Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Larry Tschekalin is set to swivel his hips on Saturday at the Red Deer Lodge.
The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native has won prizes for his Presley portrayal in Montreal and at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, among other events.
Judges seem to warm to his high-energy impression of The King, said Tschekalin, who has been impersonating the spangled superstar for five years.
“I just love to entertain,” said the 35-year-old, who prepares by observing Elvis’s mannerisms and singing style on old concert footage.
His stage act goes from Presley’s scandalous beginnings, when his hip-shaking was deemed too racy for television, to his spectacular 1960s comeback tour, and his studded jumpsuit days in the 1970s.
This is Tschekalin’s first visit to Western Canada. He’s next planning to enter Penticton, B.C.’s Elvis Festival next week to try to win a chance to compete at the Ultimate Elvis contest in Las Vegas in August.
Admission to his 8 p.m. show at the Red Deer Lodge, 4311 49th Ave., is $15. For tickets, call 403-864-7997 or 403-346-8841