PRESS RELEASE
For release: ASAP (Date today: 21/08/09)
New World Record – Largest Thriller Dance in Leicester
Fans of Michael Jackson’s Thriller are nearing completion of their preparation to smash the Guinness World Record; to have the most people simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in one place. The event will take place on Saturday 29th August on what would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st Birthday.
The attempt will take place in Orton Square outside Curve Theatre in Leicester at 10am and is expected to be a real spectacle with hundreds of dancers dressing up as zombies. Dancers from as far as Italy and France are expected to take part. French impersonator Ben Jack’son, who is considered one of the world’s best Michael Jackson dance-a-likes says, “I am very happy to come to England and be part of this wonderful event. It’s also very nice to be asked to lead the dance.”
Participants are being encouraged to get sponsorship for their favourite charities. Dancers hope to demonstrate that even after Michael Jackson’s death they can continue to celebrate his music whilst supporting worthy causes; something that was close to Michael Jackson’s heart. Organisers hope that thousands of pounds will be raised for good causes. Fairytales 18,72, Asian Foundation for Philanthropy and Water Aid are the official NGOs that the organisers are promoting.
One of the organisers Anand Bhatt says, “When we planned this event in April, we were intending to bring different communities together. Music and dance is such a powerful way of bringing people together. Free Thriller dance workshops have been held at Desi Masti studios in Leicester all summer to get people to take part. But also many more dance organisations in New Parks, Peepul Centre, Bede Island and Saffron have also been offering free dance workshops. The dance sessions for many are also a workout helping to tackle diabetes, heart disease and obesity.”
At present, the world record is held by the College of William and Mary students in Williamsburg in Eastern Virginia in America with 242 participants. Organisers for the Leicester Guinness World Record attempt have already signed up 400 people to take part in the event. Sponsor Vic Sethi of Anand International says, “It’s wonderful to see so many people getting together with a common purpose. I wanted to get involved because I feel that businesses should make an investment in the community in which they operate.”
People can learn the Thriller routine online by joining the “Desi Masti” Facebook group. The tutorial videos made for this event are designed to help people new to dance and new to Thriller to learn the routine.
