Cal Lutheran hosts zombie 'Thriller' dance

Public invited to join worldwide simultaneous event

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People are invited to come dressed as zombies. 

Photo: Karin Grennan

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 18, 2016) Zombies will invade the California Lutheran University campus in Thousand Oaks in the name of charity on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The public is invited to dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” during Thrill the World Thousand Oaks 2016, one of hundreds of synchronized performances throughout the world. All participants in the annual event are tallied in an effort to set world records for the largest simultaneous dance.

The party begins at noon on the lawn next to the Swenson Center. Students will teach the dance from noon to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers will also apply zombie makeup to participants. People are invited to come dressed as zombies. Children can make Halloween crafts. Refreshments will be available.

The music for the official performance will cue at 3 p.m.

The event is part Michael Jackson tribute and part charity fundraiser. Cal Lutheran’s Introduction to Dance class is presenting it for free, but donations will be accepted for World Dance for Humanity. The Santa Barbara–based organization supports community and small business development in Rwanda and contributes relief funds to disaster areas.

The first Thrill the World took place in Toronto in 2006 with 62 dancers. The next year it spread to five continents. Cal Lutheran has participated annually since 2014. The global event is both a celebration of Jackson’s talent and a push to bring together people of all religions, races, political persuasions and economic levels. 

The Swenson Center is located at 141 Faculty Street. 

For more information, contact Barbara Wegher-Thompson at wegher@callutheran.edu or 805-241-8515.

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