"Thrill the World" dances into VV Gym, Math & Kinesiology host the annual event

By Mildred Dominici

Tejano Tribune

El PASO, TX - Keeping the legacy of the King of Pop alive, the Department of Mathematics and Kinesiology at El Paso Community College hosts the annual Thrill the World event, where fans, horror lovers, and those just looking for fun gather to dance to Michael Jackson's classic hit "Thriller."

But what's the thrill of the world event? Thrill the World is a global dance event where participants from around the globe perform Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller" choreography simultaneously all around the world.

Founded in 2006 by dancer Ines Markeljevic in Canada, the event quickly grew into an international tradition every October, near Halloween. Each participating city registers officially and hosts local rehearsals before joining the synchronized global countdown to dance together.

Beyond celebrating Jackson's legacy, many Thrill the World events raise funds or awareness for local charities, turning the performance into a tribute to Michael Jackson and a community celebration.

EPCC student Matthew Rubye, a longtime Michael Jackson fan, didn’t think twice about attending the event. Dressed in the iconic Thriller outfit inspired by his biggest idol, Rubye said, “Michael wants people to heal the world in their own way, by loving one another instead of having war, through music.”

The event was a success, drawing about nineteen dancers to the campus gym to join the worldwide performance. After the dance, campus alumni and staff gathered to celebrate the memory of the king of pop, along with pizza and snacks.