Dancing Downtown: Elkton Music Hall Keeps the Beat Going With Mamma Mania and More

On show nights in downtown Elkton you can hear it before you see it. Drums rumble down North Street, guitars spill out onto the sidewalk, and people laugh and talk as the doors of Elkton Music Hall swing open. Inside, the venue that proudly promises to “Rock Your Elk Off!” is doing exactly that, turning a historic corner of Cecil County into a true live music destination.

A small town with a big time room

Elkton Music Hall sits at 107 North Street, right in the heart of the Elkton Arts and Entertainment District. The hall is a flexible 300 seat room that can change from a full standing crowd to theater style rows or tables and chairs with plenty of room to dance.

Just off the I 95 corridor and about 60 miles from both Baltimore and Philadelphia, it is perfectly placed for national touring artists traveling the East Coast and for local fans who are tired of long drives and big city parking.

Owners Ric and Katie Cunningham live in Cecil County with their three kids, an anxious dog and a very dramatic cat. They describe Elkton Music Hall as the natural next step after a lifetime of loud music, late night karaoke and as many concerts as they could possibly attend. They say they are thrilled to be doing what they can to bring more music to this area, and the busy schedule shows they mean it.

Mamma Mania lights up Elkton

One of the biggest recent highlights at Elkton Music Hall was Mamma Mania, the high energy ABBA tribute that turned the room into a seventies disco for a night.

Billed as The American Tribute to ABBA, Mamma Mania is one of the most in demand ABBA tribute acts in the country. They are known for colorful costumes, tight harmonies and a stage show that captures the joyful spirit of the original band. Their cast includes performers who have toured in the official Mamma Mia North American tour and musicians who have worked with artists such as Marc Martel, Queen Extravaganza, INXS, Britney Spears, Rob Thomas and The Weeknd.

At Elkton Music Hall, they delivered exactly what fans expected. The set was a parade of favorites like Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia along with deeper cuts for longtime fans. The Mamma Mania show was fantastic and had people dancing in the aisles from start to finish. Couples, friend groups and first time visitors were on their feet, clapping and singing along under the bright stage lights.

With colorful outfits, big three part choruses and spot on Swedish pop swagger, the night felt less like a typical tribute show and more like stepping into a retro arena concert that had been brought into an intimate hometown room. For anyone who loves ABBA or simply loves to dance, it was the kind of performance that reminds you why live music matters.

A calendar full of reasons to come back

If Mamma Mania was your first visit to Elkton Music Hall, the upcoming lineup makes a strong case that it should not be your last.

The hall schedule features shows several nights a week throughout the year, with a mix of national touring artists and local and regional talent. Tribute fans can circle the date for Hell’s Belles, an all women AC DC band endorsed by Angus Young that delivers the raw power and punch of classic AC DC songs and turns the room into a full tilt rock and roll party.

The calendar is also packed with original artists who bring their own songs and stories to Elkton. Saxophonist and singer Vanessa Collier blends blues, soul and funk in high energy sets that fill the room with a big sound. Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers are set for their first appearance at Elkton Music Hall on Valentines, a night that will feel like a Stone Balloon reunion for Newark area fans who remember that legendary music bar.

Country artist Austin Brown brings his Ain’t Done Dreamin tour to town, fresh off years as a standout voice in the group Home Free and now stepping forward with his own brand of heartfelt country songs. Guitar master Sonny Landreth returns with his full band for a Louisiana Calling show that also features the legendary New Orleans band The Iguanas, giving Elkton a double bill of bayou grooves. Later in the season, Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie comes back for a solo show that promises the same piano pounding, heart on sleeve energy that has earned his band a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in America.

No matter what your playlist looks like, there is a very good chance Elkton Music Hall has a night that fits your taste.

More than a venue, it is a hangout

Part of the magic is the way the hall fits into downtown Elkton. Before shows, fans gather at nearby restaurants, breweries and cafes. After the encore, groups of friends linger on the sidewalk, still humming the last song as they decide where to go next.

Inside, the room feels large enough to feel like a serious concert, but small enough that there is not a bad seat in the house. Since the space does not rely on fixed seating, every night has its own look, from intimate seated listening rooms to shoulder to shoulder rock shows with plenty of room down front for dancing.

How to join the party

If you missed Mamma Mania, do not worry. Another must see show is always right around the corner. To see everything that is coming up, visit ElktonMusicHall.com and click on Events, or follow Elkton Music Hall on social media for new announcements and ticket links.

Then grab a few friends, plan dinner in downtown Elkton, and get ready for a night in a room where the lights are low, the sound is big, and the music has a way of pulling you right out of your seat. Just like Mamma Mania, you may find yourself dancing in the aisles before the night is over.

For Tickets and more information on upcoming events check out: Elkton Music Hall