Join our monthly disco!

Next FAB Disco, Friday 25th August.

Friends Ageing Better (FAB) first held a disco in 2018 after feedback from early members stated they wanted somewhere to enjoy music and dance together, away from the hectic nightlife of Bristol. Over lockdown, the discos had to stop but we were delighted to relaunch them last year at the Trinity Centre, with local Decades Disco DJ, Steve and his apprentice DJ, Anne running the set.

Anne (DJ Blue), age 69, heard about the, now called, FABulous discos from a group of friends who were also members. The friends were all part of a dancing group in Redcatch Park and decided it would be fun to try out the discos together. The appeal of a disco like this, Anne said, was that you can dance alone and don’t need to have a partner. Anne enjoyed the disco so much that she decided she wanted to be involved in running the discos and now works as Steve’s apprentice DJ;

“I knew DJ’ing would be something I would enjoy; I’ve dipped my toe in that kind of thing before. I’ve been involved in a choir since 80s’ and I attend a dancing group on a regular basis too.

It’s a good feeling knowing people are enjoying what you’re playing, and a very heartwarming experience when you see people dancing to the music. It’s lovely when people come up to you after and say, ‘Oh that was fantastic,’ or tell you they really enjoyed it.”

Asked what songs tend to get people going, Anne said, “I just started off with some 60s’ songs so most of it was pretty upbeat. Sweet Inspiration, the Bee Gees and then ABBA. Everyone loves ABBA.”

Our Friends Ageing Better (FAB) service connects people over 50 with their local community through local meet-up groups and discos. Membership to FAB includes a regular printed and digital newsletter about events and activities running in the city, and any discounts available to over 50s. We currently run 7 FAB cafes, as well as the FABulous disco’s collaboration with Eastside Community Trust and the Trinity Centre.