Northalsted, Chicago – Fourteen years after a modest pop‑up performance at the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, the Chicago Thriller Flash Mob has become a beloved neighborhood tradition. Under the direction of longtime Michael Jackson enthusiast Julie “Mrs. J” Dahlinger, more than 160 amateur dancers are preparing for this year’s parade.
From a Small Group to a City‑wide Celebration
In 2012, a poster in a Clark Street laundromat announced a “Thriller” flash mob organized by Troy Hilbrands. When the original dance instructor broke an ankle, Dahlinger stepped in, teaching the steps to a handful of participants. “I’ve been an MJ fan since I was teeny‑tiny and made sure that I really knew the steps before I went to the first rehearsal,” she recalled.
That first rehearsal sparked a tradition that has grown steadily. Hilbrands now holds the honorary title “Zombie Emeritus” after stepping down in 2024, while Dahlinger continues as the primary choreographer and community liaison.
Open to All Adults, No Experience Required
The flash mob welcomes anyone over 18, regardless of dance background. This year’s roster includes students, doctors, waitstaff, and retired grandmothers. The youngest participant is in their mid‑20s; the eldest is in their mid‑70s, illustrating the event’s broad appeal.
Rehearsals span roughly two months, with about 20 sessions that combine indoor studio work, outdoor park practice, and a final dress rehearsal. Participants must attend at least three sessions to join the parade, but the atmosphere remains relaxed. “It doesn’t have to be perfect,” Dahlinger emphasizes. “It just has to be ‘Thriller.’”
Expanded Choreography and Creative Costumes
While the inaugural performance only covered the dance‑break segment of the original music video, the group now executes the entire routine, including the chorus, with considerably more intricate choreography. To enhance the zombie theme, the flash mob holds an annual costume‑making party. This year’s outfits draw inspiration from the “The Way You Make Me Feel” video, featuring shredded cobalt‑blue shirts adorned with spider webs, baby powder, paint, and leaf‑covered brooches.
Dahlinger describes the look as “dirtied up, as if we all fell into the grave in the same outfit,” adding that the costumes will “glow in the autumn wind” and create a “dark, moody, glistening kind of rot.”
Community Spirit and Volunteer Leadership
Beyond dancing, the flash mob fosters camaraderie. New dancers are affectionately called “fresh meat,” while seasoned members are known as “old souls.” One such “old soul,” Gina Ruta, joined in 2016 and now serves as co‑organizer and treasurer, nicknamed the “Zombie Wrangler.” She notes, “The magic of the group is that there is just a wide variety of different people getting together. We have doctors, lawyers, executives, students, waitresses—every profession under the sun.”
The organization runs a group chat dubbed “Brain Council” to coordinate rehearsal spaces, equipment, costume supplies, merchandise, and photography. Though rehearsals have moved from the South Loop to a spacious ballroom, the team hopes to expand rehearsals and dance captains to other neighborhoods in the future.
Looking Ahead
With 160 participants, the Chicago Thriller Flash Mob is set to bring Halloween magic back to the streets of Chicago on October 31 at 7 p.m., performing in the Haunted Halsted Parade. The group also fields requests for private events, weddings, and other celebrations, showcasing how a simple love of music and dance can unite a diverse community.
For more information, merchandise, or to join future rehearsals, visit the Chicago Thriller Flash Mob website.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
