Hundreds of dancing zombies will converge at Redmond Town Center later this month for a worldwide event — and you could be one of them.
The third annual “Thrill the World” dance and benefit event is set to lurch its way back to the town center Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Center Street Plaza.
The six-minute, seven-second dance is a simultaneous global event where people dress up like zombies and dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
There will be lots of fun for zombies of all ages beginning at 4:30 p.m. with the “Thrill the World” dance starting promptly at 7 p.m.
The event drew more than 200 dancers, ranging in ages of 8 to 76 last year. For the third straight year anyone can learn the dance moves and join in on the stomping fun, thanks to Teresa Osborn, an international dance instructor for City of Redmond Parks and Recreation and organizer of Redmond Zombies.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Redmond resident Kate Julin, who along with her Redmond friend are enrolled in Osborn’s dance workshops leading up to the big dance. “We are going for the white look with the white gloves. We are going to do wigs too — something really wild.”
Osborn, who grew up in Great Britain listening and dancing to Jackson’s music, is leading $5 workshops demonstrating how to do the famous “Thriller” dance.
The workshops will be held at the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE, at 10 a.m. this Saturday and next. In addition, a final workshop will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. The cost to participate in the “Thrill the World” dance is $10, with all the proceeds from the event going to children’s educational programs at SecondStory Repertory, which is located at the town center.
“The whole event is meant to raise money for charity,” Osborn said.
As for the dance moves, Osborn makes them easy and fun, according to Julin.”I think Teresa could teach any kind of dance to anybody,” Julin said. “She is just motivated, positive and fun.”
Osborn said she makes the dance easy to learn by breaking it down into eight sections — some of which are repeatable.
“I can break it down right down to the last little beat,” Osborn said.
Dance lessons will not be provided on the day of the “Thrill of the World” event so interested participants are encouraged to attend the $5 workshop. Visit www.RedmondZombies.com for details and to sign up.
In 2009, 22,596 dancers around the world participated in this simultaneous “Thriller” dance phenomenon with more than 300 doing the dance at the town center.
Each of the past two years, more than 2,000 spectators have watched and cheered on the dancers, according to Osborn.
This year, Osborn is hoping for some those spectators to become dancers. She said she has a high goal of 1,000 dancers for this year’s event.
Corey McDaniel, education director for SecondStory Rep, said the event is meant to connect residents in a fun, fashionable way.
“Everyone loves an excuse to dress up,” McDaniel said with a smile.
Costumed actors from SecondStory Repertory also got on in the fun during past events and will do so again this year. The event will once again feature a costume contest.
The event will also feature live entertainment and Osborn said she is working to get the town center businesses more involved this year.
Volunteers are also needed to help on the day of the event. For more information about the upcoming event, call (425) 861-6729 or visit www.RedmondZombies.com. To see a promotional video of the event, click here.
