BY GILLIAN G. GAAR

After a year's absence, the Elvis Invitationals returned to Seattle on January 24, still officially the King's birthday month. Though some take their Elvis impersonations very, very seriously, the Elvis Invitationals are a more relaxed, laid-back affair, a contest for any amateur Elvi who have the nerve to strut their stuff upon the stage.

For this year's event, 20 Elvi signed up for the challenge. Opening the festivities was Steve Adams & Kentucky Rain, who bill themselves as "The Ultimate Elvis Tribute" (www.kentucky-rain.com). The portly Adams was attired in a flaming red jumpsuit, and handed out the first scarf of the night to your correspondent (though I hasten to assure you this did not compromise my integrity). Adams' vocals reflected the ‘70s-era easy-listening Elvis, and he even opened his set as the ‘70s Elvis did, with "Also sprach Zarathustra" (better known as the theme from 2001), then seguing into "See See Rider." He also dedicated the "American Trilogy" to our troops, a move that would surely have gained the favor of the patriotic "E."

Then it was on to the main event. With Kentucky Rain providing the music, each Elvis performed one song, with judges taking note of vocals, costume, stage presence, and audience response. The most unusual Elvis was the not dead/not alive "Vampire" Elvis, Chris Mathews, who dueted on "Don't" while his female companion tried not to get bitten. There were also two female Elvi. First timer Marcia Marcy turned in a rousing "Jailhouse Rock," having been inspired by Seattle's own resident female Elvis, Helen Anne Gatley, or "Hellon Wheels" as her stage name would have it, who's been in every Invitational and was this time given the honor of closing the show with "Big Hunk of Love."

The songs covered every Elvis era, and MC Charlotte Buchannan kept the show running smoothly and swiftly, getting Elvi on and offstage with dispatch, cracking jokes, and tossing t-shirts purchased at an Arkansas thrift store into the crowd (the Hooters shirt was a big favorite). Though Jim Peschal's leather suit was on the baggy side, his version of "A Little Less Conversation" was nonetheless impressive. Danny Puttman, who took on "Little Sister," sported the most extravagant hairdo of the night, while Mike Webber joked, "I'm using my real hair tonight," before breaking into "Marie's The Name (His Latest Flame)." But the jumpsuit was the favored look, as seen on Chad Donovan ("Can't Help Falling In Love"), Rudy Razon ("Teddy Bear"/"Don't Be Cruel"), Enjay Santos ("See See Rider"), Ronnie Porter ("It's Now Or Never") and Dino Macris ("You Gave Me A Mountain"). Bret Wiggins even managed to do Elvis' deep knee bends as he rocked through "Suspicious Minds" to the great approval of the crowd. The jumpsuited Elvi also had plenty of scarves with them, to hand out to the squealing females in the crowd - primarily one determined fan down front who managed to snag several of them.

As the Top 10 winners were announced, they trooped onstage to receive their prizes, gift bags from Seattle's house o' kitsch, Archie McPhee's. And for the first time in the history of the Invitationals, there was a tie for first place: Dino Macris with his stirring rendition of "You Gave Me A Mountain," and Hellon Wheels for her lively "Big Hunk of Love," both of whom will share the honor of wearing the commemorative winners' belt over the next year. Then it was time to send everyone home with a smile on the face as Elvi and audience joined in a lusty singalong version of "Return to Sender."

You wouldn't mistake any of the Elvi at the Invitationals for the real thing, but that didn't stop anybody from having a King-sized good time.

[Photos by Gillian G. Gaar]