Kate Bush fans recreate her ‘Wuthering Heights’ dance in Pacific Beach

by Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Nearly two dozen fans of singer Kate Bush donned red dresses to recreate the choreography to Bush’s 1978 “Wuthering Heights” music video on July 19 outside the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library.

The third annual “The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever” dance performance is the only one of its kind in California, said library branch manager Christina Wainwright.

Participants at the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library's "The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever" dance performance on July 19. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak) — Participants at the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library’s “The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever” dance performance on July 19. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

The PB event was inspired by a 2013 dance performance at the Brighton Fringe Festival in the United Kingdom. Since then fans of Bush and the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë have been learning Bush’s “roll and fall” dance choreography and recreating it at venues around the world in July because that is the month of Bush’s birthday.

In the weeks leading up to the Pacific Beach performance, Wainwright and library staff gave free dance lessons. Participants could also learn the dance by watching online tutorial videos.

“It is a way to be creative, connect and promote togetherness,” Wainwright said. “It celebrates literature and music. … We are having a good time together.”

Because this year’s performance coincided with Pride weekend in San Diego, Wainwright said participants, both women and men, were invited to wear red dresses, red outfits or rainbow attire. Wainwright chose to wear rainbow leggings under her red dress.

Jennifer Looney-Doner said she is a “big fan of Kate Bush.” Once she saw the “Wuthering Heights” video she wanted to do the dance and approached Wainwright with the idea four years ago.

Jennifer Looney-Doner, who suggested the event four years ago, and Katie Williams. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

“It is fun to get dressed in costume and be silly with friends who have the same interest,” Looney-Doner said.

The Pacific Beach event is not only drawing locals, but visitors to the area. Richard Lagunte came with his dog Buko from San Francisco.

“I saw my (friend) doing it (last year),” Lagunte said of his inspiration. “It’s a fun celebration of life and being carefree.”

Richard Lagunte and his dog Buko came from San Francisco in order to participate. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak) — Jennifer Looney-Doner, who suggested the event four years ago, and Katie Williams. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

Lagunte’s friend, Elsie Militar, who also lives in San Francisco, joined the Pacific Beach event for the third time.

“I looked on the internet when I heard it was held in other states,” Militar said. “I looked for California events and found this one. I used to live here, so I studied the YouTube video.”

Militar said she keeps returning because “I like that it is a really laidback, community event.”

Wainwright said this dance performance is one of two that the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library holds annually. The other is to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” held near Halloween. Free classes to teach that choreography will be offered in the fall. Participants for the public performance are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, especially those with a zombie theme.