On the evening of Saturday, Oct. 17, onlookers on lower King Street might feel like they’ve been transported into a Michael Jackson music video.
Coldwell Banker Realty real estate agents Barb Scheeler and Rachel Knapp are coordinating a “Thriller” Zombie Flash Mob in the unit block of King Street in Old Town, at 5 p.m. Saturday. Scheeler and Knapp told ALXnow there are about 100 dancers signed up to participate, and hundreds of spectators are expected to attend with the dancers.
The real estate agents say the flash mob can bring together generations that grew up with Michael Jackson or may have discovered him by means of the recent “Michael” movie.
Scheeler saw how the “Thriller” flash mob in New York City brought the community together and wanted to do the same in Alexandria.
“It’s really going to bring an awareness of how fun Old Town is, how Old Town goes way out for Halloween,” Scheeler said. “It’s just such a great way for the community to get together and come back and give to a good cause, Lucky Dog [Animal Rescue].”
Knapp said residents may see flash mobs on social media but may never get to experience them in person. She wanted to change that.
“The assumption is all the participants dressed up as zombies, maybe their friends, will be then let loose on in Old Town so it’ll be like a kind of a zombie crawl,” Knapp said.
The group includes both dancers and those without dancing experience. Participants signed up as walkers or dancers pay a fee to participate in the flash mob. After subtracting fees for a dance instructor and advertising, all proceeds are benefiting Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that finds homes for rescue pets in the D.C. region.
“The whole DMV is for sure dog fans,” Knapp said. “We’re, I think, probably one of the biggest rescue targets for most dog rescues in the country. That’s why a lot of the rescues transport up here, because it’s just a high adoption rate.”
The organizers originally wanted to do the flash mob in Waterfront Park but got permission from the city to run it in the pedestrian block near to the park. They’re also partnering with Vola’s Dockside Grill to sponsor some “zombie drinks.” Port City Brewing Company is another sponsor and allowed dancers to use the space for practice and provide drinks for their makeup session.
The group had several practices already and will have a final practice Wednesday and a dry run Friday.
The flash mob is expected to last about 12 to 15 minutes. Participants will spend several hours at Coldwell Banker Realty’s office (310 King Street) to get ready with makeup. Near 5 p.m., prelude music will start to play before the “zombie” dancers make their way over. A “Michael Jackson” character will be part of the flash mob.
When the flash mob begins, organizers ask spectators to keep out of the road and make room for the dancers. Volunteers will be in place to ensure spectators aren’t blocking the dancers. However, dancers will encourage spectators to join in around the last chorus.
The real estate agents would consider doing the flash mob again next year or similar events to promote community spirit.
“If we get 100 people this year, I think if we did it again next year, I think it could flow into a two-block event as opposed to just a one-block event,” Scheeler said.
