Birminghamlet screener.JPG

A screen shot from "Birminghamlet," a twist on the opening of the IFC sketch comedy show "Portlandia," filmed by Birmingham filmmaker Ian Cunningham.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Pharrell Williams' compelling, imminently danceable chart-topper "Happy" has inspired a cover by an elementary school in Detroit and multiple dance videos in the vein of Williams' original, including a version in which folks dance all over Fairhope.

It was a re-imagining of Williams' original set in Memphis that caught the attention of Birmingham filmmaker Ian Cunningham.

"Memphis just released their version of it and it's already past 50,000 views in 24 hours," Cunningham says. That video has now racked up well over 75,000 views.

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Cunningham is hoping to recruit some amateur dancers who want to "get happy" on their lunch break for a Birmingham version of Williams' infectious hit video. He is planning on shooting folks moving to "Happy" on Wednesday at noon on Second Ave. North near BIG Communications and Urban Standard. He also hopes to find some willing participants at Railroad Park from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday.

"Just looking for anybody who wants to dance to the song, mouth along to the chorus, or both," Cunningham says.

Cunningham had some minor success last week with a video spoof of the opening credits to the IFC comedy show, "Portlandia," that features scenes of Birmingham instead of Portland. He's not wasting any time moving on to the next project.

"I was trying to hit the ground running and follow up with Birmingham's response to the 'Happy' craze," he says.

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If you'd like to participate, all you need to do is bring your dancing shoes (these can be metaphorical) and show up at Second Ave. North and 23rd Street at noon Wednesday, or at Railroad Park Thursday after work.

Pharrell's original "Happy" video: