California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

    CLU to thrill the world with flash mob

    Pop culture references and terms are as unavoidable as getting Michael Jackson’s song “Thriller” stuck in your head. The YouTube universe has once again taken over the social sphere to showcase the flash mob and turn it into a mainstream phenomenon.

    A flash mob is a group performance in which an immense amount of people meet at a specified location to perform a deliberate act, and either bewilder or completely dismay the passerby.

    You might remember the two over the top New York City flash mobs that were showcased in “Friends with Benefits” starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. Kunis showed Timberlake a flash mob in Grand Central Station to shine light on the hundreds of people coming together and connecting in the hub of the city that never sleeps.

    If school is stressing you out and you need an event to just have fun and come together with your fellow classmates, then Thrill the World is an event for you.

    On Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. California Lutheran University will be part of a world wide flash mob.

    Thrill the World is a worldwide performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” put on to benefit World Dance for Humanity and their efforts to build a school in Rwanda.

    Cal Lutheran will be having a performance day right here on campus as part of its Day of Dance thanks to Cal Lutheran Theatre Arts professor Barbara Wegher-Thompson, who worked for a year to bring this event to fruition.

    “The entire Day of Dance/Thrill the World is an outgrowth of information that was given to me last year by one student in a class assignment for Theater Arts 102 Introduction to Dance,” Wegher-Thompson said. “In her paper she explained about taking part in a Thrill the World Event in Santa Barbara that was hosted by a non-profit organization called World Dance for Humanity.”

    “World Dance for Humanity bridges cultures through movement and helps people in need by supporting small, sustainable, grassroots projects locally and in the developing world. All charitable donations and class fees go to underserved communities where a small amount of money can inspire hope and change lives, and where we can develop deep connections to the people we serve,” according to worlddancehumanity.org.

    Wegher-Thompson said as soon as she learned about the event and the non-profit she knew she wanted to see it at Cal Lutheran.

    “The university is striving to increase dance as an academic offering and the humanitarian and global aspect of both Thrill the World and World Dance for Humanity is such a fit for CLU’s mission statement,” Wegher-Thompson said.

    The entire community is invited to come out to one or all of the dance classes that will be held in order to learn the “Thriller” dance for the flash mob.

    “I’ll definitely be attending at least one of the classes. I love to dance and getting to do what I love while getting to help others in a different country do what they love as well is incredible,” sophomore Marbella Jimenez said. “I wouldn’t miss it. I might even bring my little sister to join.”

    Not only will the Thrill the World performance be fun and for a good cause, students on campus believe it to be one of the most exciting things to happen at Cal Lutheran in a very long time. This movement is well known worldwide. With a quick Google search multiple links pop up to “Thrill the World — here” which offer information to every community around.

    Cal Lutheran and all of the participants in the flash mob will be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. This is what is motivating junior Nicole Ignozzitto.

    “The dance and charity aspect are a fun and great part of this whole program but the best part is this whole world record thing. It’s going to be super cool to be able to see how that whole process works and be in the midst of it all,” said Ignozzitto.

    In addition to the world record excitement happening, all of Cal Lutheran’s Day of Dance will be occurring throughout the school. The main “Thriller” performance will take place at 3 p.m. in Kingsmen Park and people are encouraged to dress as zombies. 1:30 p.m. is when the day kicks off with a dance party.

    Other festivities will also include a yoga master class in the studio from 8-9 a.m., jazz from 9:15- 10:45 a.m. and contemporary from 11 – 12:30 p.m. Events are free but donations will be accepted in benefit of World Dance for Humanity.

    If you are interested in learning the “Thriller” dance in order to be on point during the flash mob, classes will be held Tuesdays on Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, from 6-7 p.m.. The class open for students is from 6-7 p.m., while the faculty and staff class is from 7-8p.m. There are also Saturday classes available on Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 in Gilbert Arena from 10- 11 a.m. Each class will be open to the first 55 people in attendance.

     

    Amber Rocha

    Staff Writer

    Published September 24, 2014