You have reached the 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' photo & video gallery at...
www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com
(this site is frightfully maintained by
Terry Chasteen's International DanceSPORT & Entertainment ,
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com , www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com ,
Contact: TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com,
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com or
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com)
202-462-0870

Sat morning, Sept 12th -
'Michael Jackson's Thriller' Television Show taping for cable TV-16.

Visit the calendar of The Washington DC 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' Dance Meetup at
http://dance.meetup.com/336/ for details.

Join us Out On The Dance Floor!! again on Halloween! a

 

 

AND THANK YOU!
to so many of you who took the time to commemorate Michael's passing by coming
in to learn 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' over the June 26th weekend. I can't think of a
better way to honor him than to learn how to dance like him, though none of us will ever
even come close. This is not the end, however .... we'll be doing this most Sat mornings as
a class warm-up at 10:00AM and on Sundays between 8:30PM & 9:00PM as part of the weekly
Washington DC Michael Jackson's Thriller Meetup Group
('Michael Jackson's Thriller' dance class at the Chevy Chase Ballroom on YouTube)
www.youtube.com/user/DCTanguera

'Michael Jackson's Thriller' workshops and class warm-ups will continue to learn more of this this one-of-a-kind dance routine.
Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com or www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com for any additions in days or times above and beyond the 10:00AM Saturday morning class warm-up before our beginner Salsa class (taught by Mein at 10:30AM) and the 'Dancing Kids' Network' Ballroom, Latin & Swing classes at 10:30AM (taught by Terry and additional associate teachers).

Below are three results in video from the June 26th weekend:

(1) VIDEO Michael Jackson "Thriller" Sat morning dance class at the Chevy Chase Ballroom on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DCTanguera
Saturday, June 27th, 2009.

(2) VIDEO Featured WUSA channel 9 News Video with Terry & Nicole on Friday, June 25th. Now seen on WUSA9.com.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller on Channel 9, Friday June 25th, 2009 (1.15 minutes - type Michael Jackson's Thriller into the search request of the channel 9 videos)
http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?menuid=138

(3) VIDEO Latest Videos now posted on WUSA9.com, including Terry teaching and Terry & Nicole dancing on June 25th, 2009 (5.25 minutes). Now available at WUSA9.com.
http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?menuid=138
Learn the dance from “Thriller”.
"Digital correspondent Lindsey Mastis found a man who has spent many years teaching the 'Thriller' dance".

Location: The Chevy Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center, 5207 Wisc Ave NW, Washington DC 20015
(1/2 block South of the Jennifer St exit of the Friendship Heights red line Metro above Paul's Liquor at Harrison & Wisconsin).
Contact: Terry Chasteen, TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com, TerryChasteen@yahoo.com, 202-462-0870.

Isn't it time to STOP WATCHING all the fun....and START HAVING IT?!!

 

 

(Scroll down through the "Michael Jackson's Thriller" photo gallery below or click on the full ..
moon above for ongoing events where you can learn the "Michael Jackson's Thriller" dance routine. Or...you may
watch video links of dancers doing "Michael Jackson's Thriller" online plus updates on the next 2008 "Thrill The
World" attempt at a syncronized dance Guinness record while dancing "Michael Jackson's Thriller" around the globe...
.... start preparing TODAY!). Also visit the Home page of www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com,
Click on the "Home" or "Dance Schedules" links of the menu above for training and dance events in all of the
Social & competitive Ballroom, Salsa & Rueda, Swing, Argentine Tango, Disco/Hustle, Country/Western, Latin,
Brazilian Samba dances and more.

