Thrill the World

Tonight along with 80 other people in Melbourne, I'll be dressing up as a zombie and dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller. We are participating in Thrill the World; a global event that has set a couple of world records. Tonight we're hoping to break one of them (Largest performance of Thriller in multiple locations), and raise some money for 24 hour telephone counselling and crisis support service, Lifeline Australia.

Thrill the World has been happening annually since 2006, and has grown each year. Over 22,000 dancers participated last year, in 32 countries.

In Australia, Thrill the World events are occurring in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Devonport, Brisbane and Rockhampton.

In Melbourne, dancers from Anna's Go-Go Academy have been preparing for months. We learned the dance in class in stages, spread out over a few weeks. That was months ago. Since then we've been practising most weeks so the steps sink in, and many of us have been practising outside of class aided by Thrill the World instructional videos on the web.

For the last two weeks we've practised several times during class, and have been scouring op shops and rooting through cupboards to find our perfect costumes. Our generous sponsors Costume Factory, Kensington have given us a discount on zombie make up, and guidance on how best to apply it. Our other major sponsor Bella Union, home of Anna's Go-Go Academy Wednesday night classes, are allowing us to use the venue as our pre-show HQ, and are hosting the after-party.

Fundraising efforts are going well, and I have been genuinely touched by the support my friends and colleagues have been willing to provide.

In about four and half hours the months of practise will be put to the test as we get our zombie on and whip out our very best MJ action. Photographers and video camera operators will capture the performance, and then it will be all over. More than one of our number has mused aloud about whether we'll have Thriller withdrawal after tonight.

Already there is a sense of accomplishment. Most of us aren't professional dancers. We work in offices, shops and salons, and spend some of our spare time dancing for fun. But together, we've mastered a fairly complicated routine, we're raising money for a good cause, and the best part about it is the sense of working as a collective. Getting ready to Thrill the World has been so much fun; months of planning to put on a 6 minute show!



Our event manager Anna has put together a great production crew, drawing on the skills and experience within the Go-Go classes, and it's sure to be a fun evening for those who are participating, and those who are coming along to watch.

Zombie dancers all over the world will dance Thriller simultaneously. The dance time for Melbourne is 10pm; perfect for spooky dancing!

I think I speak on behalf of all over the 80+ zombie dancers participating when I say we're thrilled to be part of Thrill the World 2010.

Shamon!