Flower Piano 2021 a Success!
Thank You All So Much!!!
We hope to be back again in 2022 - details TBA
If interested in sponsoring Flower Piano 2022 or being involved otherwise please let us know!
email [email protected] and we'll get you in touch with the right team member

Sunset Piano and San Francisco Botanical Garden Present
Flower Piano
September 17-21, 2021
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Golden Gate Park
Twelve Pianos Open Daily, 10am-6pm
Pianos Available for Anyone to Play When No Scheduled Performance

San Francisco Botanical Garden and Sunset Piano were excited to bring back one of the most unique, creative, and innovative events in the Bay Area. After five successful years, and a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic, we were so grateful to bring back Flower Piano to transform San Francisco Botanical Garden once again into the city’s own alfresco concert hall where everyone was invited to play and listen.

Friday

Downloadable Print Program

Friday, 9/17

12:00 - 1:00pm, Garden of Fragrance | Mongolounge and Friends: Mongolounge is “Devo done lounge”

12:00 – 2:00pm, Great Meadow | SF Conservatory of Music: Emerging Artist Showcase

1:00 - 4:00pm, Children’s Garden | Bean Sprouts Family Days

4:00 - 5:30pm, Great Meadow | Community Music Center Latin Jazz Kick-Off with Eduardo Corzo and Friends

Community Music Center, celebrating a century of music for everyone, hosts the “Latin Jazz Kick-Off” a fresh and festive jam session, or descarga, with Eduardo Corzo, pianist and CMC faculty member

3:00 - 6:00pm, Conifer Lawn | Beat Corner

Avante Garden Poetry and Music by Mauro, Dean, and Friends

Saturday, 9/18

10:00am - 4:00pm, Fountain Plaza | Flower Piano Community Art with Messy Art Lab
Lend a hand creating a one-of-a-kind community art piece inspired by Flower Piano!

12:00 - 4:00pm, Children’s Garden | Bean Sprouts Family Days

Join us and our friends from the Mexican Museum to make musical instruments to take home!

12:00 - 3:00pm | Twelve Piano Extravaganza

12:00-1:00pm

1. Great Meadow | Joshua Raoul Brody: Plays Beatles Songs & Accompanies YOU!

2. Celebration Garden | Mena Ramos & Laura Harris: AfroCuban Meets Classical, Latin Jazz

3. Garden of Fragrance | Kevin Navarro: Timeless Romantic Works of Frederic Chopin

4. Rhododendron Garden | Amy Norman: Swingin' Tunes & Sultry Songs

5. Ancient Plant Garden | Yaamini Rao & Ryan Jacobs: American Songbook/Jazz Standards!

6. New Zealand Collection | Eugene Fan & James Stone: One-piano Four-Hands Duet, Classical

7. South Africa Collection | Robbie Dehlinger: Original Music Which Honors the Classics

8. California Native Plant Garden | Ben Faulkner & Matt Mangels: Elton John's Perennial Hits & More

9. Redwood Grove | Dawn Oberg: Amusing 21st-Century Yacht Rock for Piano

10. Conifer Lawn | Patti Weiss & Anna Toso: To India and Back - a Musical Journey

11. Moon Viewing Garden | Penelope Keep: Mostly Classical Piano Music and Some Jazz

12. Zellerbach Garden | Elektra Schmidt: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms & Chopin

1:00 - 2:00pm

1. Great Meadow | Robert Dehlinger’s Alpha Rhythm Kings: Jumpin’ Jivin’ Jazzy Swing

2. Celebration Garden | Free Press Music: Lively Local Jazz/Blues Trio with Vocalist

3. Garden of Fragrance | Danny Sullivan: Ballet & Opera Mega-Medley Extravaganza

4. Rhododendron Garden | Samer Fanek: Mediterranean and Arabic Music

5. Ancient Plant Garden | Eric Shifrin: Eclectic Medleys Twisting through Groove After Groove

6. New Zealand Collection | Steve Abrams & Heath Proskin: Hard Bop, Swing, Latinjazz, Salsa, Blues

7. South Africa Collection | Mary Fineman: Joni Mitchell and Debussy Have A Daughter

8. California Native Plant Garden | Suzanne Ramsey, Kitten on the Keys: Unexpected Eclectic Nostalgic Flapper Rock Originals

