Hey all.
Hopefuly some of you might be interested in this: It's random strangers getting together to create something fun.
Anyway....

Sept 16
3 pm (get there earlier to sign release)
Union Station (in front)

Some of you may have seen the viral video of the guy who "danced
around the world", then got sponsored to do it again in 2006. Now
he's doing another - but this time, he's dancing with other people
and inviting EVERYONE to join in with him for a few moments of
joyful dancing.

I signed up on his email list to be notified if he ever came to DC
and now he is! So I'm going to join him and whoever else shows up to
happy joy joy dance on Sept 16.
Anyone who agrees to dance on film has to sign a release.
If you need to know more about the history of this, why, previous
videos, etc, see his website:
http://wherethehell ismatt.com/

I realize there are some people who won't like this because he's
sponsored by Stride gum now, but if you read his website and FAQ, he
explains how unobtrusive they are and let him do his thing. Either
way, corporate or not, I'm in - because it's fun and silly and I
like the idea that he's invited the world to join in with no
qualifiers - very inclusive - kinda like FREE HUGS and Santarchy.
Now he's not just dancing AROUND the world, he's dancing WITH the
world. I need just this kind of thing right now so hope some of you
can join in. We could go for drinks afterwards.

For details on the video shoot for dancing with Matt, see the
original email below and RSVP directly to Matt:

>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>
Note: forwarded message attached.
"Where the Hell is Matt in Washington DC"

Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2007 10:16:11 -0700
From: dancewithmatt@ gmail.com Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by
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To: "Matt Harding" <matt@wherethehellis matt.com>
Subject: Where the Hell is Matt in Washington D.C.
Hi folks

If you're getting this email, you've either signed-up on my site to
be
notified or you've written to me and mentioned where you live. I'm
coming to
D.C. to shoot a clip for my new dancing video. This is an invitation
to
come
out and join me.

The last video was about places. This one is about people. LOTS of
people.
So I'm not too concerned about the background, I just want a place
where we
can gather peaceably and dance badly without getting arrested.

The location is Union Station, in front of the Columbus statue
outside
the
entrance. I'll be there on Sunday, September 16. Dancing will
commence
at
3pm.

Here's a Google map:
http://tinyurl. com/2do93r

The first image attached to this email shows where to meet. And we
might
migrate over to the front hallway shown in the second picture if it
seems
like a workable location. It's not far away, so keep an eye out if
you
don't
see us at the statue.

Finding a location in D.C. where we could shoot has been difficult --
hence
the short notice. We were told we can't assemble a crowd at any of
the
national monuments, so all the most obvious landmarks had to be ruled
out.
We're not even 100% sure they're going to allow us at Union Station,
but
we're only a week off from the event now, so we're sending out
invites
and
we'll let you know if we have to move somewhere else. Regardless,
what's
important is the people, not the location. If we end up in some
Wal-Mart
parking lot, it's still a great time.

I know a lot of you are nowhere near D.C. I'm only going to a few
spots
across the country, so I put you on the invite list for the one that
seemed
closest.

For folks willing to travel long distances, going by train should be
a
convenient option. If it isn't, Craigslist.com has a ride share page.
Those
offering rides and those in need of rides can go there. We recommend
including "Dance with Matt" in the title of your post so people can
search
more easily. Here's the ride share page for D.C.:

http://washingtondc .craigslist. org/rid/

If it would be easier for you to get to locations in Boston, New
York,
or
Atlanta, let us know and we'll send you the appropriate invite.

Boring details below. Read no further if you can't make it:

Please print out the attached release form and sign it ahead of time,
if
possible. If you don't have a printer, we'll have copies to hand out.

We'll also need to take a photo of each participant before the dance
and
attach it to the release form so we can identify everyone in the
video.

If you are under 18, you MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian
who can
sign the release form and be photographed with you. Sorry, those are
the
rules I have to follow in order to use the footage. The good news is
that my
sponsor is making a donation to charity for each person who signs up
and
dances with me.

Feel free to invite friends to come with you. Just make sure everyone
is
okay with signing the release form.

When you get to the spot, look for the guy who looks like the guy in
the
dancing video. Just come on over and say hello. If the guy turns out
to
not
be me, recoil sheepishly and keep looking.

It will take some time to process each person, so depending on how
many
show
up, we may have to stop accepting forms at some point and shoot the
video.
Please show up early as we expect to have a lot of people to sign in.

The whole thing shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to shoot. We'll
set
up
the shot, dance for about 15 seconds, do it one more time for good
measure,
and then try a couple fun variations.

There won't be any music. That gets added later. Blasting a stereo
just
complicates things. Dance however you want to the music in your head.