Join The Washington DC
Michael Jackson's Thriller'
Dance Meetup Group

And for additional information, contact:

Terry Chasteen
International DanceSPORT and Entertainment
We provide the most professional and authentic dance entertainment available throughout Metropolitan Washington DC.
Plus we offer easy, flexible and fun instruction for the entire family in every style of social dance from around the globe...
that ANYONE can afford.
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com
TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com
202-462-0870

www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
www.DanceSportOfAmerica.com
www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com
www.DanceAtYourWeddingWorkshops.com
www.TheDancingKidsNetwork.com
www.MichaelJackonsThriller.com
www.Learn-to-Dance-athon.org
www.DancingWithTheDCStars.info
(www.OutOnTheDanceFloor.org)
(the web site for the annual "Out on The Dance Floor Charity Ball" plus monthly "So You Think You Can Dance DC" and "Dancing with the DC Stars" mini-dance competitions (plus occasional "Dancing With The AC/DC Stars" mini-comps for same-gender couples...any orientation, just of the same gender) in all styles open to anyone ..... so join us "Out on The Dance Floor")

 

Join us Out On The Dance Floor!!
Our next Chevy Chase Ballroom Dance-&-Learn Party dates throughout 2008 (starting at 7pm and at 8pm on certain Fridays and on the evenings of holidays):

Dance-&-Learn Party Dates:

*(see details below)

welcome.....

to the 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' photo & video gallery

You may proceed with caution..... at your own risk, of course....

But before you do proceed onto this page, do yourself a favor and purchase your very own copy of this classic one-of-it's-kind dance and music phenomenon through the links below. The YouTube links are also included to Michael Jackson's numerous other insertions where you can watch many of his DVD performances from this and other albums. But there's nothing like actually owning and watching in high quality and resolution the complete DVD performance of this incredible and very much ahead-of-it's time #1 album, 'Thriller'. Also available for purchase is the Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary Album of 'Thriller' (click here).

 

You are about to enter the frightening world of

 

Have you not always wanted to learn that ghoulish dance routine
since the first time you ever saw it?

Well for those who DARE, your TIME has COME!...

 

And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver...
For no mere mortal can resist
The Evil of...
The 'Thriller'…

Purchase your own copy through the links below to own and watch the complete performance of this incredible
and very much ahead-of-it's time #1 album, in addition to the Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller.

(1) Michael Jackson - Video Greatest Hits - HIStory (1995)
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Video-Greatest-HIStory/dp/B00005A1T1/ref=pd_bbs_7?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1213685560&sr=8-7

Michael Jackson - Video Greatest Hits - HIStory (1995)
http://www.sonymusicstore.com/store/c/Michael-Jackson/LT_talent=5542/Video-Greatest-Hits-History/DVD/LT_sku=28997/

(2) Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller (Deluxe Casebook Edition) [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Anniversary-Thriller-Casebook/dp/B001041JLE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213685560&sr=8-2

Purchase your own copy online of this still #1 top-selling classic album, even after 25 years,
in addition to Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller(Deluxe Casebook Edition) and other
phenomenal performes by THEE icon of pop music and dance,
Michael Jackson
(Click here)

Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com to learn 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' as well as all of the social
Ballroom, Salsa & Rueda, Swing, International & American style Latin, Disco/Hustle, Country/Western, Argentine Tango
and more dances taught during our ongoing weekly dance classes, Sunday Salsa & Rueda and Argentine Tango Socials,
monthly and special holiday Dance-&-Learn Parties, plus numerous upcoming social dance events in and around metropolitan
Washington DC. We soon hope to have a complete video to post on YouTube of learning the authentic "Michael Jackson's Thriller"
dance routine as envisioned on the original video, along with similarities and differences in the video characters. This will NOT be a
watered down or altered version as is often chosen, but instead the choreography that is truly genuine and authentic from the 1982 original.

