Making scenes in the Southwest
This Christmas Improv Everywhere brought some musical magic to Pier 17 in Manhattan. They built a 10-foot tall stereo boombox, complete with a huge power cord. Then they waited for New Yorkers to plug it in.
To see what happened, check out the video…
And for more pictures and details on all the planners, camera people, acrobats, and snow machines needed to bring this to life, visit their blog about The Giant Boombox.
Hundreds of people suited up to drop their pants at the 9th Annual No Pants Light Rail Ride! On Sunday, January 8, 2017, we boarded the train, starting at platforms all over the valley, and headed to central Phoenix sans pants.
We had two main groups gather near the east and west ends of the rail line. As the pantsless crowd gathered, drivers started slowing down to stare, gawk, and honk their horns. Some waiting in the left turn lane got out their phones to take pictures. At the airport starting point, one person offered to get their friend to bring the group pants while an airport employee dropped trou for a quick photo with the pantsless group before scuttling back to work.
As we boarded the trains, we got the standard reactions: shocked looks, giggles, and the occasional scowl. One person asked a pantsless rider what was going on, and she responded with, “I was hot and I convinced all these people to take their pants off too.” The panted man looked down at his own shorts, as to consider joining in himself, before deciding otherwise. Some people seemed completely unphased by our band of pantslessness. Perhaps we’ve been doing this so long that it’s become “normal.”
We disembarked at the Roosevelt station and took our parade of legs to Angel Trumpet Ale House, which is always happy to have our pantsless patronage. We shared stories and took pictures over drinks and snacks before taking our group photo and heading back from whence we came. It was a fun time had by all . . . well most of us at least. The scowlers never like us.
Thank you to everyone who came out for the No Pants Light Rail, and especially to Angels Trumpet for hosting us. Be sure to check out the photos from this year’s ride of Flickr.
We heard some people missed the announcement for this year’s ride. (You missed a fun time.) To make sure that doesn’t happen again, we’ve already created a Facebook event for the 2018 No Pants Ride. We won’t know the official date until next fall, but if you add yourself, you’ll definitely be kept in the loop.
Make sure you’re on our mailing list to stay in the loop on our next flash mob and all our shenanigans.
The No Pants Light Rail Ride is part of global No Pants Subway Ride, founded by Improv Everywhere.
Here are the details on the 2011 No Pants Light Rail Ride, taking place this Sunday in sunny Phoenix, Arizona! This is part of The No Pants Subway Ride, which is a global event started by Improv Everywhere in New York in 2002.
The event will take place at 2:00pm on Sunday, January 9th. Everything you need to know is in this post. Please read it carefully!
1) Willing to take pants off on light rail.
2) Able to keep a straight face about it.
**THIS IS A PARTICIPATORY EVENT. DO NOT SHOW UP UNLESS YOU PLAN TO TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF. THIS INCLUDES THE MEDIA! **
When: Sunday, January 9 at 2:00 PM Sharp! (Over by around 4:00)
Bring: A backpack and a fare card. http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/how_to_ride/fares/
Wear: Normal clothes (hat, jacket, etc)
Mid Party: There will be a mostly unofficial gathering at Robbie Fox’s Pub at the midway point
Facebook: RSVP to the Facebook event and share it out with your friends
There are two starting points – choose whichever one is closest to you:
WEST SIDE
Start: Montebello/19th Ave
MID-TOWN
Start: Central/Roosevelt
EAST SIDE
Start: Sycamore/Main
http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/downloads/maps/
Be at the West Side or East Side starting point station and ready to board the train at 2:00pm sharp. It is the same time for both stops. Be early if you need to, especially if you need to buy a light rail pass.
Watch for Team Leaders (identified by a red bandana tied to their bag): The Team Leaders may try to split people into small groups to board different trains, depending how many people show up.
Show up in your underwear! Unlike in the past, we’re not waiting to depants on the train. If you’re depantsing once you arrive, bring a backpack, briefcase, or something else to carry them in. You are responsible for your own pants.
Act normal – Stay with your group. Sit in the car like you normally would. Read a magazine, listen to your iPod, etc. You do not know any of the other pantless riders. If questioned, tell folks that you “forgot to wear pants” and yes you are “a little cold.” Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants. Be nice and friendly and normal.
Do not tell people you are doing a prank! You don’t really notice anything odd about people not wearing pants.
We will have photographers on hand to take pictures documenting the event. We need everyone else to just act casual. If you bring a camera, be very discrete and only take a few. It’s supposed to look like a normal train ride.
You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.
Don’t disrupt the Light Rail – While the Phoenix Police Department said that wearing your underwear in public isn’t illegal, don’t do anything dumb. All responsibility for your actions during this event are entirely your own.
Disembark at the Mill Ave station and head south. Stop by Starbuck’s for a coffee if you wish, but eventually make your way down Mill to 6th Street and hang a right. Head into Robbie Fox’s Pub where they will have some space set aside for us.
At 4:00 start heading back to your Return stations. Try to stay with your group, but if you need to leave earlier (or want to stay later) that’s entirely up to you. The same rules apply as above.
Last year was a lot of fun and we’re anticipating more people in 2011! Spread the word and tell your friends, just make sure they read all the rules!
See you on the 9th!
UPDATE: Added a mid-town start location at Central & Roosevelt!
