MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. announced today that it has partnered with 2Share Entertainment to present a major exhibition in South America, curated by archivists from Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. The Elvis Experience will begin in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 18, 2012. In addition to the exhibit, there will be a performance of “Elvis Presley in Concert,” the astounding production that reunites former Elvis band mates live on stage with a state-of-the-art, video-projected Elvis.
A first of its kind exhibition outside the United States, “The Elvis Experience” includes over five hundred rare artifacts, documents and photos, many of which have never left the vaults or exhibit areas of Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis.
Among the items that will be shipped from Graceland are Elvis’ red MG automobile as featured in his classic film “Blue Hawaii,” a gold plated rotary dial telephone from Elvis' upstairs bedroom, and his signature white suit featured in the closing number of his 1968 television special now referred to as “The '68 Special.” One of the most recognizable items traveling from Memphis to Brazil is one of the American Eagle jumpsuits Elvis used for the 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii” television special, the world’s first LIVE televised satellite concert.
“Elvis has always maintained a broad international appeal and it is no surprise that there are thousands of fans across South America and Brazil who continue to embrace his rich legacy,” commented Priscilla Presley, former wife of the late music icon. “Lisa and I are happy to be able to share some of these special items that mean so much to us, as they did to Elvis, and loan them for public display in a country where Elvis is so well-loved.”
In addition to the exhibition, South American fans will also be able to experience the closest they will ever come to a LIVE Elvis concert with the announcement that “Elvis Presley in Concert” will take place in Sao Paulo on October 2, 2012. Concert-goers will see some of Elvis' finest performances projected on a large video screen, accompanied live on stage by a cast of singers and musicians who worked with him, a full orchestra, and additional singers and musicians.
“For the next nine months, our team at 2Share Entertainment will be working passionately to build out all the aspects of this first-of-its-kind exhibition. We are also preparing to welcome Elvis’ former backup singers and band mates to South America,” said Rafael Reisman, President of 2Share Entertainment. “We anticipate this special loan of rare artifacts from Graceland and the performance of “Elvis Presley in Concert” will draw thousands of people from many countries around the world so we are making sure everyone has a unique experience in Brazil."
There are currently many Elvis Presley fan clubs in South America and Graceland has seen a steady increase in visitors from the country in the last several years. Currently, on Elvis’ Facebook page, South America ranks third in the number of international fans, just behind the United Kingdom and Mexico.
“This unique and rare loan of artifacts from our collection at Graceland, in addition to the staging of this concert experience, is going to be a fantastic addition to the 35th anniversary celebration throughout 2012,” said Jack Soden, CEO and President of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. “We know there are a significant number of Elvis fans in South America and this allows us to share Elvis’ rich life and legacy with them during this very special year.”
Additional details about other artifacts traveling to Brazil, exhibition location, length of exhibition, and admission prices will be announced in the days surrounding Elvis Presley’s birthday celebration on January 8. Visit elvis.com for updates on the announcement surrounding this exciting Elvis exhibition in Brazil.
About Elvis Presley Enterprises
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com. EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc.