Annika Kay

Annika Kay is looking for help to entertain folks at Halloween.

The Long Beach Peninsula dance instructor is recruiting people to learn Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance. It will form part of the Halloween night Spooktacular festivities in downtown Ilwaco spearheaded by the Ilwaco Merchants Association.

It is the fourth year leading the seasonal dance for Kay, who has a master’s degree in fine arts and experience performing and choreographing dance, including internationally.

Free open “Thriller” practices will be offered 7-9 p.m. Fridays in October at the new Shipwrecords and Moor store location owned by Mike Mathis at 108 First Ave. S, in Ilwaco.

Dancers will be gearing up for an Oct. 31 group performance at the Ilwaco Cider Co., 116 Spruce St. E, in Ilwaco.

Kay is launching dance programs for adults and children.

Kids’ activities are planned in collaboration with Padme Grace, sensei at the Pacific Integrated Martial Arts studio at 2103 Pacific Ave. in Long Beach. For the Spooktacular show, Grace’s students are rehearsing a fight-scene performance to the music of “Ghostbusters.”

On Thursdays between 4:30-5:30 p.m., Kay will lead a Youth Dance Class at the martial arts studio with some “Thriller” practices. These will be free during October; the program will continue for ages 7-17 as an Acro-Jazz class for $75 a month.

“Kids can learn tumbling skills and quick-paced, creative dance moves with an emphasis on building confidence, inspiring creativity and having fun,” Kay said.

Additionally, for adults she is launching “Dance Alchemy with Annika” Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Inspired Mind Matters Wellness Studio at the Chautauqua Resort and Conference Center, 300 14th St. NW, in Long Beach. Each week will offer a different style, including salsa, tribal and Bollywood. A “Glow Dance” is planned on the last Wednesday of each month. “Thriller” steps will feature at the end of each class during October.

For more details, contact Kay at Annika.AK@gmail.com

For information on collaborators:

Pacific Integrated Martial Arts, www.P-IMA.com

Ilwaco Merchants Association, www.facebook.com/ilwaco

Dance Alchemy with Annika, www.inspiredmindmatters.com