There’s a lovely area I often walk through in Granada called La Plaza Del Humilladero which is used as a public event space such as weekly markets, annual fairs and where many people simply go for a paseo or to walk their dogs. I especially like walking there early in the morning before the city wakes up as it has a gentle tranquility that sets me up for the day.

Every time I go I walk past an old bandstand and often either take a photo or simply take a moment to look at it. It always intrigues me as it’s quite beautiful and I’ve only seen it used for very occasional small tango dance groups at the weekends. The rest of the time it stands empty, perhaps nostalgic for its halcyon days all those years ago in the 20th century. When I see this bandstand, I can’t help but think of the countless events and stories it must have played host to over the years – young lovers on dates, people learning the latest dance craze, romantic trysts and of course, bands playing concerts.

And yet as well as all these thoughts of what may have happened, it also makes me think about what hasn’t happened or more to the point, what is no longer happening there now. The bandstand has been empty wanting to make people happy and now from my perspective, it has a quiet sadness that seems to represent unfulfilled opportunities of the past. What could have been. It seems such a waste and yet people go past it all the time without taking any notice whatsoever.

Maybe we can create a new future for the empty bandstand? Find it some new friends to play with? Some new dancers and jazz bands to host? Sounds like a project…