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The very best Elvis judges anywhere
January 5, 2009 Stage West All Suite Hotel, Theatre and Restaurant Mississauga, On Review IWhat a great way to start out a new year and celebrate Elvis’ 74th birthday! Stage West hosted the 2nd annual Cavalcade of Champions January 5th, 2009…..featuring seven award winning Elvis tribute artists as troubadours….singing and greeting patrons as they dined on that fabulous buffet! What a treat to hear these talented men in a Vegas-type setting with fantastic acoustics. All eras of Elvis’ career were well represented by James Gibb, Anthony Carbone, Glen Aitchinson, Bruce Herron, Wayne Curtis, Doug McKenzie and Patrick McGuire.
Then came the headline show. Backed by Paco Danesi & his Collingwood Festival Band, Pete Paquette energized the sold out crowd with his portrayal of Elvis in the early years. He always seems to be having as much fun as the audience. Paul Ross returned from his new home in Texas to bring us Elvis in black leather!!!! No one will forget the moment, Paul walked along the top of the theatre booths and then fell into one. Thankfully neither performer nor fan was injured. Portraying Elvis in his Aloha special was Stephen Kabakos, a Stage West regular and fan favourite. Stephen’s representation of the King is so accurate in word and action, you can lose yourself and believe that Elvis has returned to the stage! I always appreciate how Stephen gives the credit to the man himself, Elvis, who brings us all together. Among the other special moments of the show: Paul Ross tossing the microphone to his fellow ETA’s to help him with Lawdy Miss Clawdy and the peanut butter and banana birthday cake baked by the Stage West chefs for Elvis’ birthday and cut by Jeff and Sheila Marsh from the King of Kitchener, when all ETA’s in the house were asked to come on stage and join in a rousing rendition of Viva Las Vegas and Stephen dedicating the song “ I’ll Remember You” to Elvis. The excitement didn’t end with the show, however. Stephen Kebakos was inducted into the Stage West Wall of Fame to be located in the new ballroom! A portrait of Stephen, done by artist and ETA Chris Cooper, was unveiled to the crowd and to Stephen who got very emotional at the honour. A huge thankyou to Heather and Nevin Grant of King’s Court for the concept of showcasing festival champions in this venue and giving us all a chance to join together to celebrate the music and the memories Elvis has given to each of us. Let’s do it again next year!!!!!
Wendy King |
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