Bubble Battle!
[ 22 June 2008 ]
Yesterday I went to a bubble battle in Times Square.
The premise?
Turn up in Times Square at 6:21pm, bring bubble wands, guns & mixture, & let loose!
Of course, I had to go!
I made a video, too.
I found the whole thing really inspiring. It was organised by two people who just decided to do it. They put the word out, submitted an announcement to a couple of websites & poof! It happened. Thousands (apparently!) of people turned up high on bubble mania & started shooting bubbles into the sky. Every time a tourist bus went pass, the crowd would go crazy & cheer. The cops that turned up didn’t know what to do, but seemed like they were having a good time anyway!
So… what could you organise in your city to inspire the same kind of delight?!
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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oh! i wish things like this would (could) happen in new orleans!
that sounds amazing! i wish i could have been there.
i’m thinking of doing something bubble related for my senior prank next year. :p
hmm..i’ll have to think about what kinds of things could be organized that inspire the same kind of delight as masses of bubbles! :]
at the same time as the bubble battle there was this mass yoga class going on down the street! i fucking love this city!
there have been some amazing events in nyc. there was a gigantic pillow fight at union square a few months ago. and a silent rave where everyone just blasted their ipods and danced like mad people.
Oh my god.
I need to go to NYC.
NOW.
I’d love to organize some crazy fun thing! I’d die of happiness!
I love bubbles. I may have to get some friends together at the local park and have a bubble battle and picnic. plots
OMIGOSH, that is AMAZING.
Flash mobs are so much fun. One time I just ate bananas outside of the Seattle Macy’s with hundreds of people. I’m glad you had a good time!
Is that Fiona Apple I hear on that video? love! This looks like such fun, I love the looks on the cops’ faces!
the day before Easter is International Pillow Fight Day. I went to the one in New York and this Japanese tourist asked me if it’s how Americans celebrate the holiday.
And yesterday was the Mermaid Parade of course….I looked for you, but didn’t see you.
that was so cool! i wish i could do that! visit my blog!
what a great question!
i think i would organize a spontaneous street roller disco with a bike pulling a cart with an epic sound system leading the way. people would show up in sequined daisy dukes with farrahs and ‘fros and the parade would make pit stops at all the dive bars in town along the way to refuel and keep enthusiasm on a high level.
that was amazing!!!!!!!!!!
katie — They could! Someone just needs to organise it!
Caitlin Marie — That’s so weird! One of the coolest things I saw (in a similar vein) was that event where about a hundred people just froze in place in Grand Central Station. It was incredible!
maggie — Yes ma’am! Fiona Apple is amazing!
Ipsum — I know, my friend was late picking me up & when we were halfway there we looked at the clock & it was 3:45. So we turned around & went to the bubble battle instead!
LenaLightening — Can you please stop adding “visit my blog” to the end of all your comments? :P
RachelRadness — Oh my GOD! MAKE IT HAPPEN!
That was so fun yesterday! It was so funny to run into you! I was soaked in bubbles haha Hopefully i’ll see you around!
Love Love,
DH
bridge-tunnel.blogspot.com
Oh woops im such a dope I keep putting my link under my name, I was wondering why there was a website option there haha I didn’t realize you click the name to get to it.
This is just the sweetest thing I have ever seen.
reminds me of a lone hippy who used to have her bubble machine and have it blowing out onto Cuba Street.
