The Jailhouse Rock Windsor Elvis Fest recently celebrated its second successful year, once again drawing fans and ETA’s from Canada, the United States, and beyond.
Held in Windsor, Ontario, on the Canada-USA border, and overlooking the impressive Detroit River and skyline, the Windsor Elvis Fest is definitely “visitor-friendly” with hotels, venues, parking, and restaurants all located within walking distance of each other. Ticket prices were affordable, hotels offer discounted “Elvis rates,” and there are many well-priced restaurants and eateries nearby.
In keeping with Elvis’ legacy of generosity to others, the Windsor Fest is
also a charity fundraiser for Centres for Seniors , with proceeds from the Festival helping to ensure that the seniors are financially able to participate in the programs and services offered.
This year, the Festival’s ETA contest was a preliminary for the EPE Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest to be held in Memphis, Tennessee in August. There were other new features, too, and fans enjoyed a weekend full of music and fun in tribute to the one and only Elvis Presley! Read on!
Beautiful Dieppe Park on Windsor’s waterfront was the scene of the outdoor activities which took place on Friday and Saturday. The weather couldn’t have been better and fans, friends, and ETA’s mingled under blue skies and sunshine as they enjoyed open mic warm-ups, and contest preliminaries featuring approximately 50 ETA’s in the youth, non-professional, and professional divisions --ranging from seasoned veterans to newcomers.
A vintage car show, fan club table, and colorful vendors’ booths displaying a wide variety of Elvis merchandise and memorabilia, all complemented the Elvis theme, as did the mid-day entertainment by the Seniors Singers who took to the stage singing standards such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight” followed by the senior Classy Steppers in their colorful costumes. The seniors’ inclusion in the Festival was appreciated by the large crowd of all ages.
Other day-time events included a parade featuring ETA’s and classic cars as well as more traditional Canada Day parade festivities. Fans also enjoyed a Sunday brunch gathering with ETA entertainment and fun as the non-professional and youth contest semi-finals continued at Patrick O. Ryan’s Irish pub.
A new venue this year was St. Andrews Church, a block away, the site of Sunday afternoon’s Gospel Contest. Hosted by Garyelvis Britt, and featuring Windsor’s Simply Praise gospel group (back by popular demand), David Muggeridge as returning gospel champ, Steven Kabakos as guest performer, and 8 competing ETA’s, the contest was thoroughly inspirational and uplifting. Earning a standing ovation for his performance, Pete Paquette was judged the winner in the first gospel contest he’d ever entered, with Rick Duin and Doug McKenzie placing 2nd and 3rd respectively. The contest, itself, was clearly a “winner” too. Thanks to all involved!
The beautiful 1200-seat Chrysler Theatre just minutes from Dieppe Park was the setting for the evening shows, starting with Friday’s entertaining headliner showcase featuring award-winning Anthony Von, and last year’s contest division champs: Jesse Aron, David Muggeridge, and Lance Dobinson. Saturday night’s lineup included the professional division contest semi-finals, followed by another enjoyable headliner performance starring 2001 Images of the King winner, Steven Kabakos.
This year, the Windsor Fest contest was a preliminary to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis and Sunday’s Grand Champion Finals at the Chrysler Theatre rounded out the three evenings of stellar entertainment, once again providing an exciting showcase of talent.
The finals were extremely close, with no-one really being sure who would emerge victorious until the results were announced. Congratulations to the judged winners in each division: David Muggeridge, Pete Paquette Jon Cigan, Dan Granger, and Brycen Katolinsky – and to the People’s Choice award winners: Jesse Aron, Pete Paquette, Kevin Bezaire/Patrick Maguire, James Gibb/David Sylvestre.
Special congratulations to David Muggeridge, who has been winning contests left and right since he started his ETA tribute in 2003. With the highest overall point score calculated over two days, David was chosen as the Windsor Fest’s delegate to the Ultimate Elvis Contest in Memphis.
Kudos also to the 3 ETA’s with the next highest overall point scores: Jay Zanier, Pete Paquette, and Jesse Aron. With the judges’ scores rounded to 2 decimals, there was a difference of only 1.75 points between 1st first place and 4th place. For full contest details, see LLM’s contest results page.
Adding their professional touch, the highly-regarded ExSpence Account Showband (designated as the official band in EPE’s Memphis contest also) capably backed the ETA’s throughout the weekend at all the Theatre shows, while “host with the most” Garyelvis Britt was the perfect, charming weekend emcee, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and providing just the right touch of humor and entertainment.
Each evening, after the shows had finished, fans and ETA’s congregated at their hotels for more socializing and singing until the early morning hours.
In just two years, the Windsor Elvis Fest has already become known in Canada and the USA as a friendly, welcoming event with lots of camaraderie and respect shown to everyone involved, including (heavens!) the judges. Any possible “contest rivalry” is left behind on stage, and many genuine friendships have developed. At the end of the weekend, fans and participants went home looking forward to next year’s “3rd annual” already!
