Man Plans to Play Piano Across America: Starts tour in NYC
by Adel Manoukian nypress.com
Dotan Negrin decided to fulfill his dreams of playing music, seeing new places and meeting new people by taking his piano and dog named Brando across America, traveling with few belongings in a 12-foot Box truck the 25-year old bought off eBay.
This year, Negrin is taking his upright 88-keys and loyal canine to 100 locations across the city, his hometown. Starting in May, Negrin has already performed in the elevated Highline Parking the Meatpacking District, becoming the first person to haul a piano up there. As of yesterday, Negrin has played atColumbus Circleand in front of Alice Tully Hall inLincolnCenter.
Although his next locations are uncertain, this piano man keeps moving and updates his twitter and blog followers with his current location.
Fresh out of college in 2008, Negrin began auditioning and performing small roles in non-union shows and was unhappy with the idea that he needed to spend more time looking for jobs than actually working one. He originally decided to travel and play to earn money but soon realized that he really wanted to see what it would be like to travel without laid out plans. Negrin’s main goal now is to inspire people with his music although he still wants to release an album with original music and develop more skills. He has been playing the piano for about 7 years.
This is Negrin’s third road trip, his first being from April 4 to September 5 and his second one being from November 22 to December 12, both in 2011. He has already visited popular cities and landmarks on both coasts, even performing in National Parks.
His adventures and who he encounters while performing can be read in detail on his blog, pianoacrossamerica.com.
Negrin also blogs about difficulties he encounters while out playing, including rain, and most recently the NYPD. Depending on where he plays, police sometimes threaten to give him tickets. Challenges last year include pushing the heavy piano, which has put strain on his back. One year, the piano, while being maneuvered, fell on and broke his hand.
Despite the hardships, Negrin is enthusiastic about inspiring and meeting more people. He hopes his next road trip will be documented more thoroughly with camera crews.