ragtime

Yesterday, Sam and I went up to Peoria for the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest. I've played in piano contests, and I've attended a few too, but they were always of the classical music variety. This one was not like any I had experienced before; it was ragtime, and it was very, very good.

The contestants were all dressed in period costumes, and the pieces they played were so energetic and entertaining. In addition, they played on a restored upright piano from the early 1900s. It gave the whole competition an air of authenticity.

My particular favorite contestant, and the person we actually went to see, was Ethan Uslan, Sam's friend from grad school. Last year he won the competition, and in my humble opinion, he should have won again this year (he got second). He was amazing. He was the only contestant to receive a standing ovation. Seriously, even if you aren't into piano music, you should watch him.

I am so enthusiastic about this, that I have embedded a clip of him from last year's competition.