Could You Keep This Secret? Massive St. Mary’s County Flash Mob Needs 250 Participants

ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — A little mystery, a lot of music and hundreds of dancers could soon take center stage in St. Mary’s County as organizers launch an open invitation for residents to participate in a community flash mob planned for later this summer.

The surprise performance, scheduled for Saturday, July 25, is being organized by House of Dance, a local nonprofit that is currently being revived after closing in 2016, in partnership with Brian Jordan for Congress. Organizers are currently recruiting participants ages 16 and older to take part in the large-scale community dance event.

While the exact location and performance time remain secret, organizers say the element of surprise is central to the experience.

“We want something big,” organizer Donna Jordan said in an interview with The BayNet. “I’m looking for 200, 250. That’s what I want.”

Jordan, a longtime dance educator and former studio owner, said the event is designed to bring residents together through movement, music and community connection, regardless of previous dance experience.

“This is the whole community, and everyone’s invited,” Jordan said.

Building Community Through Dance

The flash mob will feature recognizable pop music and simple choreography intended to be accessible to participants of all skill levels.

“It’s going to be pop music, something very easy to move to, recognizable — something that people are going to be motivated to do,” Jordan said.

Organizers describe the event as a celebration of the arts, civic engagement and community spirit. Participation is free, although donations are being accepted to support the effort.

Jordan, who previously operated House of Dance before the studio closed in 2016, currently serves as dance faculty at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She said the flash mob represents a return to the broader community-centered dance programs she spent years building.

“I really yearned to do more community dance,” Jordan said. “I wanted to get back to serving the full community because it’s powerful. It’s very powerful with the arts in so many different ways.”

A Return To A Successful Tradition

This is not the first flash mob Jordan has organized in St. Mary’s County. About a decade ago, she coordinated a similar event that attracted approximately 100 participants.

“We got like 100 people,” Jordan recalled. “So I am looking for 200, 250.”

Practices will begin during the week of July 6. Organizers say participants will have multiple opportunities to learn the choreography through several practice sessions offered on different days. Each rehearsal will cover the same material, allowing participants to attend whichever session best fits their schedules.

“There’s going to be probably six or seven practices, but they’re all the same,” Jordan said. “It’s not like they’ve got to come for three weeks straight.”

A final rehearsal with all participants will be held before the performance.

Keeping The Secret

Organizers say protecting the surprise element of the flash mob is a key part of the experience, which is why practice locations and performance details are only being shared directly with participants.

“The main thing is the privacy, the secrecy — bam. That’s the draw,” Jordan said.

Residents interested in participating can contact the organizing team for additional information, including rehearsal schedules and locations.

Jordan said the goal extends far beyond a single performance.

“The best thing is to do something like this because it’s the whole community,” she said. “Everyone’s invited.”

The July 25 flash mob is open to participants ages 16 and older. Additional details, including the performance location and time, will be announced closer to the event date.

---