Would You Like to be in a Flash Mob?

by Lori

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You wouldn’t have to ask me twice! YES! I’d love to be in a flash mob!

I had never heard of flash mobs until I saw this tribute to Michael Jackson performed in Stockholm. I was hooked! Wouldn’t it be fun to be one of those dancers? What great energy in that group! I imagine the fun of the practice sessions, the anticipation of surprising passers-by, but most of all, the fun of dancing in such a large group!

The second flash mob I saw reminded me why The Sound of Music was such a great movie. This flash mob that took place in Belgium was amazing! I love how there were kids involved and how the music changed from the movie soundtrack to disco music! Yay Belgium!

Then there was the Christmas flash mob singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a food court. I’ll be watching out for this when I’m Christmas shopping this year! As entertaining as it was, though,  I prefer the dancing flash mobs.

My favourite flash mob, and you can rightly accuse me of being prejudiced since I am of Lebanese descent, was the one in the Beruit airport. I grew up learning the traditional dabke dance. When I was a child it was something novel; performed by children and aunts and uncles, associated with what we called the “old country.” Seeing young people in Lebanon doing the dabke is an experience I can’t capture with words.

How cool is this? It seems that all over the world, we’re doing flash mobs. What an amazing demonstration of optimism and generosity.

Have you ever been in a flash mob? What great ones did I miss? I wanna be in a flash mob. Who’s with me?

photo credit: cli1000

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Isabelle 6 pts

Hi Lori, I love the idea of flash mobs (provided they don't cause disruptions). The dancing/singing types always make me smile!

I sort of was in one once. It was 20 years ago in Paris (they weren't called flash mobs then or at least I didn't know of them). I went to a drama class and the teacher decided we would all go (about 50 people) to the metro (subway) and, there, when the train arrived, we all had to step on the train, all pretend we'd forgotten something then step off the train. All at the same time. You should have seen the faces of people on the train. Such fun!

Lori 1857 pts moderator

Isabelle Hi Isabelle! That sounds like fun! If it had been a dance class you might have danced! I think there is something about being a part of a large group that speaks to us. When we are united in a cause, however silly or briefly, we feel a part of something - a sense of oneness that is somehow familiar, like community!

So you're IN our flash mob right ;-)

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Hajra 319 pts

Have never been but would love to! The sense of togetherness and coming together with one thing in mind couldn't be any more beautiful! Sounds like so much fun! :)

Now, I am waiting to happen just round the corner!

fergusonsarah 101 pts

I'm a little bit jealous, I want to participate too. This was really fun.

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Lori 1857 pts moderator

fergusonsarah You're IN Sarah! What experience do you have? Just joking - none of us, except for LolaSpeaking has experience and some like blogaks ,Craig McBreen Rileyhar and Mark_Harai claim they can't dance as an excuse even though Yvonne Root admits to not being able to and not even caring about that! ;-)

When and where....and who's going to record it!? :-)

And Welcome to Life, for instance Sarah!

LolaSpeaking 8 pts

I participated in a Flash Mob 2 summers ago and it was the funnest experience EVER! And I did another one last christmas singing with 400 others at the mall in the middle of the day, unexpectedly. It was awesome also. My favorite is the Disney Engagement (Bruno Mars, Marry Me is the song) if you haven't seen it and also, the Welcome - TMobile at Heathrow. Watch them if you haven't seen them. You will LOVE them!

Lori 1857 pts moderator

LolaSpeaking Hi Lola! You were in 2 flash mobs! Wow! Are you a singer, a dancer or just an adventurous spirit? Do you have links to the ones you mention? Oh wait - is this the Welcome one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB3NPNM4xgo Where can we see the Disney Engagement one?

Thanks for these! Welcome to Life, for instance Lola!

TashaGosselin 197 pts

LoriLolaSpeaking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su1YLAjty-U

This is beautiful!!

SocialMediaDDS 529 pts

TashaGosselinLoriLolaSpeaking Oh my goodness....I got chills and then I started to....wait for it, Lori....cry!! ;-) That was really great! Thank you Tasha!!

