Attention, Dancing Queens—and kings! Dust off those disco shoes and get ready to dance in the aisles of the Avalon Theatre as ABBAFAB, a tribute band of the Swedish pop group ABBA, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, in the fifth concert of the Community Concerts of the Grand Valley season.

 The band rocks the hall with the best of ABBA with hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Fernando,” “Waterloo” and more. 

ABBA, the original band, took its name from the first initials of the two couples who formed it: Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid. After years of topping the charts, friction among the members led to divorces and eventually the demise of ABBA. 

 However, the songs have lived on, and for 15 years ABBAFAB has brought that golden era of pop back to life with Julia Davies singing the roles of Agneta, Scotty Pearson as Bjorn, Kelly-Anne Gower as Anni-Frid, and Cullen Law as Benny.

Davies was born and raised in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. She is a multi-instrumentalist performing in award-winning jazz bands, concert bands and drum lines. She has performed internationally and worked with artists that include Neil Young, Santana, Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Smith, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line and many more. 

Cullen Law plays piano for the group, and also several other instruments. Originally from Sheridan, Wyoming, Law has performed all over the world on cruise ships, music tours and regional theaters across America.  He recently directed the music and performed in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” He’s no stranger to Tony Award-winning directors, the London Symphony Orchestra, and well-known performing artists. 

Guitarist Scotty Pearson loves to say he was “Bjorn” to be in ABBAFAB. Any opportunity to “put smiles on people’s faces makes my job as a performer fulfilling.” Scotty grew up in Portland, Oregon, and as a teenager began learning, playing and performing music as soon and as often as he could.

Kelly-Anne Gower, originally from Liverpool, England, becomes Anni-Frid the minute she walks on stage. She’s graced London’s West End and international stages, sharing them with stars like Brian May and Hugh Jackman. Credits include lead singer in “Leading Ladies of Broadway” in Las Vegas, Eponine in the London productions of “Les Misérables” and Scaramouche in “We Will Rock You.” She has even performed for Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle. 

Each member has his or her own favorite ABBA song, but as a group, “Mamma Mia” captures all of the things that are so great about the original group.  As performers, they also love singing and mastering the choreography required to stage the multimedia performance. Seeing the country and performing for so many different audiences makes traveling to gigs worthwhile, and they all enjoy the journeys together.

Concert-goers will be able to meet the four stars after the performance and purchase memorabilia in the lobby so you can take home the music and memories of this ABBAFABulous evening.

If available, individual concerts tickets are $35 plus fees starting three weeks before the concert. Buy tickets at the Avalon Box Office, 645 Main St., Grand Junction, or by calling 970-263-5757 Thursday through Saturday from 12-6 p.m. 

WIN TICKETS FROM THE BEACON!

Send in your answer by Thursday, March 21 to be entered into a drawing for two tickets to see ABBAFAB perform at 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre.

Share with us your favorite ABBA song and what makes it special to you.