Michigan ElvisFest! … The
world-renowned Michigan Elvisfest began in 2000 at Ypsilanti, Michigan's
Historic Depot Town. Beautiful Riverside Park is the place where Elvis fans
flock by the thousands every July to pay homage to the "King of Rock 'n'
Roll" and to hear the most award-winning professional Elvis tribute
artists in North America, as well as other talented legend tribute artists.
By PERCY A OSTONAL
Michigan, USA
A FEW YEARS after the "Undisputed king of Rock and
Roll" died on August 16, 1977, Elvis
impersonators were everywhere in the United States.
One summer issue of a major US newspaper even featured
sightings of him in a Mcdonald chain restaurant in the southern states of New
Orleans , got a picture riding on Harley Davidson motorcycle and many more
places where his adoring fans of the 50s, 60s and the 70s all over the World
would love to find out at that time if Elvis Presley is alive and never "left
the building" at all.
Well, he did. ** Elvis died at his mansion in Graceland,
Tennessee near Memphis in August 1977 at the age of 42. With such versatile and
commanding voice, he revolutionalized his blatantly sexual gyrations,
particularly the one that got his nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (TV
cameras were not permitted to film below his waist).
Teenage girls became particularly hysterical every time he
delivered his body language repertoires. Rhythm and blues with a strong back
beat, gospel, ballads and popular music then was his signature songs and he was
enormously and universally known for the "Rock and roll
introduction".
 |
| The King |
He was the only performer to have been inducted into three
separate music "Halls of Fames", best-selling and most influential
artist in the history of popular music and at the time of his death, he had
sold more than 600 million singles and albums.
In the 70s with live concert appearances, nearly all of them
were sold-out shows. Elvis all-time #1 hits were: "Can't Help Falling in
Love”, “Jail House Rock”, “Hound Dog” and “Suspicious Minds”.
Elvis Presley was born in East Tupelo, Mississippi on
January 8, 1935 but moved to Memphis, Tennessee in September 1948 with his
parents when he was 13.
He worked as movie theater usher and truck driver before
getting in to do the music world. The mansion he left behind in Graceland is
now a shrine for millions of followers Worldwide.**
(** taken from Elvis Presley-IMDb, Website information)
Today, you will not find anybody around using the word
"impersonator" as people has the bad connotation for it and rather
use another word appropriately specially if the intentions were meant to
recognize and honor the musical talent like that of Elvis Presley and other
showbiss/ musical celebrities.
Webster's Dictionary defines "impersonate" as to
assume or act the character of a person. Reflecting anyone’s legacy will be
significantly more "respectful, meaningful and sounds right if the word
‘Tribute’ will be use”. It is defined (again by Webster's dictionary) as
showing gratitude or affection, formal
attestation that indicates the worth, virtue or effectiveness of the one in
question.
Elvis Presley Tribute Artists (Registered Ttrademark). Ypsilanti, Michigan at historic Depot Town, Riverside Park
will be hosting again its Town's Annual "Elvisfest 2012" on July
13-14 featuring the best of Elvis tribute performers coming from across North
America.
This summer spectacle based on their Website indicates that
this event is sanctioned thru "Elvis Presley Enterprises. Inc" and
expects this year's gathering to reach 10,000 plus antendees.
Started in year 2000, this festival became state of
Michigan's one of the "coolest and biggest showcase " of great professional tribute artists whose
incredible singing talents were
almost "authentically like and resemblance of the ‘King’". There
were 11 of them who will do their own respective center-stage performances
during these two-day gathering.
Here are the schedules:
July 13th -- starts at 5pm to midnight
July 14th --starts at
12pm (noon) to midnight
To locate the place: take I-94 10 miles west of i-275 or 5
miles east of US 23 to exit 183, go north and follow the signs. State of Michigan,
USA.
 |
|
Poster
announcing the Michigan ElvisFest…
|
TICKETS: For group of 10 or more, please contact Mary at
michiganelvisfest@gmail.com. cash only
at the gate.
Advance purchases:
July 13th $12.50
July 14th $22.50
Two days $30.00
Numbers to call: (734) 544-3800 Ypsilanti Twp. community
center, #2025 Clark Road
(734) 483-4444 Ypsilanti area convention center, #106 W. Michigan Avenue
In addition, like in 2008, alternate appearances of so
called "friends of the festival tribute artists" like the Beatles,
Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Earth Angels were included. This year, they'll have
Chicago's newest Elvis Tribute back-up musical sensation, The Change of Habit
Tribute Band and Blues Brothers.
**The organizers of Michigan
ElvisFest has been working closely with Ypsilanti "Meals on Wheels,
an International organization dedicated
to provide food for household, often to the elderly on daily basis**.(taken
from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
So, if you're visiting the Midwest USA , please come to
Michigan particularly to Ypsilanti and expect to be**"all shook up"
at ElvisFest. (** words taken from ElvisFest Website promo.)
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