Join the flash mob of awesomeness

This year Stellafly has initiated a "flash mob of awesomeness" that will take place on September 20, the first Friday night of Artprize. The message is simple: that you, yes you, are awesome.

Why would somebody take the effort to stand outside on a street corner holding a handmade cardboard sign telling you that you're awesome? What's the catch? It might be easier to assume that this merely a sarcastic joke. Yeah pal, you're awesome too, grumble grumble.

Well Richard App of Stellafly social media thinks that a little positivity can go a long way. And he is hoping for crowds of people to turn out and help cast a net of friendliness across the city of Grand Rapids this coming Friday.

With thousands of ArtPrize goers heading into downtown for the event, whether they're viewers, artists or venues, many of them come from out of town. App says this is an opportunity to get out and show people a warm welcome.

If you're asking yourself what in the heck is a flash mob of awesomeness, then allow me to explain.

A flash mob is a transient event that typically expressess an artistic intent, which can often be quite ambiguous to the viewer. In typical flash mob fashion, the idea is to convey a sense of participant spontenaity to an audience i.e., the public. And yet there is somewhat of a plan and framework to the entire schema.

Anyone can participate on September 20 from 5-8 p.m. Make your own sign and choose a location to represent. For more information on how to participate and group coordination see the Facebook event page.