2015 is looking to be a big year for Elvis fans! January 8th 2015 would have been his 80th birthday and there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate this fact in the UK this year. I am going to highlight 5 big events that are taking place over the next 6 months for Elvis fans across the country. Most of these are annual events but will take on extra significance this year because of the King’s upcoming birthday.
We at Alterego Fancydress have a lot of love for Elvis Presley and his fans – always making sure that we have a variety of costumes available. We are the only fancy dress retailer in the UK selling a plus size Elvis costume. So this is a reminder to those of you who might be attending one of these events – make sure you’re kitted out appropriately (or you might end up being the only rhinestone-free fan around!!)
European Elvis Championships, 2nd – 4th January 2015, Hilton Birmingham Metropole
This event is held annually on a weekend around the time of Elvis’ birthday. The weekend itself is recognised as the No. 1 European Elvis Tribute Artist Convention. Tribute acts travel from around the world to compete to become ‘European Champion’.
There is plenty here for both die-hard and casual fans alike: Live bands, Elvis showcases, rock n roll, Elvis Merchandise, Elvis Disco, Elvis Video, Elvis Gospel Contest, Elvis Novice Contest and of course the main event The European Elvis Championships.
More info at www.elviscontest.co.uk
Elvis Easter Spectacular, 4th & 5th April 2015, Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Another event now from the same company at the same location. However his time instead of the focus being around a competition the event will instead showcase some of the best Elvis performers from the UK and USA. The organisers promise 100% Elvis day & night, along with the Best Bank Holiday Elvis Event of the year…no pressure there!!
More info at www.elvisspectacular.com
Elvis Party Cruise 13th – 18th April, Harwich to Aarhus, Denmark
Celebrate Elvis’s 80th birthday year on the Elvis Party Cruise, featuring award-winning Elvis tributes Ben Portsmouth and Ben Thompson as well as Elvis discos, film shows and a great Elvis party at sea! Plus there’s an optional visit to Graceland Randers where you will see some amazing original Elvis related artefacts and there’s an American Diner for that authentic lunch.
There is an optional excursion available during the cruise to Graceland Randers, Denmark. It is inspired by Elvis Presley’s Graceland home in Memphis and is the ultimate tribute to the King. Graceland Randers sees itself as helping to nurture the Elvis legacy, his life, music and memory. As well as the Elvis Museum and Elvis Shop, there’s also Highway 51 (an American Diner), Ballroom, and Mini Movie Theatre. The collection of original artefacts from Elvis’ life is truly amazing and worth a visit. These include all the Sun records, the trousers that Elvis wore during the I Want You, I Need You, I Love You recording session, a jacket that Elvis wore in 1959, one of Elvis’ guitars from 1975, shoes, documents, letters, concert belt and so much more.
More info at www.arenatravel.com
Europe’s Tribute to Elvis 3rd – 5th July, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Visit this for an amazing festival honoring the life, music and fans of Elvis Presley. The third annual Europe’s Tribute to Elvis Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary will be held here. The event will be hosted by Tees Events Ltd and will feature the Ultimate Elvis preliminary contest, the winner of which will represent Europe’s Tribute to Elvis in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest finals in Memphis in 2015.
The festival will also feature Elvis themed shows, including some of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists on stage in the The Empress Ballroom. Plus there are special guests, merchandise stalls, after-show private parties, raffles and much more.
More info at https://elvisfestival.co.uk
Porthcawl Elvis Festival 25th – 27th September, Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Wales
Claiming to be one of Europe’s biggest gathering of Elvis artistes and their fans, this event offers three days of fun and music all over the normally sleepy seaside town of Porthcawl, roughly halfway between Cardiff and Swansea, near to Bridgend.
The feature events are the Official Shows taking place in the Grand Pavilion. These include The Elvies the World’s premier event for Elvis Tribute Artists. In addition, The Hi Tide host over 100 shows over the weekend, many with free admission. Additionally over 20 venues in and around the town form the fringe festival.
The O2 Arena, London is hosting an exhibition honouring the life and legacy of The King entitled ‘Elvis at the O2’ alongside these events and birthday celebrations. Britain will get personal insight into the life of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, through the largest Elvis retrospective ever mounted in Europe.
The nine month exhibition will showcase over 300 artefacts direct from the Presley family’s treasured Graceland Archives, some of which have never been exhibited outside of Graceland in Memphis. It runs from 12th December 2014 to 31st August 2015 and is a must-visit!!
So there you have it – plenty of Presley going on in 2015!
Oh, and if you were considering dressing up for them then check out our exclusive plus-size Elvis costume in action here when it was used in Emmerdale last year:
Thanks
Chris J
Alterego Fancydress
Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events. And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter. Check out our pinterest page for more costume inspiration.
Alterego blogsite 