In preparation for the spookiest night of the year, zombies from all over the world will rise from the dead... and get down to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller."  That’s right.  “Thrill the World” - the annual worldwide simultaneous execution of MJ's famous “Thriller” dance takes place on October 23. 

Last year, the Thrill the World event broke the world record for the most people simultaneously dancing to "Thriller" (see video below).  This year, creator Ines Markelle wants one million dancers to participate. Markelle began Thrill the World in Canada, and it has spread all over the world. According to the Thrill the World website, Markelle began dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at age three.   

Amada Anderson started the Thrill the World New York City team in April, 2009.  She stumbled upon the event through a YouTube video.  “Last year in January, I wanted to do an exercise regime," she said. "I decided I was going to learn Thriller after I saw the movie ‘Thirteen Going on Thirty.'  So I started searching on YouTube for a video of the dance.  I found a video made by this girl in Canada, Ines Markelle, who organizes Thrill the World.  I ordered the DVD that she created and I started learning the dance.”  

After that, Amada’s interest was thoroughly peaked.  “Eventually I registered with Ines, so that I could start my own Thrill the World event in NYC.  I recruited volunteers from Facebook and Craigslist.  I quickly learned the ropes of New York City permits, and began getting sponsorship from Halloween stores.”

Last year, Anderson held Thrill the World NYC in Astoria, Queens.  Because it was their first time, they ran into a few difficulties.  “It was pouring rain!” said Anderson.  “We only had about 100 dancers, and I ended up paying a lot of money out of pocket.” But, worldwide, Thrill the World raised about $50,000 for charity.

After that, Anderson began designing a website and getting sponsorships from dance studios in New York. Everyone pays $20 to register their event, and they have the choice of directing the money they raise towards a charity. 

Like most of you, my main focus was on the performances. I took my bathroom breaks during most of the speeches but I did happen to catch Brooke Shields’ mostly touching, long winded "had to have been there" MJ memories. I knew Mike took Brooke and Emanuel Lewis to the Grammy's but I figured I'd see Elizebeth Taylor on stage before Brooke Shields. I mean "Perched in the crescent moon", Brooke?

In order of appearance: Venus Morris, Brandon McFarland, Belia Mayeno Saavedra, Meagan Keane, and Patrick Johnson.

Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead on Thursday after paramedics found him in a coma at his Bel-Air mansion. Hundreds of fans gathered at UCLA after news broke of Jackson's hospitilization. Since Jackson's death, an outpouring of messages and memories have consumed social media sites such as facebok and twitter.