I’m bringing you a couple of things today. Last Saturday a group danced the music of “Thriller” at 6:00 PM precisely – the time that groups danced around the world to the song. It’s an annual event which has been held on Market Square for several years and is always fun to watch.
This year a somewhat bigger group joined in – I think something over thirty – and a bigger audience gathered on the square. I think that was somewhat thanks to music which preceded it, provided by the Secret City Cyphers and Mr. Ill and the Medicine. With a cool hip-hop groove going, people gravitated toward that end of the square and by the time the dance started, an audience was in place.
The dancers range from the truly devoted who know the dance so well they offer lessons, to others who seemed to just want to get their inner zombie on for a while in public. Many of the dancers had specific costumes from the original video while others danced in street clothes. They all took it seriously all the way down to the cute three-or-so-year-old girl in the front who may have missed a few steps, but made up for it in charm.
Today being Halloween, it only seemed appropriate to break out the zombies. I hope everyone has a safe and happy night. Dress up if you like, scare or be scared if you like and make sure the kids get lots of candy – or organic nutritionally balanced GMO-free PETA approved snacks if you prefer. If you want to let the kids have a blast, bring them to trick or treat on Market Square, Union Avenue and Gay Street (35 different places) between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Finally, in other music matters, this upcoming week will include the first of three concerts by Jeremiah Welch. I profiled him last month, detailing his plans and his need for a cello. Many of you have responded to this young man you often see playing on Market Square. He’s raised just over a thousand dollars on his Go Fund Me site and many of you sent him checks directly (which avoids the Go Fund Me fees), giving him around $5000 toward his goal of about $9200 for a cello.
Come out Thursday night (and each of the next two Thursday nights) to support him as he presents a cello concert accompanied by a wonderful pianist and with a sprinkling of West African Dance. This week’s performance will feature J.S. Bach Suites for unaccompanied cello, Preludes in G major, D minor and C major. La Wally by Alfredo Catalani. African Drum and Dance (intermission). And, Saint Saens cello concerto no.1 in A minor.
The concert is in the Emporium in the Black Box Theater and begins at 7:30 PM. Here’s the Facebook Event Page. I’ve invited my limit, so join and invite your friends. At the concert, you’ll be asked for a donation in exchange for an evening of great entertainment. Please attend and give generously. I’ve suggested $20 as a reasonable donation, though Benjamins will be accepted. Seriously, come this week and come for the others if you can. Donate to the Go Fund Me campaign or send direct donations to:
