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An Unexpected Convergence
Posted 18th July 2008 at 12:04pm by M1ke, tagged as Random, Video | Commenting Closed

I wrote a while ago about the big freeze that happened in Grand Central Sation, New York, the video of which was posted on YouTube. That event was organised by a group called Improve Everywehre, and it turns out they have plenty more to offer. The purpose of the group is to perform random activities, some large scale and some smaller, that go against what people expect, and with the emphasis on the idea that no one involved is in contact with anyone else. For the larger events clever signals are used - in one case a man moving his hands between his chest and a bin some distance from the group, and in another the instructions have been pre-recorded on MP3.

The activity is known as flash mobbing, and has some following in Europe as well as the States. For example some folks in Prague decided to set up a first class set on an underground train - bringing in a rug, chair, table and coatstand one by one before a business man boarded and sat down at the next station. In Manchester a large pillow fight was held. I've picked out some of the best videos to link here - others can be found on the Improve Everywhere website or general searching on video sites.

The first is a large number of people gathered in the windows of a department store in New York.

The second is a small baseball game in America that the Improv guys decided to give the big league treatment - including commentators and a blimp!

This one is the first class tube train from those crazy guys in Prague.

Finally one from the folks back in Manchester - a huge pillow fight in St. Peter's square!

I'd definitely be up for something like this - maybe starting on a smaller scale with more focus, but it seems like amazing fun. I'll keep you posted!

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