Tuesday, August 19 2008

The Seymour Herald — Seymour, TN

graceland announces plans for elvis week

published: July 09 2008 09:08 AM updated:: July 09 2008 09:42 AM

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is planning for a special Elvis Week, Aug. 9 – 17 at Graceland. Elvis Week is an annual, nine-day gathering of friends and fans from around the world celebrating Elvis’s life and career.

The 2008 event will feature several new activities and additional entertainment including, “Elvis, from Broadway to Memphis.” This first-ever production will include a state-of-the-art, video-projected Elvis performing with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Broadway stars Leah Hocking and Austin Miller, 2007 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Shawn Klush, and rockabilly group The Dempseys. Two shows will be held Aug. 16 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis.
Elvis Week kicks off at 8 a.m., Aug. 9,with the annual Elvis Presley International 5K Run to Benefit United Cerebral Palsy. Other exciting events include Music and Movies at Graceland on Aug. 11 – 12, The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on Aug. 13 and the contest finals on Aug. 14.

Additional events are planned throughout the city, including the DVD theatrical premiere of, “Elvis Presley, His Home, His Story.” Three screenings will take place each day, Aug. 9 and Aug. 13, at Malco's Studio on the Square.

A special Elvis gospel brunch will be held Aug. 10in the Elvis Presley Car Museum, with a special Club Elvis dance and party for fans in Graceland Plaza.

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet ‘n’ Greet will be held at 11 a.m., Aug. 12 at the Hard Rock Café, followed by Shawn Klush’s performance at the Cannon Center.

Klush’s opening act will be comedian Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis in Las Vegas from 1969 – 1972.
Elvis Expo 2008 will be held, Aug. 13– 14, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. It is the world’s largest Elvis trade show, with more than 75 booths and 35,000 square feet of the latest Elvis music, movies, merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, authors, artists and photographers. Guests appearing in the showroom include Darlene Tompkins from “Blue Hawaii” and “Fun in Acapulco,” dancer Tanya Lemani George from Elvis’s “’68 Special,” Joanne Cash, The Imperials, DJ Fontana, Celeste Yarnall from “Live A Little, Love a Little,” Francine York from “Tickle Me” and more.
The Official Elvis Insiders Conference on Aug. 13 – 14, features two full days of special guests and programming produced by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., including on-stage interviews with people who were part of Elvis's life and career.

The largest Elvis Week event is the annual Candlelight Vigil and will be held at 8:30 p.m., Aug. 15. Thousands of fans walk up the driveway to Elvis’s gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance of The King. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so.

For a complete list of events and special ticket package information, visit www.Elvisweek.com. For more information, contact David Beckwith or Jason Wanamaker at (323) 845-9836.

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User Comments

#1 Linda James commented, on July 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m.:

I am attending the events at the Cannon Center. Flying from Dallas. I love Elvis' songs, but I am attendinga to see that rising star, Austin Miller.

#2 Maurice Colgan commented, on July 9, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.:

Elvis fans attending Elvis Week are hoping to land at the "Elvis Presley International Airport, Memphis" one day.

#3 Eva commented, on August 3, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.:

Shawn Klush was voted best ETA last year and will always be the best no matter how many other artists try for it. I'm sure they are all good but Shawn will always have the honor of being the first to be chosen best ETA in the world.

#4 Myrna commented, on August 3, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.:

I have seen Shawn Klush every year that he has appeared at the Sch. Cty. Fair. He is the closest to Elvis Presley & always will be!!!
Myrna E.

#5 Carol commented, on August 3, 2008 at 1:33 p.m.:

Having seen the real Elvis in concert, I can say that Shawn Klush, without a doubt, is the "closest to the King" that many will ever see. The great thing is that Shawn is also a sincere Elvis fan who pays a tasteful and respectful tribute to "our hero." As others have said, no matter who wins the EPE contest this year, Shawn has the honour of being the first.

#6 Vern Hofer commented, on August 3, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.:

I had the honor of meeting Shawn Klush in Myrtle Beach a couple of years ago. I have seen many Elvis Tribute Artists. The majority of the time, they rarely look like Elvis let alone sound like him. Shawn Klush is the first Tribute Artist I have seen that not only sounds like Elvis but you see Elvis when he is on stage. Unbelievable!!

#7 Vickie commented, on August 3, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.:

I am looking forward to all the ELVIS week '08 events and guest speakers. I enjoy going to Graceland in January and August to celebrate ELVIS PRESLEY. I wish some of the events were televised so other ELVIS fans could see the great events in August. Vickie from Tampa

#8 BILLVIS commented, on August 3, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.:

www.billvis.com LOve the king.

#9 Cris commented, on August 3, 2008 at 7:23 p.m.:

Wishing everyone a wonderful time during Elvis week! Shawn Klush is worth checking out this year. I see him every year in Cleveland, great guy!
Ladies......he is so sweet and has soft lips !! LOL

#10 ursula moser commented, on August 3, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.:

I've seen Shawn Kluch in Vegas and Akron. Shawn sounds just like Elvis, he has a darn good show. I love the King.

#11 Sherie from Iowa commented, on August 3, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.:

Shawn can excite the audience with his incredible voice and bring back those Elvis memories. Thankyou Shawn.

