Photo by Mike Maloney
The 30 youth who flash mobbed downtown London had many styles of dancing incorporated in their routine, including hip-hop, breakdancing and ballet.
Lunching London residents received a special treat this afternoon (July 15) in the Covent Garden Market courtyard when 30 youth jumped up and danced. For the 50 people chowing down, it was a spontaneous burst of entertainment — one that died nearly as quickly as it began. But, for the members of the Dynamic Dozen, it was the result of hard work.
“We have been practicing for about a week and a half,” 18-year-old Mckensey Hanmer told London Community News. “Dance is my passion I love it so why not get paid for it?”
Hanmer is one of 30 dancers selected to participate in this Provincial Youth Connect program. The program includes six weeks of employment for youth ages 15 to 18, which is meant to give youth work experience.
The term flash mob was coined to describe a group of people gathering in a pre-determined location to perform a dance or action to entertain people around them.
It is meant to appear spontaneous, but for London residents, they’ll be seeing this troupe all over town for the next several weeks.
Daishane Johnson, a 14-year-old flash mobster, said although he’s been popping, tutting and waving for just five months or so, he really enjoys it.
“It was really fun — exhilarating,” he said. “I enjoyed it a lot.“
Along with dancing in public co-ordinator Trevor Johnson said the flash mobsters work 30 hours a week giving workshops to other youth on dancing.
“They do a number of things, but their summer jobs is to engage in neighbourhoods with other young people, children, families and residents,” Johnson said. “Their job is to basically to work together to work up dance routines, flash mob routines of different kinds and go out and either perform those or engage with other community member to perform those each day.”
Hanmer said, for her, one of the best parts of this program is meeting like-minded people.
“I get to meet all bunch of people that like the same things that I do and I get to learn different styles,” she said.
The group will be teaching at the Carling Heights Community Centre tomorrow (July 14).
