Holiday shoppers and wine walkers making their way through downtown Carson City got an impromptu thrill Saturday afternoon during a flash mob organized by First Presbyterian Church of Carson City, where members performed “Joy to the World” at McFadden Plaza.
The song and dance magic came to life at 2 p.m., after more than a dozen church members held two practice sessions to get their routine down. After the performance, the flash mob crew then took to the streets of Carson City for an afternoon of Christmas caroling. Also participating in the flash mob were members of The Bridge Church.
With guidance from Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company’s choreographer and assistant director Gina Davis and music direction by Stewart Peebles, director of Music Ministries for First Presbyterian, the four minute flash mob event went off without any problems and was a surprise to many who gathered around to watch.
Organized by Sherri Gurney, the church’s family ministry coordinator, the idea for a flash mob came from Church Pastor Ian Hodge.
Gurney explained that Hodge had been a pastor two years ago at a small California church before coming to Carson City. Hodge had a connection to a Korean church, which hosted him a few years ago. During his stay, the Korean Church performed a massive flash mob that he got to see. When he came to Carson City, he shared the experience with Gurney and Peebles.
“He passed the information to us, and it had been on the back of our minds. And then I was like ‘let’s make this happen. Christmas is such a perfect time for something like this.'”
Peebles and Gurney approached Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company’s choreographer Gina Davis, asking for help. Having experience with doing choreography for a handful of flash mobs in the past, she gladly took on the challenge.
“I am so proud of these people doing this for the community and bringing love this time of year,” said Davis, who is also owner of the Western Nevada Performing Arts dance studio. “It’s a beautiful thing to do for Carson City.”
Organizers hope to make this a holiday tradition and will begin a flash mob call-out for Christmas 2026 sometime next year.
Below are photos from Saturday morning’s practice ahead of the afternoon event.
This event is part of the Season of Giving in Carson City. Want to learn more about how you can give back this holiday season to your community? Visit our Season of Giving main hub below!
