http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj3R88nNde8
Article published Dec 12, 2010
‘Flash mob' dancers surprise University Park Mall shoppers in Mishawaka, Craze is the latest one sweeping country
Rosa and Alan Ellingston, members of SimplySwingDance, perform a “flash mob dance” at the University Park Mall, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.
MISHAWAKA -- A local dance group pulled off a major stunt Sunday when it shocked shoppers by dancing in the middle of University Park Mall to Usher's “DJ Make Me Fall In Love Again.”The group from SimplySwingDance of Mishawaka began dancing to the song, while bystanders, caught off guard by the situation, began to gather around.
It was the Michiana area's first-ever “flash mob dance,” the latest dance craze that's sweeping the county.“We practiced before the actual dance,” said Janet Leazenby of South Bend. “My husband and I, we just love to dance because it's not only good for the soul but it's great exercise, too.”
A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act for a brief time, then disperse. But to call the event a ‘‘mob'' would be misleading. About 65 people, ages teenage to 58, showed up.
“I thought this flash mob dancing was really amazing,” said Cressida Berkus of Mishawaka. “They made me want to break down and get my groove on. It was really cool.”
According to Marvin Giltner, the group likes the idea of flash mob dancing.“We are members of A Westcoast Dance and a few weeks ago we danced in a Chicago mall. It was so much fun we thought it would be great do a flash mob dance here.”The event was sponsored by SimplySwingDance, which is a nonprofit swing dance club that started about four years ago. Its members meet 3 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the BK Club in Mishawaka.
Rosa and Alan Ellingston said they heard about the flash mob dance and decided to participate in this one. “We really like the fact that it's spontaneous,” said Alan. “We love the swing movements and just dancing together. We couldn't wait to start the dance.”
University Park Mall shoppers applauded the group's surprise performance to hip-hop music.
“I thought it was really awesome,” said Kate Madison, 16, of Niles. “I really like how they all seem to dance in sequence. They looked really good.” Staff writer May Lee Johnson: mjohnson@sbtinfo.com 574-235-6326