Whether you’re a Dancing Queen, a Super Trouper or just want to say Thank You For the Music, if you recognize these lyrics you’ll appreciate a tribute show coming to Port Alberni this Friday, April 7 at Alberni District Secondary School’s theatre.
ABRA Cadabra, an ABBA tribute band, kicks off two nights of tribute bands at ADSS. Heroes of Rock, a tribute to the biggest rock legends of all time—think Led Zeppelin, The Who, Kiss, Metallica, Def Leppard and even Bon Jovi—plays Saturday, April 8.
Jonas Falle is one of two founders of ABRA Cadabra, and plays the part of Björn Ulvaeus, part of the original ABBA band that became popular in 1974 with its hit, Waterloo. Besides Ulvaeus, ABBA also featured Agnetha Fältskog, , Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
“Everyone connects to the music of ABBA,” says Falle, who has performed with ABRA Cadabra for 15 years. “I’m a huge fan of the music. It’s timeless and it transcends age and culture,” he said in a telephone interview.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re performing in Singapore or Asia or Canada, we’ll have all sorts of ethnic backgrounds (in the audience).”
ABRA Cadabra is arguably the longest-running ABBA tribute band, and has caught the eye of the original band (they used to run with the name ABBA Cadabra, but the original ABBA asked them to change it).
ABRA Cadabra performances are the only place fans of the music will get to hear it played live, with bright choreography, since ABBA turned down a rumoured $1 billion reunion tour offer earlier this year.
“That’s why it’s so great to bring a world-class show to places and keep the music alive for fans,” Falle said. “We’re huge fans too, so for us to be able to perform live brings joy to us.”
Fans to Port Alberni’s show can expect “high energy, a celebration to their music, a lot of choreography, costumes, interaction with the audience and epic moments,” Falle promised. ABRA Cadabra will sing two dozen of ABBA’s biggest hits over the course of the show.
The weekend of tribute concerts will help the Alberni District Secondary School sports department purchase another passenger van to transport athletes to tournaments, games and championships.
Boston Pizza manager Ryan MacEachern has teamed up with ADSS for this fundraiser, and says he hopes to make it an annual event.
The Lance Lapointe Band from Port Alberni will put on a mini-concert of its own at the beer garden both nights, and will also play during intermission.
Beer gardens open at 6 p.m. and shows start at 7 p.m. on both nights.
The shows themselves are all-ages shows.
There are still a few tickets left for this weekend’s concerts. They’re $40 each and available at Boston Pizza on upper Johnston Road.
Ask about dance zone and VIP pass availability.
The ADSS Theatre is located at 4000 Roger St. at ADSS high school, with an entrance on the left side of the school.