Join The Washington DC
"Michael Jackson's Thriller"
Dance Meetup Group

Though not as clear and bright as the DVD, watch the routine personally submitted by
Michael Jackson on YouTube at:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8&mode=related&search=

This full mini-movie version submitted by Michael Jackson, including credits and tag (13 min / 41 sec)
(Then go online to Sony.com and purchase the "Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History"
DVD. It includes all of the incredible top-selling "Thriller" album performances
and will be by far the best $11.98 you've ever spent)

Michael Jackson-Thriller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Michael Jackson Thriller
(C) 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.
Added: March 11, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3vJHdunkyo
Thriller - (Almost) Full Version ...dance and complete music version including credits and tag (9 min / 56 sec)
This is probably the highest quality version available on YouTube...submitted by shibuya222

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBaoTe_nfiw
Thriller - Michael Jackson ... dance and complete music version including credits and tag (9 min / 31 sec)
(You may have to play this one twice. The timing to the music is often off the first time around but OK the second)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_f76PJ4P8g
mickael jackson thriller ... dance only version (2 min / 10 sec, slightly off the music the first time)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BovN4Mq3Ips
DC "Thriller" routine
at Washington DC's Union Station during "Dance DC Festival 2007" - created by Mein
Terry teaching his version of the prelude to the original version of
"Michael Jackson's Thriller" using the radio CD music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgA1unriAvI
Michael Jackson toured with his children to Washington DC!!
plus Terry teaching and dancing "Thriller" with Fox 5 reporter
Sarah Simmons on YouTube- submitted by Bluemeli2007

 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=E178BD4C49087E98D5C1BFA1B7D120DC?contentId=4790768&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Another incredibly fun "Michael Jackson's Thriller" training session took place on Halloween morning, 2007 with some of the anchors and weather guys taught live on Fox 5 DC, including Terry teaching Gurvir (who incidently kept saying how bad she was at dancing...just look at her!...), Bob, Tony, Steve and Tucker. We had such a ball doing this.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RYrUQItmW4s
Michael Jackson Thriller ... Live 1987 (4 min / 14 sec)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Xh8x0D8JQ
Marine Thriller Dance
(The best friend of ambermg, Cory out in Iraq doing Michael Jacksons Thriller. This guy is hilarious.
He had a lot of it right, but the directions of the turns are all backward. A fun, fun video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5EhXGbnkPk
Thriller Dance
(A group of York University students perform Michael Jackson's Thriller!
The submitter is the one in the suspenders)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gi3wV8ebogQ
Final Fantasy THRILLER - animated female version
(Extremely rare video of the Final Fantasy: Spirits Within cast doing the thriller dance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H6mmTvDUdA
1500 Filipino inmates dance "Michael Jackson's Thriller" (4 min / 28sec)

 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0A0C3C02921157BF5B5539FAA0D62EC2?contentId=3824950&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Terry Chasteen teaching and dancing "Michael Jackson's Thriller" and the Moonwalks (photos below) to Fox 5 News reporter Sarah Simmons on July 19, 2007 using the CD version of 'Thriller' and turning many of the moves that Michael danced around Ola Ray down the graveyard path into a line dance. Unlike the DVD version of 'Thriller', this is the CD version of the music that all of the clubs will play night after night during the month of Halloween. Also included is some sign language for the benefit of the kids who Terry teaches this routine to, plus a lesson for Sarah Simmons in the "Moonwalk". Parts of this taping wound up on Fox 5 News during 3 or 4 segments on July 19th and 20th. Sarah did a GREAT job in so little time, considering that it took Terry and accomplished dancer friend Alex 2 to 3 months to perfect the complete choreography from the DVD. By the way, this is only about 1/3 of the full routine and only includes the original choreography of the first & second choruses. The main routine is MUCH longer and more complicated as can be seen in the other YouTube videos. When playing the cd version of the music, the rest of the routine can be danced during the Vincent Price rap after slinking around and hanging out for four phrases of music from where this segment ends.

Sarah Simmons's Dance Lessons
While searching for the King of Pop in DC Thursday, Fox 5's Sarah Simmons took some lessons to
learn the Thriller dance and the Moonwalk. Watch the extended highlights right here on www.myfoxdc.com.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/about_us/Sarah_Simmonss_Dance_Lessons

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=E178BD4C49087E98D5C1BFA1B7D120DC?contentId=4790768&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

NEW "THRILLER" TRAINING CLASSES ADDED BEFORE OCT 27 MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER DANCE-&-LEARN HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR THOSE NEEDING A CRASH COURSE BEFOREHAND

New class times have been posted at www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com and on the www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Dance-&-Learn Party page to learn the "Michael Jackson's Thriller" routine at the Chevy Chase Ballroom, 5207 Wisc Ave., NW. "Thriller" class times now include Thurs evening at 6pm and 10:00pm, Sat at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 5pm to brush up just before the "Thrill The World" performance begins at 6:00 [the fee for the 5pm Sat class is included in the $5.00 fee for those attending the "Thrill The World" performance at 6pm and can be deducted from the $12.00 admission for those staying for the Dance-&-Learn party immediately following..

