By Tommy Pittenger / The Register-Guard
Each year, at the same time, groups of dancers around the world gyrate and lurch to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” clad in the zombie makeup and attire that dominated the original Jackson music video.
The Eugene group began rehearsals on Aug. 18 and will continue to meet twice each week, from noon to 2 p.m. on Sundays and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Downtown Athletic Club until the October event.
Sandy Caughron teaches the “Thriller” dance moves to the Eugene zombie horde twice each week during the preparation for the event. She started the Eugene group last year with her friend, Margo Jennings.
Caughron said she has no training in dance, but still loves how people coalesce around “Thriller” dancing.
“The part that was especially fun was watching 88 people our very first week show up — most of them had no dance background — and start learning how to dance, how to move and how to do ‘Thriller,’ ” she said. “We just saw lights go off in peoples eyes as they checked that off on their bucket list.”
Dan Stephens moved to Eugene a year ago and met Caughron and Jennings when they were planning the “Thrill the World” Eugene.
He said he has taught the “Thriller” dance for three years and performed it for five.
“It was kind of coincidental that I moved here right when they were wanting to start ‘Thrill the World’ Eugene,” he said. “I got introduced to them and we’ve been friends ever since.”
The group learns the dance in segments, to a slowed-down version of the original song, he said.
“The first year I performed ‘Thriller’ I was instantly hooked,” he said. “It’s just in my blood. It’s a lot fun.”
Each year’s event raises money for charity.
The Eugene group donates to ShelterCare, a Lane County nonprofit agency that offers shelter and support to families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and adults who have a mental illness or a brain injury.
The agency fills a big gap in Lane County, Caughron said.
“We are very pleased for the second year in a row to be collecting funds during all of our practices towards ShelterCare,” she said. “ShelterCare is so vital to the glue holding our community together.”
Caughron said the group will stage a flash mob at 6:30 p.m. on Friday during the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Eugene. They will start at Jacobs Gallery next to the Hilton Plaza and then move to Kesey Square at Broadway and Willamette Street.
Participants can sign up at www.meetup.com/eugenethriller .
Source: registerguard / By Tommy Pittenger / MJ-Upbeat.com
Article: http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/30400159-75/eugene-dance-thriller-group-caughron.html.csp
Michael Jackson is without a doubt the king. Every time i listen his records i feel as he is still alive. Certainly one of the best pop music stars ever!