July 18, 2022

ABBA DABBA DOO … BARGE CONCERT MAGICAL WITH SUNNY BACKDROP AND HUGE CROWD FOR DANCING QUEENS

Mark Clairmont Story and photos | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Mamma Mia! What a crowd and what yet another incredible Music on the Barge show.

Last night’s Abba concert was magical filling Gull Lake Rotary Park stem to stern.

From the front row where kayaks and canoes had the best seats, up the grassy knoll, back and forth across the top of the bank, deep under the trees and into the field as far back as — I swear — second base, the huge crowd of more than 1,000 was as awesome as was the band. If not more so.

There are no bad seats in Rotary park — though one couple moved back to get away from the beat of the bass and drums, while another called for Abba to pump up the jam.

Abba Magic’s tribute to the Swedish superstars hit all the pop group’s musical highlight in two 45-minute sets, including Dancing Queen, Fernando, Money Money and — of course — the showstopper Mamma Mia.

But it was the magic of the night that made the third Sunday event of the season so special.

There was even a chance for Rotarian David Reid to plug the club’s ‘Rock the Barge’ fundraising plan to line the bank with boulder rock amphitheatre seating possibly for next summer.

**The crowd of more than 1,000 was as relaxed as the Abba Magic show band was sparkling in their 90-minute performance.**

Everywhere you looked there were smiles on faces, hands waving and fans on their feet dancing and singing along to songs they knew and loved.

Not even the memory of COVID could put a damper on this lake view and sound as music lovers took delight in sitting back on blankets and mostly in lawn chairs as they relaxed and enjoyed the pure pleasure of music no matter if it was their particular taste.

It was still music — and it was outdoors.

It was a night out with family and friends and new acquaintances they made as many got up and danced the night away.

With the sun at their backs the audience was as relaxed as the eight-piece band was sparkling.

With the music wafting up off Gull Lake, over the hill and into the recesses of the park I’m sure I heard Summer Night City and Our Last Summer.

Next Sunday it’s the popular high-spirited Beckett Family of champion fiddlers and step dancers.

The long mid-summer long weekend is a treat with back-to-back shows Saturday night featuring local talent Grant Tingey with some country music at its best.

Sunday next it’s the ever popular Liverpool 4 Canada’s ‘Beatles Tribute Band.’

The final two shows include another tribute, this time to Johnny Cash, the ‘Man in Black,’ with special friends and guests.

Music on the Barge’s season wraps up Aug. 14 with the 30^th anniversary performance of the Good Brothers — one of Canada’s best award-winner country bands.

The Muskoka Music Festival concludes the summer series Aug. 21.