Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center season opens with dueling pianos

'Fun Pianos,' a dueling piano musical party, will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Washington High School in Washington.

This performance is the opening event for the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center's 2019-2020 season.

Fun Pianos by 176 Keys, Traveling Dueling Pianos Show travels the country for community events, corporate parties, fundraisers, weddings, county fairs and more. Their show provides fun and laugher for the whole family. During the Fun Pianos performance, audience members can request their favorite tunes, sing along, or dance in the aisles. Music lovers are encouraged to arrive early to get seats on the stage right by the two guest pianists.

According to Sam Ferguson, owner and lead player, 'I created 176 Keys in 2003, started doing private functions in 2004, and added on Amy Lee to help build the business with me in 2005. I didn't set out to create the largest and best traveling dueling pianos show in the country, it just turned out that way.'

In 2006, Ferguson added other players who would maintain the quality name they had built. The team consists of about a dozen pianists, but Washington can expect to see the owner and founder of the business, Sam Ferguson, and his assistant, Desiree Irwin.

Proceeds from the Washington event will go toward a special fund for additional lighting and sound equipment needed for concerts and plays in the Performing Arts Center. When the center was built, several lighting instruments and sound equipment items were cut from the budget due to high bids. The Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center Operations and Advisory Committee has established a private fund to purchase additional equipment necessary to light the back of the stage and amplify young voices on the stage.

As with most dueling piano shows, tip jars will be available for song requests or thank-you tokens. The performers will donate all tip jar money to the special equipment fund. Audience members are encouraged to bring their dollar bills for the tip jar so they can help furnish additional performance equipment for Washington's young performers.

Tickets can be ordered online at WashingtonAuditorium.org or purchased at the Washington Chamber of Commerce in Washington. Tickets also will be available at the door one hour before the event.