the nearest Elvis offi cial. However, Peter hopes this
Heartbreak Hotel and Mary Street becomes Lonely Porthcawl then visit St David’s Hall on Tue 1 Sept
won’t be necessary: “It is competitive and there is
Street. The Hi Tide [sponsors of the festival] has when they will be hosting The World’s Greatest
always a danger of people taking it too seriously. But
50 ETAs putting on 100 shows in four bars over the Elvis Tribute Artist Concert. The Show will include
by and large the spirit is good.”
weekend.” American Shawn Klush, winner of BBC One’s World’s
So you’d think that with ETAs, hotels and bars taking
The Elvis festival is not the only event that Peter is Greatest Elvis. The show also boasts Elvis’s original
part all weekend that would be the end of what the
involved with. He is part of the team that also run backing singers, The Sweet Inspirations. Fans con-
festival has to offer. Not so: this year’s festival will
sider this the best ETA show since his death.
see Reverend Steve Caprice, an ordained minister
Elvis died on Aug 16 1977 at his Memphis home,
and professional Elvis Tribute Artist marry a couple, “People have said
Graceland. He left behind a great legacy. He was
Vegas style.
a number one selling artist, a man who received a
If you’re not a big Elvis fan, fear not, as Peter tells to me during the
lifetime achievement award at the age of 36 and could
us that does not seem to stop people enjoying the
make women faint with one thrust of his hips. I now
weekend. “People have said to me during the festival, festival, ‘This is a
see the big deal about Elvis. So as a newly converted
‘This is a brilliant weekend, and I don’t even like
Elvis fan I ask you, what more could you ask of a
Elvis’. It’s a bit like International Day in Cardiff. brilliant weekend,
weekend? Sun, check. Sand, check. A seaside town
The people that go to International days are not all
overrun with men and women of all ages dressed as
diehard rugby fans. They’re out for the experience. and I don’t even
Elvis, check. You can’t deny that even if you’re not an
The festival defi es all demographics.”
Elvis enthusiast, this is sure to be a sight to behold.
If you’re planning on attending I’d get a move on like Elvis’...”
Elvis is clearly more to people than just a performer;
booking your jumpsuit and hotel because this is
he is a way of life. Peter, once again, says it best: “I’ve
the busiest weekend of the season for Porthcawl.
Elvis festivals in Bridlington, Donegal and Austin. As heard people say Elvis is a feelgood brand and I think
There won’t be a spare room for miles around if you
if this wasn’t enough he is involved with The Elvis that sums it up.”
leave it too late. If you’re lucky enough to secure a
World Cup. The purpose of the event is for Elvis
booking then please do not underestimate the level
Tribute Artists from all over the world to compete
of local participation in the event. It’s not only at the
and fi nd out who is top Hound Dog and who will be A The Porthcawl Elvis Festival. Fri 25-Sun 27
Pavillion that you can see the ETAs. Porthcawl hosts
Mess Of Blues. This worldwide event will fi nish with Sept at the Grand Pavillion and other venues in
a Fringe Festival to the Elvis event, made up of 20
the fi nal heat and show at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Porthcawl. Info:
www.elvies.co.uk. Shawn Klush
venues in and around the town. Peter tells us, “The
July 4 next year. Plays St David’s Hall on Tues 1 Sept. Info: www.
Brentwood Hotel always changes its name to The
If you can’t wait until July, or fancy a warm up to
stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk / 029 2087 8500
BUZZ 07
september 2009.indd 7 26/8/09 13:46:13
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