Karla plans to hold town’s first flash mob performance

The flash mob phenomenon has become popular in towns and cities across the world since it was first performed in New York 10 years ago. It involves a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place to surprise and entertain people with a spontaneous performance. Flash mob performances can include dances, songs or even record breaking attempts, and are often organised through social media sites such as Facebook.

And 25-year-old Karla Ritchie believes Broadway in the town centre would be an ideal location to host such an event.

The former St Comgall’s College pupil completed a three-year dance course at the University of Lincoln last year. She then undertook a BTEC in dance at Belfast Metropolitan College and is now hoping to start up her own business to share her passion for dance with others.

Karla told the Times: “I have been dancing since I was eight-years-old and I would love to have my own dance classes in Larne. I think a flash mob would be the perfect way to get people interested in dance, while at the same time allowing me to market myself and my skills.

“The event could involve adults and kids alike, and I have been in touch with a number of schools and community groups to gauge the level of interest in organising one or more flash mobs in the town.

“Children take part in a lot of different sports at schools, but dance has traditionally not been one of them. However, dance is becoming more and more popular in communities across the country, with the advent of classes like Zumba. Some schools, such as Linn Primary, now have their own dance teacher and after school clubs.”

In a bid to get the ball rolling on her dream of starting up a small dance company in Larne, Karla has just completed an intensive six-week business course at LEDCOM.

She added: “I have some business experience from the ICT and travel and tourism classes I took at school, but the Exploring Enterprise course at LEDCOM was a great refresher and helped show me how to advertise myself. I also received one-to-one mentoring from LEDCOM’s chief executive Ken Nelson, which was very useful.”

Karla has also set up a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NoHandsDance) to help generate interest in her dance classes and flash mob project.

She added: “This event is something that has never been attempted before in Larne. I am hugely excited about this project and I would urge local people to get involved.

“Anyone can take part, even if you have no background in dance whatsoever. It promises to be lots of fun.”

Those interested in taking part in the flash mob event can contact Karla on [email protected]