Vincent Paterson Shines at the Second Edition of Ballet Beyond Borders HAVBANA 2025
On Tuesday in Havana, Vincent Paterson reminisced about his early years as a young dancer, portraying a zombie alongside Michael Jackson in the legendary Thriller music video. This trip down memory lane came at the invitation of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba (LADC).
While the choreography of Thriller was the brainchild of his mentor Michael Peters, Paterson served as an assistant choreographer. Years later, he directed and choreographed the iconic Smooth Criminal, celebrated for its groundbreaking anti-gravity lean that became synonymous with the «King of Pop.»
The acclaimed American choreographer, director, and dance master arrived in Havana at the invitation of the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater (USA) and LADC. Together, these organizations orchestrated the second edition of Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB) HAVBANA 2025, taking place from Tuesday, January 7, to Saturday, January 11.
Participants at this year’s event had the privilege of attending a masterclass led by Paterson. With a career spanning 15 years collaborating with Michael Jackson, he also choreographed Express Yourself and Vogue for Madonna. The latter included her unforgettable performance as Marie Antoinette during the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
Paterson was a key figure during an era when dance in music videos gained equal prominence to the music itself. He helped redefine male dance, elevating it alongside female dance while challenging sexual and gender stereotypes.
Even in the rehearsal studio, Paterson embodies the same daring, irreverent, sensual, and defiantly free spirit that has always defined his artistry.
“Through the Blond Ambition Tour, Satan was unleashed upon the world,” exclaimed Pope John Paul II, referring to Madonna’s groundbreaking tour, directed and choreographed by Paterson. The tour revolutionized live performances and world tours with its unmatched spectacle and innovation.
“Vincent is a national treasure of American culture,” declared Charlene Carey, founder of the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater and BBB. The initiative has reached countries like Italy, China, Pakistan, and Cuba, attracting around 200 participants this year.
However, it would be unfair to limit Paterson’s career to his work with Jackson and Madonna, no matter how iconic. He has also collaborated with Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and choreographed musical sequences for Lars Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
His direction of Anna Netrebko: The Woman, The Voice earned a nomination for Best Television Program at the Montreux Film Festival and became the best-selling classical DVD in European history.
Paterson’s choreography credits extend to films like The Birdcage and Closer for director Mike Nichols, Evita for Alan Parker, and Hook (titled El regreso del Capitán Garfio in Spanish America) for Steven Spielberg.
Paterson will serve as a judge for the Dance Challenge competition, open to both professional and amateur dancers, taking place on January 8 and 9 at LADC’s headquarters in Old Havana.
On Wednesday, he will present his autobiographical book, Icons and Instincts, alongside a screening of videos showcasing highlights from his illustrious career.
Later in the week, Paterson brought the Thriller zombie to life once again, performing alongside young dancers from Cuba and other nations in the Plaza de Belén. He concluded with an exuberant Cuban-style dance to Adalberto Álvarez y su Son’s ¿Y qué tú quieres te den? alongside the dancers of LADC and the company’s founder, Lizt Alfonso.
Before the performance, Paterson gathered all the artists in a massive circle in the middle of the street, holding hands to express gratitude for the power of dance to bring peace and joy to the world.
Source: Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
