Some of Toronto's biggest Michael Jackson fans gave people along Queen Street West a thrill on Saturday as they put on a surprise street performance of "Beat It" to commemorate what would've been the pop music icon's 51st birthday.
"We're here to represent and honour Michael Jackson," says dancer Raoul Pillay, 20, who was wearing a t-shirt that says "King of Pop" in large, bold black lettering.
"He's my idol. We had to honour him because...anybody can be a dancer, but he was an entertainer and had an effect on the crowd," he says.
Puzzled spectators stopped in their tracks as the familiar beat to the song rang out at the corner of Queen Street West and John Street.
Then a group of people seemingly standing around on the corner suddenly erupted into choreographed dance in the middle of the street.
Cars had to take a moment to let the crowd of about 40 amateur and professional dancers make its way along John Street.
"It was cute and cool" said one spectator, who witnessed the dance, which lasted only about a minute, and was over by the time the traffic light changed.
A number of tourists who didn't speak English stood by and giggled.
Dancers participating said they heard about the event through Facebook groups and ads on Craigslist and Kijiji, inviting fans from all over Toronto to learn the dance and then show off their skills.
The travelling, one-minute flash mobs moved from Yonge-Dundas Square, to the Eaton Centre, and ended outside MuchMusic/CP24 headquarters at 299 Queen Street West.
Organizer Gwyneth Fung says it was a success despite the fact that the group was ordered out of the Eaton Centre, but they found an alternative location outside, at Yonge Street and Shuter Streets.
Fung got the idea after after seeing video of other Jackson-themed flash mobs featuring the tune in Stockholm, Taipei and Paris.
"Michael Jackson had so many foundations and helped people, children and the homeless. He just wanted to help no matter what bad news happened to him. He didn't care. He just did it anyway," she explained, saying she organized the event to spread Jackson's message through spreading his music.
Nigel Edwards, 19, whose dance troupe, the Moonrunners was named as a tribute to Jackson says the small performance was his way of showing his respects to Jackson.
"He's the reason why I started dancing. I'd watch his videos and try to imitate him," he says.
"When he died I felt like I had to pay tribute any way I can," he said.
