HawthorneVillager.com

Does anyone remember the movie BIG? Tom Hanks and the famous giant piano scene?

Would you like to see those similar piano keys on the steps of the Milton Arts Centre? Councillor Huffman asked staff for a report on the viability, cost, etc of installing these piano keys on the steps of the Arts Centre. That report can be found here.

http://www.milton.ca/execserv/agendas20 ... 20Arts.pdf

The cost is approximately $92,000. The staff recommendation is to approve the project once there is a sponsor availble to pay for it.

After speaking with some people around town, some feel it will look tacky and cheapen the look of the Arts Centre that we just spent MILLIONS of dollars on and its not even open yet and we will have to tear up the steps removing the tile and replace it with this.

Do you think this would be a draw for tourism? Would you come from out of town to see this? This installation is apparently popular overseas and this would be the first one in North America.

Feedback?

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

As long as the taxpayers of Milton don't pay a cent for it, go nuts! It wouldn't interest me, but I'm sure the artsy types would like it.

Yes tacky, very tacky.... the movie came out in 1988 and Tom Hanks had hair that looked like this:

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1721999104/tt0094737

Some things should be left in the 80's and that Piano is one of them. I can think of better uses for 92000 of our tax dollars!

If you have ever have been to to upper lever at FAO Schwarz on 5th Ave in New York to see this walking piano in live action, tacky is not the word you would use to describe it. There is usually a huge lineup of people waiting to get on it, and both kids and adults go nuts for it.

And you dont have to be artsy to have fun.

What staff has recommened is that a sponsor be found for it. What is also included in the proposal is that if someone would sponsor 50% of it, the remainder could be raised by applying via the Community Fund. THIS I dont agree with...its got to be 100% funded by a sponsor or else no go.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

We were told there wasnt anything like this in North America.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

The 'steps' of the Arts center at Thompson and Main is not RAO Schwarts by any stretch. We already spent a fortune on the Grand Concert Piano (which I am in favor with), but spending 92K on this. Again, I can find many other things around town that I would spend those tax dollars on.
FAO Schwarz is a tourist attraction, the Milton Arts Center is not.

Are we talking about the same thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Yi6ITZtHg

This is NOT a taxpayer expense.

Thats the piano at the toy store, this would be ripping off the tiles currently on the stairs, and putting these new ones in that would play music, scales, (I dont know exactly) so when you walk up the stairs theyd go off.

That is what the approx 92K would be for.

Is this what you envisioned when you think of the Milton Centre for the Arts? Personally I dont see it as a draw for people to come from all over to see it, but Im just me.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

Martin, JTP, no it's not that.

This is what we're talking about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

See the above video. I saw it the first time about a couple years ago and thought it was fairly inspiring. Above is an example of it already installed in Europe. So far it hasn't come to North America but the supplier is hoping Milton will the be the first town.

Mike, respectfully, this is up to CSAC and as a councillor I think you and I should respect the decision they make. I know your one of the 2 councillor representatives on CSAC. I know obviously Arnold will vote for and obviously you'll vote against. So this will be left to the citizen/community members to decide (as it should be...that's what CSAC is for)

I'm not talking about anything! LOL I'm reminding Kamato that we're not talking $92 000 TAXPAYER expense.

ahhhhh... I see now. Interesting. Also 14 million views says something, but I am not sure what.

I appreciate the feedback but as a councillor I have to make a decision based on the report from staff and that, as you do, I have an opinion on. I know youre inspired by this and thats your opinion as well.

I dont feel I need to "butt out" of letting people know what my opinion is.

Respectfully.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett