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Where are these colorful pianos from?
Find “Harmony” at Bridgeway Station. | Photo by GVLtoday
If you’ve ever been mid-walk in Greenville and suddenly heard notes from a piano drifting through the air, you’ve probably stumbled upon what I consider one of Greenville’s most delightful surprises: a Please Play Me Piano. Those colorful, often whimsically painted pianos are placed around our city by a local nonprofit on a mission to spread joy through music.
Launched in 2024, the organization takes donated pianos that still have life left in them and transforms them into public art pieces, painted by local artists and placed in accessible spots across the community. Some live indoors, others in sheltered outdoor areas, but all are free for anyone to play.
The idea is simple: create unexpected moments of connection. Maybe it’s a child discovering keys for the first time, a passerby pausing to listen, or a stranger striking up a tune. These pianos invite you to slow down, enjoy the music, and maybe play a little.
Rodney McMillian. Mississippi Appendectomy, 2020. Ink, acrylic, latex, and vinyl on paper mounted on canvas, 53 x 90 in. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Purchased with funds provided by Susan and Larry Marx. AH.2021.8.1. | Photo by Brica Wilcox
An SC-born artist, Rodney McMillian, is making waves with his first solo exhibition in the Southeast at the Columbia Museum of Art. Though now recognized nationally and internationally, audiences will discover he hails from Columbia, SC, adding a local connection to this major show.
Exhibition highlights:
Debut of bold new works created in collaboration with the museum
Signature pieces exploring the cultural, political, and physical landscapes of the Deep South
Media spanning painting, video, and works assembled from industrial materials and household discards
Provocative investigations of how Southern histories and landscapes resonate within homes and Black bodies
Immersive, thought-provoking experiences that engage both senses and intellect
This exhibition marks a major moment for Columbia’s art scene, offering visitors the chance to see an artist whose work continues to shape conversations about contemporary life and the South’s legacy.
Canvas Tower has been vacant since 2017. | Rendering via The City of Greenville
Development
Plans for a 19-story residential tower across from the Children’s Museum have been shelved. Developers are now planning a roughly six-story, wood-framed multifamily project with 175 units, citing higher construction costs, inflation, and interest rates as reasons for scaling back the long-discussed high-rise. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Eat
Topsoil is getting some upgrades. The team is renovating Monday through Wednesday when it’s closed — think: new HVAC, freshly paved parking, and the start of a kitchen garden.
Plan Ahead
The Swamp Rabbits x Drive Doubleheader is taking over downtown Saturday, April 18. Catch hockey at 3 p.m., then head to Fluor Field for a 6:45 p.m. first pitch. Packages include both games, a Lefty’s discount, and a commemorative pennant.
Real Estate
This modern Parkins Mill home has one of the most unique silhouettes we’ve featured. It boasts a main-level primary and laundry, an open layout with high ceilings, and a durable metal roof.
Sports
Furman Soccer’s Braden Dunham is heading international. The Paladins standout was called up to the US U-19 Men’s National Team for its March training camp in Alicante, Spain — and is the only current college player on the roster.
Development
Speaking of Furman, DP3 Architects is reimagining the school’s Physical Activities Center. Plans feature a rock-climbing wall, expanded fitness area, new group studio, upgraded locker rooms, and a relocated Human Performance Lab.
Community
Mark your calendars: Juneteenth returns to Unity Park on Friday, June 19. The annual celebration honoring freedom, culture, and community will take place at the Prisma Health Welcome Center. More details will be announced soon.
Environment
Protect your stream, fight erosion, and give wildlife a home — all with one simple step.Riparian buffers are strips of native plants that filter pollution, stabilize soil, and support ecosystems. Own property along a waterway? Plant a buffer to make a difference.*
Tech
Greenville Federal Credit Union has unveiled a sleek new website with a modern design and a state-of-the-art help center. Explore 50+ financial calendars, multilingual support, and features highlighting local business owners at the same familiar web address. Check it out for yourself.*
You don’t have to drive to the coast for a beach day. Our friends at Kidding Around Greenville rounded up some of their favorite mountain beaches that are a short drive from Greenville. Danielle’s pick from this list? Lake Jocassee with access at Devils Fork State Park.
A customizable body pillow for head-to-toe comfort. Seamlessly adjust the fill to your ideal level for plush, full-body support all night long. Plus, it’s machine washable + never loses its shape and softness after multiple washes.
One of my favorite life hacks is that you can get a breakfast sandwich on a Scout’s Doughnut, and I am so excited to learn they’re expanding the menu at the downtown window to include breakfast sandwiches on Fridays and Saturdays.
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