Memphis, TN (Top40 Charts/ Beckwith Company) Elvis Presley's Graceland has announced an exciting preliminary lineup of events for Elvis Week 2014 to be held at Graceland in Memphis. Taking place August 9-17, Elvis Week is an annual, multi-day gathering of friends and fans from around the world celebrating Elvis' life and legacy. It has become a pop-culture phenomenon and an annual pilgrimage for music lovers from around the world.
The cornerstone event, the Candlelight Vigil, will begin with the traditional opening ceremony on August 15, at 8:30 p.m. Central Time at Graceland's front gates. Elvis music sets the tone of the evening as fans walk up the driveway to Meditation Garden. The event lasts throughout the night as thousands of participants gather on
Elvis Presley Blvd. listening to music, remembering Elvis and enjoying the memorials that are created by fans along the street.
A first-ever event this year is Elvis A Cappella: A Tribute to the King, which will be presented at the Elvis Week Main Stage. Elvis goes a cappella for the first time in two different 60-minute Elvis shows, featuring some of the country's top a cappella groups — Kentucky's Acoustikats, Florida
State University's All-Night Yahtzee, The
James Madison University BluesTones, the Vanderbilt Melodores, and Memphis' own Briarcrest OneVoice — performing some of Elvis' greatest hits, joined by Elvis on the big screen. Each show will be presented twice.
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest returns for the eighth year with over 20 competitors from around the world, including winners from preliminary contests in the U.S., Brazil, the U.K., Canada and Australia. Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) will compete during the semifinal round of the contest at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis. The top 10 semifinalists will then move on to compete for the title of 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.
An exclusive screening of the world premiere of Warner Bros.' newly-remastered version of Elvis: That's The Way It Is - Special Edition will be held at the Orpheum Theatre. The Elvis concert documentary will be available for the first time on Blu-ray on August 12. Fans will be treated not only to the newly-remastered film, but will also get to experience an outtake performance or sequence never-before-seen on the big screen. In addition, the screening will feature an on-stage performance by Terry Blackwood and The Imperials and "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" related artifacts on display in the lobby, direct from the Graceland Archives.
The
Memphis Boys Salute at the Elvis Week Main Stage will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Elvis' acclaimed recording sessions at American Sound Studios - along with the legendary house band that not only backed Elvis, but many other stars over the years. This incredible
Memphis Boys concert event with special guests Terry Mike Jeffrey and Scat Springs, will feature them performing some of their Elvis hits, as well as songs from the many other stars they have performed behind for over 45 years.
Conversations on Elvis, one of the most popular Elvis Week events, returns this year to the Elvis Week Main Stage. Hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies (TCM), this event features Elvis' friends, colleagues, co-stars, musicians and more sharing some of their favorite stories and memories of Elvis.
The Official Elvis Insiders Event will feature special segments that highlight various aspects of Elvis' life and career. Also hosted by Tom Brown, attendees will enjoy sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event, special guests and much more. It will be a special "inside" look at both Elvis and his home, Graceland. Also, representatives from Sony and Warner Bros. will be part of a behind-the-scenes panel discussion to talk about the remastering of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is."
The
Elvis Presley Fan Club Presidents' Event will focus on the work of fan clubs around the world. In addition, attendees will enjoy a guest speaker segment hosted by Elvis
Radio DJ Argo. This year's special guest will be Jimmy Snow, son of the country music legend Hank Snow. Prior to becoming an evangelist in 1958, Jimmy was in show business — including radio, television and live concerts. He recorded on RCA for 7 years and worked closely with Elvis, with whom he became good friends. Jimmy will share his favorite stories of Elvis and sign autographs following the event.
Other events scheduled during the week include additional special entertainment on the Elvis Week Main Stage, a Graceland Trivia Tour, the Annual
Elvis Presley International 5K Run benefiting Livitup, Inc., an Elvis Gospel Celebration and more.
Fans unable to join the celebration in
Memphis will be able to participate online at ElvisWeek.com and via the Elvis Week 2014 mobile app plus live webcasts via Livestream, live coverage on
Sirius XM's Elvis
Radio channel, and more.
Elvis Week ticket packages as well as individual event ticket presale begins April 28 for Basic and PLUS Insiders, with the public sale beginning May 1. Visit ElvisWeek.com for detailed ticket and event information.
