Elvis is in the House

Lakeside offers lectures in religion, history, and other interesting topics, art exhibits, and concerts every day of the week. The week's offerings are plentiful, and its difficult to select a reasonable schedule without leaving out something interesting. Fortunately, my hosts know the ropes and outline what they usually attend. It sounds doable, and afternoons are open for swimming and shuffleboard and shopping, or naps!

Tonight we wander from our comfy cottage over to Hoover Auditorium to catch the act of an Elvis impersonator. I'm not an Elvis groupie, but I certainly grew up with his music and his movies and I know a bit about his life. Besides, the music should be fun and entertaining. Who can beat a live concert in a huge domed space filled with cushy chairs and big screens for close up action shots?

We settle in. The concert begins with spotlights fanning the audience and the orchestra playing a vamp. Where is he? Where is Elvis? We cran our necks to catch the first glimpse. Suddenly, there is he coming down the center aisle, cape flying, rhinestones sparkling, dark glasses in place. What a hoot! You could almost believe its Elvis himself.

He certainly knew how to work an audience, and in no time at all we were practically dancing in the aisles, crying with hearts touched at his sentimentality as he brought an Elvis fan onstage who was celebrating a wedding anniversary, introduced us to his mother who sang a song with him, engaging kids to help him sing a number - all embroidered by the famous scarves that he would twist about his neck and then hand to a cooperative fan.

What fun! He was decent as a singer and full of life and energy. Finally he began to wind down a bit and just as I expected him to say good night, he announced that he would take a short break and be back with more fun. Yikes! I looked at my friend and she looked at me and we agreed we were Elvised out. You can only take just so much Blue Suede Shoes and Hounddogs and Jail House Rocks.

Together we made our way through the few streets to our cottage where we collapsed on the couch, full of happiness and music. None of us were up to pulling a late night, so we retired. Elvis can stay up and greet the dawn. We will let the music bathe our sleep and rise refreshed!