Tag Archives: MP3 Experiment
Calling All Improv Fans
This weekend (Saturday, May 23, 2009 to be exact) is Improv Everywhere’s 6th annual MP3 Experiment. I’m looking for a group to head into the city and take part in the Improv Comedy group’s largest public scene. If you’re interested in going into the city together, let me know and we’ll coordinate a place to meet (either here on the island or in the city).
What’s Happening:
Thousands of people wearing a Red, Green, Blue or Yellow Shirt on top of a white t-shirt will meet on Roosevelt Island and at 4:00 PM sharp will press Play on their MP3 and/or CD players and be lead through 47 minutes of fun, silliness and excitement. If you’ve never been to a past MP3 Experiment, this is your chance to be a part of something really cool, and really unique! Those of you who know me in person know how excited I get when I talk about this event.
Rain or Shine, We’ll be heading into NYC around Noon or so, and will aim to be on Roosevelt Island no later than 3:30PM (for the 4:00 Start!). Contact me or head to Improv Everywhere’s web-site for complete details and the MP3 (Don’t listen to it!!!)
Past MP3 Experiments:
My first MP3 experiment (which was IE’s Third) was the “Search for Steve”. I went alone (as everyone backed out on me at the last minute) and had the time of my life following my team leader, a Snowflake, around Central Park and eventually to a mortal kombat battle of the elements. We found Steve, but Snowflake got his ass handed to him. Oh well.
My second experiment began by the Yacht Harbor in lower Manhattan. After assaulting some poor individual in a Yellow shirt we took our dogs for a walk through the park and finished up with a game of darts and freeze tag! This time I brought a few friends along and despite us all having very different personalities and backgrounds, we all had a great time!
The last Experiment was held on Governor’s island. Again, joined by a bunch of friends, we took the ferry across early and got to sight-see for a few hours before pressing play. We all congregated on the battle field to take part in an Epic Battle! This MP3 experiment actually had corporate sponsorship by Yahoo! and was being held in 5 cities in the US. Even though the weather didn’t pan out in our favor (it rained most of the time and was wet and nasty the rest of it) the event was a total blast!
Here’s my recap as I posted as a comment on the official Improv Everywhere site, edited a bit:
Where to start? First of all, the weather was great and everything was just perfect for an Improv Everywhere Mission!!! Job well done. I was glad to get to meet Charlie and Alex, the writers of “Causing a Scene: Extraordinary Pranks in Ordinary Places with Improv Everywhere
“, even if only briefly.
I picked up the book and was fortunate enough to have both authors, Charlie Todd and Alex Scordelis sign the book. Alex had just returned from being the “Big Bad Wolf” in the mission and had barely sat down when he was handed my book to sign. I’m greatfull that he did, and am apologetic towards him for not really giving him a chance to breathe.
I’ll spare the details of the event as the guys from IE do a wonderful job of that with their pictures and videos. Besides, I started explaining the event to a few people who were out on their first time. Their friends told them about it in the morning and said, check out this site, download the MP3 and to meet them on site. I stopped myself realizing, there’s no way to explain the event without sounding insane. Even Charlie Todd, who is the person behind Improv Everywhere agrees in the foreward of his book. I just explained, go with it, and you’ll have fun! And I followed up with them afterwards and they had a blast!
I actually met a lot of first time attendees this year and their reactions are all the same. Everyone had a blast, and the conversations always ended with “We’ll see you next year!” – I hope not only to see them again at more MP3 Experiments, but at other Improv Everywhere missions. Being from Long Island (and working 2 jobs including one that ties up my weekends), it’s difficult for me to run into the city for short-term events, especially during the week, but I am definitely going to continue making an effort to support Improv Everywhere.
This was my fourth MP3 Experiment (and actually my fourth Improv Everywhere mission altogether) and it certainly won’t be my last.
Thank you Charlie, Alex, all the IE agents who worked their butts off to make this happen, and of course, the more than 2000 (Wow! I don’t think anyone saw that coming) of you who came down to participate. See you next year!