Elvis was in the Building!

On Friday 2^nd November The King, Mr Elvis Aron Presley performed live in the Woodpecker Bar in Quarry House, Leeds. As them man himself pointed out, it’s not exactly Madison Square Gardens but that didn’t stop him from bringing the house down with a stunning performance of many of his greatest hits including Suspicious Minds and The Wonder Of You. The King always does his best work when taking care of business and did so this time for the charity .

Elvis was joined up on stage by his gorgeous backing singers Pam, Lyn and Tracey (that’s Kim’s stage name). Known as The Hot Bananas they were picked fresh from the audience. They really went to town shaking their maracas. Elvis and his girls did a stunning performance of Teddy Bear followed by an all action guest appearance by King Creole (Mark). Without his coconuts, but with his bright pink guitar and gold lamé jacket he scooted about all over the stage like a man possessed. Elvis had all on keeping up with him!

The King had everyone up on their feet jiggling their hips and doing the conga to Viva Las Vegas during which Julie showed The King just what she could do with a feather boa! Coordinating the arm circling, hip swinging and low air punches was not easy but we all had a rather embarrassing crack at it on the dance floor (each one looking at the other hoping that Elvis wouldn’t pick on them next!).

A couple of times Elvis strolled through the audience hand in hand with some of the adoring fans he plucked out of the audience whilst serenading them with Wooden Heart and You Were Always On My Mind (Isi and Lesley – you lucky ladies!).

Jo was overcome with excitement at one point and threatened to rip Elvis’ white rhinestone encrusted jump suit off so she could wear it. Thankfully she coyly settled for helping The King put on his glistening cape (lined with gold silk of course) for his big final number. For the finale The King in all his glory belted out his rendition of My Way and left the building pursued by hoards of screaming fans. He was last seen driving down the Headrow in a Pink Cadillac.

a registered charity and one of the UK’s largest international development organisations helping poor people in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. For more information please log on to www.actionaid.org.uk.

During the evening a raffle was held and £95 was raised for ActionAid. Trisha White (the event organiser) said: “To give you an idea of what the charity can do with that money, £95 could pay for:

6 months sponsorship for a child, give 60 women in rural Cambodia access to health facilities, equip a centre in Malawi for 400 children with toys and play equipment, provide 30 children in Afghanistan with textbooks for a term, enable 300 families in Liberia to attend small business management courses or give 15 children in Sierra Leone access to safe and clean water.” Thanks to Trisha for organising it, Keith for the refreshments, HASSRA Leeds for prizes and advertising, everyone who supported the event and especially Elvis!

By Sal Hopkinson