Elvis Presley’s Graceland is gearing up for a busy summer, kicking off with the opening of an enhanced ’68 exhibit, which provides an up-close look at Presley’s 1968 NBC television special. The exhibit includes artifacts such as tickets to the original show and the blue chairs that Presley and the band sat on during the sit-down portion of the special. Along with a replica stage and famous “ELVIS” in red lights display, visitors can also see Elvis’ made-for-TV outfits, including his famous black leather suit and white “If I Can Dream” suit. With 28 TVs throughout the exhibit, guests can immerse themselves in video clips of the special that launched the King of Rock ’n’ Roll’s “comeback” to live performing. The exhibit opens Memorial Day weekend at Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum at Elvis Presley’s Memphis.
This summer will be the last chance for visitors to tour the “Making of Elvis Movie Exhibition” celebrating Baz Luhrmann’s hit film and take Graceland’s “Elvis Movie Ultimate VIP Tour.” The exhibition looks at the beginning of the creative process for the film and follows its journey to the big screen, including behind-the-scenes videos, handwritten notes, drafts of scripts, storyboards, props, set pieces, costumes and more. The “Elvis Movie Ultimate VIP Tours” include a private tour guide to share insight into the extensive research done by Luhrmann while at Graceland, along with the stories of the real-life artifacts replicated in the movie. The “Making of Elvis Movie Exhibition” and “Movie UVIP Tours” close on September 4.
On July 1-2, Graceland will be lit in red, white and blue as it celebrates the nation’s independence during its “All-American Weekend.” The weekend will include an Elvis tribute concert, VIP dinner and reception on the grounds of Graceland, gospel brunch, special “hidden” tour of Graceland, and will be capped off with a fireworks extravaganza set to Elvis’ music.
“Elvis Week 2023” will mark the 46th anniversary of Elvis’ passing, with nine days of events (August 9-17) celebrating Elvis’ life and legacy. “Elvis Week” has become a pop-culture phenomenon and an annual pilgrimage for music lovers from around the world. That week, Graceland will honor the anniversaries of two of Elvis’ landmark television specials with the “’68 Special 55th Anniversary Enhanced Screening” on August 14 and “Aloha from Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert” on August 16. Additional highlights of the week include the “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Rounds” on August 10 and 12; “Conversations on Elvis” on August 15; “A Celebration of Lisa Marie Presley” with Jerry Schilling on August 15; plus the cornerstone event of the week, the “Candlelight Vigil,” on the evening of August 15.
Graceland Live’s concert lineup includes several concerts at the Graceland Soundstage. Booked so far are “Motionless in White” and “In This Moment” (August 8); Clint Black (August 17); Richard Marx (August 19); Black Jacket Symphony (August 24); W.A.S.P. (September 7); and Cheap Trick (September 8); with additional shows also booked throughout the fall and into winter.
For more information and tickets, visit www.graceland.com.
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