Jackson, zombies and face paint - oh my!

 Michael Jackson. His name alone holds great significance in the music industry and to the many fans he touched through his music and dancing. This year, dancers from around the world are commemorating Jackson’s life in a special way.

At 5:30 p.m., Saturday, on the Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC) east patio, Central students and community members have the opportunity to recreate Jackson’s popular Thriller video. The event, titled Thrill the World, has celebrated the video and dance for the past three years. This is the first year Central is participating in the event, which is organized by Central’s dance department and the Orchesis Dance Company.

Alex Holden, assistant director of the Orchesis program, says this year holds a deeper meaning for the annual Thriller dance celebration than in past years.

“At first, the Thrill the World event was held on his birthday,” Holden said. “But since he passed, they’re doing it this year to celebrate the contribution he’s made to the dance and music world.”

Levonia Austin, junior nutrition major, is excited about Central’s first year of participation.

“[The event will be] a lot of fun to do a dance in memory of Michael. Everyone should give it a try,” Austin said.

This year, participants have the potential to break a world record.

The event will be recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records. The current record stands at 270,000 participants.

Instructors from the Orchesis dance program encourage people to dress the part and wear attire and makeup that would be seen in the original music video.

“Ragged clothes and ragged hair [is encouraged] for the event – anything to make yourself look like a zombie,” said Megan Zelenak, sophomore theater major.

Austin also plans to take on the role of a zombie, but has a more specific outfit planned.

“I have an old coat that’s navy blue and yellow plaid that’s already cut up,” Austin said. “I’ll wear my hair big and put crazy makeup on my face.”

Therese Young, Central dance program director, sees the event as an opportunity to celebrate the joy of movement, in addition to honoring Jackson and his pioneering role in modern pop music and dance.

“More than Michael Jackson, all of these people around the world are coming together to celebrate dance,” Young said. “It can be used to help remember how fun it is to dance.”

The number of people participating in this year’s event is expected to be quite high. Young anticipates that the city of Ellensburg can potentially break 100 active participants.
The Orchesis program is also using this event to benefit a local cause as well.

“We’re asking everyone participating to bring a non-perishable donation for F.I.S.H., the local food bank in town,” Young said. “As we organized, it was something that we thought was a great idea to help raise support for a good cause.”

Those interested can register at the SURC, or at Ellensburg High School on the day of the event.

For more information, visit the Central dance Web site at www.cwu.edu/~dance/ or call (509) 963-1937. For information regarding the record, www.thrilltheworld.com.