Are you an Elvis fan that lives, drinks, eats and sleeps the King, but a trip to Graceland is missing from your calendar?
Then check out the Blue Suede Music Festival at Busby, an annual celebration of Elvis’ life and music. For Presley fans, it’s a special get together, a way to remember how he touched their lives.
Running this weekend, Aug. 24-25 at the Busby Sports Grounds, the outdoor festival features 16 Elvis tribute artists serenading the crowd with his popular and little-known rock and roll, gospel, blues and pop tunes.
The Saturday lineup is a mix of artists performing from different periods of Elvis’ life. In addition to former St. Albert tribute artist Vic de Sousa, founder Trudy Taphorn has invited singers with a national and international reputation – Mark Stevenz, Roger Anderson, Bob Rushton and Joe Kelso to name a few.
On Sunday, the Blackwood Quartet, Elvis’ favourite gospel quartet from Memphis, Tennessee will perform. The Blackwoods were in such high standing with Elvis, they sang at his mother’s funeral.
Bring lawn chairs and a donation for the food bank.
The Friends of the Ukrainian Village are ratcheting up the dazzle with concert celebrating both traditional and contemporary Ukrainian-Canadian music.
The concert, starting Sunday, Aug. 25 at noon, features a bold roster of artists: the Chwill Brothers, Chychul Orchestra, Dynamics, Millenia, Polka Ramblers, Royal Lites and Sparkling Tones to name a few.
The annual Kalyna Idol singing competition is a go and traditional music workshops are scheduled. Limited seating. Bring a lawn chair.
Admission to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is $9 for adults, $20 for family, $7 seniors and $4 for youth.
For additional information visit www.ukrainianvillage.ca or call 780-662-3640.
