Elvis mania

'Elvis' is back, to fans' delight
Date	March 15, 2013
Section(s)	Local News
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISONThe Brunswick News
Vickie May stood in the evening sunlight, in a crowd gathered at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick. Clad in a bright red jacket with the face of Elvis Presley emblazoned in glitter, she fit right in. Like so many others, May traveled to Brunswick for one reason: to celebrate the King of Rock and Roll at the Georgia ElvisFestival. "I'm from Tampa, Fla., and I try not to miss any of the Elvis festivals. I'm the president and founder of the Tampa Bay Elvis Fan Club and I have my own Elvis festival there," she said. May was right at home with the other Elvis faithful who gathered to kick off the four-day contest that lasts through Sunday. Dressed in a variety of Elvis gear - hats, shirts and jackets - the chill in the air did little to dampen the fiery mood as the festival got off to a rousing start. Fans converged on Mary Ross Waterfront Park at Gloucester and Bay streets for a free concert by two of the festival headliners - Cliff Wright and Ted Torres - and the master of ceremonies, Irv Cass. Several of the other tribute artists - complete with jet black hair, long sideburns and trademark tans - milled about the crowd. The audience sang and danced while Wright, Torres and Cass belted out some of Presley's most popular songs. And there's more to come. Throughout the weekend, more than 30 Elvis Presley tribute artists will be performing at the Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St. in downtown Brunswick, and various pocket parks. Both professional and non-professional performers will take to the stage at the Ritz Theatre to compete for a chance to compete in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in August in Memphis, Tenn. Standing in the crowd Thursday were a few of the judges who will be making that selection. Though they have a challenge ahead, Janette DiRenzo of New Jersey, Nereida How of New York and JoAnn Cruz of Tennessee were excited to get the ball rolling. "We volunteer to do this. We fly across the country," Cruz said. "And we're really glad to be here. Every one has been so nice." Jason Sherry, festival producer, agreed, saying, "We've never had a place that's given us the reception that we've gotten here. It's been great. "I've already gotten the Ritz on hold, tentatively for March 2014, so we can come back and do it again." The festival has been highly anticipated. Excited chatter and fliers announcing its arrival began circulating a few months ago. The excitement grew when several of the performers made appearances at Tipsy McSway's, 1414 Newcastle St., downtown Brunswick, in the days leading up to the festival, much to the delight of locals as much as those who traveled to attend the festival. James Laurens was one of those who caught a sneak peak at the tribute artists. "I'm not going to be able to go to a lot of it, but I'm excited about this very different event for the area," Laurens said. As a casual Elvis fan, the St. Simons Island resident appreciates the music and is glad to see this type of event come to the area. "I'm really excited that it's going to be a fun event here, and the potential other things that could come from it," he said. * Lifestyle Editor Lindsey Adkison writes about lifestyle topics. Contact her at ladkison@thebrunswicknews.com, on Facebook or at 265-8320, ext. 316. The festival The Georgia Elvis Festival includes: * Today - Round 1 of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St., downtown. Tickets $20 to $30. Free "Elvis in Old Town" performances from 4 to 7 p.m. in downtown squares. "Raised on Rock" concert at 8 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre with headliners Ted Torres, Cliff Wright, Irv Cass and the Change of Habit band. Tickets $49 to $89. * Saturday - Elvis classic car parade at 9 a.m. begins at the Ritz Theatre. Round 2 of the contest from 10 a.m. to at 4 p.m. Tickets $20 to $30. Free "Elvis in Old Town" performances from 4 to 7 p.m. in downtown squares. "One Night ... Remembered," a celebration of the of the 45th anniversary of Elvis' 1968 comeback special, at 8 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre. Tickets $49 to $89. * Sunday - Free Elvis gospel contest from 9 to 11 a.m. at Mary Ross Waterfront Park. Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest finals from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre. Tickets from $25 to $35. Tickets are available at 888-406-5885 or online at georgiaelvisfestival.com.