ABBAFAB Concert at Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village Apr 9

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is calling all dancing queens (and kings) to kick up their heels in support of a great cause this spring. In partnership with Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate, MKAF kicks off its 21st season with a special performance by critically acclaimed ABBAFAB, a talented, high-energy tribute band for the Swedish pop group sensation, ABBA.

The concert is set for Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Dugas Pavilion located in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Bring your favorite chair, wine and picnic or purchase dinner prepared onsite from food trucks and local restaurants serving up delicious dinner menu options. Sorry, no pets.

Tickets are $20 for MKAF members and $25 general admission. Free for children (12 and under). Gates open at 6 p.m. and concert begins at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets online at mattiekellyartsfoundation.org or at the gate. Purchase VIP Tables that seat up to eight by calling (850) 650-2226. 

Making its Northwest Florida debut, ABBAFAB will present a high-energy two-hour, multi-media tribute performance that includes ABBA’s popular chart-topping hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s such as “Mama Mia,” “Dancing Queen, “SOS,” “Waterloo,” “Honey Honey,” Fernando” among others. Core band members: Anne Davies, Chelsea Faulds, Nick Davies and Scotty Pearson have traveled the globe earning praise and accolades for their “intoxicating” talent and spot-on ABBA performance. In addition to many memorable ABBA hits, this “Technicolor journey” features choreographed dancing, colorful costumes and plenty of audience participation.

“There’s really nothing like it,” says ABBAFAB singer Anne Davies who formed the band in 2008. “We’ve had audiences from ages 5 to 95 and they all get into dancing and singing. This music is so upbeat and uplifting … who doesn’t like to feel happy?”

ABBA was a Scandinavian sensation nearly from the start. The four-member Swedish band from Stockholm skyrocketed up the music charts with their hit “Waterloo” in 1974 and continued to dominate the charts with catchy, dance hits until 1982. One of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, ABBA was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2010. With the staging of the Broadway hit “Mama Mia” later made into a star-studded film starring Meryl Streep, ABBA’s intoxicating music danced into the hearts and heels of yet another generation.
 

“We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our 21st season than with this sensational show by ABBAFAB,” said Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation CEO Marcia Hull. “There’s no generation gap with this awesome music act, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!”

Proceeds from the event will benefit MKAF’s mission to support cultural events and education programs for all ages.

“MKAF’s cultural events go a long way towards funding empowering arts programming for children, youth and adults with special needs, and emerging therapeutic programs for our local disabled veterans populations,” said Hull. “Our one-of-a kind outreach program, All Kinds of Art, is truly dedicated to serving all kinds of populations with impactful arts experiences.”
 

Other signature events slated for the MKAF 2016 Season will include the 21st Annual Concerts in the Village, 8th Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert (Sept. 4); the 21st Annual Festival of the Arts (Oct. 29-30) and the 21st Annual holiday offering Sounds of the Season (Dec. 2) at Village Baptist Church in Destin.

ABBAFAB is made possible by the generous support of local individuals, businesses and media partners. For more information on how you can become a member of MKAF, gain benefits as an event sponsor, provide a donation or explore opportunities to get involved on a committee of the Board of Directors, call (850) 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org. Follow Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook and on Twitter at @MattieKellyArtsFound.