Ten thousand smiles
The Ten Thousand Smiles Movement Ten Thousand Smiles acts to spread good cheer, (sometimes) rowdy excitement, creativity, and surprise into as many people as possible. Inspired by Patch Adams these students first dressed up as elves and Santa's friends to attempt to spread excitement with life and get smiles. Their tactics are both rowdy and sometimes harassing. The cast and crew involved in this movement (and ongoing prank) claim to value the importance of smiling, humor and laughter in every day life and wanted over ten thousand people to remember the good feelings of a smile no matter what other circumstances they may be facing (like finals).
Elves invade Purdue
On December 10, 2003 in West Lafayette, Indiana 25+ students of Ten Thousand Smiles Elfin Dancing Troupe (!) invaded Purdue's college's campus to try to make people smile. Dressing as six dancing elves, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a giant stuffed singing polar bear, this troupe burst into classrooms, the men’s basketball team practice and the university president Martin C. Jischke's office to spread good cheer and smiles. Prior permission was obtained, although the students did not know what was coming. The goal was to surprise people, spread good cheer and give over ten thousand people a positive, fantastic and fun story to smile about for the holidays. It was estimated that over 14,000 people were directly impacted (counting in-person impact, radio, newspaper, and TV coverage).
The 65 second interruptions started with an elf nonchalantly entering with a boom box, setting it down in front of the class, and then dashing out the door. Suddenly the music started and six (tall) candy cane wielding (and one tap dancing), elves burst in with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a giant, clumsy polar bear. After a quick dance, the professor, president Jischke or coach Gene Keady then was given a card and candy cane. In between class visits, the troupe ran around campus performing skits, passing out candy and counting smiles. The interesting thing is almost everything was filmed and extensively photographed. Both are available on their website. (Video appears to be temporarily down). People are posting feedback, getting inspired, and enjoying photos and video clips at www.TenThousandSmiles.com.
Flash mobs too
In another event, they promoted a flash mob at Purdue University on April 22, 2003. In the spirit of fun, Ten Thousand Smiles they promoted the first 'Happening,' or Flash Mobbing at Purdue. Thursday, April 22nd, at 1:24PM, all students or non-students were (secretly through an email chain letter) asked to come to the Purdue Memorial Mall at 1:20PM. At the sound of a whistle, everyone put their arms out to their side and fly around the grass making airplane noises. (Funny videos are available for this part of the site).
A 'Happening' is an artistic fun, audience engaging, thing that happens for no reason other than to be fun. People were coordinated via an email that circulated around campus. It even made it to the Dean of Student's office, which prompted tracking down the sender's IP Address and making some frightening phone calls. Ten Thousand Smiles does not take credit for coming up with this, just getting the email, promoting and facilitate the event.
Sources Ten Thousand Smiles website - pictures and details of events Cacaphony Society Link to Ten Thousand Smiles movement site first hand accounts
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