As part of an annual global event called Thrill the World, at exactly 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, hundreds of World Dance zombies will rise from the lawn of the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden to perform Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” dance.
This is the eighth year World Dance for Humanity is hosting the haunting experience, which will include flashmobs throughout the county from Ojai to the Santa Ynez Valley during the two weeks leading up to Halloween.
Practices to learn the “Thriller” dance are underway. Participating zombies can attend one practice or as many as they like. For the YMCA practices, it is not necesssary to be a member of the Y.
Also, during Thriller season, regular World Dance classes are free for newbies, before Thriller practice. To see class times, visit http://worlddanceforhumanity.org/schedule/.
For more information, visit http://worlddanceforhumanity.org/thriller-2018/.
Thriller practice times are as follows:
» Santa Barbara:
Saturdays, 10:15-11 a.m. – SB Dance Center, 127 W. Canon Perdido St.
Saturdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. – SB YMCA on Hitchcock
Sundays, noon-1 p.m. – SB YMCA on Hitchcock Way
Tuesdays, 7-7:30 p.m. – SB Dance Center
Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. – Montecito YMCA
Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. – Alameda Park (by Kids World)
» Santa Ynez (Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA)
Fridays, 5-6 p.m.
Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
» Ojai (Hamsa Studio Meiner’s Oaks)
Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. 10/10, 10/17
Saturdays, 2-3 p.m.
» Main Thriller Events
Saturday, Oct. 20, 1:30-4 p.m. – Ojai Day Festival at Libby Park
Saturday, Oct. 27, 1-4 p.m. – Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden
Sunday, Oct. 28, noon-5 p.m. – Los Olivos, Wineries, Neverland and Cold Spring Tavern
Suggested donation of $40 covers five weeks of lessons; attendance free for kids and students.
— Janet Reineck for World Dance for Humanity.