CANCELLED - What Michael Jackson's Thriller Can Teach Us About Today

After the dramatic success of his Off The Wall album, Michael Jackson asked two questions: Could he produce an album suitable to be played on any radio station during this time when radio formats were very segregated, especially on racial lines?  Could he go beyond music, uniting races and cultures worldwide? His record label called him crazy. Do you remember the frenzy created by the Thriller album in 1983 and how it excited so many people across the globe? The 40th anniversary re-release of Thriller called forth new scholarship and critical re-evaluation with the benefit of four decades of perspective. This re-evaluation also included “insider stories” from those involved in the creation of the original release, along with a trove of podcasts, blogs, and other media. Now we have new tools to help us discuss and debate why Thriller remains relevant and to learn if its genius has any lessons for today, given today's “echo chamber” environment, on how to again find common ground and community. We promise an engaging and thought-provoking re-evaluation. Plus, we'll listen to legendary music, including from musicians who directly acknowledge Thriller's impact on their own storied work. Red leather jackets and sparkly gloves welcomed, but not required.