Monday, ABBA Voyage welcomed local dance development charity East London Dance to the ABBA Arena to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic hit Dancing Queen.
ABBA Voyage and East London Dance joined forces to facilitate over 50 local dancers and community members for a public flashmob outside the ABBA Arena, performing a new dance routine created in response to the track, with choreography that fused disco with the movement languages that make East London unique, including Afro, Bollywood and Salsa.
Alongside East London Dance was The Blair Academy, a company bringing older people together through dance classes in care homes, retirement communities, and other settings.
Rooted in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ABBA Voyage takes pride in its connection to the East London community. This ongoing commitment to local organisations made working with the team at East London Dance, alongside The Blair Academy, a natural moment to celebrate this landmark anniversary.
Tia Hassan & Kate Scanlan, Joint Creative Director and CEO, East London Dance said: “For nearly 40 years, East London Dance has championed the local dance community. At the heart of that mission is connecting people with, and actively involving them in, the very best performance and cultural experiences east London has to offer. That’s why it has been such a fantastic opportunity to work with ABBA Voyage on this wonderful celebration of dance, music and east London culture.”
Duncan Sanders, Director of Partnerships at ABBA Voyage said: “We have really enjoyed working with East London Dance to celebrate 50 years of Dancing Queen and seeing the incredible talent and energy in the local area. ABBA Voyage continues to be committed to working with community groups to create these unforgettable and joyous moments, and we can’t wait to collaborate again.”
ABBA Voyage’s wider community initiatives
ABBA Voyage continues to nurture the East London community. Earlier this year, ABBA Voyage launched its expanded Education Programme in collaboration with London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). Since opening in 2022, ABBA Voyage has delivered Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Talent Pathways programme, including:
Twice-yearly schools concerts for state primary and secondary school pupils across the four local boroughs (Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest)
Summer and Autumn Schools providing young people aged 15-17 with practical insight into careers within live entertainment;
East Careers Week workshops showcasing the breadth of opportunities available across the creative industries;
Teach Meets for local teachers and careers leads;
subsidised young persons ticketing schemes designed to improve access to live music experiences;
continued commitment to local employment, with a minimum of 50% of employees sourced from the surrounding area.
To date, ABBA Voyage has engaged more than 8,500 young people through its education and outreach activity and remains committed to local employment and inclusive growth within East London.
East London Dance champions and grows the East London’s dance scene, creating an open and inclusive space for everyone with an interest in expressing themselves through dance, from those with a passion for movement to emerging creatives who go on to become professional artists and leaders. Through its projects, classes, courses and events, East London Dance provides opportunities for young people to make decisions, build confidence, develop leadership skills and strengthen their dance and performance abilities across a range of styles that reflect their interests and experiences.
Similarly, The Blair Academy creates joyful, culturally relevant sessions that empower older adults while strengthening connection, confidence and wellbeing.
