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THRILL TORONTO, 2006
History of the Project, as narrated by Ines Markeljevic:
Oct. 27, 2005 - IDEA BY ACCIDENT
I search for Thriller pics online and find an article "Thriller at Dundas Square." I'm devastated that a giant
performance of Thriller happened without me knowing about it! Reading the article I realize that it didn't happen. The Toronto
Zombie Walk walked through Dundas Square and the DJ there for the event (Mothers Against Violence or something like that)
happened to have Thriller, at which point Scott Moyle, who performed with me in our first Thriller in Grade 11 at Eastwood
Collegiate Institute, Kitchener, remembered a few moves. Scott's few moves inspired the title "Thriller at Dundas Square."
I was relieved to find that I didn't miss the big dance event. And, it didn't occur to me until a few days later to then create
the event that DIDN'T happen...
Oct. 30, 2005 - LIGHTBULB MOMENT
I created, in the Landmark Forum, my purpose in life: To bring about an evolution and revolution to dance and movement
on a global front.
The next moment I had the idea that if the large Thriller dance DIDN'T happen, that I would make it happen next year!
Feb. or Mar. (?) 2006 - THE CHICKEN CAME FIRST
I filed an online application for Largest Dance, for Thriller, and received an response email that indicated that the
Largest Dance was the chicken dance, done with over 4,000 people at a state county fair. (I don't remember which state.) So,
I gave up the idea to get a Guinness for Thriller.
Oct. 13, 2006 - GUINNESS ASKS, GUINNESS GETS.
I received e-mail from Guinness requesting photos from the performance for Guinness' international press release. I vowed
to create a successful Thrill Toronto in 16 days. Who am I to make Guinness wait a whole year for these photos? If anyone
can make it happen in two weeks... I can.
Oct. 29, 2006 - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Ines Markeljevic and team organized an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the Largest Thriller Dance in Toronto, Canada.
From that came a plan to take this project global in 2007, under the name Thrill The World.
62 people danced Michael Jackson's Thriller to set the first Guinness World Record for Largest Thriller Dance. They learned
& performed the 5-minute version of the music video choreography in one afternoon! Many of the participants were not formally
trained dancers.
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THRILL CHRISTCHURCH, 2007
History of Thrill Christchurch, as narrated by Darryn Woods
June 28, 2007 - ANOTHER ACCIDENTAL IDEA
While browsing on YouTube, I came across one of Ines' training videos and was immediately hooked by the idea of learning
the Thriller dance. It was only after I'd watched them all through entirely that I realised that there was an event attached
to the videos. I followed the link to the website and thus was the idea for Thrill Christchurch born.
July 3, 2007 - THRILLER WITHOUT A CAUSE
Having revisited the TTW website, I resolved to make an attempt to bring Thrill The World to Christchurch. The problem:
I had no idea if anyone else would be interested. I made a mental note of people who I thought might be, and decided to get
in touch with them once I'd returned from an overseas trip later that month.
July 21, 2007 - ENTHUSIASM ABOUNDS!
Talked to a friend of mine, Erin Morgan, who was involved with a local Latin dancing group. Posited the idea of TTW to
her and she loved it. She even went so far as to suggest her dance group would be keen to be involved. Score! Over the next
few days I contacted more of my people, and emailed TTW to ask if we were the first people in Christchurch to contact them.
Aug. 4, 2007 - OFFICIALDOM!
Having been in touch with TTW and discovering that I was, in fact, the first New Zealander to contact them, I followed
it up with registering Christchurch as a TTW Event City. The response came on August 4. Thrill Christchurch was official!
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