By Katie Ryan
The King of Rock ‘n Roll is coming. Or at least a tribute to the man who made blue suede shoes look good will hit the Vic Juba stage soon.
The Lloydminster Regional Archives are presenting a blast from the past next week with Tribute to the King – a concert by Rory Allen.
Heralded as a world-class entertainer, Allen’s authentic vocals and stunning costumes have been well-received by even the most faithful Elvis fans and friends, offering a little less conversation and a lot more action.
The classic tribute will be held on Feb. 3, during Saskatchewan’s fifth annual Archives Week, Feb. 1 to 7. Staying true to the Elvis era, Lloydminster Regional Archives has more than just a concert up their sleeves.
Archivist, Emilie Zeibin said they will also celebrate Archives Week with a number of ‘50s inspired informational displays set up throughout the city.
“Being that the concert is a tribute to the King, Elvis Presley, we decided to focus on the ‘50s in all of our displays. I think it shows people that even today, history is being made because we are not just concentrating on the very, very beginning of Lloydminster. We are going 50 years down the road and looking at that era,” she said, adding the local Archives’ work and collection is not solely focussed on ancient pieces.
“Even as we go on today, there are organizations running, there are businesses running and all that history is happening today.”
Though Zeibin, who works alongside fellow archivist Corine Price, is new to the local archives having only started as an archivist several months ago, she said she is already uncovering interesting facts and anecdotes about the Border City.
“There are all kinds of things. Since I began working here, I have been looking at some of these pictures that are from 1905 and very old pictures that are just fascinating to look at,” she said.
“I haven’t been a lifelong resident here, but Lloydminster had a fire in 1920 downtown and it kind of levelled several building at that time and so there had to be a lot of rebuilding, and that was something that I had never known.”
Zeibin encourages the community to take a walk down memory lane by visiting the displays that will be set up at LloydMall, City Hall and the Legacy Centre and also by enjoying a night on the town with the King of Rock ‘n Roll.
Proceeds from A Tribute to the King – Rory Allen will be donated to the Lloydminster Regional Archives.
Lloydminster Regional Archives officially opened its doors at its lower level Atrium Centre location in 2003 and is home to a diverse collection.
“Many of the different organizations in town will bring things in that they want to have preserved for the future, for the organization and for the community to see,” said Zeibin.
For concert ticket information the VJCT box office at 780-872-7400 or visit online at www.vicjubatheatre.ca.