EVER SINCE SEATTLE got serious about its flash mobs—they show up everywhere from Westlake Center to Seahawks games—we’ve noticed local arts organizations embracing the “shock and awe” marketing spirit. Would you believe that the Seattle Symphony Chorale organized a surprise performance of Handel’s Messiah …in the downtown Nordstrom? Or that people were dancing to Whitney Houston in the Central Branch of the public library? We hope to see even more random acts of culture in 2011.

Seattle Symphony Chorale, led by maestro Gerard Schwarz, surprises holiday shoppers at the downtown Nordstrom on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

 

Traveling production Stomp makes some noise at Seattle Public Library on October 28, 2010.

 

Seventy-five teens from STG’s Dance This program move to Whitney Houston at Seattle Public Library on July 1, 2010.

 

The official Flash Mob Seattle crew performs Glee ’s mashup of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”/“Singin’ in the Rain” at Westlake Center on December 4, 2010.

 

Flash Mob Seattle takes over Qwest Field for the halftime show of the Seahawks home opener on September 12, 2010. (Hold out for the flying shoe at the 1:48 mark.)