Mexico Looks to Set Thriller Dance Record in Honor of Jackson

Michael Jackson’s fans in Mexico are dancing away their sorrow in sunglasses, sequined jackets, and white gloves (only one per person of course), in an attempt to beat the Guinness Book of World Records for “The Most People to Dance to ‘Thriller’ at once.”

The first record holder was held by a British secondary school in 2008, where 147 people all showed up, to be followed by 242 people at College of William & Mary in May of this year.

The organizer, Carlos Contreras, is hoping to crush both schools number, and according to AP “says more than 10,000 people have signed up to take part in the dance routine.” On their first day of rehearsal, on August 18th, 50 people showed up. Looks like they have a LONG way to go, before they reach their goal.

The group will be dancing on August 29th, which would have been Jackson’s 51st birthday, but instead will be the day that his family will lay him to rest in a private ceremony.

If you’re like me, your first response is, “what about the 1,500 plus inmates who all danced to the song at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, in the Philippines?” Apparently, they don’t count in the record book. I’m still unclear if it is because they all weren’t doing the dance in full, if it’s because they were in prison, or something else…

Does anyone know that the rules are on setting world record? Anyone out there willing to join them!?

Further Reading:

• Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Cancelled
• Michael Jackson To Receive Lifetime Achievement Grammy
• Michael Jackson’s MTV VMA Tribute
• Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In L.A.
• Prince Considering A Michael Jackson Tribute Performance
• Videos of Speeches and Songs at Michael Jackson’s Memorial
• Michael Jackson’s Life in Pictures
• Michael Jackson: Life in Videos
• Michael Jackson Has Died