 

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT MICHARL JACKSON'S THRILLER DANCE-&-LEARN PARTIES FOUND AT WWW.PLEASEDANCEWITHME.COM
(WE WILL ALWAYS TEACH "MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER" WHENEVER REQUESTED)

Michael Jackson's Thriller
Dance-&-Learn Parties
(New training and practice times available in advance at www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com,)

Assistance available throughout the evening by request in any of the dances,
PLUS
"So You Think You Can Dance DC" & "Dancing with the DC Stars"
mini-dance competitions in several dance styles and costume contests at 7pm open to everyone
(winners are chosen by audience applause, so invite all of your most loud and
obnoxious friends and family members),


For Halloween, Zombie and non-Zombie Halloween costume contests plus a Michael Jackson's Thriller contest for the best "Thriller" performance (winners of all contests are chosen by audience applause, so this is the perfect time to finally invite all of your loudest and most obnoxious friends and family members that you usually try to avoid) ... hopefully we may also include Salsa and Cha Cha performances by "The Dancing Kids' Network", plus practice & PLENTY of social dancing to music of all types by request...(including Usher, Mary J Blige, Nelly's "Hot In Here" along with my Nelly's "Hot In Here" Hip Hop Moves from "Head Of State") and anything else that we can fit in by the time the last train pulls out of Friendship Heights on Sunday morning...

 

You've been watching
"So You Think You Can Dance"
on Fox 5
and
"Dancing with the Stars"
on ABC,
...now is the time for YOU to
"BECOME ONE OF THOSE STARS"...
"Out on The Dance Floor"!....

It's time to "STOP WATCHING" all the fun....and "START HAVING IT"!...

 

Michael Jackson's Thriller
Dance-&-Learn Parties

Michael Jackson's Thriller Dance-&-Learn Halloween Party
until 1:00am, including mini-classes & dancing in Ballroom, Salsa, Latin, Swing,
Disco/Hustle, Argentine Tango & more from 7pm to 1:00am (or later...),

plus

"So You Think You Can Dance DC" & "Dancing with the DC Stars"
mini-dance competitions to music from "DreamGirls", "Hairspray", "Dirty Dancing" and more, to include:

(Videos of performances to most of these songs can be seen on the Dance-&-Learn Party page)
(A) Foxtrot to the Oscar-nominated song "I love You I do" by Jennifer Hudson from 'DreamGirls'
(B) American Rumba to "Good Morning Baltimore" By Nikki Blonsky from 'HAIRSPRAY'
(C) Salsa to Vivir Lo Nuestro by Marc Anthony & La India (my favorite and one of the most popular Salsa performances of all time)
(D) A possible "Disco/Salsa" performance by the 10 to 12-year-old ladies of "The Dancing Kids' Network" and their adult dance partners to "One Night Only" by Beyonce' from 'DreamGirls'.
(E) A possible "Cha Cha" performance by the incredibly talented 10 to 14-year-old ladies and gentlemen of "The Dancing Kids' Network" to "Nena" by Paulina Rubio and Miguel Bose'.
(F) Two Step to "Just to See You Smile" by Tim McGraw
(G) Swing to "The Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefanie
(H) International Rumba to "4 In The Morning" by Gwen Stefani
(I) and Disco/Hustle to "Last Dance" by Donna Summer

All contests are open to everyone, plus we'll have Zombie and non-Zombie Halloween costume contests and a Michael Jackson's Thriller contest for the best "Thriller" performance (winners of all contests are chosen by audience applause, so this is the perfect time to finally invite all of your loudest and most obnoxious friends and family members) ... hopefully we may include Salsa and Cha Cha performances by "The Dancing Kids' Network", plus practice & PLENTY of social dancing to music of all types by request...(Usher, Mary J Blige, Nelly's "Hot In Here" to include my Hip Hop Moves from "Head Of State" and more...).
Visit www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com or
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
for details as they become available. Click on the Dance-&-Learn Party link or contact TerryChasteen@yahoo.com with any questions....

