MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There’s no place more magical than Elvis Presley's Graceland® at Christmas. On December 14 and 15, 2018, Graceland will host a special weekend of holiday music and activities highlighted by three incredible live concerts on the Graceland Soundstage at Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex: Christmas with Elvis with Live Orchestra; An Elvis Gospel Christmas and Elvis Live in Concert. Anyone attending these concerts will receive free admission to Elvis Presley’s Memphis at 3:00 p.m. that day where they can visit two newly expanded exhibits: ICONS: The Influence of Elvis Presley and Presley Cycles.
The weekend will also include several unique holiday activities such as a “Christmas at Graceland” Archive Presentation, Christmas Tips, Tricks and Crafts seminars at The Guest House at Graceland™ hosted by Lifestyle Expert JJ Keras, who has been regularly featured on the Today Show and Good Morning America, and a special screening of the Hallmark Channel’s movie “Christmas at Graceland” in The Guest House Theater.
In addition to the concerts and activities, the joy and beauty of the holiday season can be found throughout the Graceland campus. The Mansion will be decked out with a Christmas display that includes hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, and much more, all originally displayed at Graceland by Elvis and the Presley family. Seasonal holiday tours of the interior of Graceland Mansion, featuring the Presley family’s personal Christmas décor, will be offered through January 8.
Christmas with Elvis at Graceland – With Live
Orchestra
Friday, December 14 at 8:00 p.m. at the
Graceland Soundstage
This special Christmas concert debuted
last year and became an instant classic with fans and families. The show
features Elvis’ holiday favorites performed live on stage, with the
full, rich sound of a 32-piece orchestra, featuring local Memphis
musicians, vocalists, choirs and dancers including members of the Memphis
Symphony Orchestra, the Tennessee Mass Choir and Havenview
Middle School Choir. For the second consecutive year, the concert
will be under the musical direction of, and conducted by, Robin Smith
of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Smith conducted the critically-acclaimed live orchestra tour of Elvis
Live in Concert performances throughout the United Kingdom, continental
Europe and the United States in 2016 and 2017.
An Elvis Gospel Christmas – Live at Graceland
Saturday,
December 15 at 5:00 p.m. at the Graceland Soundstage
An
inspirational and uplifting concert featuring Elvis' favorite gospel and
Christmas classics performed by gospel greats the Blackwood Brothers
Quartet and former members of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. The
original Blackwood Brothers Quartet, led by James Blackwood, sang at
Gladys Presley’s funeral at the special request of Elvis and Vernon
Presley. James’ younger son Billy Blackwood now continues the Blackwood
Quartet legacy. JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet were Elvis' male
back-up singers from 1971 to 1977. Former members who will be performing
include Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland, and Bill Baize.
Elvis Live in Concert - with All-Star Band
featuring TCB Guitarist James Burton
Saturday,
December 15 at 8:30 p.m. at the Graceland Soundstage
An
unforgettable concert experience featuring Elvis live in concert and on
the big screen performing the King of Rock 'n' Roll's greatest hits,
backed by an all-star band featuring legendary TCB Band guitarist James
Burton. Burton began working with Elvis in 1969 and was the leader
of the TCB Band. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001,
Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Christmas at Graceland Archive Presentation
Friday,
December 14 at 3:00 p.m. at The Guest House at Graceland Theater
The
Graceland archivists have created a brand-new presentation full of
stories and artifacts spotlighting Elvis’ favorite time of the year:
Christmas at Graceland.
Holiday Crafts Demo
Saturday,
December 15 at 10:00 a.m. in The Guest House at Graceland Ballroom
Lifestyle
Expert JJ Keras will help you save time and money this holiday
season as she demonstrates fabulous holiday DIY ideas using items you
already have around the house.
The event is free to all Holiday
Concert Hotel Package Holders as well as anyone who purchases tickets to
two or more holiday concerts.
Screening of the Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas
at Graceland”
Saturday, December 15 at 12:00 p.m. at
The Guest House at Graceland Theater. The screening is free.
Lifestyle Expert Holiday Tips
Saturday,
December 15 at 2:00 p.m. at The Guest House at Graceland Theater
JJ
Keras will be offering Tips and Tricks to help you create your own
Very Merry Christmas. Want to host an unforgettable holiday party? Want
to decorate like a pro? Want to give the perfect gift? You’ll learn how
in this engaging seminar. The event is free to all Holiday Concert Hotel
Package Holders as well as anyone who purchases tickets to two or more
holiday concerts.
Expansion of ICONS: The Influence of Elvis
Presley and Presley Cycles Exhibits
Elvis Presley’s
Memphis will ring in the holidays with its own beautiful décor and the
expansion of two exhibits: ICONS: The Influence of Elvis Presley and
Presley Cycles. The ICONS exhibit, already filled with items from many
Elvis fan celebrities such as John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John
and Justin Timberlake, will add artifacts from many popular performers.
Admission to the complex and exhibits will be complimentary at 3:00 p.m.
on both Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 for anyone attending a concert that day.
The Guest House at Graceland Holiday Concert
Packages
To celebrate the Holiday Concert Weekend, the
AAA Four-Diamond Guest
House at Graceland resort is offering a special
package for the weekend and will hold a series of festive events
which will be free to package holders as well as anyone who purchases
tickets to two different concerts. The package includes two
nights at The Guest House at Graceland in a standard guest room plus two
Deluxe section tickets to all three concerts at the Graceland Soundstage
on December 14 & 15. Additional information on hotel packages available here.
Tickets are also available without hotel stay, including VIP ticket packages. For more information on the weekend and ticket information, visit Graceland.com/Holiday.
About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's new entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours, and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Graceland is the only attraction worldwide to ever receive four USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards: in 2018, it was voted “Best Tennessee Attraction,” in 2015 voted the world’s “Best Musical Attraction” and “Best Historic Southern Attraction,” and in 2013 voted the #1 “Iconic American Attraction.” In 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards named Graceland one of the top 25 landmarks in the world. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com.
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