Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Riverside dancers hope to break record with re-creation of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller'
Listen
1:22
Riverside dancers hope to break record with re-creation of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller'
Riverside dancers hope to break record with re-creation of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller'
Downtown Riverside is in for an early Halloween Saturday night. Hundreds, possibly thousands of dancers will try to set a world record by re-creating the choreography from Michael Jackson’s 1983 “Thriller” video.
It’s the scene where a zombified Jackson leads a troupe of the living dead through a routine that’s part “West Side Story” and part “Night of the Living Dead.”
Two teams of choreographers on flatbed trucks will lead dancers through the moves in front of Riverside’s historic downtown courthouse. The current Guinness Book of World record lists 15,000 people as the biggest number to stage a “Thriller” dance re-creation.
Organizers know they can’t top that. But they hope at least to set a Southern California record.
Anyone can sign up to dance as long as they dress as a zombie, in Michael Jackson garb or in an old t-shirt. The re-creation is being sponsored by the California Riverside Ballet.
It's also promotion for Riverside’s annual “Ghost Walk” event in October, and marks Michael Jackson’s birthday. The late entertainer would have turned 52 years old on Sunday.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
