Graceland Announces ELVIS WEEK 2016 Lineup
By: BWW News Desk Aug. 02, 2016
On August 10-16, Elvis fans and music lovers will join guests such as legendary musicians DJ Fontana and Glen Hardin, vocalists Estelle Brown and Ray Walker, former Elvis girlfriend Marilyn Rhiel, and movie co-stars Celeste Yarnall, Warren Berlinger and Christopher Riordan, to help celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis and the 60th anniversary of his breakout year of 1956.
Wednesday, August 10 (All times CDT)
The Guest House at Graceland Media Hard Hat Tour / 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. - The Guest House at Graceland
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Showcase / 3:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage - Graceland Plaza
Some of the semifinalists for the 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest showcase their talents as they prepare for the Ultimate contest.
Hard Rock Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest - Final Round / 7:00 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe
The annual Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest with live performances. The overall winner selected will represent Memphis in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round on August 11.
Thursday, August 11
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet 'n' Greet / 10:00 a.m. Hard Rock Cafe
The 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest semifinalists meet fans from around the world during a reception.
Designing for the King / 1:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
Elvis' sense of fashion, style and decor set the trends and defined new styles. Discussing his style will be Hal Lansky, son of Bernard Lansky and owner of Lansky Bros., a clothing store that helped dress the king as early as 1952; Lowell Hays, jeweler who made 200+ pieces of jewelry for Elvis; and Bill Eubanks, an interior designer who designed several rooms at Graceland for Elvis.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round / 7:00 p.m. Orpheum Theatre
More than 20 of the best tribute artists in the world will perform Elvis tributes as they compete in the Semifinal Round of the 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The top 10 advance to the Final Round on August 13.
Friday, August 12
Elvis 101 / 10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
This event will feature scholars, authors and those who have spent hundreds of hours studying Elvis Presley. Confirmed guest speakers include author Peter Guralnick, talking about his most recent release, "Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll;" Dr. Charles Hughes, Director of the Memphis Center at Rhodes College and professor for the course there entitled Elvis Presley and America; and John Jackson and Ernst Jorgensen of Sony Music.
The Sound and Soul of Memphis / 7:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
The sounds that made Elvis' hometown famous are celebrated with a special salute to Memphis music. Performers include Beale Street favorite the Memphis Jones Band; musician Ted Torres Martin; and Memphis musician Brandon Cunning.
Saturday, August 13
Elvis Presley 5K Run Benefiting Livitup / 8:00 a.M. Gates of Graceland
The Elvis Presley 5K Run starts and finishes at the Gates of Graceland. For more information and to register visit elvispresleyrunandwalk.racesonline.com.
The Auction at Graceland / 2:00 p.m. Graceland Archives Studio
The Elvis Week auction will feature 197 rare and exceptional Graceland-authenticated artifacts from private collectors all over the world. Included are Elvis' 1935 birth record, jewelry, clothing, personal items and movie memorabilia.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final Round / 7:00 p.m. Orpheum Theatre
The top 10 Elvis tribute artists from the August 11 Semifinal Round compete for the title of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2016. The show will also feature a performance by 2015 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner David Lee. The 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner will receive $20,000 cash, a performance contract with Legends in Concert, and more.
Sunday, August 14
Official Graceland Insiders Conference / 9:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
The Graceland Insiders conference will feature special segments that highlight various parts of Elvis' life and career with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event and more. Special guests include: DJ Fontana, Elvis' drummer for 14 years, who started performing with him in 1954; Marilyn Riehl (Evans), Elvis' girlfriend who was there for the famous Million Dollar Quartet session at Sun Studio; Barbara Sims, who worked at Sun Studio from 1957-1960 and author of "The Next Elvis: Searching for Stardom at Sun Records"; Estelle Brown, one of The Sweet Inspirations who recorded and performed with Elvis; and Ray Walker, member of The Jordanaires, who also recorded and performed with Elvis. There will also be a Sony Music panel talking about the new "Way Down In The Jungle Room" album release.
Elvis Gospel Celebration / 8:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
A celebration of the gospel music that not only influenced Elvis, but that also earned him his only three GRAMMY Awards. Special guest performers include some who shared the stage with Elvis, plus those who have been inspired by his music: Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Larry Strickland and Ed Hill, former members of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet; Terry Blackwood, Darrell Toney and Lynn Royce Taylor of Terry Blackwood and The Imperials; plus musicians Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey. The Show will feature Elvis imagery and videos on the big screen throughout the performance.
Monday, August 15
Conversations on Elvis: Co-Stars / 9:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
This event will feature those who starred alongside Elvis in some of his 30+ films. Special guests include Warren Berlinger, Elvis' co-star in "Spinout"; Celeste Yarnall, Elvis' co-star in "Live a Little, Love a Little"; and Christopher Riordan, who had roles in several Elvis films such as "Viva Las Vegas" and "Clambake."
An Afternoon with Elvis' Piano Man, Glen D. Hardin / 2:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
Special event featuring TCB Band member Glen Hardin and musician Andy Childs as they share stories and music. Glen, who performed and played piano for Elvis from 1970 to 1976, was responsible for a large percentage of Elvis' orchestral arrangements.
Candlelight Vigil / 8:30 p.M. Gates of Graceland
After an opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans will walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary date of Elvis' passing. Media must be cleared in advance.
Tuesday, August 16
Elvis Love Songs / 10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage
A special morning concert that celebrates the love songs of Elvis Presley. Performed by Terry Mike Jeffrey, Jamie Kelley and Gladys & Maybelle - with special Elvis imagery on the screen throughout.
Elvis Presley's Graceland, in Memphis, is music's most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland, its related properties, including The Guest House at Graceland 450-room hotel, opening in October 2016, as well as the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis' home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Auction A Circle and Graceland Auctions TNGL#5967 is the entity that manages Auctions at Graceland. In 2015, Graceland was named the world's "Best Musical Attraction" and "Best Historic Southern Attraction" in the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards and in 2013, voted the #1 "Iconic American Attraction" in the same poll. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com.
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