Even the Michael Jackson impersonators had body guards, but that wasn't enough to hold the dozens of people trying to snap a picture of their idol, or some guy dressed like him.

Thousands gathered today at the Angel de la Independencia, one of Mexico City's most iconic monuments, to dance along the Beat It tunes.

The idea was to emulate an improvised dance, similar to another made in Stockholm, which became impossible after the street crowded with children, parents, pets, people in bicycles, people in bikes and street vendors with all kinds of Michael Jackson's 51st birthday souvenirs.

The gathering started at 10am, and for the next two and a half hours people rehearsed the moves as they were published weeks before in a website and on site in colourful leaflets.

Cheerful despite the strong sun, people waited with increasing enthusiasm until the last rehearsal was announced, at about 12:15 pm. Some 10 minutes after that it was all over, but people stayed around for hours to come; some still dancing, some taking pictures with the King of Pop's dress alikes, and some just strolling with their families as a Michael Jackson themed weekend in Mexico City passed by.