Snacks and refreshments will be available as always during all of our Chevy Chase Ballroom Dance-&-Learn Parties (including Terry's infamous pie right from the oven with ice cream). No previous dance experience or partner is necessary as all who attend are always beginners in one dance or another and partners will switch throughout the event. Lastly, if we get enough of the Sambistas to RSVP in advance, we may even convince my incredibly talented Brazilian associate teacher, Danielle Areco from Sao Paulo to do a Brazilian Carnaval Samba, Pagode, Gafieira or AXE mini-class or a knock-out Brazilian Samba performance in costume (www.BrazilLatino.com).

Don't just lie around the house & yard all day long on Sunday.....

DANCE!!

During our weekly

Including classes

EVERY SUNDAY:
Beginner & intermediate Ballroom, V Waltz, Mambo, 2 Step & Swing from 1-4PM,
Beginner, intermediate & advanced Salsa & Rueda classes from 4PM-7PM.
Beginner and intermediate/advanced Tango classes
from 7pm-8:00pm followed by social dancing (including Thriller).

(click here for Tango details)

 

Keep checking back as Danielle Areco and Brazil Latino Events at www.BrazilLatino.com, along wth Terry Chasteen's "International DanceSPORT and Entertainment" at www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com co-host an upcoming February, 2008

"Spirit of Carnaval Tour"

to Rio de Janeiro for the "Best of the Best" finals of Carnaval, 2008
Dates: from February 7th through February 11th

As an authentic Brazilian from Sao Paulo and an expert on the Brazilian culture and dance of this incredibly musical country, Danielle will provide us with more fun and entertainment during the complete event than one could ever imagine. If you've never been to Carnaval and have always wanted the opportunity to go, this is your chance. Package information will be available soon.

Our Dance-&-Learn Parties are the PERFECT! way to celebrate Birthdays, Anniversaries and other Special Events.

ADMISSION: $5.00 for those just attending the "Thrill The World" performance from 5:30pm to 7pm to just cover renting the studio to close it from private coaching and other teaching while "Thrill The World" is taking place. This $5.00 may also be applied to the $12.00 per person admission for any and all parts of the "Thrill The World" Michael Jackson's Thriller Dance-&-Learn Halloween Party (including mini-classes, refreshments, Terry's infamous pie from the oven with ice cream, mini-Dance classes and mini-Dance competitions in a number of the social Ballroom, Latin & Swing dances, performances plus plenty of PRACTICE AND GENERAL DANCING in any one or all dance styles of both studios) plus $10.00 for full-time students. $2.00 discount available for those who RSVP by email in advance to TerryChasteen@yahoo.com to help determine the amount of food to purchase. Each discounted person must send their email address to TerryChasteen@Yahoo.com. Each will then receive a return RSVP discount admission email copy to present at the door (you must bring the returned RSVP email copy to qualify for any discounts so we can avoid long lines looking through laundry lists of names and so we know how much food, etc is needed in advance). Please join us on October 27th Out On The Dance Floor!

We will also be teaching "Michael Jackson's Thriller" at all of the
upcoming Dance-&-Learn Parties by request
at the Chevy Chase Ballroom

and every Sunday by request during

after 8:30pm.

