Vancouver 2010 Decentralized Dance Party

This evening an organized roaming dance party planned by the folks at the Decentralized Dance Party service took to the streets in jubilant celebration of Canada.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

This organized flash mob dance party started at 6:00pm at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and will roam around Vancouver with boom-boxes and Canadian flags until the wee hours of the morning. Participants either got the online invite ahead of time or joined in anytime along the way. If you do want to mix into the parade organizers ask that you wear red and white, although we did spot a few bare-chested men with red paint on their torsos. They also encourage hockey sticks, pucks, flags, and other Canadian accessories.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

The decentralized dance party crew were commissioned by the Made in Vancouver Festival to spread some cheer throughout the city. They seem to spring into bouts of “Go Canada Go” every couple of minutes and you might even catch the anthem as well. When we caught up with them they were crossing Granville and Robson, heading North, and as far as I know they’re still going strong. Despite the rain, it was indeed a pretty funky and energetic dance party.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

The website says they’ll be doing more of these events in the future but I won’t be announcing them here — one of the best things about a fun-spirited flash mob is the element of joyful surprise.

This day started out with the crackling of broken glass and it’s ending with a peaceful, musical celebration. This seems pretty fitting as Canada got its first medal today as moguls skier Jennifer Heil took home silver. Go Canada Go indeed.