2009 to apply.

Successful applicants to Kickstart 2009 are eligible to receive: Up to $5,000 cash support from Next Wave: assistance with seeking further funding and/or sponsorship and three x 3-day Development Intensives over the Kickstart period. These are weekend-long programs of workshops, field trips and presentations running Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Deadline: 15 December.  Kickstart begins February 2009.
For more information, contact nextwave@nextwave.org.au or call on 03 9329 9422.
http://inside.nextwave.org.au/news/next-wave-kickstart-2009