Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Kick off Elvis Week with a sing-and-play-along of famous Elvis tunes, documentary screenings and talks about the King of Rock and Roll, and a hip-swiveling Elvis stick puppet craft.
Sponsored by Judy Pelham Elvis Presley™; Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: ABG EPE IP LLC Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. “Graceland”
Elvis Stick Puppet Craft 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Known for his signature dance moves, the King of Rock and Roll made waves in American pop culture throughout the mid-twentieth century. Craft your own stick puppet with swiveling hips and make Elvis dance to some of his hit tunes.
Instrument Spotlight: Guitars 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Celebrate the groundbreaking music of the King by playing a few of his most memorable songs at the instrument spotlight table and then check out some of Elvis Presley’s guitars displayed in MIM’s Artist Gallery.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Strike a pose! Have your picture taken with fun musical props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Film Screening: This Is Elvis 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Saturday only) Elvis’s journey to fame took place during rock and roll’s rise. This 1981 documentary takes you from backstage to front row, following his performances around the world.
Film Screening | Elvis: That’s the Way It Is 10:30 a.m.–noon (Sunday only) Sure to make you fall in love with his music all over again, this 2001 remastered version of the iconic 1970 documentary explores Elvis’s triumphant return to live music performances after a long career in film acting.
Caricatures by She Draws You 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Commemorate the day with a caricature! Have a whimsical portrait drawn by local artist Dianne Nowicki of She Draws You.
Scholar Talk | Elvis Presley: The “Comeback King” 1:15–2:00 p.m. Be sure to hear Mike Shellans, senior lecturer at Arizona State University’s School of Music, present his findings on three major musical events in Elvis Presley’s life: the 1960 Frank Sinatra Timex Special: Welcome Home, Elvis, the 1968 Comeback Special: Elvis, and the 1973 Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite. Join Shellans for an exploration of Elvis’s personal and musical preparation for each of these “comeback” specials and the impact these shows had on Elvis and his fans worldwide.
Listen and Create: Elvis Play-Along 2:15–3:00 p.m. Play some Elvis tunes along with friends and family! Led by local music educator and Arizona State University doctoral candidate Austin Showen, this music-making session will be all about creating a community of Elvis fans by playing his music together—get ready to sing and dance along.
Curator Talk | Elvis: Songs for the Silver Screen 3:15–4:00 p.m. In Elvis Presley’s own vision of his acting career, he did not predict a lot of singing, saying in 1956, “I wouldn’t care too much about singing in the movies.” However, by the late sixties, Elvis had recorded well over two hundred songs for the thirty-three movies he appeared in. Join Associate Curator David Wegehaupt to explore musical highlights from Elvis’s film career, an era which produced some of the King’s biggest hits!
Elvis-Themed Extras Available for Purchase During Café Allegro lunch hours, try the chef’s twist on down-home classics and sweet Southern treats.
All weekend, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” your way to the Museum Store to shop all things Elvis, including mugs, socks, lunchboxes, sippy cups, books, CDs, and more.
Judy Pelham