There is something very delightful and whimsical about bubbles
This all makes me think of flight of the concords saying “when will the goverment realise it’s got to be funky sexy ladies”
xxx
Oh hot dog, a flurry of bubbles! That looks like a delightful event… the two who birthed that idea are wise souls. :) Bubble love!
awww so you didn’t go to the parade in the end!! that sucks. but the bubble thing looked like such fun! i wish i’d gone with you but i was just sitting at home feeling ill.
wow i wonder if we could start something. :) and pimpin’ your micing shirt eh?? it’s so cute eeee!
vancouver has a pillowfight day
as well as a waterfight at stanley park
and then theres always 4:20 at the art gallery
Every once in a while things like this happen at my school, usually organized by the Punk Rock & Roll Club. The traditional one is a flash-mob pillow fight, which occurs every semester during study period. Five minutes of pillow fighting is a great way to reduce stress :D
Love it – i want it in Auckland, NZ.. so inspiring!
ahhhh, i love all the fun events going on in nyc once summer starts! i remember people talking about the pillow fight & silent rave from a few months back, plus there was supposed to be a HUUUGE water fight on madison avenue last weekend. except it rained that day so it would’ve been a little redundant, haha!
sounds like an amazing time, i wish i could’ve gone!
Looks like so much fun! I love you makeup too, it reminds me of old school gyaru styles a bit.
Like:
img.photobucket.com/albums/v28…
and
img.photobucket.com/albums/v28…
Although thankfully, I think you pull it off with quite a bit more class :)
No frigging way. I am definitely going to start a Bubble Battle in Melbourne! (I’ll let you know when it’s happening.)
I like the Zombie Shuffle that was just on – everyone dresses like the walking dead and parades around melbourne – for no apparent reason except to scare children and adults, hehe.
I’d like to start a fairy parade. Where everyone has to dress like a fairy, bring glitter and wands and give passer bys a wish or two!
P.S. Love the pic of the cops, haha
I was thinking of doing a fairy parade too, Ivy! And I’m in Melbourne! The bubbles look amazing.
Oh how wonderful!!
I wish I could be there to enjoy the bubbles.
If I could I would organize a Hula Hoop battle in Canberra.
Imagine all the politicians! hahaha
Ooooh bubble battles are the new water balloon fights!!
There’s a potential iCing fans UK meet in August, I think something like this HAS to happen!
I love the creativity and inititive of people.. this event is totally inspiring! :) B xo
oh wow that’s such a wonderful idea!
a week ago there was an event in my city where people dressed up as zombies and just moaned and groaned around the city for an hour. kind of frightening!
that’s awesome, particularly because it was at 6:21 on 6/21 — my birthday!
OMG, that would have been the best birthday celebration – it was my birthday yesterday and while I had a great time, THIS would have been epic and mega!
I was there! Definitely unforgettable. I would go to another one in a heartbeat.
i wish sydney would organising something like this…
NYC sounds like a fairytale, SERIOUSLY!
It sounds like the most funest place to be ever.
Actually, I am an organizing a Bubblebration for next friday in my town! It’s our first one, so I doubt we’ll get as many folks, but I hope it will be just as fun
www.myspace.com/wsbubble
www.bubblebration.com/
Whoo Hoo! Bubbles!!!!
Luv
Poochie
This is so good. Anyone could make this stuff happen! There was a zombie flashmob in Perth a while ago. I’ve never attended one unfortunately :(
Someone blew bubbles at me while I was walking around the hippie area in San Francisco Yesterday, made me smile so much!
OH MY GOD! you saw the “frozen grand central” by the guys from Improveverywhere.com!!!!!??? I absolutely LOVE them! Yo uschould check out their site because it makes me giggle everytime I visit. I want to go to new york just to participate in one of their pranks. Sigh… I’m thinking of doing the bubble wars at my school on the first day to freak out the freshmennn. They would all walk around like 0_o
Hee hee. I love the cops in that video! Did you see their faces? Hahahaha.
I think I would organise a giant tea party in central park. If I had a billion dollars I would decorate it to look like Alic in Wonderland, and I would wear a sparkly pink tophat. Everyone could sit and drink tea and eat biscuits. Hee!
Oh wow, the battle turned out much prettier than I expected…!
Ahh, we should dress up in cheesy formalwear and walk around in superlative-ribbons and bouquets and crowns/tiaras, waving at everyone in sight!
