Cal Lutheran hosts zombie 'Thriller' dance

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 9, 2018) For the fifth year in a row, zombies will invade the California Lutheran University campus in the name of charity as part of the synchronized performances across the globe known as Thrill the World.

The public is invited to dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at Thrill the World Thousand Oaks 2018 on the university’s Thousand Oaks campus on Saturday, Oct. 27. The party begins at noon in Kingsmen Park. Students will teach the dance from noon to 2:30 p.m., and volunteers will 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. All participants in the annual event are tallied in an effort to set world records for the largest simultaneous dance. 

An optional “Thriller” dance class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 20, in the dance studio of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center.

“Thrill the World” is part Michael Jackson tribute and part charity fundraiser. Cal Lutheran’s Department of Theatre and Danceis presenting the Thousand Oaks events for free, but donations will be accepted for the Rwanda Education Fund administered by Santa Barbara-based World Dance for Humanity. 

The first Thrill the World took place in Toronto in 2006 with 62 dancers. The next year it spread to five continents. It strives to bring together people of all religions, races, political persuasions and economic levels.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to Ullman Commons 100/101. Cal Lutheran is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

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