Maggi Barnard

The Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast will once again wow visitors to Forbes on Saturday, 12th January. Set to bring you all the fun of a 60s, 70s retro carnival, the Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast will feature food vans, live entertainment, kids activities and more – all in the heart of the Forbes Central Business District (CBD).

Join us in Templar and Rankin Streets from 7am for free live entertainment from International Elvis Tribute Artist Che Orton, followed by chilled tunes from local artist Adam Enslow until midday. Tantalize your taste buds with visiting food vans featuring fairy floss, bagels, old-fashioned lemonade and popcorn as well as local retailers featuring special Elvis-inspired menus.

The kids will be kept entertained with face painting and free rides including a massive jumping castle and bucking bull, along with retro carnival-inspired activities throughout the morning. “We are thrilled to be hosting the amazing
Forbes Elvis Street Breakfast once again,” said Mayor of Forbes Phyllis Miller OAM.

“Last year was a raging success and this year is set to be just as much fun.” “I’m especially looking forward to trying
out some special Elvis-inspired treats from our local cafes, and we have a great range of local food vans joining the party including Sweet 3 Vintage Van, Benny’s Bagels and Bakery, and Steve’s Mega Treats,” she said.

Take advantage of special deals and discounts from local retailers, only available during the Festival period from Thursday, 10th to Sunday, 13th January.

You will also be able to enjoy a relaxed breakfast before the special shuttle bus departs at 9am to transport festival goers from the Forbes CBD to Parkes, arriving right on time for the Northparkes Street Parade.

For more information about the Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast, contact Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300.

Almost eight years ago three Parkes girls came together to form a local, home-grown group called Amitie that has since grown into a class act. Shevaun Brown, Christa Radley and Christie Green met on stage as The Pink Ladies in the Parkes Musical & Dramatic (M & D) Society’s 2010 production of Grease.

They discovered an amazing harmony – not only of their voices, but of friendship too. “They’re the sisters I got to pick myself,” said Christie. “The name Amitie, meaning ‘friendship’ chosen by Shev echoes the closeness of the three.”

In 2011 the girl-band emerged with the sounds, looks and vibes of the Swinging Sixties after their hit in the M & D’s musical Downtown.

They have gone on to perform on cruise ships and at festivals, and fondly remember a ‘Rock the Boat’ cruise in 2016 playing alongside the likes of The Fortunes, The Searchers and The Troggs. “Eddy from The Fortunes came and watched all our gigs and told us how amazing we were!” Shev recalls.

Another favourite performance was last May’s ABBA Festival performing on a professional stage in front of an amazing large crowd brought to their feet by Amitie’s enthusiastic talent.

Despite all their success, they remain totally unaffected. “We just have fun,” said Christa. “When people say how good we are, or how professional we sound, we just laugh.” “It’s nice to get the recognition,” said Christie. “We’ve often heard: ‘You girls just don’t get how good you are’, but we just sing for the love of it. I do feel a sense of pride when I hear our recordings, but really, we’re just the singing housewives.”

And that’s exactly who Amitie wants to remain. Over time the trio have fallen into sync so well, and instead of getting on each other’s nerves they’ve become more tolerant of each other.

But do things ever go wrong? “Oh always!” They’ve experienced loss of voices, loss of vocal range, speakers blowing up, not being able to stand still on rocking boats, costume malfunctions… “We always forget the words or the moves.
We look out the corner of our eye and see one of the others smiling and we know something’s wrong,” said Shev, “but we don’t even blink.”

Looking to the future they don’t want to change what they’ve got. “It’s not work, it’s fun.” A booking for the odd cruise or festival would be good, but lucky for Parkes, they hope to be around for a long time to come.

“They’ll have to stop calling us ‘the girls’”, said Shev, “we’ll be grandmothers by then.” “And when we’re in our eighties in the nursing home,” said Christa, “we’ll probably be getting on stage and entertaining the other residents.”

(Amitie has 10 performances at the Parkes Elvis Festival on the Cooke Parke main stage and Memphis stage, as well as the Jack Gatto concerts and Miss Priscilla Dinner.)

By Beth Thomas

Stand Out With Hand Made Local Products
Adelarose has many treasures to be discovered, but for the festival there are vintage-inspired locally hand-made dresses, which are in high demand. Choose from beautiful flower patterns, or be more daring with a pink flamingo option. If you are not after a dress, there are also other Elvis-inspired gifts all hand made locally including knitting, cushions and even pencil drawings.

