Mark and Josef Macedone at the Piccolo Family Farm in Griffith. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith father and son duo Mark and Josef Macedone will finally bring their Elvis tribute show to their home town, after two years of cancellations due to Covid.
The family team, who run a company called Pristine Productions, have organised tribute shows and comedy acts across Australia for the past decade. Josef, aged 21, does all the marketing and artwork for the show while Mark is the managing director.
Three years ago, Mark and Josef were able to secure the services of world-renowned Elvis impersonators Dean Z and Jack Gatto, along with the Tribute In Concert (TIC) band, to put on what they called The Ultimate Elvis Show.
“If you like Elvis and like the movie, this show is the next best thing. They do all his big hits in an energy packed show,” Mark said.
“But each time we have tried to launch this show in Griffith, we’ve had to cancel it. It’s been very frustrating. I just hope there isn’t another Covid outbreak over the next three weeks.”
Elvis impersonator Dean Z. Photo: Supplied.
The delayed timing of the show may work out well for the Macedones, given the critically acclaimed film Elvis is showing in cinemas across the nation.
The movie, a production from Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, chronicles the life of musician Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while he maintained a strained relationship with his manager.
One of the two Elvis Tribute Artists on show, Jack Gatto, is an Australian who has toured globally since 2016, including performing at the Graceland Crossing, Memphis, Tennessee for an audience that included several members of Elvis’s family. Jack is now touring with The Wiggles as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. He sometimes wears his Elvis suit for different songs.
Dean Z looks a lot like Elvis. Photo: Supplied.
“We hope to get at least 300 to 400 to show at the Yoogali Club at the end of the month,” Mark said. “But I think people are worried about Covid and are hesitant to book tickets in advance.”
Mark and Josef play a role in the biggest event dedicated to The King in Australia – the annual Elvis Festival in Parkes. The pair produce shows held at the Parkes League Club. Pristine Productions has also put on Billy Joel tributes and will stage an Italian dinner dance called the Ferragosto festival in August.
The Ultimate Elvis Show will be held at the Yoogali Club on Friday, 29 July. Tickets are available through Event Brite.
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