...and flashmobs rule

I knew I wanted to write about the flashmob I participated in last week, and then I got this email....
I couldnt explain the concept and thrill of a flashmob better. Some people have actually argued with me because they think it is a waste of time. I hope those people read this.

"I wanted to thank each and every one of you for making manifest the dream of a flash mob dance at our 20th anniversary show.

Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and participating in this wholly creative act for absolutely no lofty nor important reason, but only because it makes the human soul sing when people come together and pour their energy into creating something beautiful and alive! Thank you for sweating and working to make something as perfect as possible that you didn't even know would fly in real time in a room packed with people. Thank you for your courage in jumping in early and for sticking it out when you couldn't tell if many people would be in it with you. Thank you for jumping in at the last minute because you just heard about it even though you weren't sure you'd get it right or you were afraid of looking silly. Thank you for pushing yourself to learn the dance when you weren't sure you could, or if you had time, or whatever obstacles life may have presented. Thank you for living with that song in your head day in and day out (which may have been ok at first, but geez!) Thank you for making special arrangements with family and friends to be at rehearsals when you were supposed to be someplace else, or your kids wanted you. Thank you for waiting around forever on Saturday to rehearse with the band only to be told after just one take that there wouldn't be time for more live practice. ?!*?&%$? Thank you for braving the crowd and dealing with whatever leftover details to make it to the show and onto the dance floor at the right moment. For giving it your all and for stepping up your role from "follower" to "leader" so that others could follow you or so that the crowd would move out of the way for the dance contest. Thank you for putting yourself out there and working your butt off for weeks not knowing how any of this would play out and for your power and grace when a tripping guy blocked the dance you'd spent countless hours perfecting. And why???????Why???????

In a world where everything is so heavy and sad, tragic and dangerous, scary and mean. Where we fight for what we believe is right and grieve injustice. You worked hard to do something beautiful not even for some guaranteed tangible result, but for the mere vision of what might be possible if it worked out. The simple yet profound notion that you could move others. Make them laugh, point, cry or just smile. And for many more unique and individual reasons you may share here or I may never know. To me that is extraordinary and I am honored to part of this community!!

Here is a little history. When I first saw that flash mob dance from Oprah's 24th season kickoff party, I was so moved, I laughed and cried and watched it over and over. What was so moving to me was that I knew there is no way they could have paid 20,000 to learn that dance. It had to be something people did because they wanted to. Some vision for what it could be like that someone shared with them and a spark was ignited. This coupled with the knowledge that a spark like that doesn't get lit en masse. Each person, somehow, had to "get" it and put themselves into it. You can't dance in hiding or sitting on your couch. Dance is an on the court, butt on the line participatory event and takes energy. That was September '09. I wrote on my facebook page that very day something like, "anyone want to choreograph a dance to Higher for our 20th anniversary show?" It was a dream with a huge amount of passion and excitement behind it. Although a couple people said "yes" at that moment, it wasn't until the very end of January '10 that this little idea met the amazing Melody Spear. The funny thing is that Melody and I are friends and I thought I had included her in my email invites to make something like this happen. But it wasn't until we met over dinner that the spark was lit and from that moment on this little idea became an unstoppable freight train. Within 5 days of our dinner conversation, Melody had the entire thing choreographed and a "call for dancers" out on facebook. 5 Weeks later YOU all performed this dance. Wow!!! I had hoped this little project would find the perfect leader, but the experience of it was more fun than I'd imagined. I knew Melody was a woman who knew how to make things happen, but to see it in action was breathtaking.

It has been so much fun to witness this creative awakening in you, Melody, and your brilliance with following the steadfast rules of the universe. Love attracts love, light attracts light. Whose got time for anything else? I am honored to know you and can't wait for whatever is next!!!

Oh. Another little thing. We (The Sugar Beets) knew there'd be a lot of people at this show because we'd had great press. But we didn't know how many. We hoped (truly in our wildest dreams) 400. We now know that at least 600 people got in to this show and we do not know how many wanted to come but were turned away because we were over capacity. This whole thing has been a glorious experiment in manifesting and the power of vision and action fueled by joy and passion.

In gratitude,

Megan Bassett on behalf of The Sugar Beets."

Wow! I couldnt say it better. But I do have to add a few bits from my perspective that happened that night.
It was the Sugarbeets 20th anniversary celebration concert. I have never gone to one of their shows before, but my dance partner said she has been a fan for the last 19 years...so when the mad hatter guy started doing wacky stuff...she said "it wouldnt be a normal concert without at least one weirdo yelling something". He was a younger guy, wearing a mad hatter hat, sweating and jumping up and down, trying to convince the crowd to jump with him. He is also the one mentioned in the email who blocked the dancer from doing her part of the dance.
In other parts of the country, it can be hard to get people to start dancing, or get in the circle for a solo part....not here! It was hard for some people to get the concept that they were NOT supposed to get in the circle!
I love organized dance events! Cant wait for the next.

wish I had photos, but I went solo to this and didnt bring a camera. I heard videos might be up soon though!