Heritage High flash mob promotes zombie dancefest

• What: Global “Thrill the World” dance event

• When: 7 p.m. Saturday

• Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 N.E. 138th Ave.

• Why: Connect the world/local food drive

Local students will take part in a zombie march — as well as other dance moves — of global proportions at 7 p.m. Saturday in Evergreen’s McKenzie Stadium.

Student dancers from Evergreen, Heritage and Union high schools will be part of “Thrill the World,” an event that sets undead toes a-tapping at the same time all around the world to the music of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

The annual worldwide event, which started in 2007, is staged during a weekend near Halloween.

The 2009 version of “Thrill the World” drew 22,571 dancers in 264 cities from 33 countries.

The event requires more than just random twitching to a Michael Jackson tune, however. There are specific moves.

“The choreography was broken down into simplified parts for everyone to learn,” said Heritage dance teacher Kimberleigh Anderson, who taught the moves to 200 of her students.

Heritage dancers offered a sneak peek Friday with a “flash mob” dance — an unannounced performance of the routine — in the school dining area during lunch.

Kristen Edmiaston taught the routine to her students at Evergreen and Leslie Robb taught the moves — including “zombie march,” “stomp” and “oh snap, rock on” — to her dance classes at Union.

The students then were invited to teach the routine to their friends and family members and anyone else who wanted to participate.

“It’s something fun to do that is accessible to everyone,” Anderson said. “Dance can be a part of everyone’s life.”

Preliminary activities, including games, will begin at 6 p.m.

Tom Vogt: 360-735-4558; http://www.twitter.com/col_history; tom.vogt@columbian.com.