Photo by AP
Elvis Presley
Elvis Week 2011 kicks off Tuesday at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park with a full night of music harking back to Elvis Presley's first professional appearance on a concert stage, opening for country music star Slim Whitman in 1954.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert getting under way at 8 p.m. Veteran Elvis-era musicians — billed as Rock N' Sunabillys with J.M. Van Eaton, Travis Wammack, Sonny Burgess and more — open the bill for headliner Pete Best & The Pete Best Band.
Best was the original drummer for The Beatles but was let go in favor of Ringo Starr before The Fab Four became the most celebrated band in music history. Best is scheduled to take the stage about 9:30 p.m. with an act called "The Best of the Beatles," borrowing heavily from Beatles standards along with original songs by Best. The concert is part of a collaboration between Memphis and The Beatles' hometown, Liverpool, with the cities drawing on "rock and soul" connections.
Tickets are $15 in advance, available online at levittshell.org, or $20 at the show. Proceeds benefit the Shell's free concert series, said Shell executive director Anne Pitts.
The full schedule of Elvis Week events is available online at elvis.com. This is a partial schedule:
Thursday
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinals, Round 1, 3 p.m. at the Orpheum, with contestants singing one song for a panel of judges. The 15 singers with the highest scores move on to Round 2 at 7 p.m. to compete for top 10 spots in the contest finals on Friday. Round 1 tickets are $10, and Round 2 tickets are $25. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, at the Orpheum box office or by calling (901) 525-3000.
Friday
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final, 7 p.m. at the Orpheum, with the top 10 tribute artists competing for the title. VIP tickets to the final are sold out, but some $49 tickets are still available. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, at the Orpheum box office or by calling (901) 525-3000.
Saturday
Elvis Presley 5K Run, Walk, Rock & Roll, 8 a.m., starts at the gates of Graceland, a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South. For more information, visit elvispresleyrunandwalk.com, or call (901) 761-4277.
"Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll" documentary screening, hosted by author Peter Guralnick and Phillips' son Knox Philips, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Rose Theater, University of Memphis. Tells the story of the Sun Records founder. Tickets: $10 by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322 or online at elvis.com.
"Elvis Presley LIVE — The King in Concert," 8 p.m., the Orpheum, with studio session band onstage before Elvis projected larger than life, hosted by Joe Guercio, Elvis' longtime musical director. Tickets, $45, available at Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, at the Orpheum box office or by calling (901) 525-3000, or in person at Davis-Kidd Booksellers.
Sunday
Conversations on Elvis, the Orpheum, tickets $20, with special guests photographer Alfred Wertheimer, former Elvis guitarist John Wilkinson and Elvis' musical conductor, Joe Guercio. Tickets available at Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, at the Orpheum box office or by calling (901) 525-3000, or in person at Davis-Kidd Booksellers.
George Klein's Elvis Mafia Reunion, 5 p.m., Alfred's on Beale with Klein hosting a reunion of Elvis friends and associates, tickets $40 including dinner with proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the EP Charity Dinner. For reservations, call 525-3711.
Aug. 15
Candlelight Vigil, 8:30 p.m., gates of Graceland. Fans walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back to the streets with candles as quiet remembrances. Free admission. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate have completed the visit.
Aug. 16
George Klein's Elvis Memorial Service, noon, Main Theatre Building, University of Memphis, free admission with speakers including friends and family of Elvis. For more information, call 678-2565.
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