Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > July > 24 > Entry
Where in Georgia would you send dancing Matt?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a happy, wacky video on the Internet — I know, hard to believe — of this guy named Matt Harding.
He’s doing a kicky, elbow-flailing dance in all kinds of exotic locations: Solomon Islands, Madagascar, South Korea’s demilitarized zone, Portugal, India, Texas. All kinds of happy, wacky people join him for a dance. Turns out that being a goofball is an international phenom.
The New York Times wrote about it a few weeks ago, when it had a piddly 4 million viewers. As I’m typing, it’s got about 7.5 million.
Right around 3:21, between The Netherlands and Mexico, there’s Matt in Atlanta, dancing in the fountains at Centennial Olympic Park. According to this map, he was here Sept. 17-19, 2007. That is, unmistakably, our fountain.
UPDATE: Thanks to Reader Bobby for pointing out a blog post from the dancer himself about his time in Atlanta. He was initially denied access to Centennial Olympic Park, and the blog says they considered moving it to Woodruff Park, which would’ve been fun in its own way.
It’s just a few seconds, but it makes me smile to see our city and its goofballishness in there. I’m a sucker for a cheery viral video, especially one that feels familiar. (I’m not even bothered by the shout-out to the sponsor at the end. It doesn’t get in the way or beg for cash.)
If Matt came back - you’ll note that he’s done this a few times - where would you send him in Georgia? If you had one view of Georgia that you’d want 7.5 million people to see…
Remember, Q&A Friday: If you’ve got a Newcomer-ish question you want answered by readers, or with the blood, sweat and tears of my research, leave it in the comments or e-mail me. I’ll see what kind of answer I can get you for Friday’s post. I make no guarantees about readers, but I certainly don’t bite.
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By Sandy
July 24, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
The Varsity, Tallullah Falls, Savannah, Baby General (Cabbage Patch Land), Montezuma to dance for his supper at the Mennonite community, Juliette to dance on the railroad tracks………..so many places, so little time.
By Jessica
July 24, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Under the Giant Peanut in Ashburn
By Jared
July 24, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
cloudland canyon brasstown bald cumberland island top of stone mountain between the hedges
By Rich
July 24, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Bankhead Highway
By jgumbrecht_0508aa
July 24, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
hehehe, awesome. I love these ideas. I’m picturing lots of dancers waving around Cabbage Patch Dolls and tossing peanuts in the air.
By Roni
July 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
On top of Stone Mountain or the in front of the “Big Chicken” lol!
By hellinahandbasket
July 24, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
up in hoschton, ga they are trying to break the guiness book of world records for most scarecrows and have to do it by september. its a weird site already but they are hoping for 4 thousand scarecrows…why not have matt go downtown amongst the scarecrows and dance?
By Pen
July 24, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
With Yumion during our Vidalia Onion Festival!
By funcused
July 24, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
In the whale shark tank at the aquarium!
By athensgirl
July 24, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Stone Mountain is definitely a great visual that is unique to Atlanta, but I can’t see the Big Chicken from there. Sanford Stadium with the UGA marching band would be easily recognizable also.
By Nic
July 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
In front of the Clayton County Board of Education.
By Joshua Barlowe
July 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Standing in a security checkpoint line at Hartsfield.
That’s all most people ever see of Atlanta.
By Bobby
July 24, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
One of the interesting things is if you look on Matt’s blog about coming to Atlanta. He wanted to do the fountain rings initially but Centennial Park officials would not let him - so he moved everyone over to Piedmont Park. CNN wanted to do a story on him, so he slyly suggested doing it at Centennial Park, and the park officials attempted to get CNN’s cameras out of there pretty quickly. But CNN helped convince them to let Matt shoot in the fountain like he originally planned, so he got all of the people who gathered at Piedmont Park to run over to the fountain to go in.
That’s the cliff’s notes version, anyway.
By jgumbrecht_0508aa
July 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Joshua, if the security line at Hartsfield-Jackson boogied, it would surely take longer, but might put everyone in a better mood…
By Bob
July 24, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Stone Mountain
By jgumbrecht_0508aa
July 24, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Thanks Bobby! Post is updated. Much appreciate the fresh info! I didn’t even notice the Atlanta stuff hiding in that Florida post. :)
By Spider
July 24, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Stone Mountain or the Big Chicken, and I want to be informed so I can go and dance with him.
By Spider
July 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Stone Mountain or the Big Chicken, and I want to be informed so I can go and dance with him.
By Alice
July 24, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Dancing in Decatur! Come to the Decatur Square and dance in front of our Celebrations! statue that has children flying around the planet earth! What fun!