Why Thrill The World
Thrill The World is the brain child of founder/choreographer, Ines Markeljevic of Canada.
What started out as a “cool idea” has exploded into an international dance phenomenon. This year, 360 events in 38 countries are scheduled throughout the globe. 2009 will be the first year that Honolulu is host to a Thrill The World event. Back in January of 1997, Honolulu was the final tour stop for Michael Jackson’s HIStory tour. The Honolulu leg at Aloha Stadium was Michael’s last concert on American soil.
Fast forward to 2009. Two community groups of the arts, Aliamanu Middle School Drama Club and Kumu Kahua Theatre, decided that Thrill The World is just what Hawai’i needs. Pauwilo Look, a Hawai’i based marketing and public relations professional, joined forced with event managers from both organizations to strengthen Hawai‘i’s inaugural effort. “The events of this summer made it clear to us that Thrill The World was a “must do” this year. We wanted to honor Michael’s showmanship and musical legacy. I had a unique opportunity to spend time with Jeffrey Daniel, the 
legendary choreographer/musician/singer/songwriter who taught Michael the moonwalk. Jeffrey told me that Michael would have been thrilled and humbled at the outpouring of affection for his groundbreaking performance. Jeffrey’s validation of our efforts has created great energy for our team.”
So the mission begins. To boldly go where no zombie has ever gone before. To teach other life forms the classic Thrill dance that broke through cultural and musical limits. To fill Pearlridge Center Uptown with more dancing zombies and MJ impersonators than one could imagine, simultaneously setting world records, benefiting charities across the globe, and ultimately paying tribute to the creative magic of Michael Jackson.
Without doubt, Thrill The World is an international dance phenomenon. In 2008, 4,179 dancers in 10 countries set world records as they thrilled the world, with Michael Jackson viewing the Los Angeles events from a helicopter. 2009 has already surpassed Ines Markeljevic’s dreams. But then, so did the King of Pop.
