It was the last Elvis Festival planned for 2009 and it seemed that Elvis fans were more than ready for a good time!  Bill Gallant hosted the event at the Ferndale Banquet Hall.

The Competition

The competition got underway on Saturday morning with each ETA singing three songs (all of which were judged). Rosemarie O’Brien from the Collingwood Elvis Festival served as our m.c.  Bill mixed things up by having  junior youth interspersed with pros, sr. youth and non pros. King's Court members Echo Parker, Nevin Grant, Wendy King and Heather Grant were the judging panel for the weekend.  The judges put through 6 people in each category and then the crowd and the ETA’s voted on the wild card.  Chris Cooper was the unanimous choice to move forward into the finals!

Sunday…all scores were tossed out and the competition of those who made it through to the finals was started again, in earnest.  Setting aside the judging robes for a minute, here’s a couple of  key moments I’d love to share with you.  Among the highlights, welcoming a new ETA to the fold.  Eric Evangelista competed for his first time in the non pro Vegas years and made it into the finals. Part of the fun was watching his best friend, Bruno Nesci, cheering him on from the sidelines! Bruno seemed more excited for his friend than for himself.  To me, that is the “ Elvis way”. During the finals, James Gibb’s CD started to skip. Without missing a beat, he stopped the music totally and launched into an acapella version of  “Steadfast, Loyal and True” from King Creole.  You could have heard a pin drop!

Click the link above this review to see the final results.
A Spirit of Elvis Award was presented to  Francine Giocamelli

 

Saturday night show

Bill Gallant got things going with en energetic “leather” set including the ’68 medley.

It was a nice mixture of entertainment in the Saturday night variety show  including Pat Lucknow doing some great oldies songs that had us all singing and dancing along.  Dawn Peddie did some Martina McBride and Patsy Cline.  After much begging, Bill Gallant managed to get Rosemarie O’Brien up to do a song.  She sang Patsy Cline for us and the place was silent.  Not too many people realized what an angelic voice she has.  Anthony Carbone gave us some Vegas Elvis and James Gibb reminded us of how Elvis could move in the 50’s.

Brycen Katolinsky left the crowd dumbstruck when he started to take off his clothes, stripping down to his shirt and bathing trunks for a rowsing version of “ Slicin’ Sand”.    Not to be outdone, Bruno Nesci did the first tabledance of the night!

John Cigan put on a dynamic set, despite feeling under the weather.

Lance Dobinson closed out the show with an energetic performance of songs from all eras of Elvis.

 

Sunday gospel

The Sunday event was a casual hour long show, including the unique pairing of John Cigan and Anthony Carbone doing a duet on “ How Great Thou Art”.  Truly powerful.

Dave Stewart shared the stage with Paul Calleri for a duet of  “If I Can Dream”.

Brenen and Brycen Katolinsky sang some inspirational songs along with James Gibb, Joey Cundari, Bill Gallant, Sam Calleri and Fab Giacomelli.

 

Chris Cooper did a beautiful “Christmas at Graceland” painting that was raffled off.

 

Congratulations to Bill and his team of volunteers for a great first Barrie Festival. 
See you next year!

Wendy King