Elvis Week Photo News Alert August 9-16

Aug. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- MEMPHIS, Tenn. – August 2, 2011 – As part of the celebration of the 55th anniversary of Elvis in 1956 and the commemoration of the 34th anniversary of his passing, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is hosting an exciting lineup of events for Elvis Week 2011 held at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. Coming up August 9-16, Elvis Week is an annual, multi-day gathering of friends and fans from around the world celebrating Elvis’ life and legacy.  This year marks the 55th anniversary of many Elvis firsts, including his first RCA single and national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," his first movie, "Love Me Tender," and his first television appearances. The annual, multi-day gathering of friends and fans from around the world celebrating Elvis’ life and legacy draws 30,000 to 40,000 people from all over the world to Memphis.  

Tuesday, August 9

Rock ‘n’ Roll Anniversary Concert at Levitt Shell
8:00 p.m. Levitt Shell, Overton Park
The Levitt Shell at Overton Park will have a special kick-off event for Elvis Week that commemorates the performance by Elvis Presley that many historians now consider to be the first live rock ‘n’ roll concert. Also included will be a celebration of Memphis’ relationship with Liverpool led by British musician and original Beatles drummer Pete Best and his band. Hosted by Elvis’ close friend George Klein, in addition to Best performers will include the Rock N’ Sunabillys featuring J.M. Van Eaton and Travis Wammack, Sonny Burgess and more.

Wednesday, August 10

Club Elvis
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza
A disc jockey spins Elvis records for fans to get into the Elvis Week spirit.

Midnight Southern Breakfast
11:59 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Chrome Grille Restaurant, Graceland Plaza
Following Club Elvis, fans are invited next door to the Chrome Grille Restaurant for a midnight Southern breakfast.

Thursday, August 11

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet 'n' Greet
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Memphis Hard Rock Café on Beale Street
An opportunity for fans to meet the contestants in the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round One
3:00 p.m. The Orpheum, 203 South Main Street, Memphis
The best Elvis tribute artists from around the world compete in the first semifinal round of the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.  

2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round Two
7:00 p.m. The Orpheum

Friday, August 12

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals
7:00 p.m. The Orpheum
The finalists from the previous night’s semifinal round compete for the title. The excitement will build throughout the night as the group is narrowed down and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2011 is named.

Saturday, August 13

The 28th Annual Elvis Presley 5k Run, Walk, Rock & Roll
Starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Graceland Gates
Thousands of Elvis fans and runners will start in front of Graceland for the Elvis Presley 5K Run, Walk, Rock & Roll to benefit United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of the Mid-South.

"Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll" Documentary Screening
Hosted by Peter Guralnick and Knox Phillips
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Rose Theater, University of Memphis, 470 University Street
This special event will feature a screening of the film “Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll,” with Peter Guralnick and Knox Phillips speaking after the presentation. The film, written and co-produced by Guralnick, tells the story of the founder of Sun Records, who discovered and recorded some of the greatest artists of American music in the 1950s. Proceeds from this event to benefit Presley Place.

Elvis Presley LIVE - The King in Concert
8:00 p.m. The Orpheum
Elvis started a rock ‘n’ roll revolution in 1956 and now, 55 years later, something new will shake up Elvis Week 2011! "Elvis Presley Live: The King in Concert" is an exciting multi-media music event that puts a hot studio session band and back up vocalists on stage for a theatrical experience in Memphis as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is projected, larger than life, on state-of-the-art screens. Hosted by Joe Guercio, Elvis' musical conductor. Also making a special appearance during this evening will be Elvis’ Imperials, singing a few of Elvis' favorite gospel numbers.

Sunday, August 14

Classic Sunday Morning Gospel Music Singin’
9:00 a.m. Graceland Entertainment Pavilion (north of airplane exhibit), Graceland
A celebration of the gospel music Elvis loved with some of the singers who performed as part of Elvis’ Imperials. Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood, who both performed with Elvis on stage, along with group members Royce Taylor and Darrell Toney, will perform many of the hits Elvis loved. In addition, also performing will be gospel group Soul City from First Assembly of God, Memphis, which was Elvis’ home church for many years.

Lansky Bros. Historical Marker Unveiling
12:00 p.m. 126 Beale Street
The Lansky Bros. will receive a historical marker in front of the original Lansky Bros. location at 126 Beale Street. The marker will tell the Lansky Bros. story and their connection with Elvis. This ceremony will be an unveiling of the historical marker.

Conversations on Elvis
1:00 p.m. The Orpheum
Conversations on Elvis features special guests that knew, worked with and spent time with Elvis, sharing their favorite memories and stories. The event will be hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Confirmed special guests are: Al Wertheimer, who took an assignment in the spring of 1956 as a one-day freelance photographer to take publicity photos of a young, up-and-coming singer named Elvis Presley; and John Wilkinson, who played rhythm guitar as part of the TCB Band starting in 1969 through 1977; and Joe Guercio, Elvis’ musical director and conductor for his performances from 1970 – 1977.

On Stage at Graceland with Terry Mike Jeffrey
7:00 p.m. Graceland Entertainment Pavilion
A celebration of Elvis music during a special evening concert at Graceland. The show will feature Elvis fan favorite Terry Mike Jeffrey performing some of his favorite Elvis tunes. Opening the show will be Jamie Aaron Kelley along with Brad Birkedahl performing Elvis’ hits in their own unique style.

Monday, August 15

On Stage at Graceland with Andy Childs
9:00 a.m. Graceland Entertainment Pavilion
Live entertainment at Graceland to kick off a special day at Graceland featuring Memphis musician Andy Childs, country music entertainers and IMASTAR recording artists Lori Anderson and Gavin Kelly, and Victor Trevino, Jr.

Candlelight Vigil
8:30 p.m. Gates of Graceland Mansion
After an opening ceremony at the gates, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis’ gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance.

Tuesday, August 16

Various activities at Graceland Plaza
Graceland

Throughout the week numerous events and entertainment will be held throughout Memphis.  Check ElvisWeek.com for a complete schedule.

For photos of Elvis Week events, please email Photos@Elvis.com to request imagery. Video b-roll of Elvis Week events can be requested by emailing Media@elvis.com

About Elvis Presley Enterprises
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com. EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com.)