Stop the Music: Government Shutdown Halts Street Piano Festival in Charlestown

You know that the big monuments around Charlestown – Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution – have been closed due to the inaction by the administration and Congress to resolve their inability to pass a continuing resolution to maintain the operation of the federal government.

But the shutdown of the Boston Navy Yard has also (hopefully temporarily) ended a chance for Charlestown residents to join millions of people around the world who have been able to sit down and play a tune.

"Play Me, I'm Yours" is the theme of the Street Pianos Boston Festival in which 75 pianos – painted in festive colors by local groups – have been set up in public spaces around Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline for anyone to play and enjoy.

The project will continue until Monday, Oct. 14, Columbus Day.

"Play Me, I’m Yours" is an arts project by artist Luke Jerram – sponsored locally to celebrate the 75th anniversary season of the Celebrity Series of Boston – that since 2008 has been touring the globe, installing thousands of pianos in 37 cities around the world, reaching more than four million people.

And local citizens – from accomplished artists to your average Joe – have been gravitating to the keyboards which has the written invitation, "Play me, I'm yours," on the stand. In some popular locations downtown lines have formed to perform before appreciative audiences. 

Except in Charlestown.

"Apologies but due to the government shutdown, no pedestrian or vehicular access will be allowed on the Boston Navy Yard. This piano will not be active until further notice," reads the note on the project's web site. 

The piano, decorated by Boys & Girls Club of Charlestown and hosted by Boston National Historical Park, now stands idle despite the recent period of warm, sunny weather and cool nights, ideal times for a bit of Motown or a Chopin waltz to liven up the time on the water.