KEEP an eye on the wiley, windy moors this month as thousands of people around the world channel their inner Kate Bush.
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Kimberly O’Sullivan, 61, jumped at the chance to take part in the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever – a day where people celebrate the pop star by dancing to her song Wuthering Heights.
“I love dancing, I love Kate Bush, I love flash mobs and performance art, and I love the book. It ticked all the boxes,” Kimberly said.
For those who don’t know the 1978 hit and its music video, it features 18-year-old Kate Bush in a bright red dress, performing some contemporary dance moves while singing about the messy relationship between Heathcliff and Cathy, the lovers from Emily Bronte’s classic novel Wuthering Heights.
Kimberly, from East Maitland, NSW, donned a red outfit and joined the Newcastle event for the first time last year.
When she spoke to The Senior, Kimberly was keenly practising the steps. “You high-kick on Heathcliff,” she explained.
The choreography is the same for every event, modelled off the moves Bush performs in the music video.
After participants register for an event, they receive a link to a video so they can learn the steps before the day.
Kimberly said it doesn’t matter if you can’t high-kick, as people of all dancing abilities can take part.
“It’s very inclusive. Even if you can only do part of the dance, you can take part.”
Previous events have welcomed people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Dancers of all shapes and sizes join in, with men, children and even dogs dressing up as the English singer.
The most important part is that you have fun – and call all the other dancers Kate.
Kimberly said she’d like to see more women over 50 get involved.
“I feel as a woman, we’re told our whole life we can’t do this, we can’t do that.
“I thought, no, I’m putting on a red dress and high-kicking as long as I can.
“It’s really important for women of any age, especially over 50, to remember to play and have fun.”
The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is on July 14.
This year’s event marks several milestones. It’s the 40th year since the song came out, Kate Bush will celebrate her 60th birthday on July 30 and it also marks 200 years since author Emily Bronte was born – coincidentally also on July 30.
Events held in most major cities globally.
For details on your nearest event, search for The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on www.thesenior.com.au