Annual ‘Thriller’ parade keeps Jackson’s phenomenon going

Paris78

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As Halloween is is approaching, maybe we can use this thread for pictures...

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http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/article110769652.html

Teresa Tomb was watching for Michael to appear.

It was 2002, the first year for the downtown “Thriller” parade, a re-creation of Michael Jackson’s iconic video by Tomb’s multicultural dance outpost, Mecca Live Studio & Gallery.
In 2015, characters from “Wizard of Oz” participated in the Thriller parade. Matt Goins Herald-Leader

Dancers had spent weeks working on the zombie dance. The choice of a dancer to play Jackson was something of an afterthought when Micah Isaacs, 16, quietly volunteered for the role and then blew everyone away with his moves.

Tomb’s expectation was that this would be a friends-and-family affair; no big to-do — just word-of-mouth promotion. They plotted out a route, and they had police support and rolling sound courtesy of WRFL-FM 88.1 playing the song and people with loud car stereos.

Like other zombies in the show, Tomb had found a “grave site” on the route and sat waiting for the parade to come by so she could join the dance.

“I remember specifically being at Phoenix Park, hiding behind the rocks,” Tomb says. “You could hear the music coming, and I was like, ‘It’s coming at us; it’s coming at us. Soon it will be time.’ Everybody was like, ‘Can you see him? Can you see him?’ and I looked up, and I can see our Michael, and then behind him is just a sea of people skipping along behind him. I couldn’t see any zombies. All I could see was the whole audience was so taken with it, they weren’t content to stay on the sidewalks. They all just came onto the street and just skipped behind the zombies and the Michael, and they would cheer and scream every time the dance would start over.

“It was a phenomenal sight — not what we expected at all.”

It was Tomb’s first indication that she was onto something. She had planned it as a one-off event, but as the next Halloween approached people started saying, “You’re doing ‘Thriller’ again, aren’t you?’”

Now, in its 15th edition, Tomb’s “Thriller Parade” has become Lexington’s civic Halloween celebration. On Saturday, in addition to the 8 p.m. performance, there will be a daylong Halloween market at Cheapside Park, an early-evening Halloween variety show at the Courthouse Plaza, and then “Thriller,” now featuring hundreds of zombies and six couples portraying Michael and his scary-movie date, Olga, starting from six points on the parade route.

Tomb looks understandably exhausted while sitting down to discuss the event at the Carver School on Patterson Street, where “Thriller” rehearses.

The original idea was a tribute to a pop-culture phenomenon. Like many teens in the 1980s, she recalls watching the premiere of the video. It was a 15-minute video for a four-minute song on Jackson’s album.

What on Earth were they going to do with 15 minutes, fans wondered as they settled in for the premier on MTV, Dec. 2, 1983. It turned out to be a mini-movie directed by John Landis in his “Beverly Hills Cop” and “American Werewolf in London” heyday. Horror movie icon Vincent Price provided a voiceover, sort of rapping. Home video copies of the film in VHS and Beta became hot stocking-stuffers.

Tomb found out there that was a lot of affection for “Thriller,” and the event grew steadily. Both Tomb and Lexington Parks and Recreation cultural arts director Amber Luallen say a turning point came when Jackson died unexpectedly in summer 2009. A few days later, Tomb was asked to organize a Thriller event to coordinate with Thursday Night Live at Cheapside Park.

“It went to a whole new level after that,” Luallen says.

Now, Mecca is in charge of the dance, but the city, through Parks and Rec,handles the parade, crowd control and surrounding events.

And Tomb marvels at the effort people put in to their zombie costumes and the crowds that come out to see it all, lining streets and parking garages.

“It’s still phenomenal,” Tomb says. “Just the sheer numbers that show up every year, it’s incredible. We never cease to be amazed every year. It’s so much fun.”

