King of Pop moonwalkers compete

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By Zhang Qian (Shanghai Daily) 08:26, August 16, 2013

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“Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” by Cirque du Soleil combines the music and vision of Michael Jackson as well as acrobatic performance.(Shanghai Daily)

A Michael Jackson dance competition Sunday draws fans from around China to watch MJ imitators strut their best moonwalks, robots, toe stands, anti-gravity leans and Egyptian flares. Zhang Qian talks to dance fans.

Michael Jackson fans will imitate his legendary moves — moonwalk to the robot — in a dance competition on Sunday, to commemorate the King of Pop who died four years ago.

The event also marks the anniversary this month of Jackson’s birth, August 29, 1958.

Around 20 fans, ranging in age from 11 to 36, have registered for the competition at Windows Too of Jiuguang Department Store on Nanjing Road W., starting at noon.

French choreographer Michael Sumana and overseas MJ imitators will perform as guest dancers.

The Chinese winner will receive a certificate and VIP tickets for Sunday night’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” presented by the Cirque du Soleil at Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Jackson, who was preparing for a comeback, died of an overdose on June 25, 2009, at the age of 51.

Fans around the world keep his music alive, including those in China, and many from around China are expected to watch the competition Sunday and share their memories of MJ. Expats also come for the show.

The contest Sunday is the third MJ dance competition organized by MJJCLUB since 2011.

The participants present their best MJ imitations, judged by professional choreographers and previous MJ dance competition winners. Favorite pieces are “Billie Jean,” “Dangerous” and “Smooth Criminal.”

Fans can expect to see the super moonwalk, the anti-gravity lean, toe stand, Egyptian flare, the robot and other moves. Probably not the famous crotch grab.

The annual competition arose from the fan club’s aim to commemorate the King of Pop and the number of contestants keeps rising, according to Michael Chan, the organizer of the competition.