#12 barbara jennings commented, on August 3, 2008 at 10:21 p.m.:

i had seenn shawn many years ago when he furst started out, but this year i had my husband go to the piston fair with me so he could see himself, he was totally amazed being we just came back from graceland.

#13 Kathie from Australia commented, on August 3, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.:

Everyone enjoy Elvis Week.
Sorry I can't be there.
Looking forward to seeing Shawn Klush in Melbourne, Australia in September. He's great! Have fun in Memphis.

#14 mark jennings commented, on August 3, 2008 at 11:14 p.m.:

my wife did nothing but talk about shawn so we went to the pittston fair and being we just got back from graceland i couldn't believe my eyes i felt like elvis was there. shwn made my wife happy she got one of his scarfs and teddy bears and a sign picture.

#15 mark jennings commented, on August 3, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.:

all my wife talked about was shawn so we wnt down to the pittson fair and i saw him, unbelieveable have just come back from graceland i couldn't believe my eyes. shawn made my wify happy she got one of his scarfs and teddy bears, which she cherishes.

#16 Maria commented, on August 4, 2008 at 2:48 a.m.:

Would love to see Shawn
Singing in London.

#17 Olivia commented, on August 4, 2008 at 8:05 a.m.:

Shawn Klush is and always will be the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist! The love that Shawn has for Elvis exudes when he is on stage. If you have never seen Shawn..it's SO worth it! Love ya Shawn, see you in Memphis!!!!!!!!

#18 Joyce Backhouse commented, on August 4, 2008 at 8:16 a.m.:

Would love to see Shawn in Concert,but as I live in the UK it is not possible, unless he came over here on tour. That would be great.

#19 Carol commented, on August 4, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.:

Off topic, but to those in the UK who wish to see Shawn, he will be at the Bolton Arena, Bolton UK Sat. August 9th & some tickets are still available. Very sorry to be off topic. Hope everyone enjoys Elvis Week in Memphis. Thanks to all involved who work so hard to make Elvis Week such fun each year.

#20 C. Coulter commented, on August 4, 2008 at 10:41 a.m.:

I would like to see Shawn and talk to him too. No other comment is needed. tcb

#21 Elvis-He Touched Me F.C. commented, on August 4, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.:

I have the oldest Elvis fan club in the world--we will be 50 years old on Aug. 14th--and we totally support Shawn. I knew Elvis personally and Shawn has a lot of his onstage and offstage attributes. We wish him well and will always be behind him.

#22 Kathy DeLello commented, on August 4, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.:

I recently saw Shawn perform in Rahway, New Jersey. He is excellent. However Donny Edwards will win this years contest...He's just as good as Shawn...Good luck Donny...

#23 Fuzzy commented, on August 4, 2008 at 2:09 p.m.:

From what I understand Justin Shandor will be in EPE'S contest this year & said to be as good as Klush.

#24 patricia commented, on August 4, 2008 at 2:12 p.m.:

i met shawn several years ago. he really is super talented and a joy to watch. i have so many photos of him kissing me that my husband is getting suspicious! if you haven't seen him, you are missing a wonderful show.

#25 Elvis-is-still-king commented, on August 4, 2008 at 4:57 p.m.:

yes I can't wait to see both Shawn and Justin at Bolton Arena UK. Anyone who wants more info just go to www.elitetributes.com Should be a fantastic night.

#26 Jim K NY commented, on August 4, 2008 at 8:39 p.m.:

I saw Shawn when he first started at the original Mt Airy in the Poconos, and hearing him sing , I knew he would be very sucessful. My wife thought he was lipsyncing.I saw him again at Graceland for the 19th anniversary and he was even better. WOW, he is so close to Elvis that when I see him perform, it's like Elvis has taken over his body. Keep rockin, Shawn. You are doing the KING proud. God Bless

#27 kasey wheeler commented, on August 4, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.:

i wasn't a elvis fan at all and we went to graceland this year i was amazed by his house and theway he lived. then my mom took me to the pittston fair to see shawn abd i couldn't believe my eyes. shawn you are the greastest.

#28 Bonnie Harrold commented, on August 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.:

31 years how time flies/the king still lives on in our hearts/nobody will ever be able to fill his shoes/God gave us Elvis Presley and the world enjoyed & love him and his talents/you will never be forgotten Elvis

#29 liz adams commented, on August 5, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.:

I'll be there to see this years winner.Shawn really the next best thing to Elvis!!But I look for Donny Edwards to be the winner this year!GOOD LUCK DONNY!! also looking for Ryan Pelton to enter contest.where are you Ryan?

#30 Jean Manzelli commented, on August 5, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.:

I saw met Shawn several years ago and there is noone that can top Shawn in my book. I have seen several ETA performers but Shawn is the next best thing to Elvis himself, the smile, the voice, the looks and oh my gosh those sexy eyes. Keep up the great job Shawn. YOUR # 1 in our book.

#31 Susan Dulaney commented, on August 11, 2008 at 12:37 p.m.:

I had the privilege of seeing Shawn Klush in concert for the ELVIS BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE- here in Cincinnati- I was sitting on the aisle that he happened to come down to begin the Show- when he first entered the hall- I thought that I had seen the ghost of ELVIS- he looks and sounds so much like ELVIS! I also was thrilled to be kissed by him when he came down the aisle- such soft and kissable lips!! When you see him- you see the "KING"- shining in his eyes and in his voice!! Don't miss the chance to see him!