Blue Mountains News

The ABC has selected the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre as one of only 20 sites to host a public piano, part of the national broadcaster Pop-up Pianos project.

The project celebrates the Year of the Piano in 2025 and the new ABC series The Piano. As part of the festivities, the ABC and Piano Plus Australia is delivering 20 pre-loved pianos donated by organisations and ordinary people to towns throughout Australia.

For the project, the ABC asked towns and communities to nominate a public place in their local area they believe should have a piano, bringing people together through the power of music and making the much-loved instrument accessible to more people.

The community group, Katoomba Regeneration Action Group, with the support of Council, successfully nominated Katoomba for the project.

“We’re delighted to be part of this ABC music event that enhances our region’s vibrant arts scene,” Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said. “And the gifting of these restored, pre-loved pianos reflects our community values of giving and recycling.

“Katoomba is the perfect location to host a pop-up piano and the first concerts will coincide with the Cultural Centre’s Winter Solstice celebrations and the Wollemi Artisan Markets which feature some wonderful stalls and activities.

“So, rug-up and come along on Saturday to hear a celebrated choir and some of our most accomplished and talented musicians playing piano as part of a wider national celebration.”

The pop-up piano will be located at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Viewing Platform from 21 June until the end of the year. For the launch event on Saturday 21 June, the piano will be at the Cultural Centre Gallery from 1.30pm-3pm.

The full program for the Winter Solstice:

10-2pm: Wollemi Artisan Markets featuring local artisan and food stalls

11am-12pm: Gallery talk and soft opening of Primavera: Young Australian Artists with artists Tiyan Baker, Truc Truong and guest curator Talia Smith

12-1pm: Hands Heart & Feet

1-1.20pm: Ubuntu African Choir

ABC Pop-Up Piano launch

1.30-2pm: Performance by Yantra de Vilder and The Ephemera Choir from Pianos for the People.

2-3pm: Performances by renowned local musicians Julie Adam and James Tandy. Arranged by Megalong Music Festival Artistic Director Asmira Woodward-Page.

The costs of transporting, installation and tuning of the pre-loved piano are covered by the ABC.

For more information:here