Step it Up and Dance Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Step it Up and Dance Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" 4/21/08

"Step It Up" Judge And Long-Time Michael Jackson Choreographer Vincent Paterson Teaches Classic "Thriller" Dance Moves

For the First-Time Ever All 12 Series Contestants Will Perform Together Live at the Tribeca Film Festival Drive-In on Thursday, April 24

NEW YORK – April 21, 2008 – Bravo announced today that for the first time ever, the entire cast of "Step It Up & Dance" will perform together live to honor the 25th Anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at the Tribeca Film Festival Drive-In. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at the World Financial Center Plaza. In addition to the first time performance by the "Step It Up & Dance" cast, filmmaker and Thriller video director John Landis will screen the epic 1984 music video "Thriller" and the "Making Of Thriller" documentary. As part of the event, "Step it Up & Dance" judge and long-time Michael Jackson choreographer, Vincent Paterson will be on site to teach the audience a few classic "Thriller" dance moves. The audience will also take part in the world's largest zombie disco, a Michael Jackson dance contest, and Thriller face-painting stations. The event is free to the public, doors open at 6PM.

Thriller is the world's biggest selling album ever and this year for its 25th anniversary it has had a major rebirth. The rebirth was led by the release of the Thriller 25th anniversary edition album released in February, which has remained at #1 on the Billboard catalog chart after debuting at #1 around the world. "Thriller 25," features seven-bonus tracks including new collaborations with, will.i.am, Akon, Fergie.

Paterson, a world-renowned director and choreographer, has had an expansive career in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry including film, World Theater, on Broadway, with concert tours, music videos, and on television. He directed and choreographed the "Bad" tour for Michael Jackson as well as conceived and choreographed the video "Smooth Criminal." He was a dancer and the assistant choreographer for "Thriller" and directed the video "Blood on the Dance Floor," among many other Jackson music videos and live performances. Paterson also collaborated with Madonna on numerous projects including directing and choreographing her "Blond Ambition Tour," that was the centerpiece for the documentary, "Truth or Dare." He also created Madonna's legendary "Marie Antoinette/Vogue" performance for the MTV Music Awards. He is currently engrossed in directing and writing Cirque Du Soleil's "Elvis" set to open at Las Vegas' CityCenter in 2009.

Whether it's a music video one week or a Vegas spectacular the next, "Step It Up & Dance," which airs every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, features weekly challenges in which 12 of the best dancers from around the country audition for a range of parts, designed to showcase their versatility and moves. The dancers have access to some of the top choreographers in the industry performing in styles that range from hip-hop and freestyle to Broadway, burlesque and Latin. As the competition gets fierce and contestants are eliminated, only one person will get the final "call back" and the chance to become the ultimate dancer, winning $100,000. Celebrated actress and dancer Elizabeth Berkley hosts the series and Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell ("Hairspray," Legally Blonde") serves as the dancers' mentor. In addition, Paterson and choreographer Nancy O'Meara ("Hannah Montana," "High School Musical Tour"), serve as judges for the competition. "Step It Up & Dance" is produced by Magical Elves' Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth ("Project Runway," and "Top Chef") and Gunnar Wetterberg, who is also the creator of the series for Magical Elves.

Source: Bravo Press Release