Two pianists enter a bar …

… and only one leaves.
You would expect more violence when you read about dueling pianos, but both performers survived. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I walked into 33 Steaks, Booze and Jazz last Friday, but I was quite pleased with what I found.
It was a rousing, high-spirited affair as the dueling pianists played different standards over the past couple of decades. “Yellow Submarine” lured me into the Main Street establishment. The next few songs kept me wanting more.
The energy of a live music performance was encapsulated within the two baby grand pianos, but there was none of the insistent overwhelming wall of sound a full band normally produces. The singing is lounge-y but a lot of fun. One could listen, sing along, dance or chat with others.
I guess you see things like dueling pianos in bigger cities like the ‘mento or San Diego, but their act seems pretty new for this area. Although I’ve heard Chico has played host to such performers in the past.
The dueling pianos play at 10:30 p.m. Fridays at 33. I’m definitely planning a return trip.