November 2020 Sharing MJ news and comment from the World Wide Web Editorial One thing is certain about Halloween, no matter the year. Michael Jackson’s classic track “Thriller” is going to trend on social media. Sure enough, this year it reportedly trended in The Netherlands, Italy, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Sweden, Colombia, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Philippines, and Australia. It was continuing to trend when these results were posted by @andjustice4some on Twitter. Sharing the spotlight this year was “Michael Jackson’s Ghosts”, and deservedly so. This year in particular, “Ghosts” found new audiences when it was made available on Michael’s official YouTube channel for the Halloween weekend – and in better quality than I’ve previously seen it. China celebrated Halloween in their typically spectacular style by unveiling yet another MJ HIStory statue, this time in Chengdu. It happened at night, with pyrotechnics and a crowd of fans watching on. (See the story in the News items below.) As always, it’s been a fun time, with some of us taking part in charity fundraisers in MJ-themed outfits or costumes, proudly showing off our love for the man and his legacy. Halloween may be over for another year, but the Michaeling continues. Stay happy and healthy, everyone, and have a great month! Kerry Hennigan • R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen Kerry Hennigan Last month was a sad one with the loss of a number of Global MJ Pilgrim (“I’m with the doll”) individuals with connections to Michael. But none made Editor 'A Candle for Michael Newsletter' headlines bigger than Eddie Van Halen. The following Admin: Michael Jackson's short film 'Ghosts' fan group tribute was posted on Michael’s official social media Blog: https://kerryhennigan.wordpress.com accounts: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Eddie Van Halen. Eddie was a rock legend, one of the most exciting and creative artists to ever pick up an electric guitar Calendar of MJ Events and whose work inspired generations of young musicians. Eddie’s collaboration with Michael on Beat It for the album 29 Oct - 1 Nov – Full length “Michael Jackson’s Ghosts” film on Thriller produced one of the most memorable guitar solos ever recorded, building to an exhilarating crescendo that MJ’s official YouTube channel. still excites listeners nearly four decades later. Our thoughts are with Eddie’s family and friends.” Back in April this year, 24 Nov – Cirque du Soleil presents online Masterclass in an article on EURWeb (complete with video clips) marked th Costume Design with Zaldy Goco on Cirque Class. the 27 anniversary of “Beat It” topping the charts. Access it here. 25 Nov – MJJ Justice Project zoom event with TJ Jackson 12noon EST Reserve your spot : [email protected] • Michael’s costumers honoured on Walk of Stars Michael Jackson’s long-time costumers, Dennis Tompkins 25 Nov – Major Love Prayer www.majorloveprayer.org and Michael Bush, are being honoured with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Here’s what MLB wrote on his Facebook page: “I was recently surprised by my best friends Sep 2021 – MJ: The Musical to open on Broadway at the Neil who told me that Dennis Tompkins and I were approved for a Simon Theatre. STAR on the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs. The city of Palm Springs gave approval and over the coming months I will be working with them on the exact location as well as the News of Note actual date. I know if my partner Dennis was alive today, he • “Ghosts” on YouTube for Halloween weekend would not believe that “Tompkins & Bush” would have a star and I can’t believe that this was given to me in my lifetime. A week before the Halloween weekend, the online team of This is a huge honor and I want all the people who I love the Michael Jackson Estate issued the following including friends, family and fans of the celebrities we announcement: “With the spooky season coming up soon, worked with over the past 30 plus years, know they are the MJ Estate has some exciting news for this year! The welcome to attend this ceremony. I will let you know the Estate is putting the full-length version of “Michael Jackson’s dates in 2021 when the city approves the ceremony as I Ghosts” on the MJ YouTube channel for Halloween. The want everyone to feel welcome when it is safe to attend. I am video will be available on Thursday, October 29, and remain very grateful to the city of Palm Springs as well as my friends up until Sunday, November 1st.” While we all wish it could who nominated me and Dennis.” The Palm Springs Walk Of be available indefinitely, it’s great to see our Maestro finally get the