By SETH HENNESSY Staff Writer

Not every star can sell tickets 30 years after their death, but Elvis can. The King may have died in 1977, but by 1:30 p.m. at St. Catharines CAW Union Hall 60 people are in line for Valentine`s with the King. 

Wayne Curtis, left, and Will Thompson, right, are dressed and ready to sing an Elvis tune or two. Photo by Seth Hennessy

He does not appear to carry the stresses of hosting this event while walking around the tables decorated with red roses and plastic red hearts. Despite some complications – a few Elvises have backed out and the stage curtains were torn down the night before at an illScarlett concert – Disimine cheerfully greets the growing crowd.

“I hope you enjoy the show,” he says. Although the event will feature a handful of ETAs strutting their stuff, vocally and physically, the real star seems to be the original Elvis. There might be “35,000” Elvis impersonators, but “we still wouldn’t equal one Elvis,” says ETA Will Thompson.

For his performance Thompson brought up an audience member to serenade in his arms and later another woman from the audience to dance with him. He says he does not always include the audience in such an interactive manner, but he does hope that fun is always a key ingredient because, “If you can’t have fun at an Elvis show with wall-to-wall sideburns ...”

There was no room for anyone else on the stage when Brenen Katolinsky, 11, performed. Having won 20 grand ETA championships with his brother Brycen, Katolinsky has had a rare head start. He says he is not nervous because he just likes to sing and, while performing, he simply reminds himself to “remember the words, look at the audience and enjoy it.”

Ed Presley needs no reminder to enjoy himself as he considers being an ETA “too much fun” and is honoured to be associated with his long-time hero. “It’s all about Elvis,” he says. “There will only be one and we are here to pay him tribute.” Wayne Curtis, 53, has been an ETA for nine years and was able to see Elvis perform twice. His rousing version of How Great Thou Art sent the audience into a cheering frenzy and reminded everyone of the variety of genres in which the King performed.

“From hard rock’n’ roll to gospel. What other artist has 700 songs?” he says. An audience member who called himself Uncle Mike, 48, found the show effective and he enjoyed “reminiscing of Elvis.” If the joy of singing, celebration of talent and Elvis tributes were not important enough, the ETAs were intent on leaving their audience satisfied.

“Putting smiles on people’s faces,” says Ed Presley, “that means a lot.” Sure enough, amidst the fake roses and plastic hearts of the Valentine’s day décor, there was lots of Elvis paraphernalia and lots of satisfied smiles.