King Mango Strut in South Miami today?

The rumor is that at 11:30 this morning, January 30, Glenn Terry's version of the King Mango Strut will kick off in South Miami as a "flash parade," you know, it's like flash mob, but this is a "flash parade."

They are going to pop up as part of a Volkswagen Parade on Sunset Drive. The parade was kept secret and has only been known apparently by the "flashers" involved.

Why the secrecy? The parade’s director, Glenn Terry explained, “We couldn't have pre-publicity. The 'flash part' makes everything easier to produce. We're going to gather at Sunset and US 1. At 11:30 we are going to march east through an existing event, a vintage VW car show (Volksblast). We think it will be the world’s first flash parade,” Glenn co-founded the King Mango Strut in Coconut Grove in 1982.

Guess it's easier to produce when you don't need to involve those pesky permits and police and other city services.

Interestingly enough, a bunch of vintage Volkswagens drove through Center Grove yesterday. When I asked what it was about, they were not very clear. Was this a way for them to draw up publicity for today's event? Like a little spit in the Grove's eye? Who knows. Very strange.

Today's parade will include The Next BP Oil Slick, The Banana Anti-Defamation League and a huge red light camera that will be ticketing everyone in the audience. As usual, Little Miss Mango and her Court will lead the parade serenaded by the event’s original group, The Mango Marching Band.

They tried getting a bunch of people as Grand Marshal. (How do you get a Grand Marshal of a flash mob?) Steve Slater (the wayward JetBlue flight attendant) said, “No thanks” two months ago. Dolphin activist Ric O’Barry agreed but is stuck in Japan. They called Piano Island’s Nicholas Harrington but the 16 year-old did not return his calls. Finally, Miami Beach ’s famous rooster, Mr. Clucky, was chosen to serve as the Sunday Strut’s Grand Marshall, he did that a couple of years ago in the real parade in Coconut Grove.

This all was leaked to me early this morning, I am hoping it is accurate since I am posting it here, it could all be a big joke on me, but I assume it is happening. The end of the "leaked" press release explains why the Strut left the Grove, or at least why Glenn and his his group started a "flash Strut." It says: "On December 26, 2010, [King Mango's] evil twin, the Duke of Mango, took over. The City of Miami helped him do it. The Evil Duke led a parade that was a little too loud and lewd for the King’s taste. Said observer Peter McGrath, 'The latest parade was flat, not funny at all. Now it appeals more to drinkers than thinkers.' "

We will be in South Miami at 11:30 today and report back. Below are some of the Volkswagens passing through the Center Grove yesterday on their way to where ever.