Lori 1857 pts moderator

TashaGosselinLolaSpeaking That was the one LolaSpeaking was talking about! Thanks for posting it - what great dancing in that flash mob Tash!

Charlotte74 74 pts

My friend proposed to his girlfriend on a London tube with a flash mob singing. Never seen one myself.

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Lori 1857 pts moderator

Charlotte74 That sounds interesting! Were they a part of the flash mob or just watching it? Would you like to be in one Charlotte?

Welcome to Life, for instance!

Craig McBreen 285 pts

I have no problem watching flash mobs. Well, honestly I've never witnessed one, but participate? :) You, Ma'am have not see me dance, nor to you ever want to. It's so bad … I mean my wife makes fun of me when I try to dance, it's bloody embarrassing. So I would certainly stand out as THAT dude with no rhythm, and they'd toss me aside never to participate again.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

Craig McBreen Can't dance? There are flash mobs that have wonderful singing! Can you sing? ;-)

Craig McBreen 285 pts

Lori My singing will make dogs howl.

Craig McBreen 285 pts

Lori Honest. I sometimes sing to myself while wondering aimlessly through my house ... my wife kindly asks me to shut up! :)

JimK 109 pts

lol...if you asked me to join the Flash Mob for a dance I would probably run fast the other way. I have talents but they don't include dancing or singing. The last time I danced I think was 1996. I can sing as loud as I want here at the North Pole while I'm at work 3km away from the rest. Thought I heard a wolf howling back at me once. lol
In 2010 I went to the Lebanese Festival in Halifax for three straight days. I loved everything about their culture, the food, singing, dancing and laughter.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

JimK Hi Jim! Don't run away!!!! Aw, the "I can't dance" excuse - er-reason! You can be a singer in our flash mob! If your voice is good enough for the wolves, it's good enough for this!

You got to a Lebanese Festival in Halifax? Lebanese people know how to dance, and cook! I haven't been to one of those in years! I think I really want to go to Lebanon itself, though it's not likely to happen any time soon :-( I'd be watching at the airport for any suspicious dancing starting up! LOL

JimK 109 pts

Lori It doesn't mean I don't appreciate good dancing. I thoroughly enjoyed the dancing at the Lebanese Festival. I also saw Riverdance while visiting Dublin Ireland in 2008. I had been wanting to see that for ten years. I had a couple tears of joy running down my cheeks when those first dancers appeared on the stage to that wonderful music.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

JimK That must have been something to see Riverdance in Dublin! I can't imagine the energy in that! What a great trip that must have been!

SocialMediaDDS 529 pts

What a delightfully FUN post Lori !!! I LOVE flash mobs....I actually saw the last half of one at the McCormick Place in Chicago this past year at a convention that I went to....it was so energizing and fun...makes you want to run right out there and join them. My favorite of the ones you shared here was the "spontaneous" Hallelujah Chorus in the food court....a beautiful song that gives me chills each time I hear it and what a fun way to share the beauty of that song! I'll gladly join in a flash mob with you...I'll learn the dabke and it will be awesome....or hilarious....one or the other ;-)

Claudia

Lori 1857 pts moderator

SocialMediaDDS

Hi Claudia! It would be fun to see a flash mob break out, but not knowing the steps and being able to blend in would drive me crazy!! The Hallelujah Chorus was nice - imagine running into that while Christmas shopping. Or check out the one of the Facebook page that actualinfinity. posted! It will be fun to shop just wondering if it COULD happen ;-)

So you're in - great ;-) Now where are we going to do this.......

Yvonne Root 28 pts

Count me in. Can't sing, can't dance, don't care. Would love to be a part of something this fun.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

Yvonne Root I like your spirit Yvonne! You're in!

