Monthly Archive for August, 2010

Improv Everywhere’s Black Tie Beach Prank


(View it larger on YouTube)
Produced by Charlie Todd and Matt Adams / music by Tyler Walker

For our latest mission we had several hundred agents spend a day at Coney Island / Brighton Beach wearing black tie attire. We covered a mile-long stretch of beach with a diverse group of people of all ages (from babies to sixty-somethings) laying out, playing games, and swimming in the ocean, all in formal wear. Agents were instructed to find cheap tuxedos and ball gowns at thrift stores for the occasion.

On Corporate Graffiti

We’ve covered the New York Street Advertising Takeover quite a few times on this site, but we wanted to share this new short documentary by Sarah Berman. It does a great job of telling the story of the project and the positive impact it had on our streets.

In related news, the first Toronto Street Advertising Takeover recently took place.

Mario Kart Bike Lane

A prankster has added Mario Kart symbols to a Portland bike lane.

via Laughing Squid

Astor Place Rubik’s Cube

This prank is seven years old, but not enough people know about it. It’s a classic.

Project page at All Too Flat.

Open Soon Prank Contest

Our friend Rob Cockerham over at Cockeyed has issued a challenge to pranksters around the world. He writes:

The economy is pitiful right now. Both where I live and where I work, I’m seeing a bunch of businesses closing their doors forever.

Shuttered buildings are incredibly depressing, so I’m launching a plan to help liven up our neighborhood streets and remind everyone that economic recovery is just around the corner.

It’s a contest. Create and print your own “Opening Soon” flier and tape it to the door of an empty retail, industrial or warehouse property. Email a picture and you are in the contest! Include a description of the location and hazards if you would like.

Check out his site for details on how you can participate.