October 26, 2009: The Aftermath
Youtube videos of Thrill The World OC (some of these show different runs):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HgckKfdtA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2TpbQl2ctg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-f01OtYoU
Press coverage:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fans-anaheim-thriller-2622684-jackson-dance
According to the OC Register article, we started 2 minutes late. If that's true, it was the longest two minutes I have ever experienced. And yes, the delay prevented us from being counted in the global totals (aren't you all glad you aren't me right about now?). I actually spoke with Ines personally to tell her what had happened, and she was very sympathetic about the technical problems that we had. She was also extremely impressed with our turn-out, and wanted me to congratulate you all.
If it makes anyone feel any better, the event was plagued by technical problems worldwide. No one was able to get onto the conference call, and the Thrill The World website went down, preventing event managers from being able to enter their post-event details on time.
Yeah, it doesn't really make me feel any better either. But here are some things that make me very happy:
- 234 people learned to dance Thriller, many of whom had never danced before.
- A group of friends was given a voice to support their friend who is struggling with lung cancer.
- Many connections and amazing friendships were formed.
- We raised money for the City of Hope
- It was a heck of a party.
Seriously folks: you all have a lot to be proud of.
Now I know many of you really want to know what went wrong, so with that in mind:
Top ten answers to the question, "What happened to the music?"
10. Zombies chewed through the wires.
9. Once again, AT&T's 3G coverage lets us down.
8. I forget what eight was for.
7. The music WAS playing, the undead just can't hear.
6. The basketball players complained that our music was interfering with their buzzers.
5. The music was never in the balloon, it was actually hiding in the attic the whole time.
4. Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight, don't blame it on the good times: blame it on the boogie.
3. No, that button launches the missiles (on the bright side, we now have a lot more zombies for next year).
2. Our sound system was put together by the same team that built the Fantasmic dragon.
1. At precisely 5:30pm, "Thriller" started playing at the Atomic Ballroom, and no one could figure out why!
Until next time, folks…
October 24, 2009: Thrill The World is Today!
Today is the day! Not much else to say except, “see you at the American Sports Center!”
October 16, 2009: Final Week Details
There has been a critical change to the schedule for October 24! The doors will now “close” at 4:30pm (not 5:00pm as before). This means that if you want to dance, you must arrive by 4:30! Full details on The Big Event page.
Costume and Makeup Tips have been added. Please read, because there are lots of good ideas and advice! IMPORTANT: Do not use the fake blood that drips, because this will stain the floors. Use red makeup or lipstick instead.
Underage participant waiver may be downloaded and printed here.
Finally, we have worked really hard to keep this event free for everyone, so you have a few extra dollars that you can donate to the City of Hope. Please support our cause! Even a small donation is a big help!
October 3, 2009: Clippers Performance Details
There will be a Thrill The World performance at the Clippers game on October 31st. So many people wanted to be a part of this performance that they quickly had way too many. So to narrow the field they’re going to have auditions on October 10 and 17 at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach from 11am-1pm. The auditions are to help decide who knows the dance and who has the enthusiasm for such an event.
For any questions about the Clippers audition or performance, please contact Amanda at amanda@thrilltheworldlosangeles.com.
Just to clear up any confusion—the Clippers performance has nothing to do with the official Thrill The World performance on October 24. There is no audition necessary for the global Thrill The World event.
October 1, 2009: Thrill The World OC Flyer Updated
A new version of the Thrill The World OC flyer has been created to reflect the change in venue to the American Sports Center. Download it and pass it around!
September 28, 2009: New Performance Venue!
Thrill The World OC has grown so large this year that we have been forced to find a new venue for our October 24th performance. All activities on October 24 will now happen at the American Sports Center in Anaheim.
Please note that the remaining classes on October 3, October 10, and October 17 will still take place at Atomic Ballroom in Irvine. This is a location change for October 24 only.
September 27, 2009: Witnesses Needed
We are asking everyone to help us find “Witnesses” for the big event on October 24. All these people have to do is join us at 4:30 on October 24th, for about an hour, watch us dance (witnesses cannot dance) and sign a paper saying they watched us dance. They must be a “person of standing in the community,” which just means someone with a public reputation to protect. Examples are elected officials, clergy, business owners, teachers, doctors, law enforcement, firemen, etc. Email here with the name, profession, email or telephone number of anyone you can think of! We need about a dozen and we don’t have any yet!
September 25, 2009: Classes Start Tomorrow!
Just a reminder that our first class/rehearsal is tomorrow, Saturday September 26, at the Atomic Ballroom in Irvine. Class starts at 2:30pm and will run for an hour and a half. We will also be making some very important announcements so be sure to be there!
September 24, 2009: City of Hope Donations
Thrill The World Orange County collects donations for the City of Hope Cancer Foundation in cooperation with the 24-Hour Cancer Dance-A-Thon. Our donation page is now online as part of the Dance-A-Thon’s kick off week!
September 17, 2009: Thrill The World OC Flyer!
Help us build a bigger thrill! The 2009 Thrill The World OC Flyer is now available in our Multimedia section. Please print these up and distribute them at your favorite workplace/classroom/laundry room/crypt!
August 18, 2009: Schedule and Registration Posted
The rehearsal/class schedule has been posted. The rehearsals will be every Saturday from 2:30 - 4:00 starting September 26. All rehearsals will be held at Atomic Ballroom in Irvine. Please arrive 15 minutes before class as we have a lot to cover!
Pre-registration is also now open. Pre-registering is not required, but it is requested. We need to know approximately how many participants we will have this year.
June 30, 2009: Thriller Tribute at Atomic
There will be an informal performance of Thriller at the Atomic Ballroom in Irvine tonight (Tuesday, June 30) as a Tribute to the late Michael Jackson. If you know the dance, place come out and join us!
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958—June 25, 2009)
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest.
Ines (founder of Thrill the World) has confirmed that Thrill the World will go forward this year, and will take the form of a tribute to this talented and prolific artist.
The OC Register ran this article about what Michael’s passing means to his fans; it mentions Thrill the World OC, and has several quotes from our participants.