New class times have been posted at www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com and on the www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Dance-&-Learn Party page to learn the "Michael Jackson's Thriller" routine at the Chevy Chase Ballroom, 5207 Wisc Ave., NW. "Thriller" class times now include Thurs evening at 6pm and 10:00pm, Sat at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 5pm to brush up just before the "Thrill The World" performance begins at 6:00 [the fee for the 5pm Sat class is included in the $5.00 fee for those attending the "Thrill The World" performance at 6pm and can be deducted from the $12.00 admission for those staying for the Dance-&-Learn party immediately following..

 

All training classes and practice sessions are held at the
Chevy Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center,
5205/5207 Wisc Ave., NW,
Washington DC 20015

ADMISSION: Admission for all "Michael Jackson's Thriller" training and practice classes is the same as for all Chevy Chase Ballroom classes; $12.00 drop-in for non-students, $10.00 for full-time students with full-time ID, $95.00 per 10-class dance card for non-students and $75.00 per 10-class dance card for full-time students. The 10-Class Dance cards are also good toward any PleaseDanceWithMe.com classes at the Chevy Chase Ballroom throughout the week taught by Terry in all of the social dances, Danielle Areco in Ballroom & Latin plus Salsa & Brazilian Samba, Mein in Salsa & Rueda, SAOCO DC in Salsa Rueda on Sundays and Arnaud & Bella in Argentine Tango on Sundays.

Contact: TerryChasteen@yahoo.com
Ph 202-462-0870
(Located above Paul's Liquor, 1/2 block South of the southernmost
Jennifer St. exit of the Friendship Heights red line Metro)

You WILL plan to come to our next
' Michael Jackson's Thriller' Halloween dance party...

and if you refuse....

 

...then I'll get you, my pretties!...

...and your little dog, too!!!

Purchase your own copy at Sony online and watch the complete performance of this incredible
and very much ahead-of-it's time #1 album,
"Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History"

Michael Jackson
"Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History"
ideo Greatest Hits - History"

Thank you!
for visiting the Photo Gallery
of Michael Jackson's
'Thriller'
at
www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com

Also, click on the following graphics for information on events to learn segments of....

The 'Thriller'

during:

The 4th Saturday of each month at the monthly

with 2 levels of mini-classes, plus dancing...
Please plan to join us every 4th Saturday of each month for a fun-filled evening
of practice and dancing for all levels. Several teachers will be available each week for your assistance.

*******************************************

during
Dancing with The Kids

as well as

 

and during

Including Gay Games® and Social Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Two Step classes,
followed by dancing & practice with Lambda DanceSport DC members

