What's Happening in Lacey, WA…

Lacey residents will have a chance to see The King when Elvis gives a concert in the city.

Elvis in this case is Robbie Dee, a tribute artist and Elvis impersonator who became a huge fan of the rock icon when he saw “Blue Hawaii,” the film Elvis made in 1961. Dee started collecting the singer’s records and singing along, dreaming of performing Elvis’s music.

When he was 27, he got his chance. At a karaoke event, friends talked Dee into singing “Viva Las Vegas,” and his efforts were well received by his audience. Dee became hooked on the idea of impersonating his idol.

In 2013, Dee performed at MoPop, and then competed in the Seattle Elvis Invitationals, a contest to find the best Elvis impersonator. Being with over 20 fellow artists and performing in front of an enthusiastic audience encouraged Dee. In 2015, he competed in the Invitationals again. Performing a powerful version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” he won the contest.

Dee now performs throughout the Pacific Northwest, drawing on materials for Elvis’s early days (the 1950s), his years in films (the 1960s), his 1968 Comeback Special, and his years in Las Vegas (the 1970s).

Robbie Dee’s Tribute to Elvis is set for November 12 at 8:00 pm, at Ricardo’s on Woodland Square Loop. The doors will open at 7:00pm, and there will be alcoholic drinks and snack food available for purchase. Events like these can be boosted if organizers use poster printing to create attractive advertising.