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/article110769652.html#storylink=cpy
 
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Under the blazing sun, a flash mob re-enacted Michael Jackson's 1983 horror-themed music video, Thriller, outside Raffles Place MRT station yesterday. Led by Mrs Crystal Wagar, wife of the United States Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar, the group thrilled passers-by with their moves and zombie outfits. The performance is a prelude to ACM After Dark: Horror Mash-Up, a Halloween-themed event featuring an East-meets-West programme, during which visitors can meet zombies within the Asian Civilisations Museum's galleries and attend indoor movie screenings of Asian and Western horror films. This event takes place on Saturday from 7pm to 11pm, and is held in conjunction with arts festival River Nights 2016.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/a-thriller-at-raffles-place

Jason Mollica ?@JasMollica 25. Oct. Rockville, MD

There will never be a day where Michael Jackson's "Thriller" isn't a song I don't stop everything to sing/dance to. Never.
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH PARIS78!! This had to be the feel good story of the year for me (maybe next to the couple that was so excited to find the autograph in the old BAD cassette).
I LOVED the way she described this parade and how the audience couldn't help themselves and were following the zombies following "Michael." You could just feel the fun and excitement with this.
Gosh, I wish I had been there. So cool.
 
Destiny players pull off amazing dance routines in perfect sync, set to Michael Jackson’s music

[video=youtube;4UkEcBYA4PU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkEcBYA4PU[/video]

Now that Destiny‘s Festival of the Lost is live, we’re staring to see the masks, shaders, emotes, and other vanity items you can only get during the event displayed by many players who got them.

But while some just stop there, this particular Destiny group wanted to make an amazing production out of these unique in-game items. In the video above, titled Saw Something Weird on the Moon, Husky Raid manages to create very elaborate and perfectly in-sync dance routines.

After one player approaches the entrance to Crota’s End raid on the Moon, the remaining five players are revealed, Michael Jackson’s Thriller kicks in, and the first one of these elaborate dances start. Then the player watching participates and it smoothly transitions into the next number, with Smooth Criminal this time.

There’s more to it, as well, and they utilise the Taken Chromas and older emotes to greater effect.

You really need to watch to see just how masterfully it’s all been pulled off.

https://www.vg247.com/2016/10/27/de...n-perfect-sync-set-to-michael-jacksons-music/
 
AnaRose@mgeniusjackson

This flash mob just happened in my area & it made our local news! Michael is literally living thru everyone, so proud!#thriller
https://twitter.com/mgeniusjackson/status/791776077387599873

Pandora For Brands ‏@PandoraBrands
This is thriller, thriller night! #DidYouKnow “Thriller” by Michael Jackson had 780K+ spins last year, making it a #Halloween favorite.
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Ben Mægenmund ‏@BennyBrick
Michael Jackson may not have one of the big Christmas songs, but he basically owns Halloween #Thriller #HappyHalloween
 
So funny! The French students, the Police guys.:D And how wonderful to see Michael, the One and Only most coolest dancer - just rehearse.
 
Paris78;4172348 said:
Mental Floss ‏@mental_floss
How 'Thriller' Was Made: Watch Michael Jackson's Rehearsal Videos — http://bit.ly/2fc9cSI
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Had fun watching this again-think after all these years I've finally picked Vincent Paterson out of the dancers. I thought the article from Mental Floss was funny because they said "because someone was kind enough to film the rehearsals, we have a peek of how the greatest video was made".

Guess they never heard of "The Making of Thriller" and the money MTV and Showtime put up-or how it became the best selling VHS of all time. We just think everybody knows the story of Thriller and many don't-and it deserves to be celebrated.
I, myself, will be blasting it on repeat on my boombox on the porch and giving out candy this Monday. :)
 
Watch autistic boy, 8, perform amazing Thriller routine on webcam. Click Here: http://m.derbytelegraph.co.uk/watch...ne-on-webcam/story-29849872-detail/story.html … #mjfam #MJforever #MichaelJackson
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Thrill The World LA ‏@lazombies
We made it on @NBCLA come out Saturday, October 29th @3PM
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/the-scene/Thrill-the-World-Los-Angeles-398970911.html

Cirque du Soleil ‏@Cirque
'Cause this is a #Thriller, thriller night on #FrightNight as we #FBF with #MJONE at last year's Dance Awards! #Halloween #CirqueBooSoleil
https://twitter.com/Cirque/status/792139155811635201

Michael Jackson Thriller-Inspired Halloween House Attracts Moncks Corner Onlookers http://www.berkeleyobserver.com/201...oween-house-attracts-moncks-corner-onlookers/ …

St John Bosco ‏@StJohnBosco_CS
Preparing to THRILL us on Oct. 31st! Gr. 8's learn Michael Jackson's "Thriller"!
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Just for Kicks Dance ?@just4kicksdance

Michael Jackson - Thriller Halloween dance @ 2016 North Delta Family Fright Fest
 
Remembering that day #ThrillTheWorld 2009.. #Halloween #Halloween2016 #halloweendogparade #MichaelJackson #thriller