Man! I’d LOVE to take part in a flash mob! The premise is so cool!
This is another that I think was fantastic!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3P…
I must add, you looked gorgeous!
LOL @ that pic of you and the cops…
What are you wearing?
Oh I Envy you so much. I have been dying to go to a newmindspace event foe ever. Did you get to meet Kevin and Lori?
wow that’s so cool! a couple of years back there was a big snow dump in auckland’s aotea square which was pretty cool but i think it was more of a publicity stunt than anything. but BUBBLES! thats awesomer than awesome! i think i have to invest in one of those bubble guns!!!
LOVE!!
I wish i was there :-)
What a gorgeous idea!
We participated in the Tokyo Freeze last week super fun but bubbles…so much cuter!
I am organizing a big hoop off, starting now. The bubbles inspired me!
Lots of glitter > check
Gorgeous hoops > check
Big smiles > check
Sexy hips > check
mwah xx
That looks like so much fun! I can so see that happening here at fed square sometime in the near future… hehehe
I wish the people in my city would participate more!
I’ve organized a Walk for Darfur and only gotten like 200 people, which I suppose it good but so many people skulk around and complain there’s nothing to do and then ignore good, fun things right in front of them!
Sounds like a fun time!
On a completely separate note, I was wondering where you shop for shoes online? Just certain boutiques, etc. You can either answer on my blog or on this comment page if it’s more convenient. Thanks!
my family probably thinks i’m a crazy person,
i actually audibly laughed at the last photo, with you and the two cops.
ok. im sorry. i just think you are so amazing!
That’s SO amazing! any chileans intereseted in doing such an awesome thing like that over here??
A little tip, my cousin got married not so long ago and instead of throwing rice to the couple we threw BUBBLES!
ps: my english is quite… forgotten ;__;
Wow, that’s so awesome! Sounds like a great way to meet new people too :)
i love how you use white shadow on the insides of your eyes, looks super cute!
Cool video footage Gala! Also would like to ask who did your makeup that day? Did you do it your clever wee self? It looks incredibly gorgeous! Are you able to give us a close up / mini lesson on how you did it? Or just a tip? I am stuck in a makeup rut..
Thanks!! xx
Omg! That makes me all kinds of happy. And to think I used ro get my giggles making bubbles of doom in hookah lounges. Nyc bubbles…so rad.
ohhhh, new york! There’s no place like it in the world, is there?
elyzabeth> i saw a footage on that some time ago and i think it gave me goosebumps!!! it was SOOO amazing! and people who didn’t know what happened just came in and stood and gawked! i would have loved to be part of it.
sushi zume>you should definitely do some crazy hooping in the middle of like, takeshita dori! that would be amazing. or with a bunch of people across the shibuya crossing!!! wait till i go tokyo!! ahhhh!!
Oh how I wish I lived in a city for things like this its just hard for people to leg go when they know they’ll be talked about afterwards lol I can only get 5 year olds to get into the bubble thing ! lol :)
this is the most magical moment I’ve ever seen I’m so glad you captured it to share with us! bubbles are irresistible to everyone from babies to grandparents so it’s a wonderful thing for family picnics or school concerts or anything like that! I would so love to do something like this in perth but I think the general public are too conservative and uncreative to embrace it.. but us perth people on here should just get together and do it anyway, hey guys?!
p.s. why are you looking so glamorous, you always look so done-up and flawless.Oooohhhhh, that looks like the best fun ever! I’d love to have a mass hula hoop party or have a painting day, with this mass of easels in the park and everyone can just fingerpaint! pixie kisses xxx
So cool! I wish I live in New York City such events if planned in Singapore would perhaps take months to get through the red tape etc before it would be allowed in our city.