I can't guarantee that the clip we shoot will end up in the final
video.
There'll be a lot of footage to choose from and some of it will not
be
used.

You're welcome to bring your own camera. After the shoot, I'll stick
around
for pictures and stuff. I'm happy to dance with you in your own
picture/video, so don't be afraid to ask.

Please reply to this email if you plan to attend and let us know how
many
people you think you'll be bringing. It'll help to give us an idea of
how
many to expect.

We're planning to put the final video up on the internet on June
21st,
2008.
It's a long way away, I know, but I've got a lot of traveling to do.

I look forward to dancing badly with you!

-Matt and Melissa

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
-----------
Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
Forwarded Message [ Download File ]

Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2007 10:16:11 -0700
From: dancewithmatt@ gmail.com
To: "Matt Harding" <matt@wherethehellis matt.com>
Subject: Where the Hell is Matt in Washington D.C.

Plain Text Attachment [ Scan and Save to Computer ]

Hi folks

If you're getting this email, you've either signed-up on my site to
be
notified or you've written to me and mentioned where you live. I'm
coming to
D.C. to shoot a clip for my new dancing video. This is an invitation
to
come
out and join me.

The last video was about places. This one is about people. LOTS of
people.
So I'm not too concerned about the background, I just want a place
where we
can gather peaceably and dance badly without getting arrested.

The location is Union Station, in front of the Columbus statue
outside
the
entrance. I'll be there on Sunday, September 16. Dancing will
commence
at
3pm.

Here's a Google map:
http://tinyurl. com/2do93r

The first image attached to this email shows where to meet. And we
might
migrate over to the front hallway shown in the second picture if it
seems
like a workable location. It's not far away, so keep an eye out if
you
don't
see us at the statue.

Finding a location in D.C. where we could shoot has been difficult --
hence
the short notice. We were told we can't assemble a crowd at any of
the
national monuments, so all the most obvious landmarks had to be ruled
out.
We're not even 100% sure they're going to allow us at Union Station,
but
we're only a week off from the event now, so we're sending out
invites
and
we'll let you know if we have to move somewhere else. Regardless,
what's
important is the people, not the location. If we end up in some
Wal-Mart
parking lot, it's still a great time.

I know a lot of you are nowhere near D.C. I'm only going to a few
spots
across the country, so I put you on the invite list for the one that
seemed
closest.

For folks willing to travel long distances, going by train should be
a
convenient option. If it isn't, Craigslist.com has a ride share page.
Those
offering rides and those in need of rides can go there. We recommend
including "Dance with Matt" in the title of your post so people can
search
more easily. Here's the ride share page for D.C.:

http://washingtondc .craigslist. org/rid/

If it would be easier for you to get to locations in Boston, New
York,
or
Atlanta, let us know and we'll send you the appropriate invite.

Boring details below. Read no further if you can't make it:

Please print out the attached release form and sign it ahead of time,
if
possible. If you don't have a printer, we'll have copies to hand out.

We'll also need to take a photo of each participant before the dance
and
attach it to the release form so we can identify everyone in the
video.

If you are under 18, you MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian
who can
sign the release form and be photographed with you. Sorry, those are
the
rules I have to follow in order to use the footage. The good news is
that my
sponsor is making a donation to charity for each person who signs up
and
dances with me.

Feel free to invite friends to come with you. Just make sure everyone
is
okay with signing the release form.

When you get to the spot, look for the guy who looks like the guy in
the
dancing video. Just come on over and say hello. If the guy turns out
to
not
be me, recoil sheepishly and keep looking.

It will take some time to process each person, so depending on how
many
show
up, we may have to stop accepting forms at some point and shoot the
video.
Please show up early as we expect to have a lot of people to sign in.

The whole thing shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to shoot. We'll
set
up
the shot, dance for about 15 seconds, do it one more time for good
measure,
and then try a couple fun variations.

There won't be any music. That gets added later. Blasting a stereo
just
complicates things. Dance however you want to the music in your head.

I can't guarantee that the clip we shoot will end up in the final
video.
There'll be a lot of footage to choose from and some of it will not
be
used.

You're welcome to bring your own camera. After the shoot, I'll stick
around
for pictures and stuff. I'm happy to dance with you in your own
picture/video, so don't be afraid to ask.

Please reply to this email if you plan to attend and let us know how
many
people you think you'll be bringing. It'll help to give us an idea of
how
many to expect.

We're planning to put the final video up on the internet on June
21st,
2008.
It's a long way away, I know, but I've got a lot of traveling to do.

I look forward to dancing badly with you!

-Matt and Melissa