Elvis In The Making

Director Baz Luhrman, writer/director/producer of the marvellous Elvis (2022) film, has a new Elvis project in the making! We are overjoyed because we've been waiting for an official release of the hours of unseen footage of Elvis' two thrilling rockumentaries for over half a century. It's not that we've not been asking, we have, but to no avail. 

Fortunately for Elvis fans, it seems Lurhman not only gave most fans joy with his 2022 film, but also got a new generation PLUS himself hooked on Elvis. 

According to Baz the film will neither be a documentary nor a concert film, so how it will look like is a mystery. The contents, however, is from unreleased footage of Elvis: That's The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972). 

Baz recently announced on social media: We HAVE found the footage. We found it, and a lot of it, and sound ... inside, where they were storing it. I will do that extra concert film. 

When Baz was asked if he's seen the footage, he replied: Oh, I've seen a lot of it. It's extraordinary what's there. It shocked even me what is there. And, more importantly, we have the SOUND.

A trailer of this exciting announcement has been released. At long last, it seems the decades long dream of many an Elvis fan may come true.   

Memorial Bench

The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club donated a memorial honouring Elvis' only child, Lisa-Marie, to the Tupelo Elvis Presley Birthplace. Tom Brown, host of the Elvis Tupelo Festival, commented:

Tupelo, for all the Presley's, was a special place, because it was a place that grounded Elvis, that was his home before he became a superstar. Lisa was one of those what would come back, especially while family friend Janelle McComb (1921-2005) was alive. She would come stay with Janelle for days at a time and just be a normal person.

Private Presley Returns

In 2013 Bovim Ballet presented the stunning rock-ballet Private Presley in Cape Town and Johannesburg, to critical acclaim. Some of our club members attended the show repeatedly, especially because Bovim made use of Elvis' own recordings as musical backdrop. What more can you ask for, than to hear Elvis' extraordinary voice during a superior show? Except for Elvis appearing himself, this is as good as it gets! 
   

From a technical point of view, this ballet is ground breaking in that the cast had to incorporate an entirely new technique to sustain the girl dancers through some difficult 1950s and 60s technical dance styles. In my experience, if any choreographer of an Elvis performance is/becomes an Elvis fan, it shows. Here is what Sean Bovim says - in part - of his journey in creating this show, as stated in the 2013 program booklet: 

Embracing all that Elvis achieved as well as his reluctance to fame, I was able to delve into his private life and discover a dance vocabulary to portray the era that he lived in and the many iconic moments that made the singer one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends.

Although the star's life was cut short, he jammed more into his 42 years than most, having recorded more than 700 songs and starred in over 30 movies. As a result I have had to be selective as to what I am able to portray. 

This daunting yet rewarding job has led me to reflect on the more intimate, but also fun-loving side of Elvis, revealing memorable nuggets of his life. 'Private Presley' looks through a window into the life of the star from the mid 1950s through the early 1970s. Through my research on Elvis' life as well as becoming far more familiar with his songs, I just Can't Help Falling In Love with the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Now this sensational production is back! We've gotten word from the Bovim Ballet manager, François Arzul, that they are taking the show to Johannesburg for a 3-week season at Joburg Theatre. And it is being followed by another 3-week season at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town from 9-28 November 2015. 

In my opinion, with a two-act set, a cast of more than 20 top-notch dancers plus more than 40 of Elvis' most memorable songs (including a few rare gems), this modern ballet will (again) knock the socks off of audiences.

As Francois concludes, hope to see you all at the show! 

Photos: The Bovim Ballet

Best. Elvis. Tribute. Ever.

A BIG thank you to The Steyn Family Band, for bringing the Nicholis Louw Elvis On My Mind Show to Cape Town. Boy, did the Quarry rock!

This morning, spontaneous feedback from EPFCA members found their way to our local Whatsapp group:

Was I pleasantly surprised by the Elvis Tribute yesterday evening! Thank you for encouraging us to attend the show. Nicholis is actually a really good singer.

It was awesome. The band is incredible. I yearn for more tributes to Elvis' music where nary a jumpsuit is in sight. We have to support such rarities in bigger numbers.

I loved the show and now have a different perspective on Nicholis.

Recently the following tongue-in-cheek saying did the rounds on the social media: "I don't judge people based on race, religion, gender or sexuality. I judge people on whether or not they're an ELVIS fan!" In the same vein I want to add that I like and admire any performer in their own right in our country who is a fan of Elvis and his music, because anyone who "gets it", must be a great human being.  

On Saturday night, Nicholis' love and respect for his musical hero came to the forefront in what he said about Elvis, as well as how he said it, coupled with the unique presentation of the music. Elvis was the punk rocker of his time and Nicholis and The Steyn Family Band proved it!

Photo: The Steyn Family Band

Elvis On My Mind

In our beloved country we literally have few to no tributes to Elvis' music where jumpsuits are not involved. Luckily, one such eventuality will eventuate in Cape Town, shortly.

The place to be on Saturday 26 September 2015 at 7 p.m. is the Hillcrest Quarry Wine Estate, Durbanville Hills, where The Steyn Family Band will present pop superstar Nicholis Louw in his ELVIS ON MY MIND show, entertaining us with all of Elvis' most popular songs.

Seats are unreserved, the doors will open at 6 p.m., tickets are R120 p.p. and available at Computicket.

So, C'mon Everybody, let's put on our Blue Suede Shoes, hop in our pink Cadillacs and Have A Party Down In The ... Quarry!

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