MEMPHIS, TN. (Top40 Charts/
Elvis Presley Enterprises) - During ELVIS WEEK August 8-16th, tens of thousands of people from around the world will converge in
Memphis at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, to celebrate his life. Fans have made the pilgrimage annually since Presley's death in 1977. This year's gathering will include various special events including the third annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, fan club events, charity fundraisers, celebrity guests and other musical tributes.
The following are highlights of key events. For a detailed version of events, with additional activities and location information, please visit www.ElvisWeek.com.
Saturday, August 8
Club Elvis
8:00 p.m. - Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza.
Sunday, August 9
Gospel Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza.
Blue Hawaii at The Orpheum Theatre
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Movie at 6:00 p.m. 203 South Main St.
Monday, August 10
Club Elvis
8:00 p.m. - Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza.
Tuesday, August 11
Peabody Duck March with 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contestants
5:00 p.m. the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Avenue, Memphis. Competitors in the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will assist the Duckmaster with the march of the world famous Peabody Ducks.
Shawn Klush in Concert Featuring The Sweet Inspirations
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street, downtown Memphis.
Wednesday, August 12
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet 'n' Greet
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Memphis Hard Rock Cafe, 315 Beale Street
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center. Semifinal round of competition for the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The audience will see the best Elvis Tribute Artists from around the world performing and competing on stage for their chance to move onto the finals on August 13. Also competing in this round will be the 2009 winner of the Elvis Week MySpace Karaoke contest.
Thursday, August 13
Brass Note Dedication for Dewey Phillips
9:30 a.m. In front of W.C. Handy Park, located on the northeast corner of Third and Beale Streets. The Beale Street Brass Note Committee will be honoring Dewey Phillips with a brass note on Beale Street's 'Walk of Fame.' Phillips was one of Memphis' most famous and entertaining disc jockeys who in 1954 was the first DJ to give air time to Elvis.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center. The finals of the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The top finalists from the semifinal round on August 12 will compete for the title of Elvis Tribute Artist of 2009.
Friday, August 14
The Official Elvis Insiders 2009 Elvis Week Event
Shake, Rattle and Bowl Party
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Strike Zone Bowling Alley, 3330 Pine Tar Alley, Southaven, Mississippi. Elvis Insiders will shake, rattle and bowl during a special event filled with Elvis-themed fun. Special guests will include The TCB Band, The Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials, Millie Kirkham and Joe Guercio.
Elvis 1969 - A Celebration Concert
8:00 p.m. Cannon Center. Forty years after Elvis Presley triumphantly returned to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. will reunite many of the original cast for an Elvis Week 2009 concert celebration. Live musical performances along with video and audio will create a magical music experience.
Saturday, August 15
27th Annual Elvis Presley Run, Walk, Rock & Roll benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South
8:00 a.m. Starting at the Gates of Graceland, thousands of Elvis fans will kick off the 27th Annual Elvis Presley Run, Walk, Rock & Roll benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South and Greater Memphis Special Olympics.
Conversations on Elvis - Session 1
American Studio Session
10:00 a.m. Cannon Center. Elvis' friends and associates will share their stories and memories of Elvis. Special host will be Tom Brown of Turner Classic Movies. Session 1 will feature The Memphis Boys and Chips Moman who will be on stage to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their historic American Studio session with Elvis that resulted in "Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto" and "Kentucky Rain" among others. They will be joined by noted Elvis historian Ernst Jorgensen.
Conversations on Elvis - Session 2
Elvis In Vegas 1969
1:00 p.m. Cannon Center. Session 2 features guests who were at the opening engagement in Las Vegas: Joe Moscheo of the Imperials, James Burton of the TCB Band, singer Millie Kirkham and journalist Gloria Greer.
Elvis Sales Awards Presentation from Sony Music
5:00 p.m. The Plaza Green at Graceland. Executives from Sony Music, EPE and fans from around the world will gather for a presentation of plaques that honor Elvis' recent worldwide gold, silver and platinum achievements.
Candlelight Vigil
8:30 p.m. Gates of Graceland Mansion. After an opening ceremony at the gates of the Graceland Mansion property, fans walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. This is the largest event of Elvis Week and draws a crowd of tens of thousands of Elvis fans from around the world.
Sunday, August 16
Elvis Week Entertainment Tent at Graceland Crossing
August 8-16. Continuous presentation of Elvis music performed live by various singers and bands, plus other activities. Children and youth karaoke also featured.
Elvis Week Art Contest & Exhibit
All Week. Ticket office pavilion in Graceland Plaza. Exhibition of Elvis-themed artwork from amateur and professional artists from around the world.