*****************************

When Michael Jackon's "Thriller" album came out in December of 1982, some people thought it to be at the very least entertaining while others loved it from the first time they heard it. There were those who immediately developed a passion for this incredible first-of-it's-kind and years-ahead-of-it's-time dance and musical phenomenon.....and then there were those of us who were then and always will be nothing less than "OBSESSED!" ......
It was December, 1982 when I walked into a video dance club in Columbus, Ohio and was instantly overwhelmed by a penetrating laughter that pierced every corner of the darkness. The evil sound seemed to permeate from all directions at once and I was initially horror-struck as to what this blood-curdling outburst might be. It took another two days before I finally realized from where the frightening sound had come as I once again heard it as a tag at the end of a larger-than-life video performance on the floor-to-ceiling screen of the same disco. This time, however, the eery and frightening laughter took second place to what I had just experienced on the huge screen. That experience was the incredibly entertaining and mesmerizing choreography of Michael Jackson's soon-to-be #1 hit, "Thriller". The LP, from which the single came, became legendary and spawned a record 7 Top 10 hits, including the #1 hits "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller", itself. The awards for the "Thriller" LP continued with 8 American Music Awards, including a Special Award of Merit. It also became and still remains the highest selling LP' of all times in the world of pop music.
From that day in 1982 on, I've been fascinated by the dance routine that Michael and his ghoulish, Zombie characters performed on the video of this top selling album. A performance that we always seem to see and hear without fail every Halloween when all of the scary ghosts and goblins on earth make their annual appearances out of their crypts and graves and into the streets of the Halloween weekend.
Since then many things have changed as the original VHS video has actually come out as part of the "Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History" DVD. It was the very first DVD that I bought after purchasing my first DVD player, plunging me head first into the process of analyzing and memorizing the choreography that I have craved to learn from that very first day that I saw it over 20 years earlier at that time... My intent was not to create a "For-White-Guys-Who-Can't-Really-Dance" watered down version (and I'm white, so I can talk about non-dancing white guys), but instead to capture every detail and complicated syncopation in the routine, of which there are many. A monumental task, to be sure.
Though quick and incredibly unique, and just as funny and entertaining in staying with the ghoulish, zombie theme of the song, the "Thriller" choreography isn't really unattainable by most people willing to work at it and willing to make half an effort to practice. Especially by learning smaller segments at a time. Admittedly it does take a little concentration and some PMA (positive mental attitude) to accomplish something of this level, but I'm convinced that anyone willing to put his or her mind to it can ultimately come close to perfecting most of this unparalleled dance routine. And in the process introduce themselves to some groundbreaking choreography that was literally decades ahead of it's time when it was first performed in the fall of 1982. (Of course that entails getting the "I can't" mind-set out of the system. A mind-set that I regretably witness far too often in far too many able-bodied individuals. Let's compare to one of my favorite people of all times, Christopher Reeve. Who as a quadriplegic, accomplished much more than many of us will ever come close to and while having a fraction of our natural abilities and never telling himself or everyone else what he "can't" do. We can all learn from such a mind-set. OK, I'll get down off of my soap box...).
Now that I've analyzed and perfected the makings of this unique work of art, I've recently decided to teach different parts of the "Thriller" by request in some of my classes as a warm-up, as well as in some of the social dance events that I host and co-host. My first attempt was during the Friday evening Ballroom, Latin & Swing "Promenade Dancing Class" for middle-schoolers in Virginia. I started eighty 6th, 7th & 8th graders on the routine two days before Halloween in 2003 (an appropriate time of the year for sure) as well as during the October 31st Halloween Sunday Salsa Social Party at the Chevy Chase Ballroom. Though each of tose attempts included only a small portion of the final product in the first two runs, everyone seemed to get along really well and enjoyed the choreography as much as I (and the middle-schoolers couldn't get enough of it! Very few of them since missed a class of their respective 8-week series in spite of the fact that numerous parents expressed to me afterwards how difficult it had been for them to get particularly the boys to commit to this Ballroom, Latin and Swing dance series!!).
Also since I've perfected learning to dance this phenomenal routine to the nines, I have become tired of being the only person every Halloween who can dance it from beginning to end at any of the Halloween-season dance events that I attend where they routinely play this classic song each year (which is ALL! of them, regardless of the dance style of the club). I am devoted to changing that. If you too have had a fantasy of learning this incrdible choreography, just click on the graphics above to determine the dates and times of some of the upcoming events were we'll be teaching it. I am always eager to take the time to do so for at least a segment of the routine at any of my "Dance-&-Learn" or "Sunday Salsa & Rueda, Brazilian Samba, Ballroom & Swing and Argentine Tango" social parties.
By Halloween I hope to have an ARMY of "Thriller" enthusiasts (including my middle-schoolers) able to dance the complete routine from beginning to end as a possible fund-raiser "Dance-&-Learn" event open to the public to benefit the hundreds of thousands of orphans and starving children of South Africa who have been ignored in their plight for far too long already, as well as supporting numerous other charitable events to benefit the millions of others who are so much less fortunate than those of us in this country.
So join us. You could be one of the dancing Zombies and ghouls performing to this top, top musical hit by tis year's Halloween bash. And if we all get really good at it, who knows where it might ultimately take us? (There's NO busines like SHOW business, there's NO business I Know...Thank you and God Bless you, Ethyl Merman...).
Either way the journey and fun of gradually working our way to completion of this high-energy and fun-filled end product, which is still fascinating the masses after 25 years will be more than worth the time and effort spent in the process. You needn't be experienced as every pattern will be broken down and repeated slowly and in fine detail until everyone gets it. You may purchase the "Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History" DVD at www.sonymusic.com/dvd to see the complete routine (And as you watch it, keep in mind that for those who dare, we won't be leaving out ANY part of it).
The "Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits - History" is a kaleidoscope of Michael Jackson History and includes the short films of BILLIE JEAN, THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL (LONG VERSION), BLACK OR WHITE, ROCK WITH YOU, BAD (LONG VERSION), THRILLER, BEAT IT, REMEMBER THE TIME, DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH, and HEAL THE WORLD. The collection of 10 ground-breaking videos from the King of Pop is worth every cent of the $11.98 that I paid for mine (though I have to admit that I haven't even seen most of the other selections yet since I 'm so consumed with this one...some [including Mother...] might say "a little obsessive/compulsive, maybe?"...).

