Flashmob takes over Cork
24 November 09

Since 2003, a strange phenomenon known as the flashmob has been breaking out at odd times, in odd places around the world. Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English defines flashmob as "a group of people who organise on the internet and then quickly assemble in a public place, do something bizarre, and disperse."
 
Some notable flashmobs of the past include Worldwide Pillow Fight Day (or International Pillow Fight Day). This was a pillow fight flash mob that took place in March 2008 and saw more than 5,000 citizens of New York City participate.
 
Around the time of Michael Jackson's death, a tribute was paid to him in Stockholm. One person starts an patented Jackson dance routine with more and more dancers seamlessly joining in until eventually there is a massive group of dancers, all perfectly choreographed to 'Beat It'. When the song ends, these seemingly regular strangers all walk away and camera footage brilliantly captures numerous tourists and shoppers with 'What just happened?' written all over their faces.
 
The flashmob phenomenon has now arrived on our own green shores. Recently, in Cork, to the jaunty tune of ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky', some Irish participants attempted to achieve the same bewildering feat. A big group of people do end up moving in synch, however, our own Irish twist is indeed added to the video. Close-ups of embarrassed looking teenagers joking and slagging one another provoke empathy. Passers-by look less in awe and more like something absolutely raving is happening to their fellow Corkonians. When the song ends, the characteristic dispersion doesn't occur. Instead, people stand and laugh and chat, analysing how it all went and checking out the photos their mates took on their phones. If you're in need of a giggle, it's definitely worth a look.