Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is recognizing the 35th anniversary of the death of Elvis with a year-long celebration of his life and legacy. The celebration begins in Memphis during the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s annual birthday celebration held Thursday, January 5 – Sunday, January 8, 2012. Following that up is The Elvis Cruise from Jacksonville, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas on January 6 – 12, 2012.
In August, Elvis Week is expected to attract 75,000 fans from around the world to Memphis to visit Graceland to take part in special events recognizing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “International fan clubs that normally bring 50 or 100 fans to Memphis for Elvis Week have told us they are bringing 500 or more in 2012,” stated Scott Williams, Vice President of Marketing and Media for EPE. “And thanks to the growth of social networking, fans will be able to join us online making this the biggest celebration of Elvis in history.”
In addition, three brand new Graceland exhibits will debut to the public this year, starting with “Elvis on Tour” opening on January 5th. Per the press release, “the exhibit celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Golden Globe award-winning documentary of the same name.”
The second new exhibit, “Elvis…Through His Daughter’s Eyes,” will open on February 1st (Lisa Marie Presley’s birthday). The exhibit will highlight the relationship between Elvis and his only child.
Exhibit number three, “Icon: The Influence of Elvis Presley,” is set for a March 1st debut and will feature items on loan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. “The exhibit will celebrate Elvis’ status as a music pioneer and icon that paved the way and influenced many of today’s artists and notable celebrities,” says Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Other celebrations include the largest-ever international Elvis Presley exhibition in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The official announcement also revealed these special events:
– “Elvis Presley In Concert, an astounding production that reunites former Elvis band mates live on stage with a state of the art video-projected Elvis, is returning in March of 2012 for a 16 date tour through Europe which includes London, Paris, Dublin, Zurich and Frankfurt in addition to Sao Paulo, Brazil, timed to coincide with the opening of the grand exhibition.”
– The new theatrical concert experience ELVIS LIVES “The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event” will embark on a 29 city U.S. tour featuring finalists from The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest as they perform in an unforgettable multi- media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life. Licensed Elvis festivals will be taking place all over the world in 2012. From Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo, Miss. to Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia, fans will be gathering to celebrate Elvis Presley during this special year.
– In August 2012, tens of thousands of fans from around the world will gather at Graceland in Memphis from Friday, August 10th through Saturday, August 18th for a week of special events, concerts, panel discussions and more during a multiple day celebration which has become known as Elvis Week. One of the largest events during the week, and one that has become a rock ‘n’ roll pilgrimage for many, is the annual Candlelight Vigil on August 15th.”