Before Halloween, I also hope to have a number of individuals, including the kids from the DancingKids' Network able to perform this complete routine from beginning to end. In addition, I hope to personally sign the complete song in ASL (I'm over 75% there, already...), so that wherever we perform it, the hearing impaired will be able to enjoy watching it along with the rest of us. The plan is to then perform it in different locations, as well as during a major "Dance-&-Learn" fund-raising event, all of the proceeds from which will benefit the thousands of orphaned and deprived children of Africa and the Katrina victims. It will include a format similar to the Chevy Chase Ballroom "Dance-&-Learn Parties", to additionally include this and other entertainment. Anyone who may have ideas about the means or possible very large venues for such an event, please contact Terry at TerryChasteen@hotmail.com or 202-462-0870 or visit www.DancingKidsNetwork.com.

 

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*************************************************************

Thriller
( Michael Jackson )

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight

You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination
But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up behind
You're out of time

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance against the thing with forty eyes
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight

Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time
They're open wide
This is the end of your life

They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side
They will possess you unless you change the number on your dial
Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together
All thru the night I'll save you from the terrors on the screen
I'll make you see

That it's a thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghost would dare to try
Girl, this is thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, chiller
Thriller here tonight

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller,Ooo Ooo thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight

****************************************************

( Vincent Price )

Darkness falls across the land,
The midnight hour is close at hand,
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'aws neighborhood

And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for “getting down”
Must stand and face the hounds of HELL
And rot inside a corpsed shell

The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of 40,000 years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom

And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver...
For no mere mortal can resist
The Evil of
The "Thriller"…

Aahh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Aahh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hew hew hew hew hew hew

 

Michael Jackson
won the coveted Diamond Award at the
2006 World Music Awards on November 15th, the 25th Anniversary of
'Thriller'
Visit www.WorldMusicAwards.com

Click on the above photo to view the videos of each of the winners during the
2006 World Music Awards

 

For additional information, contact:

Terry Chasteen's International DanceSPORT and Entertainment
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com
TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com
202-462-0870

www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
www.DanceSportOfAmerica.com
www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com
www.DanceAtYourWeddingWorkshops.com
www.TheDancingKidsNetwork.com
www.MichaelJackonsThriller.com
www.Learn-to-Dance-athon.org
www.DancingWithTheDCStars.info
(www.OutOnTheDanceFloor.org)
(the web site for the annual "Out on The Dance Floor Charity Ball" plus monthly "So You Think You Can Dance DC" and "Dancing with the DC Stars" mini-dance competitions (plus occasional "Dancing With The AC/DC Stars" mini-comps for same-gender couples...any orientation, just of the same gender) in all styles open to anyone ..... so join us "Out on The Dance Floor")

Bring a "Two-for-the-Price-of-One Discount Pass" from www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com/s2for1pass.doc for a Two-For-One discount when one of those attending is for their first time.

Prepare now for the BATTLE OF THE BALLROOM during our Dance-&-Learn Parties, dance classes in every dance style, "Dance-at-Your-Wedding Workshops" and "Sunday Salsa, Rueda and Argentine Tango Socials". There's no better way to spend an evening than by DANCING!

It's time to STOP WATCHING all the fun and START HAVING IT...Out On The Dance Floor!!