Violinist David Garrett Surprises New Yorkers with Flash Mob

Written by Nicki Shamel
Published: February 2, 2011 at 10:36 PM [UTC]

A funny thing happened a couple of weeks ago...

It was a cold, boring day in New York City, almost the weekend in fact. I would be hosting guests during the weekend, so I decided to head to Eataly, an artisanal market and eatery near Madison Square Park, to pick up some wine and cheese. I didn't expect what happened next...

This beautiful, pseudo-scruffy young man whips out a violin and starts playing Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."  And the way he played - it was almost as if he thought he belonged there, was entitled to such a performance space. People began to crowd around, whipping out their smart phones to catch this random performer. Then all of the sudden, the sound amplified and he was joined by a guitarist - who I didn't see at first because of all the people crowding to see his performance. Hearing the sound through speakers made me realize that this was all staged! What I stumble upon?

A FLASH MOB!!!! I've always wanted to be a part of one, at least witness one. And here I was, clutching a bottle of wine in one hand, my iPhone in the other, trying to keep it still while stomping along to the beat. OH and speaking of stomping, you wouldn't believe what happened next.

A handful of Eataly employees (or...people wearing Eataly uniforms that is) joined in! With trash cans, and drums, and big poles...they joined the musical rabble-rousers and started to BREAKDANCE. The crowd grew large and deep, everyone trying to see all the crazy headspin moves, back flips, and whatever else they were doing with their bodies.

The violinist, I came to find out, is none other than DAVID GARRETT, the world's fastest violinist. And I had no idea!! It all happened so fast and was so exciting; it was over before I knew it. Easily one of the coolest things I've ever experience - and a total "only in New York" moment.