There will be champion Elvis Tribute Artists in Collingwood this year, even if there is no official Collingwood Elvis Festival.
While the fate of the festival for 2020 is still unknown, Ray and Sandie Bandura are organizing a weekend concert event featuring a showcase of Ultimate Champion Elvis tribute artists followed by a Gospel brunch.
The Banduras owned the Olde Town Terrace restaurant in Collingwood, and now use the business name for events they organize. They have been long-time participants in the festival by organizing tribute artist performances and championship shows at the Legion during the July festival weekend.
This year, the Banduras will host the show on May 23 and 24.
“With the uncertainty of the future of the Collingwood Elvis Festival, we wanted to ensure that the legacy of Elvis Presley continues to be well represented in Collingwood and that the experience would still be available to the many loyal fans that look forward to the event every year,” said Ray Bandura in a news release sent out announcing the event. “We started planning this show a while ago, securing the best talent and have been working with Roger Robinson of CHS Productions to design and produce an incredible sound and light show to enhance the on-stage performances.”
The show will take place at the Collingwood Legion, and will include performances by Ultimate Champions Jay Dupuis and Justin Shandor. The evening show also includes Las Vegas World Grand Champion Roy Leblanc and Grand Champion Sylvain Leduc. The Elvis Tribute Artists will be performing the top 50 Elvis Presley hits backed by the band Rudy and the Angels.
The Champions return for the Gospel Brunch on Sunday morning and will perform a showcase of the top inspirational gospel songs that were Elvis’s favourites. The brunch performance will feature Canadian Tenor Christopher Dallo, along with special guest Nicole Dallo.
“We’re thrilled to bring quality entertainers that really know how to put on a show and engage the audience back to Collingwood,” said Bandura.
For more information about the shows, visit https://www.oldetownterrace.com/.
