Re: Weekend News Bytes for April 4-6, 2008 (update for April 5 on post #18)
Michael Jackson News for April 6, 2008:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/17335154.html
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Residents in
Wayne Newton's neighborhood are abuzz over sightings of
Michael Jackson and his family. Word is he is renting. Jackson returned to Las Vegas late last year and spent more than three months in a Palms suite before moving out last month.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/04/06/news/top/1b21cf3f3dd4170d86257423000bd166.txt
Students attempt 'Thriller' record
By Molly Montag Journal staff writer
VERMILLION, S.D. -- Students at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion worked up a sweat this weekend trying to break a world record and raise money for a good cause.
The students -- 123 to be exact -- got their groove on in the Vermillion High School gymnasium to try to break the world record for the largest number of people to successfully complete the steps to Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
Many of them soon came to a stark realization -- Thriller is a really long song. Learning all the steps for the 6-minute song was a challenge, said 20-year-old Jeremy Nebelsick.
"I don't stay focused very well," said Nebelsick, a business finance student from Huron, S.D.
On command, everyone laid down in a circle in the center of the gym. As the beat started thumping, they slowly stood up as the music grew louder.
Soon they were stomping, twisting, snapping, shaking their hips and shimmying to the music.
The world record attempt, which must be verified by the Guinness Book of World Records, was part of the school's annual Dance Marathon festivities.
Dance Marathon raises money for Children's Miracle Network, which funds children's hospitals and research.
Thriller might seem like an obscure record, but several groups recently attempted the record and others are planning attempts later in the year. Multiple groups claim in online postings to have the record, but one of the Vermillion event's organizers, Ben Struyk, 22, said the students were trying to break a 62-person mark set last year in Toronto, Canada.
Before the event, Struyk had confidence USD students would pull through.
"It's kind of on the fly, but I think a lot of people like it," said Struyk, a senior marketing student from Omaha.
Record-breaking is serious business. Students had to find two independent advisers to watch, witnesses and sign in every student who participated. They also planned to videotape and photograph the event.
All the material will be forwarded to Guinness Book of World Record officials.
Although Thriller was for fun, the university's Dance Marathon effort was for a good cause. The event annually raises about $30,000 for Children's Miracle Network. More than $230,000 since its 1997 inception at the Vermillion campus.
USD alumna Becky Evans, who graduated in May, and her family spoke to students before they attempted the record. Evans, as well as her older brother, were both treated at a Children's Hospital of Omaha.
Evans' mother, Jeanette, thanked the students for their efforts, saying her family has seen first-hand the difference money donated to Children's Miracle Network makes at local hospitals.
"We couldn't be more proud of what you do and we couldn't be more grateful," said Jeanette Evans.
http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=24191
Students At USD Attempt To Break World Record
While some students were putting their brains to work on Saturday, others on the U-S-D campus practiced some fancy footwork for a good cause, Children's Miracle Network.
This isn't your average fundraiser, a world record is also on the line, and students are having quite the "thriller" trying to beat it.
Start off with some attitude, add a bit of sass, and a whole lot of fun, but these students are pro's and make it seem easier than it is.
Larry kliphel says, "It's hard because it's a Michael Jackson dance so it's not exactly the easiest thing ever."
Alison Eggee says, "It's very unique."
As part of their 24-hour dance marathon over 100 students are attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people to dance together to the song Thriller. The current record is 78.
Larry Kliphel says, "We take a lot of pride in our marathon and that's something we really wanted."
Perhaps the best part of the marathon though is helping kids and raising money for Children's Miracle Network.
Alison Eggee says, "We recruit dancers from school throughout the year and ask them to raise $100 a piece."
Larry Kliphel says, "And then that money is delivered out as they need it for food, gas lodging."
So why not have a "thrill" while helping out? These students are.
Larry Kliphel says, "And we just keep people pumped up and incorporate all that into one so it's pretty cool."
So while they may not be simple moves for some, they're making a difference for others.
Last year, Dance Marathon raised more than $38,000 for CMN.
In case you were wondering the U-S-D dancers are on track to hold the record for most people dancing to Thriller. It was previously set by Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois.
http://www.charlotte.com/entertainment/columnists/sarah_aarthun/story/568594.html
25 years later, Jackson still thrilling
SARAH AARTHUN
Dishing It out
Lately, it seems as though you can't avoid hearing the familiar opening chords of
Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
On TV, on the radio, on iTunes.
But it's not the '80s anymore -- it's 2008 -- and pop music's biggest-selling album of all time is back in the spotlight this year as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of a cultural icon.
No longer is Michael Jackson the man relevant. In fact, he's become a joke. A favorite punch line of late-night comedians and endless fodder for celebrity gossip bloggers.
But his music is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago.
In the past two months, consider these places where "Thriller" has been referenced:
• MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" dedicated an entire episode to Jackson's videos from the "Thriller" album.
• One of the more memorable Super Bowl commercials this year was the SoBe ad where lizards dance to "Thriller" with
Naomi Campbell.
• An XM radio station was created in March devoted solely to the "Thriller" album.
• Jackson's sister
Janet couldn't avoid questions about the monumental album while trying to promote her latest effort on "Larry King Live" last month.
• Rapper
Rick Ross released "Trilla" in March, inspired by Jackson's album.
• And perhaps most telling, the music video for "Thriller" was the No. 5 most popular music video on iTunes last week.
Jackson re-released "Thriller" in February with bonus tracks from
Akon and
Alicia Keys among others -- mere babies when the original, which won eight Grammys, was released.
I myself was still in diapers when the album came out.
But that's the thing about Michael's music -- it transcends generations.
My 20-something friends and I are still the first people on the dance floor when the bass line of "Beat It" comes on at any club.
Looking forward to the 50th anniversary, Michael.
Michael Jackson Mentionings for April 6, 2008:
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/04/06/entertainment/doc47f833148d4f4010469470.txt
Coors did her homework for this role. She watched the movie and countless MTV videos. She talked to her parents about the days of old.
Back then, Michael Jackson thrilled the masses with his moon walk, girls had big hair, Don Johnson was “Miami Vice” cool and jellybeans were Starbucks coffee hot.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/040608/KIR_BG90SCKU.BRW.php
Just what does it take to get a great game around here?
You know, something good enough to inspire Michael Jackson to greatness? Or even just a game like Western Kentucky and Drake gave us back in the first round - 200 points, with the winning 3-pointer in the air at the buzzer - but with players headed to the NBA?
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/NEWS01/804060379/1006
To keep things interesting for participants, different dance themes are set up throughout the marathon.
Between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. a haunted trail was set up so folks could dance to a theme inspired by Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
For eight years, money from this event has been raised for the Embrace Kids Foundation.
Michael Jackson HIStory for April 6, 2008:
1997 - The Michael Jackson film "Captain EO" had its final show at Disneyland.
2005 - Michael Jackson attended the funeral of Johnnie Cochran Jr. Jackson's former attorney had died March 29th of an inoperable brain tumor
not really! but I hope you're right
