Flashmob 2026 at Assembly Row, Somerville, MA . Join us next year on May 8, 2027

For videos check out my youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@juliek37

Join us Saturday May 2 at Assembly Row for the International Line Dance Flashmob & Dance Party!

A flashmob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform for a brief time, then quickly disperse. We are joining dancers around the world to bring the global line dance community together to spread the joy of line dancing! Please read the FAQ below for all the information you need, and some you didn’t know you wanted!

So far, we have dancers from the following instructors/groups: Art Sullivan, Steve & Laurie Cavanaugh, Katie Banfield, Nanci Palladino, Gays for Patsy, 617 Country, Chris Loiacano, 603 Line Dance, Blackout Country, Paul Hughes, JP Line Dance, Line Dance Queens, Chris Jacques, Sarah Cote. Please check out the bottom of this page to find out where else in New England you can join a flashmob.

Flashmob details:

Saturday, May 2, 2026 (rain date Sunday, May 3)
Assembly Row, Somerville, MA on the street between Caffe Nero and the Lawn (marked in purple). Check their website at https://assemblyrow.com/ if you can’t read the map below.
1:30 pm sharp!
Dance party afterwards until 2:30 pm.See list with dances (linked to Copperknob step sheets and videos) after the FAQ and registration information.
Note: there will be a Yappy Hour (dog meet-and-greet) on the Lawn 1-3 pm, but dogs will all be leashed, and there is a fence and landscaping between the Lawn and the street where we are dancing

Flashmob FAQ

Q: What dances will be done?

A: We will be doing three dances, in this order: Hoedown (beginner), Heel, Toe, Rodeo (Improver), Everybody Dance! (Absolute Beginner)

Q: Will there be a lesson at the flashmob?

A: No, you need to learn the dances beforehand. Many instructors are teaching them in their classes. Here is a link to the videos if you want to learn them yourself: https://linedanceflashmob.com/dance-tutorial/). I have recorded a short video (see below) with a “baby” version of Heel, Toe, Rodeo–all the fancy turns removed, and the triple steps made into simple “step three times.” There is also a video of Art doing the original while I do the baby version so you can see how they go together.

Q: How does a flashmob work?

A: At a prearranged time (1:30 pm for us), music starts playing, and a few people start to dance to it. Gradually, more and more people join in; they appear to be window shopping, buying a coffee, or just watching the dancers. Midway through the song there will be a whole large crowd dancing together. (I expect anywhere from 50-300 people; please register on the link below, so I have a better idea how many are coming!) The last dance is very easy, so we will invite the audience to join us. Once the dances are over just walk away in different directions and disappear in to the crowd. But don’t go far, because we’ll be having a dance party right after!

Q How do we know when to join?

A: Folks whose first name starts with the letters A-F should join on the first wall of the dance (#1); G-L on the second wall (#2), M-R on the third wall (#3), S-Z on the fourth wall (#4). Please find a spot slightly away from the dance area to meet up with friends–consider having lunch somewhere, buying a drink at Caffe Nero or Shake Shack right there, or someplace nearby. A great place to meet a larger group is at the Lego Giraffe a couple of blocks away. (Note: This is just my way of getting folks out to dance in waves without having to organize them that day.)

Q: My name is Ada but my friend is Zelda and we want to join together. What should we do?

A: Pick one group and join together. There won’t be any flashmob police checking; we just don’t want everyone to join at once. If you’ve come as a group, you call all join at the same time if you want.

Q: Is there is dress code? What footwear should I wear?

A: Yes, you need to be dressed. If you want to wear matching outfits or club t-shirts, go for it. We will be dancing in a street, so pick whatever footwear–boots, shoes, sandals–work for you.

Q: How do I get there/park?

A: The Orange line stop Assembly is right down the road. All parking garages are free for 3 hours. See the map above for location and parking garages. Saturdays can be pretty busy, so give yourself plenty of time.

Q: Where can I meet up with friends?

A: There are lots of casual coffee shops and restaurants (Tatte, Sweet Green, Caffe Nero, Sugar Shack, The Smoke Shop, are just a few) in the blocks surrounding the street where we will be dancing, so you can pick one of those. There are also lots of places to have lunch beforehand if you want. It is up to you to make arrangements as to where you want to meet. Since there is nothing right at the street where we are dancing, I don’t want everyone hanging around waiting for it to start!

Q: What time should we arrive?

A: The flash mob starts at 1:30 pm, so plan to be there with plenty of time to park, find the area, browse some stores, have lunch, buy a coffee or an ice cream. Remember the dancing itself is only 9 minutes, so if you’re late you’ll miss it!

Q: What if it is raining?

A: If it is drizzling, we are on but if it is raining we will postpone until our rain date of Sunday May 3. Bring an umbrella, wear a poncho, get wet. I will post on this page at 11 am IF we are delaying due to the weather.

Q: Is there a cost involved?

A: The organizers are asking for $1 per person for the Line Dance Foundation, which supports anyone involved in line dancing in any capacity; they say “remember someone, somewhere is dealing with an accident, illness, emotional stress, anxiety, or are in a domestic or financial crisis.” Dance instructors are usually self-employed; if anything happens to them, they have no income. Assembly Row has waived their fee, so all monies raised will go to the Foundation. My VEMNO name and QR code link are below, and I will have a collection box at the site. If you are coming with a group, you can collect beforehand and pay me that day.

Q: Do I need to register in order to dance?

A: Not necessary, but if you do, I can send you updates and more detailed information, if needed. If you are coming with a group, only one person needs to register, and tell me how many others are coming with you (no need for names or emails!) I will not use the registration information for any other purpose.

Q: What if I don’t register/pay?

A: You will be a non-paying/unregistered dancer. Again, there will not be any flashmob police checking.

Q: Can I promote my classes?

A: Absolutely! Bring flyers or a QR code. I will try to have a table for information, and/or a space for instructors to gather after the flash mob.