Kudos to all the guest performers, and to each and every contestant and participant for providing a terrific weekend’s worth of entertainment to raise money for a good cause in Elvis’ name.
A big “well done” to hard-working Festival Director and Creator, Edie Curtin, and to the Windsor Elvis Fest Team: Honorary Chairperson, Police Chief Glenn Stannard; Centers for Seniors Executive Director, Ellen Hope; President of the Board of Directors, Lynne Adams, Entertainment Coordinator, Richard Rosenthal – and the many other coordinators, assistants, and friendly volunteers whose dedication and commitment of time and energy was noticed and appreciated by all.
Full Details: www.windsorelvisfest.com
Contest Details: www.ladyluckmusic.com (Contest Results Page)
Mid-day entertainment was provided by the Senior Singers who sang Elvis songs for the crowd
The seniors' "Classy Steppers" on stage in their colourful costumes!
Headliner shows and contest showcases were held in the impressive 1200-seat Chrysler Theatre
Carol (r) and Festival Director, Edie Curtin posing with a classic car in front of the scenic Detroit River and Detroit skyline...this was one of Edie's few uninterrupted moments during the weekend. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication, Edie!
Louise and Joan's "Elvis" display was one of several vendors' booths selling all kinds of Elvis merchandise and memorabilia
Katelyn and Kay of the Windsor-based Elvis Keeps Rockin' fan club. ETA Chris Cooper's Elvis paintings, which were later raffled for charity, can been seen on display here.
ETA James Gibb won the People's Choice award (tied with David Sylvestre) in the non-professional early years division.
There were lots of "young Elvis" white jackets ..pictured here l to r: Danny Granger, Billy Cruise, Larry Tschekalin and (front) Amber-Mae Hoffman
Windsor's Gary MacDonald in black leather..posing here with his proud children.
Garyelvis Britt at Gospel Contest with pastor Larry Wilson, who oversees the Simply Praise gospel team
Darrin Hagel was a finalist in the professional concert years division.
David Muggeridge, from Mt Airy, North Carolina, will be proceeding to Memphis for EPE’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Well done David!
At the awards ceremony...a good time was had by all
Who says ETA's and fans don't have fun! l to r: Award-winnng headliner Anthony Von; Jay Zanier (2nd place, professional concert years); fan Beverly; the "Canadian Flash" Shon Carroll (3rd place, professional early years) and Dan Granger (1st place, non-professional early years).
Carol pictured here with Chris Ayotte aka "Mr. Personality," and Jesse Aron, People's Choice winner, professional concert years
Lance Dobinson (2nd place, professional early years) signing autographs..now what was he writing???
Members of the hard-working ExSpence Account Band, pictured here at the Chrysler Theatre. EAS has been designated the official band for EPE's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest in Memphis. l. to r. Brian Harris, Tom Madden, Rick Crenshaw, Cheryl Crenshaw, John Crenshaw, and Jason Parks
Pete Paquette (lst place, professional early years; 1st place, gospel contest; People's Choice, professional early years) has made his mark in the ETA world!
Dan Granger was a happy winner (1st place, non-professional early years)
Fans from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin...l to r...Moira, LaDawn, Patsy, and Jesse Aron's proud mom, Lori
Having fun on stage...Centres for Seniors Executive Director, Ellen Hope; Festival Director, Edie Curtin; Headliner ETA Anthony Von
Pete Paquette and Rick Duin, partially hidden, signing autographs.
David Muggeridge during the preliminary rounds.
The "Canadian Flash" Shon Carroll (3rd place, professional early years) strutting his stuff!
Holding trophies almost as big as themselves...l to r...youth division winners: Anthony Carbone, age 13 (2nd place); Brenen Katolinsky, age 9, (3rd place) and 10-time 1st place winner, Brycen Katolinsky, age l3
Charming weekend host, Garyelvis Britt, ensured that everything ran smoothly, and added just the right touch of humour and song! Thanks for all your hard work, Gary. Pictured here on stage during the award ceremonies.
The younger fans enjoyed themselves too...here with Dan Granger
....two happy Lance Dobinson fans, Desiree and Vanessa
Members of Windsor's simply awesome "Simply Praise" gospel team, under the direction of pastor Larry Wilson, entertained at the Sunday gospel contest
Pete Paquette...1st place, professional early years; People's Choice, professional early years; 1st place, Gospel contest. Well done, Pete!
Rick Duin took 2nd place in the gospel contest with his entertaining performance!
St. Andrew's Church was filled to the rafters for the gospel contest...
Entertainment Co-ordinator Richard Rosenthal with Florida fan, Patty
The Jailhouse Rock Windsor Elvis Fest celebrated its second successful year, drawing fans and ETA’s from Canada and the USA. The Festival’s ETA contest was a preliminary for the EPE Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis. There were other new features, too, and fans enjoyed a weekend full of music and fun in tribute to the one and only Elvis Presley!
