A World Record Attempt with Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Michael Jackson lovers, zombie lovers, and dance lovers around the globe will attempt to break the world record for the most people doing the same dance simultaneously on October 24, 2009. The event, "Thrill the World", first took place in 2006 and has grown bigger every year. Conceived by a Canadian choreographer who loves dance, especially the dance from Jackson's groundbreaking "Thriller" music video, "Thrill the World" is open to anyone who wishes to dance with or organize a dance in their community, and each event also has the option to raise money for a charity of their choice.

The original Thriller video was released in 1983, the title track of Michael Jackson's album of the same name. Featuring narration by Vincent Price and a squadron of zombies led by the King of Pop, it won a Grammy for best video in 1985. The MTV website lists it as the "Greatest Music Video Ever Made." A mass Thriller dance by inmates in Cebu, Philippines gained popularity after it was uploaded to YouTube in April of 2007.

2008's "Thrill the World", coinciding with the 25^th anniversary year of Michael Jackson's Thriller album, took place in 72 cities spread through 10 countries. Fans of Michael Jackson from Australia to Wales simultaneously danced "Thriller" for a record-breaking total of 4,179 people, according to the Record Holder's Republic. The Austin, Texas dance with 881 people grooving to the King of Pop is just one of the many videos from the October 25, 2008 event available on YouTube.

2009's event is scheduled for 12:30 AM GMT on Sunday October 25, which is the afternoon and evening of Saturday October 24 for the continental U.S. The organizers' goal is 270,000 people dancing "Thriller" simultaneously worldwide, and a place in the Guinness Records. The previous record for the most people dancing simultaneously worldwide was set in 2006 in Holland, with dancers doing a routine to "What a Feeling." As of press time 32 countries, including Finland, Pakistan and Malaysia, were scheduled to participate in "Thrill the World", and the organizers welcome more countries, more events, and especially more dancers.

"Thrill the World" even welcomes those who have never danced. The website has a complete tutorial of the famous Thriller zombie dance. There are written dance scripts, and step by step videos for each section of the dance so one can learn all of Michael Jackson's moves. Organizers estimate that half the dancers in 2007 had never danced before! Many local chapters are putting together dance workshops to teach the moves; the entire dance can be learned in an afternoon.

Those who are aspiring dancers, would-be zombies, or Michael Jackson fans can visit the Thrill the World website for current information on event locations.

"Thrill the World" official website

"Largest Simultaneous Thriller Dance," Record Holder's Republic

Mary Carole McCauley, "it's 'Thriller' Time", Baltimore Sun

James Montgomery, "Michael Jackson's Music Video Legacy", MTV.com