Halloween spotlight. Now, how about a DVD/BluRay Stars honours over four hundred celebrities in Downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive, Museum Way and release, complete with “the making of” special? THAT would Tahquitz Canyon Way. be the best Halloween treat ever! • MJ musical opening now to be September 2021 • Smooth Radio highlights Ghosts short film Due to the ongoing suspension of all Broadway When “Ghosts” became available on YouTube over the performances, MJ: The Musical will now open September Halloween weekend, Smooth Radio published an article to 2021. For those holding tickets for performances through this educate the uninitiated into the film “forgotten” by the public date, information regarding refunds and exchange options (but certainly not by the fans!). The article provides a will be initiated through your point of purchase. Sign up for potted history of the film. Access it here. the official newsletter to receive first access to ticketing and performance updates by visiting: https://mjthemusical.com/ • R.I.P. Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim of Brunei, age 38 Prince Azim of Brunei died 24 Oct aged just 38. You may • Another MJ statue unveiled in China remember Michael attending the Prince’s celebrity-studded Michael’s indefatigable Chinese fans have done it again – 25th birthday party in the UK in 2007. In July 1996 Michael another HIStory statue of Michael was unveiled on the performed a special free concert in front of a crowd of occasion of Halloween in the city of Chengdu. Crowds 60,000 at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri watched on as the black cloth covering the statue was Begawan, Brunei in honor of Prince Azim’s father, the pulled away, accompanied by a pyrotechnic display. Watch Sultan of Brunei on the occasion of the Sultan’s 50th the excitement as shared by Keen Zhang on Facebook. birthday. It remains a favourite performance of many fans. • MJ Global Family Zoom Chat with TJ Jackson • Brad Sundberg’s story of making Ghosts MJJ Justice Project’s monthly zoom chat for November will Brad Sundberg writes of “Michael Jackson’s Ghosts”: “We be with Michael’s nephew and former guardian of Prince, all knew Michael was working on a huge short-ish film for Paris and Bigi, TJ Jackson - the youngest member of the the songs "Is It Scary" and "2Bad", but I don't think I really musical trio 3T. The live event will take place 25 Nov at 12 understood how big this was until I saw it.” Read Brad’s noon US Eastern Standard Time. RSVP to special post on Ghosts here. [email protected] to reserve your spot. • Rob’s Halloween anniversary of Neverland Park • Safechuck’s lawsuit dismissed by court Rob Swinson, well-known to many MJ fans as the author of James Safechuck’s lawsuit against the Michael Jackson the photo-essay book “Maker of Dreams” about the creation group of companies was dismissed by Judge Mark A. Young of the amusement park at Neverland, reminds us that on 20 Oct. Among the earliest media to react was columnist Halloween is the anniversary of the inauguration of the park, Roger Friedman and USAToday. Click the underlined links which occured 31 Oct 1990. Rob writes: "Michael to read the respective articles. Safechuck’s lawyer Vince L..V.E.D. Halloween and even went to watch the children Finaldi has already stated that he will appeal the decision. Trick or Treating in Los Olivos that same evening before our The MJ Estate's lawyers, Howard Weitzman and Jonathan wonderful dinner party followed by the inauguration of HIS Steinsapir, said in a statement published by Associated new "The Magical Carrousel!!! INCREDIBLE MEMORIES of Press: “We are pleased that the court dismissed Mr. that night we spent bonding!!! ‍♂‍ After the other Safechuck’s case by ruling that he had no grounds to pursue guests departed the carrousel inauguration party, leaving such a lawsuit.” Michael and I alone, I took him on HIS first C.P. Huntington train ride on the 2.5 mile track layout I designed and had • R.I.P. “Smooth Criminal” dancer Smith Wordes installed at Neverland Valley. Just before midnight we were Smith Wordes was a dancer and choreographer who worked on the train coming up from the lower end of the valley, with Michael on a number of projects, and can be seen with when we went around a curve behind a mountain near the him in “Smooth Criminal” and during the morphing sequence park and both of us saw this gorgeous FULL MOON and of the “Black or White” short film. Smith, who also acted in simultaneously started HOWLING at the top of our lungs!!! I movies, passed away last month as a result of cancer. She stop the train, Michael and I were sitting next to each other was only 65 years old.