On Friday, April 5, at noon, choreographer Wadi Jones kicked off a flash mob to a remix of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Jones started off the flash mob inside the Raider Room and quickly moved outside into the amphitheater. Six other dancers joined him and a little while later another six joined them.
The dancers were pretending to sit and chat before they got up and started the flash mob. Near the end of the song, Jones got up on a table top and did a special dance of his own, generating a lot of applause.
The Activities Board Program (APB) bought 16 pizzas to attract SU students to the CUB to catch the performance.
“I hope people decide to be more brave, bold and open after seeing something like this. Hopefully they won’t care what others think,” Jones said after the performance.
As a choreographer from New York, Jones got involved with flash mobs after working at 50-year-old birthday parties.
Jones arrived at SU with a three-person production crew owned by a company called, Hope’s Voice.
“Choreography is meant to be simple” Jones said. “Flash mobs are a fun venue and easier than a regular performance.”
“I hope students enjoy themselves and it makes them want to be more active on campus. How often does a choreographer come to campus to create a flash mob?” Jozalyn Gregor said.
Many students signed up for the flash mob but, not as many showed up come practice time.
“I was really nervous because not everyone showed up. However, things turned out great and I am really proud of the dancers and their dedication to the performance,” Jones said.
There was only one practice the night before the event running from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dancers stretched and then learned the routine.
One of the dancers, Karley Eberhart said she participated because she is an APB member who loves to dance.
“It’s a little intimidating because these are professionals we are working with,” Eberhart said.
APB said it plans to stay in touch with Hope’s Voice and hopes to host a production with them again next year.
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