A Killer, A Thriller Tonight
NDG Food Depot Does the Zombie Dance
It’s Hallows Eve and the streets of NDG are alive with the sound children gleefully shouting ‘trick or treat.’ The sound of a creaky wooden door fills the neighborhood. A wolf howls. Everybody knows what is coming.
Thriller.
Every Halloween the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Food Depot takes Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” choreography to the streets of NDG to raise awareness of hunger and inspire volunteers. For the past two years participants dressed as zombie brides, nurses, pilots and even dead Che Gueveras.
Followed by a boom-box on a bicycle trailer, they perform the classic “Thriller” choreography that is undoubtedly being imitated by countless intoxicated scantily clad witches, bunnies and pirate wenches everywhere. The difference is they are doing it to get people excited about feeding those in need.
“The purpose of the thriller dance is to mobilize our community members and to spread awareness,” said Fiona Keats, executive director of the NDG Food Depot. “It is to gain momentum so that we can recruit the 600 volunteers we need for our big food drive in December.”
The NDG Food Depot describes itself as a community food depot that also provides programs that encourage skill and community building. In December they hold a massive food drive that collects thousands of dollars and food items that are donated to those in need.
The “Thriller” dance is a lively way to get people interested in the depot. It is no surprise that they get heads turning and feet tapping as they blare the catchy Halloween anthem. Participant Kim Martin says that people off the street just join in. Drivers pull over for a little in-car thrillin’.
“It really brings a sense of community and fun. People are able to let loose and that inspires the community,” said Martin, who dressed up as a zombie pilot last Halloween.
“It is massively successful in drumming up interest.
Last year the thriller walk got 70 dancers, this year they are hoping for 100. Keats says that Nov. 1 brings with it a slew of emails from people wanting to get involved.
To prepare for the event, participants gather in front of a video screen and watch an instructional YouTube video on how to properly dance like a zombie. At 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 31, they all gather at the depot, get “zombiefied” and then they hit the streets.
To learn more about this event contact Fiona Keats at 514-483-4680 ext 200.
