Local News

You can dance, you can jive. Yes … you can have the time of your life.

Tonight, Music at McClellan is playing host to a group christened "absolutely the best ABBA since ABBA" by the Official International ABBA Fan Club.

It is a show titled "ABBA: The Hits" performed by the Swedish tribute band Waterloo — including four musicians who have played and recorded extensively with ABBA — accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

The event is anything but a retro occasion, said Pete Conroy, Music at McClellan co-chairman.

"With Mama Mia on Broadway and the movie opening very soon in theatres, it is as current as anything could be," he said.

Conroy said it was quite a coup to bring the act to Anniston.

"If you just look at where they have been and where they are going after they play here, it is clear that they are a truly international act," he said.

According to the show's Web site, the group has performed in several countries in Scandinavia, Europe, the Philippines, India, Japan, Canada and USA, in the past seven years.

In preparation for the show, Music at McClellan even splurged on renting a $3,600 lighting package, Conroy said.

The computer-driven, motorized, track lighting will accent the show in a way Music at McClellan has not been capable of before.

"When we heard that is what ABBA requested, we added it," said Conroy.

Portia Williams, director of communication for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra said the evening is destined to be a good time.

"You just can't get any more fun than ABBA," she said.

The orchestra warmed up with the group Friday at a performance in Birmingham, so they should be raring to go Saturday, Williams said.

"We expect people to be dancing on their seats," she said — a bit tricky in an outdoor venue with lawn chairs.

Tickets will be available at the McClellan box office the day of the show beginning at 2 p.m., Conroy said.

Adult tickets are $25, ages 4-12 are $5, under age 4 are free.

The concert area opens at 6 p.m., he said.

Pre-ABBA entertainment will include Ron and Joel Anglin, two performers who worked with Cirque du Soleil. They will be juggling and performing tricks and magic, Conroy said.

Jacksonville's own JaxPan Steel Drum Band also will perform prior to the main event, he said.

For more information and a video of ABBA: The Hits, please visit www.abba-the-show.com. For more on the Music at McClellan series visit www.musicatmcclellan.org or call 310-0852.