 
Glad to see Ghost is getting attention from Official Charts Company

Official Charts ?@officialcharts 23h23 hours ago
Thriller's the big one, but which other @MichaelJackson video is even more terrifying for #Halloween? http://bit.ly/2fedyZR

13 of the scariest, spine-chilling videos in the history of music

Michael Jackson - Ghosts
OK, Thriller is the famous one and is certainly creepy, but when it comes to white-knuckle, behind the sofa chills, it's nothing compared to Ghosts. Co-written by iconic horror author Stephen King, packed with special effects and tunes from the King of Pop's HIStory album, this 40-minute (!) spookfest is the real thriller.
 
Re: primacy of Ghosts

Glad to see Ghost is getting attention from Official Charts Company

Official Charts ?@officialcharts 23h23 hours ago
Thriller's the big one, but which other @MichaelJackson video is even more terrifying for #Halloween? http://bit.ly/2fedyZR

13 of the scariest, spine-chilling videos in the history of music

Michael Jackson - Ghosts
OK, Thriller is the famous one and is certainly creepy, but when it comes to white-knuckle, behind the sofa chills, it's nothing compared to Ghosts. Co-written by iconic horror author Stephen King, packed with special effects and tunes from the King of Pop's HIStory album, this 40-minute (!) spookfest is the real thriller.


Brilliant indeed to finally see people give Ghosts its due; everything from the choreography to the special effects and most especially the auto-biographical connections make it so much more impressive than Thriller. Whereas Thriller was mere entertainment void of any meaningful connection to Michael's life, Ghosts seems to be the ultimate metaphor for his life and one of the strongest artistic statements he ever made.
 
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An 8 year old autistic boy who taught himself the Thriller dance, won a half-term holiday 'webcam' competition in St Ives, Cornwall, UK :)

His mum told reporters that she had once taken him to a dance class but it was too busy for him, so they had to leave.




(I hate that the UK tabloids are all over this nice story, just a week after they were all over the latest complaint)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5BjEPGf7V8
 
Who's Bad ?@WhosBad8 29. Oct.

Kids are dressing up like michael jackson! Isnt this so cute!! His mom told me he is Michael's biggest fan!!! His legacy lives on! ?
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Flashmob to MJ's Thriller at Home Depot
https://www.facebook.com/mskacymarie/videos/10157684365545181/


@StoneleighAc
Our amazing Drama club hosted a special Halloween assembly this afternoon,which included a very spooky version of Michael Jackson's Thriller
https://twitter.com/StoneleighAc/status/793106346904264704


Zombies and Michael Jackson invade HPD True Blue gala as reality TV cameras roll
http://houston.culturemap.com/news/...ue-blue-gala-at-tilman-fertitta-home/#slide=0


The 'invisible man' behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/17507/rod-temperton-michael-jackson-thriller


Join a Thriller flashmob at King's Cross tonight
http://www.timeout.com/london/blog/join-a-thriller-flashmob-at-kings-cross-tonight-103116


Cathy Kates Performs Michael Jackson’s Thriller Dance To Celebrate Halloween
http://kkcb.com/cathy-kates-perform...en/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


@ROMSAIM7
Spinning and Michael Jackson's Thriller are a great way to start Halloween Monday!
https://twitter.com/ROMSAIM7/status/793097119670427649


Whitesides Elementary students get into Halloween spirit with 'Thriller'
http://www.standard.net/Education/2016/10/30/Whitesides-Elementary-students.html


It has been an amazing experience to perform in the Michael Jackson "Ghosts" Tribute Show!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMM6nylD4-E/

@Boltin2013
Michael Jackson would be proud of all the "Thriller" zombies playing his music in the parade!
https://twitter.com/Boltin2013/status/792814944416829440


@A_Woods005
Davis HS dancing to Michael Jackson "Thriller" #Eat drink and think AldineISD - 3rd event today
https://twitter.com/A_Woods005/status/792470194312454145

@PhotOgden
The coolest students are at Whitesides Elementary in @DavisSchools #Thriller
https://twitter.com/PhotOgden/status/792123063303274500


@ColneTown
Helen Green's dancers wowed a big crowd in Colne Town Centre dancing the Michael Jackson's Thriller!
https://twitter.com/ColneTown/status/792361464556294145

