I love Christmas, but I think there is something that would make it even more wonderful. It is my Christmas wish to get caught in a holiday “flash mob” event.
There may be a few people out there who haven’t heard about this phenomenon, so I’ll try to explain. A flash mob is an impromptu event of some kind, filmed by someone, and then shared on the Internet or on television. One of the most famous flash mobs was on the Oprah Winfrey show in 2009 when the Black Eyed Peas appeared to play their upbeat I’ve Got a Feeling. Unbeknownst to Oprah, audience members were invited to unite in a massive dance routine in what is believed to be one of the largest flash mobs ever.
Other flash mobs are of a much smaller scale and they surprise smaller groups—somewhat smaller anyway. There have been flash mobs at airports, parks, train stations and many, many at malls. I guess it could be considered street performance, but less rehearsed.
Some are incredibly silly such as a Where’s Waldo? flash mob in San Francisco, California. In the comical Where’s Waldo? event, tourists in San Francisco, California are puzzled when the children’s book character begins to appear—one red-striped-shirt and capclad character after another—until there are dozens of people dressed like Waldo of Where’s Waldo? fame. The Waldos just walk around, being seen by Where’s Waldo? fans. They stroll a few blocks to have a huge group photo taken by the Golden Gate Bridge—and then they wander off, acting as if nothing unusual had just taken place.
That is the key feature of a flash mob. A group gathers, seemingly without direction, performs an act, and then just as quietly disperses. That is the case in another flash mob event that takes place in a very quiet library. In this entertaining flash mob, first one patron then another, and another, and yet another lies down on the floor. Soon a dozen or so people are snoring away to the bemusement of patrons not in on the performance. Then, after a few minutes, one by one the sleepers wake up and walk off, again, acting like they were not just part of the silliness.
There are literally hundreds of videos of flash mobs on YouTube— a wedding dance flash mob, a stripper flash mob on the NY subway, pillow fights, gatherings of clowns and Michael Jackson impersonators and many, many more.
But I most enjoy a series of Christmas flash mobs. It was through a Christmas flash mob—“Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus”— that I first learned about this phenomenon. This performance is perhaps less improvised than some flash mobs. It was choreographed by a church choir at the Seaway Mall in Welland, Canada. This group had a professional film the group and they put some thought into where the musicians should be scattered around the mall. But the stunned looks on the harried shoppers’ faces is priceless. I’ve watched this YouTube video a dozen times and every time it brings tears to my eyes.
This year I’ve received two more holiday YouTube videos—one created right here in Minnesota by the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. My friend Jim Ringquist sent it to me. Jim is a member of our Community Christmas Concert, so he knows a thing or two about voices joining. So to impress him, you know the spontaneous concert is splendid. You can check it out on YouTube by typing in “Carlson School of Management Flash Mob, Deck the Halls.” From the start with the lone saxophonist to the final dancing and clapping, you will love the amazing harmonies—and the delighted looks of passersby. The performance is a perfect example of “making a joyful noise.”
And just as I sat down to think about what to write about in this week’s Unorganized Territory, I received one more flash mob video that touched my heart. You can find it on YouTube by entering “Flash Mob by Journey of Faith at Galleria.” It’s filmed at another mall, crowded with holiday shoppers who sing from the first floor, from the balcony, and from the escalator. I never thought a mall would provide such amazing acoustics, but this medly of Christmas carols—O Come All Ye Faithful, Go Tell It on the Mountain and O Holy Night—is simply awe inspiring.
I would love to be surprised by such an event. This year’s Community Christmas concert gave a glimpse of what it would be like. For the final song, the choir did something new They encircled the audience, standing around the sides of the sanctuary to sing Beautiful Savior. A Cook County flash mob that moved many to tears—me included.
I realized, watching the Cook County mini-flash mob and all these videos, that Christmas carolers were the earliest flash mobs. Think about it—they meet on the street and wander about singing, knocking on doors and surprising folks with Christmas tunes. Before the age of cell phones and Internet and instant communication, they were less spontaneous. But the idea is the same—people gather to offer the gift of song to friends and strangers alike. And when they are done—perhaps after a little Figgie pudding— they all quietly go their separate ways.
But of course, the very first Christmas flash mob was in Bethlehem The angel chorus that announced the birth of baby Jesus certainly surprised the shepherds. They came, they sang, they dispersed quietly, letting those who witnessed it take what they wanted from the performance.
A flash mob blessing!
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Leave a Reply