9. Redwood Grove | Colin Farish: Spontaneous Jazzical Musings from the Philoverse

10. Conifer Lawn | Diva Marisa, with Kymry Esainko: Modern and Classical Operatic Arias and Storytelling

11. Moon Viewing Garden | Eric Chase: Classical Music and Improvisations Inspired by Nature

12. Zellerbach Garden | Esther Aeschbach: Bach, Scarlatti, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, & a Surprise

2:00 - 3:00pm

1. Great Meadow | Francisco Rosales Ensemble: Musica Cubana

2. Celebration Garden | Kings and The Tropical Jam: Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Fusion, Rhythmic, Experimental

3. Garden of Fragrance | Earth, Wind, and Flowers: Chamber Music of Various Styles

4. Rhododendron Garden | Amy Stephens: Original Third-Stream Compositions for piano

5. Ancient Plant Garden |Joseph Magdalena: Martuni's Piano Bar: Standards, Pop, Sing-alongs!

6. New Zealand Collection | Kymry Esainko: Melancholy Moods to Soothe the Savage Skeptic

7. South Africa Collection | Lisa Spector: Piano Music for One and Two Hands

8. California Native Plant Garden | Ben Ames: Emotive Improvisational Cross-Genre Power Piano

9. Redwood Grove | Jill Tracy: Elegant, mystical, noirish, transportive piano spells

10. Conifer Lawn | Caroluna, soprano, Jennifer M. Lee, pianist: Scintillating, Evocative Art Songs and Arias

11. Moon Viewing Garden | Tin Yi Chelsea Wong: Contemporary Classical Passion, Magnetism, & Vibrant Tonality

12. Zellerbach Garden | Rob Reich: Tribute to Ellington, Waller, and Monk

3:00 - 4:00pm, Garden of Fragrance | Oscar Cervarich

Classical and fun jazz from Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and more

3:00 - 4:00pm, Redwood Grove | Tom Jonesing
Pop Renovations, Remodeling, and Demolition

3:00 - 6:00pm, Conifer Lawn | Beat Corner

Avante Garden Poetry and Music by Mauro, Dean, and Friends

4:00 - 5:00pm, Zellerbach | Ensemble SF

Ensemble SF, formed in 2013 by members of the San Francisco Ballet and Symphony, is dedicated to inspiring a more inclusive world through art. They will present Dvorak’s Piano Quintet. Ensemble SF musicians include:

Elizabeth Schumann, piano
Wyatt Underhill, violin
Rebecca Jackson Picht, violin
Matt Young, viola
Sébastien Gingras, cello

4:00 - 5:00pm, Great Meadow | Martin Luther McCoy with Paisley Hinton and the Freak Genius Band
San Francisco native and Rebel Soul recording artist Martin Luther McCoy will be accompanied by Paisley Hinton and the Freak Genius band. Join us for sixty minutes of Brits and Beatles classic hits reimagined for piano and voice. Martin, although a fiercely independent artist, has toured with the Roots, Moon Medicin and is a member of the SFJAZZ Collective.

Sunday, 9/19

9:00 - 9:45am, Great Meadow | Noe’s Garden Music Class

Noe's Garden brings a special good morning concert, ideal for children 0 - 7 and their families. Sing, dance, and move your body along to beloved folk songs from around the world, as well as Noe's own nature-inspired originals. Celtic harp, acoustic guitar, and puppetry make this a concert the whole family will enjoy

10:00 - 11:30am, Gardens nearest Main Gate | Rabbit Hole Theater Magical Scavenger Hunt
Find a fairy, fortune teller, or other magical being during a family-friendly scavenger hunt through the Garden.

10:00am - 4:00pm, Fountain Plaza | Flower Piano Community Art with Messy Art Lab
Lend a hand creating a one-of-a-kind community art piece inspired by Flower Piano!

