Elvis Presley tribute artists from across the world will flock to the stage of the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo Casino next week for a chance to win $25,001.
The casino will present its 11th annual “A Tribute to The King” competition to honor the late “King” by featuring some of the top Elvis tribute performers and popular tribute artist Ryan Pelton as a headliner.
“(Elvis is) an iconic guy, and people still get a huge thrill out of him or people that are appearing to be him,” said Rachel Buelow, entertainment coordinator for the casino.
The competition, which awards the most prize money of any Elvis tribute artist contest, will run Monday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 11, with both daytime contest rounds and nightly shows to narrow down the grand prize winner from 17 Elvis impersonators. Judges will determine the winner based on factors like costuming, voice, interaction with the crowd and overall replication of the “King.”
Prize money will be awarded to five finalists with $25,001 going to the champion and the runners-up receiving $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 according to their placing. A “Mr. Congeniality” prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the contestant with the best attitude as voted by the other contestants.
This year’s competition will also present a “Battle of the Champions” round in which three former Elvis tribute artist winners will perform against one another for a prize of $25,001.
“We’ve never done it, so it’s going to be nice to have all of those champions in the room at the same time,” Buelow said.
Tickets are still available for the daytime competitions and some evening performances. Ticket sales from daytime shows will benefit the casino’s signature “Miracle on Canal Street” charity campaign.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the casino’s box office. Potawatomi Bingo Casino is located at 1721 W. Canal St. in Milwaukee.
For more information about show times, click here.
