Tribute concert series kicks off with ABBA, Cher, and the Bee Gees

Feeling nostalgic for the good old days when disco reigned supreme and the 70s were all about having a good time? Well get ready for the show of a lifetime as the Southeast Event Centre kicks off its Tribute Series with the likes of Cher, ABBA, and the Bee Gees.

“I think its going to be a really neat sort of walk back on memory lane for some people and the ABBA music is still super popular today, even with the young people, and it’s so easy to sing along with and dance with,” said Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, director of communications, marketing and sales at the centre.

The Swedish quartet known as ABBA, was a staple of 1970s dance pop music selling an estimated 150 million records worldwide. The group broke up in 1982 but their music is still popular with Broadway and movie successes of Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Known simply as Cher, this icon of music, TV, and movies has done it all winning many accolades for her performances, including an Oscar. Her musical hits include I’ve Got You Babe, Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves, Believe, and If I Could Turn Back Time. She has sold more than 100 million records and is the only solo artist with number one singles on the U.S. Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades.

The disco powerhouse group known as the Bee Gees brought to life the John Travolta movie Saturday Night Fever, of which the soundtrack earned the group five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. They have sold more than 120 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

The first concert of the Tribute Series is like getting three concerts in one, according to Sawatzky-Koop. The show will be performed in the gymnasium which can hold 800 people. To date, only 400 tickets have been sold, but Sawatzky-Koop said there is still six weeks for people to buy their tickets.

“We’re excited cause we know that historically a lot of the tickets get sold in these last few weeks before a concert. We just know the community is going to support this and support us and really have a great time,” she said.

This concert will play on Oct. 24.

Swifties will get a kick out of the second concert in the Tribute Series, which will embody billionaire musician Taylor Swift on Dec. 13.

“This was the brainchild of director of events and operations Amanda Wiebe. One of her first dreams for the event centre was to have this Taylor Swift tribute and on the actual Taylor Swift’s birthday…

“(The Tribute singer) will go through all of the eras and sing some of the most popular songs that Taylor has written – of course there’s too many to get into one concert – but it’s going to be super fun for so many. We’re really excited about that December tribute concert for sure,” said Sawatzky-Koop.

Swift’s music has continuously hit the top of the music charts and her Eras Tour is the first to gross $1 billion in revenue. She has won 14 Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award.

Tickets to the Tribute Series of concerts can be purchased at the box office or by visiting ticket.southeasteventcentre.ca.

Tickets are $35 and $45 for VIP.