Elvis Week 2014 Survival Guide

Elvis Week 2014 Survival Guide

Elvis Week 2014 approacheth! Even though Memphians sometimes claim Elvis fatigue, there's something intriguing about an event that brings 35,000 people to Memphis from all over the world. So learn a little bit more about the King, Graceland, and Memphis music, and then get in on some of the fun.

Elvis Week officially runs from Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 17. Whether you're visiting Memphis for the week or are a local preparing for the onslaught, here's what you need to know.

1. They're not impersonators, they're tribute artists.

ETA-HRC

Please, don't call the people paying musical homage to Elvis impersonators. The official term is Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs for short). There will be plenty of them in town, and while some have greased their hair for fun, others have worked really hard and won a series of preliminary competitions and are here to compete in the official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. 

Hard Rock Cafe hosts the "Last Chance" preliminary competition for the Ultimate ETA Contest nightly August 8, 9, and 10 at their new location. 

2. Plan ahead.

There are a ton of Elvis Week events. Some are official Graceland-sanctioned and others are...not. It's best to plan ahead, especially if you've got limited time. I also recommend buying advance tickets to events ASAP, as seats and space are limited. Here's a very brief, very basic rundown of just a few of the events. For the full schedule and details go here

Backbeat Tours hosts the Hound Dog Tour (August 9 and 10) - tour leaves from BB Kings
- Elvis Night at the Redbirds (August 9) - AutoZone Park
The Ultimate ETA Contest (August 11, 12, and 14) - Graceland Elvis Week Main Stage
The Graceland Trivia Tour (August 12) - Graceland
- The Guest House at Graceland Groundbreaking (August 14) - 
- Elvis A Capella Shows (August 14, 15, and 16) - Graceland Elvis Week Main Stage

3. Check Out The Other Elvis and Memphis Music Sites

After you go to Graceland and check out the brand-new immersive iPad tours (narrated by John Stamos - fancy), there's plenty more Memphis music history to explore. Visit Sun Studios (where Elvis got his big break), Levitt Shell (where he played his first concert), and Lauderdale Courts (where he lived as a teen).

You can also take one of the excellent Backbeat Tours - they ride you around town in style while they tell you (and sing about) Memphis' musical history. Especially if you're just in town for the week, you'll want to soak up as much Memphis music as you can, so make time for the Rock 'n' Soul Museum and the Stax Musuem, too.

4. Go to the Candlelight Vigil.

Elvis vigil, Memphis, Tenn.

The Vigil is the centerpiece of Elvis Week, and all visitors and locals should do it at least once. It's a somber, candlelit walk past Elvis' grave at Graceland on the day of the King's death (August 16th). Elvis Presley Blvd. is closed, and many people set up elaborate roadside shrines. You'll probably be in line for a while, so pack a snack and plan to make some friends.

5. Make time to people watch.

elvis-beale-street
Bishop of Beale Street, last spotted circa 2009.

Whether you park yourself at the downtown Flying Saucer window, walk along Beale at dusk or have dinner at Marlowe's on Elvis Presley, the people watching during Elvis Week can't be beat. If you run into the Bishop of Beale Street, have him give you a blessing.

6. Be prepared for traffic and crowds.

Last year about 35,000 people came to Memphis for Elvis week. That's a lot. Consider that many of those people will be making their pilgrimage by car and staying downtown, so prepare to deal with heavy foot and car traffic, especially on Elvis Presley Boulevard and downtown/Beale Street area. If you're going to those areas, allow yourself plenty of extra time. If you're planning to hang out at Graceland for a while, there's plenty of parking, but bring cash.

7. Be Nice

welcome-elvis-fans-chalkboard

Welcome our Elvis Week visitors to the Memphis area with class. Give directions and suggestions, sing along if you know the words, and don't be afraid to make some new friends. It's what the King would have wanted.

8. Find out more information

If you're visiting and have stumbled upon this blog post, welcome! I (Holly) will be on Twitter all week @ilovememphis answering questions. Plus, there are five years worth of posts about Memphis on this blog, so don't be afraid to use the search bar if you're look for something in particular. Here are some things you might find particularly helpful:

- If you're looking for restaurant recommendations beyond barbecue, here are a few of my favorite places and things to eat in Memphis.

If you want to get a feel for the candlelight vigil, check out these photos from a few years back.

If you want to venture out of downtown/Graceland area for some eating, shopping, and entertainment check out my guides to two of Memphis' coolest neighborhoods: Broad Avenue Arts District or Overton Square.

- If you want to participate in the great Memphis tradition of brunch on Saturday or Sunday, check out the Downtown Brunch Guide or the Midtown Brunch Guide.

Happy Elvis Week!

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Helen Brown
"fans" instead of "plans".... you see they get me SO annoyed I can't even type properly!!  
August 2, 2014 11:31am
Elvis Week 201…
[…] Elvis Week 2014 Survival Guide […]
August 2, 2014 4:35pm
Gigi Ballester
http://www.graceland.com/auction.aspx There is also an auction at Graceland on August 14th.  Many items belong to the collection of Greg Page, founding member of the The Wiggles group.  He is a huge Elvis fan and has one of the largest and best Elvis collections.  All have been authenticated by the archives staff at Graceland.  None of the items are from the Graceland archives belonging to the estate. Some of the events have sold out.  There are still tickets for The Orpheum showing of an Elvis on tour movie - That's The Way It Is. 
August 2, 2014 8:08pm
Connie Dellarusso
Will be coming next wk for the second time in my life!  Staying at LaQuinta with a couple of other lovely ladies... and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!  People watching last time was indeed very enjoyable while sitting at the tent and at Marlowes!   Thank you Holly!  oxox
August 3, 2014 12:31pm