VIDEOS: Harlem Shake internet sensation - Leicestershire inspired to join dance craze

A global internet sensation has inspired people from all over Leicestershire to post YouTube videos of themselves dancing like maniacs.

The Harlem Shake is a new worldwide craze, known as an internet meme – a concept that spreads via the web – and was inspired by a song of the same name by US DJ, Baauer.

The track has spawned thousands of videos which always start with one person dancing – then cut to lots of people thrashing about energetically when the drums and bass kick in.

On Tuesday night, about 30 regulars from Nine Bar, in Leicester’s West End, dressed in the brightest, most flamboyant costumes they could find to film their own version of the Harlem Shake.

The event was organised by pub manager Ben Hunt.

“It’s an internet sensation and we thought we’d give it a go,” he said. “It was our 16th birthday last Saturday, but there were far too many people in here to do it then, so we thought we’d get some regulars together during the week and have a crack.”

Regular Lee Kennedy, 38, who lives nearby, donned a large Venetian mask for the occasion. He said: “I had no idea this was going on, I’d just come down for a pint.

“I managed to get my hands on a mask and when it went off I got stuck in.”

Lingerie designer and pub regular Charlotte van Wesseldine, 23, was dressed as a dinosaur and hopped around on the bar.

She said: “Most of the people who come in here are friends and word got round that this was happening, so I thought I’d give it a go – I thought it would be fun.”

Scores of other groups and organisations from across the county have also been posting their clips on the internet.

They include players from the Tigers Academy, a Bangra version filmed at Sirius bar, in Belvoir Street, and a gang who surprised commuters at Narborough train station on Sunday.

“There were some kids on the opposite platform who had no idea what was going on,” said James Jackson, who took part.

The 25-year-old, from Croft, was one of about 15 revellers at the train station Harlem Shake, which included people dressed as Mexicans, policemen and Jesus.

Members of the Leicester Falcons American Football Team also got in on the action. They filmed themselves after training about a week ago.

Lawrence Grugeon, media manager for the team, said: “A few of our lads decided to get together and have a go. We’re a fairly new team so it was a bit of bonding.”

Numerous versions of the craze have also been filmed and uploaded by student groups at De Montfort University.

Tom Williams, vice president of media and communications at the students’ union, said: “It’s just great fun.”

Last week, the Mercury featured the University of Leicester’s version of the craze.