@StJohnBosco_CS
Preparing to THRILL us on Oct. 31st! Gr. 8's learn Michael Jackson's "Thriller"!
https://twitter.com/StJohnBosco_CS/status/792147993420042240

@MrsJohnsonY6
Michael Jackson @BalladenSchool
https://twitter.com/MrsJohnsonY6/status/791982263458230272


Bring your Halloween costume & come learn a fun flashmob routine to Michael Jackson's thriller "Under the Dome" at Westfield Centre.
https://www.verlocal.com/event/west...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


@willardlibrary
Favorite lesson: teaching writing skills of setting and mood while watching Michael Jackson's #Thriller
https://twitter.com/willardlibrary/status/791720164672753664

A 'Thriller' at Raffles Place
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/a-thriller-at-raffles-place

Thiller on Amazon
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 15 in Songs (See Top 100 in Songs)

#1 in MP3 Downloads > Songs > Rock
#2 in MP3 Downloads > Songs > R&B
#3 in MP3 Downloads > Songs > Dance & Electronic

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thriller/d...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001GS9L3W


thriller.jpg
 
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Thriller (song)


iTunes:
#3 Ecuador
#6 Canada
#11 Ireland
#11 United States
#20 Portugal
#24 United Kingdom
#27 Spain
#28 Norway
#35 United States
#37 Brazil
#52 Portugal
#62 Denmark
#64 Italy
#65 Luxembourg
#66 Niger
#68 Niger
#72 Spain
#82 Ireland
#94 Egypt
#95 Belgium
#100 Australia
#100 France
#101 Netherlands
#112 Canada
#120 Austria
#136 Italy
#141 Germany
#143 United Kingdom
#145 Sweden
#147 Mozambique
#163 Mexico
#172 Estonia
#191 Brazil
#200 United Kingdom


Spotify:
#78 Ireland
#99 United Kingdom
#129 United States
#147 Canada
 
[video=youtube;m1tDqOMOao4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1tDqOMOao4[/video]

Dancer and stage performer Michael Macilwee is making a name for himself not just in the theater community, but because of his videos in which he puts on a T-Rex costume and dances to Broadway classics such as “The Music and the Mirror.” He’s even started a bit of a dancing T-Rex trend, as Sunday night a Denver Broncos cheerleader went viral for dancing dressed up as a T-Rex during a game against the San Diego Chargers.

Since there’s no better time of year than Halloween to wear a T-Rex costume, Macilwee once again called upon his tyrannosaurus alter ego, but doing something a little different this time around. Instead of dancing to a typical Broadway musical number, Macilwee instead led a dance group to Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit “Thriller.” He even has the perfect little arms and everything!

“Thriller” is a timeless creepy classic that still holds up today, nearly 35 years later, but… could it have used more dinosaurs? Being that Macilwee’s video has been viewed nearly 10,000 times in less than 24 hours, my gut is “yes.” On one hand it would be blasphemy to remake “Thriller,” but on the other hand, “Thriller” but with zombie dinosaurs? That’s an idea the internet could get behind.

http://uproxx.com/webculture/dancing-t-rex-thriller-halloween/
 
Flowers, gifts and cards at Forest Lawn with huge thanks to Silvily Thomas and her group 'Flowers for Michael'
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Stoneleigh Academy ?@StoneleighAc
Our amazing Drama club hosted a special Halloween assembly this afternoon,which included a very spooky version of Michael Jackson's Thriller

https://twitter.com/ttwnyc
Thrill The World NYC

Greg Mocker ?@gregmocker
LIVE #Thriller!! Next #NewYorkCityHalloween Parade http://www.facebook.com/mockerTV #VillageHalloweenParade
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Paris78;4172349 said:
AnaRose@mgeniusjackson

This flash mob just happened in my area & it made our local news! Michael is literally living thru everyone, so proud!#thriller
https://twitter.com/mgeniusjackson/status/791776077387599873

Pandora For Brands ‏@PandoraBrands
This is thriller, thriller night! #DidYouKnow “Thriller” by Michael Jackson had 780K+ spins last year, making it a #Halloween favorite.
Cv4FBCNVMAE1Hjb.jpg


Ben Mægenmund ‏@BennyBrick
Michael Jackson may not have one of the big Christmas songs, but he basically owns Halloween #Thriller #HappyHalloween

Actually MJ does have big Christmas songs... His Jackson 5 Christmas songs are always played every Christmas in my neck of the woods.
 
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