Nine-Day Event to Celebrate the Music, Life and Legacy of Elvis Presley
MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Elvis Week™ 2020 will mark the 43rd anniversary of Elvis’ passing and Graceland® is preparing for the gathering of Elvis fans and friends from around the world for the nine-day celebration of Elvis’ life. Events include appearances by celebrities and musicians, live concerts, panel discussions, Meet & Greet opportunities, parties, fan events, the new Elite Auction at Graceland, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and much more. Events will be held at the Mansion, the entertainment and exhibit complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis™, the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland™ resort hotel and the new Graceland Exhibition Center, home to the new Jungle Room Bar.
Tickets for all Elvis Week events go on-sale for the general public beginning Friday, March 6, and additional ticket information, including exclusive Elvis Week packages, is now available online at ElvisWeek.com. Most events will take place at the new Graceland Soundstage, a state-of-the-art production and performance space in the heart of Graceland’s new entertainment and exhibit complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, directly across the street from Graceland Mansion.
The cornerstone event, the CANDLELIGHT VIGIL, will begin on Saturday, August 15, at Graceland’s front gate. Elvis music sets the tone of the evening as fans walk up the driveway to the Meditation Garden. This event lasts throughout the night as thousands of participants gather on Elvis Presley Boulevard listening to music, remembering Elvis and enjoying the memorials that are created by fans along the street. Returning are nightly parties and the live music pavilion at the new Graceland Exhibition Center that will feature continuous live entertainment and a comfortable area for fans to recharge and reconnect.
New this year, an exclusive DOWN IN THE JUNGLE ROOM EXPERIENCE will allow a small group of fans to step into the Jungle Room with some of the musicians who were there for Elvis’ 1976 recording sessions and hear their stories of what it was like to record with Elvis there. Special guests include guitarist James Burton, piano player David Briggs, drummer Ronnie Tutt and bassist Norbert Putnam. In addition, as part of the experience, guests will enjoy a rare photo opportunity inside the Jungle Room with the special guests.
The Elvis Week 2020 line-up also includes the NASHVILLE MARATHON SESSIONS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT celebrating the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Nashville Marathon Sessions at RCA’s Studio B with musicians James Burton, Norbert Putnam and David Briggs; a tour of Graceland Mansion with members of our Archives Team during the HIDDEN GRACELAND TOURS, included as part of the Elvis Week VIP Package; ELVIS: THAT’S THE WAY IT IS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ENHANCED SCREENING celebrating Elvis’ 1970 documentary with appearances by members of the TCB Band and Elvis’ Imperials; and the GRACELAND ELITE AUCTION featuring 30 to 40 of some of the most sought-after Elvis collectibles. Included in this auction will be 10 unforgettable Graceland and Elvis Experiences, benefitting the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. Now accepting consignments. For more information on how you can be a part of this unique opportunity, email auctioninfo@graceland.com.
Additional Elvis Week 2020 events include CONVERSATIONS ON ELVIS with special guests Mother Dolores Hart, who co-starred with Elvis in “King Creole” and “Loving You”; Sam Thompson, Elvis’ bodyguard; Charles Stone, who worked closely with the Colonel on Elvis’ tours and career; and former member of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet Larry Strickland; the ELVIS GOSPEL HOMECOMING featuring gospel groups with special Elvis connections, including former members of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet – Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland plus Terry Blackwood and The Imperials; and the ELVIS IN 1970 PANEL which will celebrate Elvis’ Nashville Marathon Sessions and “Elvis: That’s The Way It Is” documentary through stories and memories from those who were there.
Elvis tribute artist events will kick off Elvis Week 2020, starting with ELVIS: THE NEXT GENERATION, a concert featuring an afternoon of Elvis music performed by the next generation of tribute artists; THE ULTIMATE RETURN, an incredible live concert featuring six past Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winners; the semifinal and final rounds of the fan favorite ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST featuring semifinalists from around the world competing for the 2020 title; ROCKIN’ WITH ELVIS & FRIENDS, a concert with tributes to Elvis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and The Blues Brothers; TIGER MAN 1970 FEATURING JAY DUPUIS which will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ 1970 film “That’s The Way It Is.” Other Elvis tribute artist events are AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SHAWN KLUSH AND CODY RAY SLAUGHTER and an acoustic afternoon with ELVIS UNPLUGGED: STARRING DEAN Z & FRIENDS. Click here for a list of Elvis tribute artist packages and tickets.
For complete line-up of all Elvis Week shows, events and activities, go to ElvisWeek.com.
The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel is in the heart of the action and is home to many of the week’s shows, plus free nightly live entertainment, a host of other free Elvis Week activities and complimentary shuttle service throughout the Graceland campus. Visit GracelandGuesthouse.com to make your room reservations.
All guests, times, prices and details are subject to change. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
