Imagine John Lennon’s piano at Columbine. The hazelnut-brown upright on which he composed “Imagine.” That’s what people were trying to do at dusk today.
The piano was bought six years ago for 1.5 million British pounds by entertainer George Michael and Dallas gallery owner Kenny Goss. Now it’s on the Imagine Piano Tour, having its picture taken at iconic sites of violence on the anniversary of the incidents.
“We’re promoting a simple message of peace,” Goss said Thursday.
But with all the attention Columbine is getting this week in the wake of the shootings at Virginia Tech, the visit will most likely be postponed.
The piano already has visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas and the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
On Saturday, the piano was outside Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Thursday it was at Oklahoma City and Waco, Texas. Today it was to be near Columbine High School at dusk to mark the eighth anniversary of the shootings there.
Jeffco Public Schools spokeswoman Lynn Setzer said she was aware of the project but that Columbine principal Frank DeAngelis “felt strongly that (on Friday) we need to protect the integrity of the school grounds. There shouldn’t be cameras there.”
Earlier plans to photograph the piano from across the street or nearby Clement Park were off as of Thursday.
“We are trying to do something very kind and peaceful and respectful,” said Caroline True, who is traveling with the piano. “I just can’t tell you if this is going to happen or not.”
Fillmore flix
The skating rink is gone from Fillmore Plaza (and it’ll stay gone next winter too), but the Films on Fillmore series is set to run July 12-Aug. 23, and the lineup looks good.
So get out your blankie and lawn chair for “Jaws,” July 12; “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” July 19; “Antz,” July 26; “The Princess Bride,” Aug. 2; “The Muppet Movie,” Aug. 9; “Titanic,” Aug. 16; “This Is Spinal Tap,” Aug. 23.
Fired up!
Denver Fire Department Station 6 came to the rescue at the Wynkoop Brewing Co. on Tuesday night. The Cafe Scientifique was holding its monthly meeting there, discussing “Lightning! Science and Safety.” Robert Gift of Lightning Data was demonstrating the effects of high voltage from a Tesla coil on mercury in a thermometer – when the thermometer broke and the merc spilled. Holy hazmat spill! Firefighters arrived, ordered the room evacuated, donned air masks and cleaned it up.
Whew. That was close.
City spirit
Local impresario Chuck Morris is on the committee for the 2008 Democratic convention here – specializing in bringing in some BIG-name entertainment. … “The Sopranos” love the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. Last year Meadow, a.k.a. Jamie-Lynn
Sigler, showed up to shake margaritas. This coming June, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, a.k.a. Lorraine Bracco, will be at the fest. … Sez who: “There is now a Starbucks in my pants.” George Carlin
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at denverpostbloghouse.com/husted.
