Welcome to the 2022 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival
Introduction
Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SIDEBURNS Magazine.
I have been sitting on this article for some time now—almost two months in fact. I was thinking maybe the time had passed for a detailed account of a festival that took place in April, but then I re-read Wendy King’s comment on a post I wrote at the end of April about the 2022 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival:
Working hard behind the scenes, Sue Harris and Wendy King.
Thank you, as always, to Sideburns Magazine for a comprehensive and accurate record of the Niagara Elvis Festival. It’s great to enjoy photos after, as when one is working; it’s hard to catch all the shows and fun candid moments. I enjoy reliving it all in the days that follow. Wendy King, ETA competition judge and writer. (To access full article, click here).
I wish to thank Wendy for her timely comment. Since the beginning of SB Mag, I have attempted to describe in detail the ETA shows and competitions that I attend so those who were there can relive the events and those who weren't there can enjoy the experience through my words and pictures. Up until now, though, I did not think how my articles might be received by those who were at the events but may have been so busy behind the scenes that they miss much of what there is to enjoy. It is a refreshing point of view and was just the encouragement I needed to post this late-in-the-season article.
Whether you want to relive the experience, live it vicariously, attended but had to miss some of the excitement, or are thinking about attending the 2023 NFEF, I hope my recap of the four day event provides reading enjoyment. Looking forward to seeing you at the next big event. Cheers! C.M.
The first three tiers of seven at The Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls, ON, CDN, are shown in the photo. For the NFEF, banquet tables are set up on floor level next to the stage.
Day by Day: Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the NFEF
Friendly staff are there to greet guests at the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival, held at the Greg Frewin Theatre, ON.
Besides the excitement of seeing the ETAs perform and chatting with them at the meet and greets, one of the best parts of going to ETA shows and competitions is meeting new fans and seeing old friends again. It has been a long time between competitions…Flaming Star in October, 2019 - Niagara Falls Elvis Festival April, 2022, and I was looking forward to the four day event.
As with previous years, there were two tables set up at the entrance to the Greg Frewin Theatre manned by the always friendly staff that are there to greet guests, check lists, and hand out passes. The warm welcome I received set the tone for the entire weekend.
After receiving my pass from Serena, who is always so helpful when I call or email, and checking with security to let them know that I would be taking photos and videos of the event, I said a hello to Peter who was stationed at a service desk ready to welcome ticket holders and to answer any questions they may have. After a taking a photo of Peter, it was time to get down to business recording the 2022 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival.
I find entering the common area, the hub of the weekend, always exhilarating. In this area there are tables and chairs set up on a checkerboard floor, a bar, popcorn machine, snack concession, and merchandise for sale. Other than the stage and the meet and greet room, the common area is where all the other action happens and where wonderful memories are created. It is where you find friends socializing and ETAs posing for photos after performances. It is where you can buy a souvenir from a number of vendor tables or merchandise from Heather Busseri and her sales assistant—this year, Jolanda Schat. And in the evening, it is where you can dance the night away with live bands or simply sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
It was nice seeing Tony Busseri, who, along with Greg and Alanna Frewin and Tony’s daughter-in-law Heather Busseri, organizes, promotes, and runs the NFEF looking so well. I thanked Tony for the opportunity to cover the festival and competition for a third time in four years (SIDEBURNS Magazine did not launch until the fall of 2017, months after the first NFEF). Tony, Heather, Greg, and Alanna are ever present to make sure everything goes as planned and to handle what needs handling ;)
Happy times: The 2019 NFEF with Sharon Murray, Theo and Louis Young in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe for SB Mag.
One of the six headliners, Sylvain Leduc, who was the 2019 NFEF winner, was standing near his vendor table with photographer Louis Young who was filling in for Sharon Murray who was not able to make the trip to Niagara Falls from Quebec this year. I really missed seeing Sharon and Theo, but I was happy to have a chance to catch up with Sylvain and Louis. Sylvain introduced me to his girlfriend, Caroline (pronounced Carolyn), who was looking after his souvenir table that displayed many fine items for fans to purchase. After a taking a few photos with Sylvain, it was time to make my way into the theatre to see Steve Michaels perform his tribute to the Concert Years. (Click here if you wish to read or re-read my write-up about Steve’s show).
Ultimate ETA Cody Ray Slaughter and fellow Gemini ETA Steve Michaels.
After Steve’s show, I headed to the meet and greet room with the purpose of meeting Cody Ray Slaughter for the first time, getting my photo taken with Shawn Klush, and saying hello to Steve Michaels. While everyone was enjoying dinner before Cody’s evening performance as Elvis in the Early Years/’68 Comeback and Sylvain Leduc as Elvis in the Concert Years, I needed to check into my hotel. I made it back in time to see both Cody and Sylvain in their spectacular performances. As past winner of the 2019 NFEF (last festival), Sylvain was invited to entertain as one of the six headliners. Sylvain gave a stunning performance on stage, but it was the humorous moment when he stepped out of his macramé belt and hung it on the mic stand that gave me one of my favourite photo opts. Sylvain has a gift for handling such moments with panache—a sign of a true professional. (Some of you may remember the ‘chain incident’ at his Rockway Winery show). (I wrote about Cody and Steve in an earlier post that you can access by clicking here).
On stage at the 2022 NFEF, Cody Ray Slaughter gave Elvis fans all that they could wish for in his tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. As you would expect from an Ultimate ETA, Cody has the look and voice; but oh boy, his movements on stage were a sight to behold! Like Elvis, Cody seems to feel the music that inspires his energetic moves.
Dressed a blue jacket, black shirt and grey pants for his ‘50s songs, and in black leather for the ‘60s, Ultimate ETA Cody Ray Slaughter sold both decades in his tribute to Elvis at the 2022 NFEF. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
Spectacular in every song, if I was asked to pick my favourite song performances based on his moves, I would have to pick three: “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, and “Trying to Get to You”. If I had to choose a vocal highlight during Cody’s two set performances, it would have to be “If I Can Dream”.
Thursday evening ended with an after hours party with the music of Johnny Cash (Jim Yorfido) and Elvis (Connor Russo) and special guest, Pam Yorfido. It was lovely seeing everyone having a good time, but mid-evening, I headed back to my hotel.
