Did you get a chance to see the SF Botanical Garden’s Flower Piano event last year? If so, you are probably chomping at the bit to experience it again. If not, GOOOOOOO.

From July 7th to July 18th, the Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Sunset Piano, will hide 12 pianos throughout the park for the public to play. In a city where we regularly feel magic and wonder, this was the most magical and wonderous event we’d ever been to. We wouldn’t have been surprised if actual forest sprites made an appearance.

Last year, Bean and I hunted through overgrown fields of wildflowers, over bubbling brooks, through cavernous forests to find baby grands and upright pianos tucked behind overgrown vines and perched on hilltops. There is nothing quite like stumbling upon a beautiful upright piano, in a quiet cathedral of redwoods. Or hearing the soft twinkling of keys wafting through the fog and wondering what direction they’re coming from.

And San Francisco, you are one talented community. We saw a pair of 7 year old virtuosos shyly take a seat and blow us away. It was less stunning coming from adults, but the music was still beautiful and full of joy and sorrow. And, frankly, most of us had no idea how to play, but we still came together to entertain and amuse each other.

I highly recommend it.

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San Francisco Botanical Gardens

Flower Piano runs from July 7th to the 18th, with performances scheduled over the weekend (click through for schedule)

Admission to the SF Botanical Gardens is always free for SF residents (with proof of residency), $8 for non-residents, discounts for seniors and kids, kids under 4 are free

Open from 7:30am to 6pm, last entry an hour before closing