tf Elvismania Amanda Aikman Culture Editor Ah, summer music festivals, there’s nothing like ‘em. Surely you've all heard the wild tales of Woodstock and Altamont. Perhaps you've checked out Reading, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot, Another Roadside Attraction, Lilith Fair, Edgefest, Warped, or any one of the myriad of aural extravaganzas that have come to pass over the years. A good music festival should be a temporary reprieve from reality. A blur of debauchery combined with a powerful sense of musical communi- ty; better living through rocking out. Yes, this is what a good music festival should be. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Take Elvismania for example. The concept was gold—three Elvis-filled days at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds from Aug 2-4. Elvis imper- sonators in Surrey, I mean c'mon what could possibly go wrong. Well, no one could show up for one thing. The crowd, expected to top 20 000, was in reality maybe a couple of hundred he highpoint of the festival's 1 tirnout did little to put €), Walking through s of bored ven- dors, eds, I couldn't help bw o all of the King’s loy: ent after all. Elvis, the fit, worship wasnt really e that?) I decided Now, perhaps itis | nalist to review the enti ed experi py-ness nda day in Surrey). bly more diminu- | hey lacked in There was the woman who talked about having to miss her annual pilgrimage to Memphis this year because her niece had inconsiderately chosen to get married on the anniversary of Elvis’s death. Valiantly fighting back the tears, she informed a small crowd of Elvis Heads that she couldn't remember the date her own daughter had married, but that she would now never be able to forget her niece’s anniversary. There was the elderly woman in the denim dress that her friend had hand-adorned with millions (okay maybe dozens, but it was a pretty big dress) of tiny Elvis images, who had braved the forest fires to arrive by bus from Alberta. She was very protective of Elvismania and staunchly defended it to any nay say- ers by explaining that even the Penticton Elvis Festival was slow going in the beginning years. Even the Penticton Elvis Festival! Perhaps there is hope for Elvismania yet. The promoters have their fingers crossed I’m sure, considering that they had, somewhat prematurely, boasted throughout the day that 2003 was only the first of ten annual Elvismanias. There was the bitter woman from Kitsilano whose apparent high hopes for Elvismania had fallen dr matically short. At one point she actually yelled a swore at a differently abled gentleman who had ac hit her leg with one of his crutches [ captive and reduced to a photo opportuni- usic festival is always good for a few laughs. ever had my picture taken with a tiger, at least at I can remember, so I was naturally pretty d. Not excited enough to actually leave the beer it mind you, but still, excited nonetheless. music. Lots of the same Elvis music, performed frightening array of Elvis impersonators. They from all over; some even from as far off as “the Maple Ridge area.” One of my favourite moments of ent was when J.R. Elvis, a hospital worker by ook time out of his performance to dedicate a To all the Elvis’s here today, who had the guts to here and dream.” It was really beautiful. After J.R. the hospital worker/Elvis impersonator those inspirational words I was finally ready to e King into my heart. Unfortunately the day’s s were rapidly coming to an end, so my con- me a little late. Luckily though, I still had itness the spectacle that is Randy Elvis ere were dancing girls, and a flashing lit up d tight leather jumpsuits...Oh man, an't wait till next year. http://www.otherpress.ca Ih and there was music too. Elvis music. Lots of WIN FREE MOVIE PASSES! Just answer the following trivia question: What type of baked good did Jason Biggs get intimate with in American Pie? The first 6 people to email the correct answer to hun dredmedia@hotmail.com will win pass- es to the premier of ‘Anything Else’ starring the illustrious Biggs and Christina Ricci on September 17, 2003 at Fifth Avenue Cinemas. Fresh Baked Amanda Aikman Culture Editor Check out these latest releases while they're still warm! Movie: American Splendor Release Date: September 2003 Based on the real life of Harvey Pekar (Paul Giamatti), American Splendor is the story of a cur- mudgeonly Cleveland Hospital file clerk who writes comic books about his everyday experi- ences. Pekar serves as narrator and appears as himself occasionally as well. Features interviews, file footage, and re-enacted scenes, blended together to form a docudrama. Book: Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational stories about Horses and the People who love them Release Date: September 2003 A special Chicken Soup edition filled with inspiring stories of rescue and. rehabilitation, heartbreaking losses, dedication and commit- ment, and positive messages of responsibility and unconditional love. I know what everybody’s get- ting from me for Christmas this year. Album: Operation Infinite Joy, Martin Tielli Release Date: September 9 This man is the greatest singer/musician of all time. Ah heck, he may be the greatest man of all time. Buy this record; it is brilliant. Page 13 September 10, 2003