Forget the bright lights of Las Vegas, the real place to go this weekend if you’re an Elvis fan is Birmingham.
This year’s 15th annual European Elvis Championship and Convention is taking place in Birmingham from January 5 until January 7.
And the dates are no coincidence with the contest held annually on the nearest weekend to Elvis’ birthday, which was on January 8.
This year’s 15th annual European Elvis Championship and Convention is taking place in Birmingham from January 5 until January 7
The contest, which attracts people from all over the globe, is held every year on the weekend closest to Elvis’ birthday which was on January 8
The event will see more than 80 Elvis lovers with jet-black quiffs, slick sideburns and flamboyant costumes descend on the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel, near the city’s National Exhibition Centre.
The tributes will try to embody the King and battle it out to earn the title of ‘European Champion’.
The three-day event claims to be Europe’s largest annual Elvis tribute contest.
The tributes will try to embody the King and battle it out to earn the title of ‘European Champion’ with fans attending from countries all over the world
There are a range of competitions, including an under-14 category, a gospel category and a category for newcomers
It attracts competitors from across the globe who take part in a range of competitions, including an under-14 category and a gospel category.
There will also be an Elvis novice contest for newcomers to the convention.
According to the convention’s website, each day will be filled with ‘pure Elvis’, including Elvis merchandise, video, a disco, live bands and showcases.
According to the convention’s website, each day will be filled with ‘pure Elvis’, including Elvis merchandise, video, a disco, live bands and showcases
The main event will see contestants perform two Elvis songs of their choice while competing in four heats with the best acts advancing to the grand final
The aptly-named Michael King is the producer and organiser of the convention.
It is now in its fifteenth year.
Mr King said: ‘In a nutshell we are trying to find, as we always do every year, the closest to Elvis in Europe.
As well as the competition, the event will be a celebration of Elvis and include a disco and the chance for fans to purchase merchandise
It appears that the King – who died in 1977 at the age of 42 – is very much alive and well in England’s second city, with a large turnout expected at the event
‘We have more than 70 Elvis competitors that compete over three days, judged on various criteria including vocals, looks and stage manner and on the Sunday, 20 of the 70 get to the live final.
‘They will obviously compete again in the live finals and the winner is crowned the European champion.’
It appears that the King – who died in 1977 at the age of 42 – is very much alive and well in England’s second city.
The Elvis tributes are to be judged on a combination of their performances and costumes, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday after four heats
Organiser and producer of the event Michael King said: ‘In a nutshell we are trying to find, as we always do every year, the closest to Elvis in Europe’
The main event will see contestants perform two Elvis songs of their choice while competing in four heats.
The contestants with the highest scores from the heats will then qualify for the Grand Final which will take place on Sunday evening.
They are judged on a combination of their performances and costumes.
The vocals will count for 40% of the total score, with the appearance counting for 20%, stage presence and charisma another 20% and the overall performance making up the last 20%
The vocals will count for 40% of the total score, with the appearance counting for 20%.
Stage presence and the ‘ability to re-create Elvis’ charisma’ counts for another 20%.
The final 20% sees the judges look at the overall quality of the performance.
First place will receive the title of European Champion, £1,000 prize money, a gift certificate and be showcased in next year’s event
Prizes will be available to the top three contestants.
First place will receive the title of European Champion, £1,000 prize money, a gift certificate and be showcased in next year’s event.
The runner-up will get £600 in prize money, a gift certificate and automatic qualification to next year’s finals.
Third place will get the same prizes but will receive £400 rather that the £600.
The runner-up will get £600 in prize money, a gift certificate and automatic qualification to next year’s finals with third place getting £400 as well as the other prizes