'Thriller' global dance Saturday at CLU, Ventura Harbor

Saturday will be a real thriller.

Zombies are invading California Lutheran University and Ventura Harbor Village for Thrill the World, an annual event in which people in costume come together at hundreds of locations around the globe to perform a synchronized dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The turnout is recorded at every site in hopes that a world record will be set for the largest simultaneous dance.

On the West Coast, the dance will start at 3 p.m.

At CLU in Thousand Oaks, "Introduction to Dance" students will teach the choreography from noon to 2:30 p.m. on the lawn next to the Swenson Center, 141 Faculty St. Volunteers will also apply zombie makeup, and children can make Halloween crafts. Refreshments will be available.

At Ventura Harbor Village, about 100 people who have been rehearsing for about a month will perform the "Thriller" dance on the lawn, said organizer Molly Hill. Spectators are invited anytime after 2 p.m.

The worldwide event is part Jackson tribute and part charity fundraiser. At CLU, donations are being accepted for World Dance for Humanity, a Santa Barbara-based organization that supports community and small business development in Rwanda and contributes relief funds to disaster areas. At Ventura Harbor Village, donations are being accepted for Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The first Thrill the World took place in Toronto in 2006 with 62 dancers. The next year, it spread to five continents.

For more information, on the CLU event, contact Barbara Wegher-Thompson at wegher@callutheran.edu or at 241-8515.

For more information on the Ventura Harbor Village event, call 477-0470 or visit www.venturaharborvillage.com.