12:00pm - 6:00pm, Zellerbach Garden | Featured Artists

12:00pm - 1:00pm | Alon Nechushtan Trio: Striding & Swinging Piano for all ages

1:00 - 2:00pm | Tammy Hall and Leberta Lorál: To Nina Simone, With Love

2:00 - 3:00pm | Allison Lovejoy: Romantic and Impressionist Piano Masterpieces

3:00 - 4:00pm | Kev Choice Trio: Black music infused with classical

4:00 - 5:00pm | Serene: Late 19th-century virtuosity. Plus Russian Jazz

5:00 - 6:00pm | Christian Tumalan Trio: High energy Latin Jazz w. deep Afrocuban roots

11:00am - 4:00pm, Celebration Garden | Featured Artists

11:00am - 12:00pm | Classical Revolution Trio: Chamber Music for the People

12:00 - 1:00pm | The Kevin Gerzevitz Trio: Monkish Bebop and Soul Jazz

1:00 - 2:00pm | Quinta Tango: Argentine Tango Music

2:00 - 3:00pm | Kash Killion: World, Sun Ra, Jazz, Afro Futuristic

3:00 - 4:00pm | The Cottontails: 30s/40s jazz, blues, R&B

2:00 - 3:30pm, New Zealand | Little Mission Studio
Little Mission Studio is a fun-loving music school based in the Mission inspiring creativity and cultivating musicianship in the community. Join Little Mission Studio as they present curated performances of both solo and chamber piano music from Little Mission students, ensembles, and faculty members featuring a wide variety of musical styles and genres.

2:00 - 4:00pm, Redwood Grove | SF Symphony
Performances by SF Symphony musicians.

2:00pm | Matthew Young (viola), Alina Kobialka (violin), Sayaka Tanikawa, piano
2:40pm | Chen Zhao (violin), Elizabeth Dorman (piano)
3:20pm | Victor Romasevich (violin/viola), Lena Lubotsky (piano)

2:00 - 4:00pm, CA Native Plant Garden | SFJAZZ High School All-Stars
Four-hands performance by Alex and Lucas Perry, SFJAZZ High School All-Stars

Monday, 9/20

12:00 – 2:00pm, Celebration Garden | SF Conservatory of Music: Emerging Artist Showcase

12:00 - 3:00pm, Redwood Grove | Elizabeth Dorman: PlantBerg Project

Join Leipzig International Bach Competition finalist Elizabeth Dorman as she tours Bach's greatest greenhouse through the lens of SF Botanical Gardens' most significant plants. Join Elizabeth as she leads an experiential performance of Bach's monumental Goldberg Variations, pairing each variation with a plant from the collection in an arc through the gardens that mirrors the music.

2:00 - 3:00pm, Celebration Garden | Marco Diaz in partnership with Community Music Center

“Journey through the Americas and the Great American Songbook” a solo piano performance hosted by Community Music Center, celebrating a century of music for everyone. Diaz, who is CMC alumni and on the faculty of the Mission District Young Musicians Program, takes you on a musical journey through the Caribbean and Latin America. Musical styles such as the bolero, danzón, cha cha cha, tango, cumbia, son, merengue, and stride piano have helped shape his multifaceted musical career. Diaz will also adapt well-known Great American Songbook standards into rich styles of his choosing.

4:00 - 5:30pm, Celebration Garden | Harlem of the West Talk and Performance
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Bayview Opera House, and San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society welcome authors Elizabeth Pepin Silva and Lewis Watts for a presentation on their book, Harlem of the West: The San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era followed by a musical performance by Sam Peoples, Jr. a born-and-raised San Franciscan, is part of a multi-generational family of musicians and performers with a legacy during the Fillmore Jazz heyday.

