A flash mob is not appropriate as a marketing vehicle for a product or service (despite several attempts at this), political purposes or a publicity stunt. The reason is that these do not carry the element of entertainment or satire without strings attached for the observers. These sorts of events have their motive as an expectation that observers will then do something like buy a product, vote for someone or support a particular cause. A flash mob is not an excuse for violence or damaging property. To participate in something that results in this is to be part of a rioting mob or crowd, not a flash mob. Never have the intent to create a violent or harmful event from a flash mob exercise. (Public authorities in some places have taken to naming crime sprees as “flash mobs,” but criminal behavior has nothing to do with flash mobs as performance art. )
Choreographed dance: an example would be a large group all performing a dance in the park to support a lover proposing to his girlfriend. Singing something such as opera, yodeling, or a pop hit. Any style of singing is fine, but make sure it’s interesting. An example would be breaking into song about the wonders of fruits and vegetables while in the supermarket. Acting out a particular scenario: such as lots of people walking invisible dogs on leashes. Mime: An example would be pretending to try to find a way through a wall that isn’t there. Using an existing joyful event to spread love: An example would a wedding, graduation or anniversary celebration being taken to a street, mall or other public place to spread the joy! World Record: Trying to break a Guinness World Record by having the largest gathering doing “X” at the same time. Freeze Flash Mob: All members become living statues and freeze.
Use Facebook, Twitter, and websites to bring people together. People will be searching for a flash mob with the words “flash mob” or “flash mob” so be sure to include these in any message you’re creating to find people. Improv Everywhere is based in New York City and while not all of its street performances are flash mobs, some are and you might be able to participate with them if you’re located in NYC. Check out their website for more information. There are many local flash mob websites; just use a search engine to find them using your location name and the term “flash mob”.
If the instructions are simple, such as everyone stand in one place reading a newspaper they’ve cut eye holes in, then the simplicity of the action will probably mean you don’t need to rehearse. However, it’s a very good idea for everyone participating to try to meet up somewhere prior to the event to quickly run over the details, what’s expected of the event and participants, and what to do when it’s over. It’s also helpful to explain what to do if people get annoyed or the police try to shift the group. If the instructions are complex, especially where scenes need to be choreographed and organized, then consider having a smaller group of people you are certain can turn up to rehearsals and keep fairly quiet about the event, rather than having a much larger and harder to coordinate group. About 50 people can be organized fairly successfully, but higher numbers mean that things start getting trickier. It can be easier to coordinate a dance group you’re already involved in. For example, getting a group of your Zumba practitioners from the local gym to perform in the street together might be a great chance for the participants to show off what they’ve learned already.
If the props or costumes are difficult for people to find or make on their own, consider holding a workshop beforehand in which everyone has the opportunity to create the items needed. However, you should aim for simple clothes and items, or things that people already have in their wardrobe or house.
As mentioned above, tell your participants what to do in the event that the police or some other authority requests that your group leave. The best option is to do as asked quietly and peacefully. In any case, a well-run, legitimate flash mob will be over and done with before these people even arrive.
