On Friday 22nd July in the town centre of Crawley we were treated to a demonstration by the Crawley In Motion team.

Fired up by every-day adult non-dancers, with choreography by Shaun Angel, an enthusiastic camera man and editor Ben Murray and a great bunch of local young people, the Flash Mob demonstrated the essence of ‘Crawley in Motion’ – to mix art with sport, to inspire, volunteer, get involved and enhance activities planned, as we head towards the Olympic year, 2012!

Animating an open space, with dancers and non dancers alike, the intention was to film the event to promote events over the coming year, launching this year’s Open Weekend.  Promoted through a Flash Mob website, word of mouth and email, group rehearsals took place at the Civic Hall, The Hawth Studio, HBG Ifield gym and K2 Crawley with practice video clips on YouTube to learn at home.

The group included non-dancers of all ages, from local authority, Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley, HBG Fitness, Ginger Moo, local musicians and inspirational input from independent parkour enthusiasts and professional dancers from both Shaun Angel and Andy Moore’s dance troops.

Participants gathered from 4pm, shopped, walked and talked, drank a coffee… The Hawth technical team wheeled a mobile sound system to the bandstand at 4.20pm and on hearing the music, Drew Ratcliff and Jordan Nesbitt crossed the square with well rehearsed breath-taking gymnastic moves which signalled the group to join in.  The impressive routine ended with everyone dispersing from the square to the sounds of cheers from spectators.

Everyone who took part volunteered their time.  Shaun Angel commented “I was really pleased to be asked to help. My students loved being part of an exciting project like this – and I’m  making links with other local dance troops to grow the project with the Crawley in Motion team!”

Video footage and photos will be shown on Go! Crawley’s facebook page promoting activities  for young people – www.facebook.com/gocrawley and on CBC website promoting  Crawley in Motion.

‘Crawley in Motion’ is led by Crawley Borough Council comprising committee members from sports, arts and community and business departments, Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley, HBG Fitness, Crawley Schools Partnership, CVS. The committee aim is to ensure that Crawley residents are directly involved in celebration and activity surrounding London 2012 – and to encourage everyone to get involved!

For more information on Crawley in Motion – www.crawley.gov.uk/inmotion

For more information on Flash Mob – Sam Murray – creative.action@tiscali.co.uk