Wednesday 23 November 2011

Flashmob



The above is – if my technical skills are up to it – a video of us doing a flashmob in Truro – or three, to be precise. For those of you who don’t know, a flashmob is a group of people who get together in a public place to perform for a short time, then disperse. The whole point is that it has to be a surprise, though, so we weren’t supposed to tell our friends.

This video is of us in Lemon Street Market, our last venue, but to start with we all gathered in Marks & Sparks, scattered around the clothing department and waited for 2.30 when our musical director, Claire, had said she would start the singing. Claire was positioned by the bras (the men loved that) and we had to keep an eye on her but look as if we were browsing.

My heart was pounding, my mouth went dry as I kept looking at Claire, idly inspecting a stack of Christmas presents, then she turned around and started singing. We sang a four part round where the basses come in first, then the tenors, altos and us sopranos last. This means each part has to concentrate hard on when to come in (each part sings each line 4 times before the next part comes in) which sounds easy but when your teeth are chattering, it isn’t.

However, as soon as we started singing I forgot my nerves, and M&S has surprisingly good acoustics. It is impossible to describe the sense of spine tingling magic – I felt as if someone had injected me with liquid adrenaline. I shivered and shimmered, it whirled round my head, and I just wanted to sing and sing, more and more. This was the Red Shoes of music.

We did that flashmob in two other places and the last was enjoyed so much the shoppers all clapped so we did an encore, not wanting it to stop. One of the other lovely things about it was the inclusivity – people brought partners, friends and husbands, children and dogs. Everyone was welcome and everyone enjoyed the sense of thrill, of fun, and the spontaneity of it all.

Of course the downside is that we all felt incredibly flat once all that adrenaline had worn off – sadly several good friends were away, but we will be doing another one soon. Watch this space!

22 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

I can feel how wonderful this felt through your vibrant writing. Well done, you - very brave!

Philipa said...

Wow what a fantastic thing to do ! The red shoes of music - I even love your description and wish I could have been there x

Flowerpot said...

It was amazing Phil - and I wish you;'d been there too!

Flowerpot said...

Thanks Chris - though I'm not brave. Just desperate to sing!

Akelamalu said...

That was W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.!

Flowerpot said...

Ak - so glad you enjoyed it. You can tell we did!

Susie Nott-Bower said...

Oh, Sue... my whole body tingled listening to this. How utterly fabulous. I so wish we had this in Bristol!
You all sounded fantastic.

Flowerpot said...

Susie - how lovely to hear from you! I wsa thinking about you the other day as it was Suitcase Singers' 2nd birthday. Do hope you find some singing in Bristol v soon.xx

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

On a day that I need a bit of a lift, your post has done just that! I can only imagine the electricity in the air at the time!! How fun!!!! :-)))

Susie Nott-Bower said...

Hi Sue,
I was so envious of you flash-mobbing - it looks (and sounds) so brilliant. I'm doing a weekly voice class in Bristol - quite good, but really miss the getting-out-into-the-world bits.

Elaine Denning said...

That was amazing! I was welling up here...

Unknown said...

What a fabulous idea! You all sounded so very lovely.
Are you going to do X-mas carols, too?

Flowerpot said...

Sarina - thanks for that! We are doing lots of Christmas gigs, yes.

Flowerpot said...

Elaine - I do every time I listen to it - which has been about 6 times today!!

Flowerpot said...

Susie - I'm really glad you are at least singing, but yes I bet you miss our lot - we miss you too!

Flowerpot said...

Kim - I'm glad it gave you a lift - it certainly did us!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Wow, that was so beautiful and you're so brave. I wish I could have been there.

Thanks so much for posting the video.

Flowerpot said...

Debs - I'm not in the least brave but it was the best fun! And very addictive too....

Talli Roland said...

Oh, fantastic! I'd love to do something like this but I suspect I'd be too chicken. It sounds wonderful, and what a great reaction from the crowd.

Flowerpot said...

Talli - it's not as scary when it's all of you doing it!

mrsnesbitt said...

Oh how wonderful! Dxxx

Flowerpot said...

Glad you enjoyed it Di - we did!