Though the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘left the building’ far too early, fans the world over continue to gather to celebrate his birth. On Friday, his Turkish fans will come together to commemorate Elvis’ life and music with an event in Istanbul. The fan group is helping to keep alive the great singer’s music, according to Kemal Öznoyan, head of the group
 Elvis Presley is commemorated on his birthday and death anniversary in Turkey during events organized by his official Turkish fan group. |
Turkish aficionados of 1950s rock are preparing to celebrate Friday the 76th birthday of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, at the Olimpia Event Hall in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district.
The commemorational night is thanks to the initiative of the “Elvis is in Istanbul Now” fan group, an association of Presley’s fans in Turkey headed by Kemal Öznoyan.
“People are attending our events just like Elvis is alive and they will see him on the stage,” Öznoyan recently told Anatolian news agency. The event at the hall will feature Turkish Elvis impersonators, as well as concert videos of the legendary musician. A dance contest will also be held and participants will receive Elvis albums and posters.
Öznoyan said his group had been responsible for bringing together a number of Elvis fans in Turkey for various events.
“People from various areas come together because of their love for the artist. This impressed me a lot and I received the necessary permissions from the Elvis Presley Companies Group, headed by his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, to form a fan group in Turkey,” he said.
The Turkish chapter was formed in 2000 and now had 4,000 members, Öznoyan said, adding that the group had no commercial interests but merely wanted to keep the artist’s music alive, organizing events on the singer’s birthdays and death anniversaries.
“We have come together with many members from all around Turkey and from Kazakhstan. Three Turkish Elvis [impersonators] organize stage shows wearing his costumes. In this way, people feel as if he is still alive and performing on stage,” he said.
The fan group head also said Elvis’ music had been effective in reaching people from all cultures. “We organized a very nice event in 2002 by inviting his fans from Greece to Turkey.”
Öznoyan also said that while Elvis was still alive, some of the revenue from the sales of his albums was spent on cancer research. “We took this attitude as a model and our group gives support to the social responsibility projects of some organizations.”
Elvis seminars at universities
Öznoyan said Elvis fans were generally educated people and added that among the activities of the group, they also gave seminars at some seminars on Elvis the culture surrounding his music.
“There was a great interest in the seminar at Anadolu University [in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir], during which we told about the social life of his period. On the night of the same day, we organized an Elvis night at [a local café]. Some artists, including the actress Türkan Şoray, attended the event and danced. The next day our event appeared in newspapers and other universities contacted us to organize similar events,” he said.
The orchestra that Elvis played with while still alive continues to take the stage under the name “Elvis The Concert” by accompanying the artist’s voice in his records, Öznoyan said, adding that the fan group’s biggest goal was to bring that orchestra to Istanbul.
Noting how popular visits to Elvis’ house in the United States are, Öznoyan said: “We plan to open a local place with the contribution of our members. We can form this house by bringing valuable pieces from our own collections. But this place should be a living one. This is why we are waiting for the right time. I have produced some TV and radio programs in the past. Now we have more materials about him. We will bring together these materials and produce a Elvis documentary at the first opportunity.”
Istanbul's Roxy hosting Elvis retro night Saturday
Istanbul’s Roxy nightclub is set to continue their series of concept parties this week with a party in honor of Elvis Presley’s birthday this weekend.
The party, featuring Tibet Ağırtan, will take revelers back in time Saturday night to commemorate Presley’s 76th birthday.
The club has focused on decking out the venue with special visual shows and decorations. While listening to unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll songs, the audience will be able to sip beverages served by Grease girls. Partiers can also choose their favorite song from the jukebox and tap dance with their Elvis-style hair while their friends dance alongside.
The event calls for poodle skirts and blue suede shoes for the celebration of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The performance starts at 11 p.m. and tickets costing 15 and 20 Turkish Liras are available at Biletix.
The commemorational night is thanks to the initiative of the “Elvis is in Istanbul Now” fan group, an association of Presley’s fans in Turkey headed by Kemal Öznoyan.
“People are attending our events just like Elvis is alive and they will see him on the stage,” Öznoyan recently told Anatolian news agency. The event at the hall will feature Turkish Elvis impersonators, as well as concert videos of the legendary musician. A dance contest will also be held and participants will receive Elvis albums and posters.
Öznoyan said his group had been responsible for bringing together a number of Elvis fans in Turkey for various events.
“People from various areas come together because of their love for the artist. This impressed me a lot and I received the necessary permissions from the Elvis Presley Companies Group, headed by his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, to form a fan group in Turkey,” he said.
The Turkish chapter was formed in 2000 and now had 4,000 members, Öznoyan said, adding that the group had no commercial interests but merely wanted to keep the artist’s music alive, organizing events on the singer’s birthdays and death anniversaries.
“We have come together with many members from all around Turkey and from Kazakhstan. Three Turkish Elvis [impersonators] organize stage shows wearing his costumes. In this way, people feel as if he is still alive and performing on stage,” he said.
The fan group head also said Elvis’ music had been effective in reaching people from all cultures. “We organized a very nice event in 2002 by inviting his fans from Greece to Turkey.”
Öznoyan also said that while Elvis was still alive, some of the revenue from the sales of his albums was spent on cancer research. “We took this attitude as a model and our group gives support to the social responsibility projects of some organizations.”
Elvis seminars at universities
Öznoyan said Elvis fans were generally educated people and added that among the activities of the group, they also gave seminars at some seminars on Elvis the culture surrounding his music.
“There was a great interest in the seminar at Anadolu University [in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir], during which we told about the social life of his period. On the night of the same day, we organized an Elvis night at [a local café]. Some artists, including the actress Türkan Şoray, attended the event and danced. The next day our event appeared in newspapers and other universities contacted us to organize similar events,” he said.
The orchestra that Elvis played with while still alive continues to take the stage under the name “Elvis The Concert” by accompanying the artist’s voice in his records, Öznoyan said, adding that the fan group’s biggest goal was to bring that orchestra to Istanbul.
Noting how popular visits to Elvis’ house in the United States are, Öznoyan said: “We plan to open a local place with the contribution of our members. We can form this house by bringing valuable pieces from our own collections. But this place should be a living one. This is why we are waiting for the right time. I have produced some TV and radio programs in the past. Now we have more materials about him. We will bring together these materials and produce a Elvis documentary at the first opportunity.”
Istanbul's Roxy hosting Elvis retro night Saturday
Istanbul’s Roxy nightclub is set to continue their series of concept parties this week with a party in honor of Elvis Presley’s birthday this weekend.
The party, featuring Tibet Ağırtan, will take revelers back in time Saturday night to commemorate Presley’s 76th birthday.
The club has focused on decking out the venue with special visual shows and decorations. While listening to unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll songs, the audience will be able to sip beverages served by Grease girls. Partiers can also choose their favorite song from the jukebox and tap dance with their Elvis-style hair while their friends dance alongside.
The event calls for poodle skirts and blue suede shoes for the celebration of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The performance starts at 11 p.m. and tickets costing 15 and 20 Turkish Liras are available at Biletix.
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