Vacation Souvenirs

I'm not a big shopper when I am on holidays but I do like to bring one or two little items to spark memories in years to come.

I just thought this was a funny pic to post!  Whenever we come back after a few days away the poor little cat sticks to us like glue.  Here she is, sitting in Patrick's suitcase as he unpacks.

The main thing I wanted to get, after looking on the Graceland website prior to travelling, was a pint glass - on the right.  There actually was not a huge selection and some of them were a bit gaudy but I finally found the perfect one that I was happy with - I think it looks a bit retro too.

Check out the Elvis necklace around the pink coffee cup!

The cup on the left is plastic - I got it when I had lunch in Vernon's Diner paying extra for it.  It was both refillable and reusable so I thought it was great value. And then it was even better value because the guy on the till just charged me for a regular non momento cup when looking at my receipt later.

I also had considered buying a reusable coffee cup in Graceland too but they were not great - either cheap plastic (versus insulated aluminium/metal?? type) or else they were good material but very expensive.  Instead, on my last day I visited the Peabody again and I got myself the coffee cup and a coaster.  I also bought Patrick Rendezvous' seasoning (from the Peabody) and he was DELIGHTED with it.  Patrick can sometimes be hard to buy gifts for (he says he doesn't need/want anything) so I was delighted that he was delighted, lol.

Some better pics of my pint glass.  Thoughts?!

Elvis: That's The Way It Is - Special Edition

 Just before covid19 hit and the cinemas closed one of the last films we saw in The Tropic cinema here in Key West was the Robbie Robertson documentary about The Band "Once Were Brothers".

The Tropic is (softly) reopened, and when I saw an ad on facebook for the re-release of "Elvis: That's the way it is", and that it was playing in the Tropic.....well I just hopped on it and bought two tickets.

It felt incredibly safe in the theatre....well there was only us and two other couples there! Great for us, but I do worry how the cinema will survive with that kind of attendance.

What was really cool is that the major of the film is clips of (full songs) of his Las Vegas concerts so, as Patrick said afterwards, in a bizarre pandemic kind of way it felt like we were at a live show. It is as near to a live concert you will get right now so we will take it I suppose!

Sorry :(
I can't rotate this pic

We both really enjoyed the gospel songs part of the show so went online and ordered a CD of them.  Best deal was to also get his number 1's also.  And then, I went the whole hog and ordered a cd of The Band also. Spent the afternoon today listening to them while swimming in the pool. Pretty good afternoon me thinks!

Kevin Doyle and The Way it Was Orchestra - Elvis, a tribute: The Grand Social. A review.

There is a finite amount of Elvis impersonators in Ireland.  Off the top of my head there is Ciaran Hoolihan...and Frank Chisum (The Chis).  And then of course there is Kevin Doyle.

Although a young(ish) chap, Kevin has been "doing" Elvis for what must be 20 or 25 years at this point.  I am basing this on the fact that I think I first saw him perform in the Tivoli back when I was around 18/19.  God I am OLD!  How did that happen??

Anyway! On to last night's show. 

Kevin arrived on to the stage with no great fanfare in a black suit and white shirt looking altogether more lounge lizard Sinatra than Presley.  Starting with a nice slow "Fever", accompanied by just the double bass it felt cool and crisp,  but not very Elvis!  This it seemed was Doyle's plan as he explained (to both laughter and disappointment) how he was attending Elvis Impersonators Anonymous and trying to wean himself off the white suit and the Elvis moves and allowing us to focus on the sound more.  It also allowed for a nice intro as throughout Fever and leading into Don't be Cruel he was joined on stage by more and more of his musicians building up to full representation, and a full crescendo of sound, from the wonderful The Way it Was Orchestra (who are endorsed by the TCB band don't you forget!).

But you know what.  Who cares what he is wearing this man can sing Elvis!  With or without the white jumpsuit it was a phenomenal first half.  Then a quick break and  the white suit appeared and then things really got heavy.  All the favourites were done, ending with my two absolute favourites - Suspicious Minds and my absolute ABSOLUTE fave Can't Help Falling in Love.

We rocked and we rolled, and it was a great night. A wonderful tribute to Elvis Presley on the 40th anniversary of his death.
His music however lives for ever.  Long live the King.

(Oh special mention of the venue - I love the loft in the Grand Social. I've never had a bad night here)



Fever
Don't be Cruel
Return to Sender
Devil in Disguise
(Marie's the name) His latest flame
Can't Stop Loving
Walk a Mile in my Shoes
Pocket full of rainbows
You were always on my mind
Steamroller baby
A little less conversation
I'm all shook up
If I can dream

*costume change*

See See Rider
Trouble
Guitar Man
I just can't help believing
Love me tender
Burning Love
Pretty little baby
An American Trilogy
Polk Salad Annie
Proud Mary
Viva Las Vegas
Hound Dog
Suspicious Minds
Can't help falling in love

My favourites!
Return to Sender
Devil in Disguise
(Marie's the name) His latest flame
You were always on my mind
Burning Love
Viva Las Vegas
Suspicious Minds
Can't Help Falling in Love