Welcome to Life, for instance! :-)

Yvonne Root 28 pts

Thanks Lori it is fun to be here.

rshin 58 pts

Hi Lori, I never really knew what a flash mob was either until recently...well not really, I had heard the term but today you helped me to understand it better. I didn't know that you are Lebanese. I am also Lebanese though I never actually learned the dabke proper despite being first generation. It definitely would be fun to learn and dance and feel the great energy of such a 'mob'...to tell you the truth I wish it were called something other than Flash MOB...you know what I mean? The word mob has such negative connotations. But then a word is just a word, what matters is the energy, the comradery, and the beauty of experiencing this energy in the moment. Nice post Habibti ;-)

Lori 1857 pts moderator

rshin Hi Rula! You're first generation Lebanese? Where do you live now - in Lebanon? I wonder why you didn't learn the dabke. I wonder if it was more celebrated by immigrants to Canada than it was back in the "old country". Isn't the video amazing!!

The word "mob" really doesn't fit, does it? It's more of a troup, but then you'd have to change the first word too. What would be a better name for a flash mob? Who coined that phrase?

Okay, my 3rd generation Lebanese doesn't tell me what Habibti means :-( But let me try Keef halek!

rshin 58 pts

Lori

Hi Lori, no I've been living in the U.S. since I was 9 years old. Before that I lived in Saudi because of my father's job and then 2 years in Jordan where my Mom is from. I wasn't really exposed to dabke except on TV or some festivals and weddings and such. As for "Keef Halek?" that's the perfect greeting phrase to which I respond, "Mniha, shukran." (Well, thank you). Habibti literally means "love" and is used often in contexts either close or casual. As for coining another word for Flash Mob, I really don't know...Flash Event? That's a little boring I guess, but maybe another word that means something like "Event"?

Lori 1857 pts moderator

rshin You did move around! Shukran for explaining the words! I know the word "Yahahabibi" from a song - I think it means "my love" and my grand father used to call us Dini (probably not spelling these right) My mom was Sittie and I look forward to being a Sittie one day! What do you call your grandparents?

Nevermind renaming the flash mob - this is more fun ;-)

rshin 58 pts

Lori

Haha Yes, I did move around. From Jordan to CT spending my formative years in New England, then Atlanta to school, and now Charlotte, NC for the past..whew..has it really been almost 12 years! (Hmm...I think I'm dating myself haha). Yes, Jiddi and Sitti are grandmother and grandfather, but our colloquial we use Teta (instead of Sitti) and Jido (instead of Jiddi). As for "Dini"...I'm not quite sure what that is or means..hmmm...And yes, this IS more fun than renaming a term that won't actually be renamed haha ;-)

rshin 58 pts

Lori

And I have to say that Middle Eastern food is divine - if only you could try my mother's cooking....mmhhh..

rshin 58 pts

Lori

And yes, "hub" is "love", "habibti" or "habibi" (feminine/masculine) is "My Love" but when I said it I meant in speaking....Like in english we sometimes say, "Anytime Love!" what we really mean is "Anytime my love" but the "my" makes it sound a little too personal when in that context it's very casual hahaha The human language is so intricate, so nuanced...so interesting.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

rshin I spelled it wrong :o It was "Dino" he called us. Some of our cousins, on Mom's side used "Jido" instead of Jiddi (was spelling that wrong too!) And yes Middle Eastern food is divine! I know ;-)

actualinfinity 18 pts

Hey Lori , what's shakin? I love me a flash mob. There's a pretty nice facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/improv.everywhere that captures a lot of the flashmob scene. I don't know if you live in a big city, but if you do, there are usually flashmob groups you can hang with. I haven't done one here in Chicago yet, but I hope to soon. I'm connected with the group that does them on Facebook, but I haven't made it happen yet.

I hope you find one to join in.... they really do seem to be loads of fun. Also hard work, but most stuff that's worth it is a result of diligent effort. :)

Do you like that TV show called "Mobbed"? I like the idea, but haven't really watched it much.

Cheers!!!

Lori 1857 pts moderator

actualinfinity Hi Steve! that's a cool facebook group! There are flash mob groups in big cities? You could join them then! Wow! If you make it happen, come back here and let us know okay?