4:00 - 5:00pm, Great Meadow | Gail Dobson Band & Vocals for Kids

Music of Love and Peace on Earth

Tuesday, 9/21

4:00 – 5:00pm, Great Meadow (*location change for more audience shade - it is hot out! :)) | SF Conservatory of Music: Pre-College Showcase

4:00 - 5:00pm, Zellerbach | Sarah Cahill and Regina Myers

Works by Eleanor Alberga, Terry Riley, and more

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Sarah & J. Stuart Ryan

Sue Ann Levin Schiff

EVENT SPONSORS

Delle Maxwell & Patrick Hanrahan

The Ronald Whittier Family Foundation

Tully & Elise Friedman Fund

MEDIA SPONSORS

Thank You Community Partners!

SFJAZZ
SF Symphony
SF Conservatory of Music
Community Music Center’s Marco Diaz and Eduardo Corzo
Harlem of the West authors, Elizabeth Pepin Silva and Lewis Watts + Sam Peoples Jr., Bayview Opera House, and African American Historical and Cultural Society
Ensemble SF
Rabbit Hole Theater
Messy Art Lab
Noe’s Garden
Little Mission Studio
Elizabeth Dorman
Martin Luther McCoy
Oscar Cervarich

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance? Members? Residents?

Advance tickets are recommended for residents and non-residents alike to expedite entry but are not required. Tickets will be available onsite, too.
Members are welcome to make advance reservations to even further expedite entry but it is not required.
Please be prepared to show your member card / tickets and IDs when checking in with staff upon entry.
Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable, if in doubt about your dates and party size please purchase tickets onsite.

When can anyone play the pianos?

Pianos are open daily 10am-6pm and are avaialble for open play when there is not a scheduled performance.
The full program of scheduled performances is posted above these FAQs.
If others are are waiting to play, please limit playing time to 15 minutes to give everyone the opportunity to play.

What are the COVID protocols during Flower Piano?

If Sick, Stay Home and Talk to your Doctor
Per Order of the Health Officer No. C19-07y, people who are outdoors in close proximity to other people who are not part of their Household are strongly encouraged to wear a Well-Fitted Mask
Masks required indoors such as restrooms, Library, and Bookstore
Hand sanitzing stations will be available at all twelve pianos, please sanitize your hands before and after playing

How do I get to Flower Piano? Transit? Bike Parking? Car Parking?

Flower Piano takes place at San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Walking, Biking, and Public Transit are highly recommeded as the best ways to get to the Botanical Garden. San Francisco Botanical Garden is exceptionally well served by public transit. Valet Bike Parking will be provided on the weekend, Sept. 18-19, from 10am - 6pm. On other days there are numerous bike racks outside both entrances to the Botanical Garden, the Main Gate and Friend Gate. Parking for cars is available in the Music Concourse Garage and there is limited street parking in Golden Gate Park. Car traffic is often a challenge during busy times in the park such as weekends and during special events like Flower Piano. Additional details can be found on our Visit page.

Is seating available? Can I bring a camp chair?

Camp chairs or similar types of folding chairs are welcomed
Picnics on picnic blankets are encouraged as well
There are benches throughout the Garden
No formal piano audience seating is provided

Can you picnic? Outside food and drink allowed?

Yes! Picnicking is encouraged
Andytown Coffee Roasters will have food and drink available on the weekend at Fountain Plaza
Outside food and drink are allowed—amazing local inner sunset food options are available right outside the Garden's Main Gate—reentry allowed
No tables or structures allowed

What is the program? What should I see?

Download a program here
Large scale program signage available inside both entrances and Conifer Lawn
Map of piano locations available below and on program signage posted in the Garden

What happens if it rains?

Rain looks to be minimal overnight early Sunday morning at best—if it is magically raining before 6pm on Saturday we may close pianos early and similarly if raining by 10am Sunday morning we will delay opening the pianos until it lets up. The pianos are covered overnight and are well equipped to handle the forecasted <0.1" of precipitation.

Any other tips to ensure an enjoyable experience?

Layers, layers, layers - be prepared with clothes for all weather!
Sun protection - even in the fog, you can get burned - hats, sunblock, sunglasses all encouraged
Stay hydrated - water bottle refill stations are available at restrooms and Fountain Plaza
Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes - the Garden is 55 acres and pianos are spread throughout across various surfaces

leadership

partners