Arrr! Flash Mobbing Pirates Are Coming to Elk Grove

Elk Grove, beware: Dancing pirates are practicing their booty shaking for a flash mob set to take place at a “major Elk Grove event” this fall.

Yes, that’s right—a flash mob of pirates. When? Where? We can’t tell you, but we can tell you that it’s all in the name of fun.

“There’s no political message,” said Kristyn Staby, Recreation Supervisor with Cosumnes Community Services District's Special Events Office and coordinator of the flash mob. “Parks and Recreation is all about fitness and this is just something that fulfills the interest of a lot of people. Being a part of a flash mob is on a lot of peoples’ bucket lists—it’s on mine.”

Flash mobs, which are becoming increasingly popular all over the world, consist of a group of people suddenly converging on a public place, performing some kind of act, then leaving the scene as discreetly as they entered. While some flash mobs aim to spread a message, others, like this one, are for pure entertainment.

Staby is responsible for coordinating the flash mob’s time and location, while Tanya Hernandez, a teacher with the international dance fitness organization Macumba, takes charge of the choreography.

“It’s just fun, and it causes excitement in the audience,” Hernandez said while preparing for the group's second  Tuesday night. “Anyone can do it—all ages, sizes and abilities are invited.”

Hernandez has choreographed two flash mobs before. Her last one at Downtown Plaza had such a good response that Plaza officials asked her to plan another one there, she said.

Hernandez, who is seven-and-a-half months pregnant, is not sure if she will be able to participate in the actual flash mob.

“My due date is actually right after the mob so I don’t know if I’ll be there, but no matter what, it will happen. I’ve got my team,” she said to her dancers, followed by some hoots and hollers to motivate the group.

Included on that team are Elk Grovians of all ages and experiences, from eight-year-old Ella Jones who has never danced before to 43-year-old Marie Miclat who has been dancing with Hernandez for several years. Hernandez even mentioned that a 73-year-old woman had attended the first practice. Regardless of age, they all seemed to keep up with the island beats and pirate swagger at Tuesday’s practice.

While Hernandez cannot do all of the dance moves—such as jumping around and extreme hip shaking—in her current condition, she still leads a high-energy dance class and demonstrates as much as she can.

“I’m not going to wiggle so much—you wiggle, I’ll waddle,” she said to the class with a laugh.

The practices, held from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Pavilion in , are open to everyone and will run every week until the event. Staby and Hernandez will repeat the dance from beginning to end every Tuesday so newcomers will be able to learn the moves.

For more information, call Staby at (916) 684-7550 x 110.