I've not seen this TV show "Mobbed" - will check it out. Thanks!

SocialMediaDDS 529 pts

actualinfinityLori Steve....keep us posted if you find one in Chicago...I'm in the Chicago area and would love to have that opportunity one day....if they take old out-of-shape women ;-)

actualinfinity 18 pts

SocialMediaDDSLori Hey there! "Old" is just a story society tells us. Don't believe it! :)

Here is a Chicago-based Flashmob group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/63981428711/

I know one of the Mods - Jacob Young... he's a great guy. They post all sorts of great opportunities to get involved in stuff like this. Check it out, and let em know I sent ya! :)

DeliberateBlog 107 pts

Oh yeah! Definitely. I'd rock that flash mob, ha, ha. I've never had the opportunity to be in one, but I'd do it in a heartbeat. Perhaps 2012 can be the year of the flash mob... You know, instead of all this end of the world crap, we could just....wait for it... Dance! Dance! Dance! :o)

Hugs,

Melody

Lori 1857 pts moderator

DeliberateBlog Yay - I knew I could count on you to join Melody! Dance Dance Dance - for sure! Have you ever seen a flash mob? What Youtube video can you add here?

Mark_Harai 293 pts

I love to watch flashmob's too Lori; as far as dancing in them?

It would be much safer if I stayed on the sidelines and watched!

Be sure to have someone video you in your first flashmob : )

Lori 1857 pts moderator

Mark_Harai Hi Mark! Standing on the side watching? Why? You're not going to use the "I can't dance" excuse, are you? ;-) Have you ever seen one in Costa Rica or anywhere else?

As for the video of my first flash mob...we shall see! Then again, it would be something to share with the grandchildren, when they come!

Rileyhar 98 pts

Hey Lori,

I think it's so cool when people have the courage to be spontaneous and uninhibited and let their inner spirit escape.

Riley

Lori 1857 pts moderator

Rileyhar Hi Riley! That is part of what's wonderful about a flash mob! Likely there are people who would never go on stage dancing in public with no physical space between them and the audience.

Wanna join our flash mob? ;-)

Ali Mac 163 pts

YES!! I was so excited when I opened this post today Lori! I would totally LOVE to be in a flash mob!! The best one I saw was done for Oprah, as a surprise to celebrate her show - it was with the Black Eyed Peas performing "I Got a Feelin," and you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqfHkjyC8aM&feature=fvst It was AWESOME!

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Lori 1857 pts moderator

Ali Mac Augh I yes - Chicago! I forgot about that one Alessandra! The music makes you want to dance, doesn't it!?!? I didn't realize it was a surprise for her!

So your'e in - right! yay! We've got 5! (Not really sure where I'm gong with this or how we'll get together to do a flash mob, but a girl can dream, can't she?)

Ali Mac 163 pts

Lori I'm all over this!!!! LOL just say the time and place! I am putting this on my list of things to do before I turn 30 HAHA thanks for the inspiration!!!

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bdorman264 1935 pts

I knew there was going to be one in my downtown and went to observe. It was the 12 days of Christmas and very interesting to see the reaction of people. http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2010/12/12-days-of-christmas-at-the-farmers-market/. It you look closely, you can see me in the crowd at about the 25 second mark.

I was very impressed and there were some talented people there. It was way cool.

The reaction of the crowd is what is fun to see.

Hopefully my equipment will be working and I'll see you at 1 pm.

Lori 1857 pts moderator

bdorman264 Aw Bill! You were THERE! How cool is that! (you were the one in the blue shirt and sun glasses, right?) I would go too if I got wind of a flash mob - and watch in envy, though as I mentioned, I'm not the singing flash mob type.

So....wanna be our #4? ;-)

bdorman264 1935 pts

Lori That was me; I have to wear the shades in public, otherwise I'm flash mobbed because of my popularity on the internet now.............:)

Lori 1857 pts moderator

bdorman264 LOL



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