CityLife

Elvis events

WITH the 30th anniversary of Elvis's death looming, everyone from impersonators to restaurateurs are staging events.

Steve Preston, a lifelong fan and professional impersonator, will be marking the anniversary with a performance at the Empire Theatre in Blackburn tomorrow.

He started his career as an impersonator 15 years ago and is widely known as the only Elvis to perform in front of the Queen - even the real Presley didn't manage it.

The secret of his success, says Steve, is: "The look, the voice and the presence." But, 30 years after Presley's death, what does he think Elvis is best known for? "His music, more than anything, it came first. But he just had this persona, he was like a magnet that just pulled people towards him."

Wednesday

ELVIS TRIBUTE NIGHT: Impersonators sings all the hits. The Thai Lounge, Whitefield. 7:30pm and 9:30pm (0161 766 8822). £5 adv.

Thursday

ELVIS 30TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW: Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn. Aqueduct Road, Ewood, Blackburn. 8pm. (Booking office 01254 680137) £12 (£10 conc).

ELVIS - THE WONDER OF YOU: A night dedicated to the great man. The Dancehouse Theatre, 10 Oxford Road. 7.00pm. £16.50 (£10 children).

'ELVIS' WILLIAMSON: Everything Elvis. Middletown Civic, Fountain Street, Middleton. 7.30pm-10.30pm (0161 643 2389). £6.

ELVIS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE NIGHT: Featuring top European artists. Longfield Suite, Prestwich (07888 884 251). £10.

AN EVENING WITH ELVIS : Ikan Restaurant, Portland Street, Manchester. (236 1313) £29pp, inc three-course meal.

Saturday

ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: Starring Lee 'Memphis' King, the man who earned himself the dizzying title of 'World's Foremost Elvis Tribute Artist' at the 2005 Collingwood Elvis Festival. 7.30pm. £15.50-£17.50.

ELVIS TRIBUTE: Bacup Leisure Hall, Burnley Road, Bacup. 8pm (01706 875550) £12 (£10 conc).

Planning an Elvis night? E-mail the details to: webentertainment@men-news.co.uk .