Wish I was there shooting bubbles :)
WOW! how amazing is that???
omg, i sooo wish i was there… those photos of your would make great desktop backgrounds!
wouldn’t it be great if this could happen simultaneously in various cities around the globe? imagine how it would look from outer space! =))
That looks amazing, I love your picture with the cops
I’d have a glitter disco and just buy heaps of glitter and throw it from roofs and blow it through fans and just let everyone party under it. I’d want enough glitter so that it would take a few days to come off so people would ask and you could tell them all about it.
this looks beautiful and has such a great sense of community!!!
oh i cant wait til NYC!!!
loves
x
There are pillow fight parties here! I was thinking of organising one on our street this summer :)
www.pillowfightclub.org/
My initial comment didn’t work =(
I just wanted to say that although I don’t think this would go down too well in Brisbane, I love the idea!
Plus I think your makeup looks stunning in the Flickr set. Truly, it’s gorgeous =) YOU are gorgeous! x
Wow!! that looks totally fun! I hope something happens like that here!! and i would really drag my friend -who calls bubbles evil – and enjoy with her there!! i bet those cops just want to be gay for that day…
Aw Gala, you look sooooo happy in those photos. Go you!
Yes, I did my own make-up! Was really simple, just foundation, concealer, a bit of bronzer (my newest purchase — I love it!), black eyeliner & a touch of light eyeshadow in the inner corners of my eyes. I used MAC’s Pink Frost.
Marie — I have only once bought shoes online & when I did it was from zappos.com, who I cannot recommend highly enough!
I’d have loved to take part in that! [The Sex in the City poster in the background… subliminal advertising? Haha.]
Thats amazing, I wish I could have been part of it!
That is so cool! I wish things like that happened here, in Adelaide.
I’ve always wanted to wear a fairy outfit on Valentines Day, and catch public transport all day handing out little chocolates in the shape of love hearts from Darrel Lea to random strangers, to cheer them up, and tell them they’re fantastic… I think that could be cool… Maybe I could organise a whole fleet of public transport fairies for next year to spread the love?
By the way, absolutely love what you do here… I’ve been reading here for quite some time now, I’ve just never left a comment. :) But yeah, keep up the good work!
NO! How come you get all the fun?!
I had double maths and you were having a bubble war! Totally unfair!
I’m organising a grand picnis up in our local fields soon! (I want at least 50 people there so I’m inviting all of my friends about 40 of them in total!) and telling them to bring at least 2 other people! I decided on the fields so that I could bring my dog because he’s such a lovable little friendly fella I thought I’d treat him too so everyone can bring there dog too!
I’m getting everyone to bring like a plate or platter of food and a blanket – lots of filming, lots of pictures, lots of FUN !
I think the best bit will be watching other dog walkers turn up, the ones that know NOTHING about it, and then inviting them to join us!
Wish me luck!
;)
Vixxie.
I think the 8th pic is my favorite! I love the smirk of the cop on the left. XD
Looks like so much fun!
And this is why I want to live in New York.
I want to be a part of it…New York, New York..(8)
Hey Gala and everyone, since it’s graduation season…I think you should all watch this video and go and get high on inspiration…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6…
It really, really rocks. Do yourself a favor an DO watch it:) I hope it leaves you as sure of your position and decisions about life right now as it did me.
INFINTE X’S & O’S…
NYC is CALLING MY NAME. Seriously.
these events are awesome! I have been to a flash mob pillow fight and a silent dance party in the library complete with synched ipods!
This is the most amazing thing ever!! I really think that this could work in my city (Santiago, Chile)...we have lots of parks where I can imagine this :) how cool those guys where to organize such a fun and original activity!
This sounds great :) I absolutely cannot wait to move there!!!
How cooool, this is such a good inspiration! Mmh i still dream of perfumed-scent bubbles to blow into the sky.. Or maybe i played too much with the bubblebars when i still worked at Lush _
Aah hmm its not the best video quality but you get the idea of how it could turn into a prank www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVO_WS…
I’m not sure what would be cool to organize at my city, i think if i was in New York (with the tall buildings and all) i would try to organize as many people on roofs across the city with beautifull coloured kites :)
hey fran I’m Chilean too, and from santiago as well xD
ooh javie!