Enjoy Festival With Help Of Parkes Pharmacy
Parkes Pharmacy has all you need to keep as cool as Elvis during the festival. Look no further for all your first aid needs, and treatment of minor ailments like cuts, scrapes and burns. Beat the heat with the loads of options available to keep hydrated to ensure you can enjoy all the amazing performances. Remember it is important to keep up the electrolytes and stay cool with some ice towels.

Alaskan Malamute Inspires Hand Made Gifts
Bella-Lee Treasures was established in May 2017 after the owner Haylee Pottage lost her beloved three-year-old Alaskan Malamute called Bella to canine epilepsy. When Haylee lost Bella she found herself with empty time and picked up the hobby of making fabric jewellery and gifts. Haylee is a Parkes resident who is looking forward to sharing her products with festival goers. Drop by her market stall in Cooke Park and take a look at her Elvis Presley fabric jewellery and gifts. Find her on Facebook: Bella-Lee Treasures.

Colouby Is The Place To Get Your Elvis On
Colouby Creations in Clarinda Street is ready to Rock ‘n Roll at The Parkes Elvis Festival. If you want to go with the All Shook Up theme or need anything else Elvis-related, this is the place to pop in to for dresses, skirts, petticoats, wigs, glasses, handbags, head scarves, jumpsuits, memorabilia for guys, gals and kids – it’s all there.

Sale on at The Red Chandelier
Get All Shook Up with the 50% off sale at The Red Chandelier at 300A Clarinda Street during the festival! A good variety of women’s fashion, accessories and homewares on offer. Pop in for a good bargain.

Support Local And Homemade
Join the movement by buying handmade Elvis paraphernalia this festival. It is easy in Parkes as the Craft Corner at 227 Clarinda Street has a good selection of unique Elvis items, such as quilts, wall hangings, tea towels, portraits and many more. There are also many other craft pieces and fresh homemade food items, as well as a large selection of art, including beautiful creations by mosaic artist Sue Maddison.

Elvis Merch Galore
Visit Byrne Clothing at 233 Clarinda Street and get your All Shook Up shirts, Elvis hats, stubby holders and Hawaiian shirts, hats and lots more.

Elvis Jewellery at Nangar Gems
Do you like unique jewellery to remind you of special occasions? Nangar Gems in Clarinda Street has a limited edition Elvis charm available this year for the festival. Or you can dress the part with Pandora’s bohemian-inspired jewellery including leather bracelets!

Parkes ELVIS Festival

PHOTO COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION
Coventry Room, Parkes Library
A picture is normally worth a thousand words, but when it comes to Parkes Elvis Festival, an image is priceless. There are four categories: a smartphone, digital portrait, digital black and white, plus digital colour categories. View the collection of photos entered in the photography competition – you’ll never know who or what you will discover hidden in the photographs! Proudly supported by Harvey Norman and Adobe.
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Winners announced at 4pm!
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm

FREE MOVIES
Enjoy the cool surrounds of Parkes Library as you watch an Elvis classic.

Friday
• 10am: Jailhouse Rock
• 12pm: Elvis Lives in Parkes *
• 2pm: King Creole

Saturday
• 11.30am: King Creole
• 1pm: Elvis Lives in Parkes *
• 2.15pm: Jailhouse Rock
* SBS documentary about the Festival

The feature artist of the 27th Parkes Elvis Festival is the multitalented actor, singer, songwriter and musician Ted Torres Martin from Orlando, Florida. Parkes Elvis Festival audiences will be the very first to see him perform on his debut in Australia.

Ted’s portrayal of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is one of the top tributes in the world. He acquired this title in Memphis Tennessee in 2011 and 2012 at competitions organised by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. “I am very excited about headlining the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival in Australia, which is the biggest Elvis festival in the world! I am very honoured and look forward to entertaining all the wonderful Elvis fans in Australia!” said Ted.

He is sure to leave fans ‘All Shook Up’ appearing in four highenergy concerts celebrating Elvis Presley’s music at the Parkes Leagues Club over the next four days. He will be backed by a dynamic live Elvis band to recreate the performances that made Elvis Presley the one and only King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

In addition to the feature concert series, Ted will appear at the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival Street Parade, gospel service and Renewal of Vows Ceremony. Ted is one of the top tribute artists in the world, and has toured the United States, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Other accolades include 2016 ‘Images Of The King’ World Champion; 2016 1st place Fan Favourite at ‘Images of the King’ in Las Vegas; 2014 ‘Heart Of The King’ Award; and 2014 Vocalist for the soundtrack of the Elvis-based independent short film ‘Nobody’.

Parkes Elvis Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “Ted has a great reputation for putting on an unforgettable show and we look forward to seeing this when he takes to the stage in Parkes.”