"Unique" in its true sense

"Unique" is one of those words whose meaning has been devalued by overuse, mostly by over-the-top advertising, but there are still some truly unique experiences out there. We saw one today, when a BC native, Ashleigh McIvor, scored a unique triumph - the first ever Olympic Ski-Cross gold medal.

Another unique experience, and one I have had the pleasure and privilege of enjoying, involves getting down on your hands and knees and crawling underneath a piano - a concert grand, no less. So why, you ask, would you crawl under a piano?

In the words of Craig Addy, founder of Vancouver's one-of-a-kind Under the Piano, a business that bathes the listener in improvised piano music:

When you crawl under my grand piano and nestle amongst opulent quilts and cushions you are treated to about 40 minutes of piano improvisations. You are surrounded by the music and enveloped by the sound. Your entire body is bathed by sound vibrations. You get to enjoy your very own personal concert and a remarkably relaxing and healing experience.

Every word there is true - the sound vibrations envelop the listener and you emerge incredibly relaxed and feeling totally at peace.

Craig, a classically-trained pianist, has developed a business idea that he believes is the only one of its kind in the world. If you're in this wonderfully warm and welcoming city for the Olympics and are looking for a memento unlike any other, visit Under The Piano - you won't regret it.

Originally posted February 23, 2010.