(chilean-spanish mode on: en verdad seria demasiado increible esto..onda en el parque forestal :D!)
gala how cool is your site! now I found a girl from my country..now we could even do something like this in our grey city!
(spanish mode on: también pensé en el forestal, creo que ahí hicieron una pillow fight el año pasado? :s)
Yeeey chilean bubble battle coming sooooomeday
This is such a fabulous idea! I would love to come across something like this.I’ve heard of a giant pillow fight-that would something I’d love to try and organize something like that. Or maybe a group thing where we all walk around the city giving out things like flowers to passerbys.
That’s amazing and very inspiring. Oh New York how i miss thee!...Gala you look beautiful, the makeup is FANTASTIC & you did it yourself!. I want to go to a massive bubble gathering!. hahaha
Oh my word.
I have a bad habit of buying lots of bubbles from walmart. Haha.
I’m going to the park tomorrow to blow bubbles!
i live in san francisco so there are already SO many organized fun activities, pillow fights, zombies roaming the streets, bridezilla, urban golf, etc!! So fun!
I am actually lucky to know the couple who run the Toronto branch of these types of events. Their names are Lori and Kevin and they run a site called Newmindspace (http://www.newmindspace.com/). All of their events are popular, especially in the Toronto rave community.
I tried to organize a community Paint Fight in a local park, but unfortunately only a fraction of the estimated amount of people showed up. Despite this, my friends and I had a lot of messy paint fun :]
aaawww man i didnt know that was happening. i would have love to have gone i alway hear about things like this happening and i always miss it.
gala have u gone to the Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
exhibit in the MET museum?
wow, this is such a cool idea!
I haven’t been part of a flash party or anything yet… but last summer me & my flatmates, boyfriend & his friends pretty much started a huge waterfight on a 40 celcius day…. all these kids who were playing outside joined in too, it was hilarious!
Ps: Gala, have I somehow accidentally unsubscribed from your Cupcake emails, or are you just having a break from writing them while away? I miss them! xx
oh my goodnesss!
this is SO awesome!
I want to do this!
awesome pictures too
u look beautiful =)
Ha!
Best idea I’ve seen in a long time.
I might have to organise some flash mobs in my home town…
The summer holidays are starting to drag already. :(
I’ve always wanted to do something to create peace. maybe have everyone bring a flower & make a massive heart together in a park.
Or just something little like this one couple did, play the guitar & have a sign saying to smile bc the day is beautiful.
Nyc is wonderful, my favorite memory is seeing people come together to remember John lennon in times square. It was so nice, I loved it so much.
I love the pictures of this bubble battle!!! Virginia Beach should have one.Gala! that sounds great…I was wondering if you went to the lecture last night and if you liked it? good,bad,ugly?? I got there at 7:30 but didn’t want to walk in late…uhhh…I am not used to NY yet and transportation…I was soo upset…wanted to meet you!!!! Anyway, hope it wasn’t weird or something! hahahaha
There was something like this which happened in Sydney just yesterday (Tuesday). They all froze in place for 5 minutes in Martin Place and Pitt Street Mall. I really wish I could have gone. It was even on the news! (Though, I guess it was pretty obvious that was going to happened seeing as the Channel 7 studio is in Martin Place and has big windows looking out at everyone on street level). xD
I think it’s amazing that so many people of all ages join in on these things. Next time I’m so going to be there!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXTs3Q…
That is awesome! My mum used to be a party planner, so we have 50 smoke machines and 27 foam machines in the basement (!!!)
I went to the town center and turned them all on xD, then I got the music shop to blast out some tunes, and we had a rave in the town center. Best freaking day of my life. And honourable mention to my friends who helped me carry it all, and the music store who provided the music :)
And outside BHS, the giant dancing teddy, you OWNED that rave ;)