Elvis is in the building.
More precisely, six Elvis impersonators will be gyrating and rocking the stage for local Gene DiNapoli’s Elvis extravaganza at the White Plains Performing Arts Center on Sat. July 5.
DiNapoli will host and perform in the event, featuring Elvis’s best hits and performances from the 1950s through the 1970s. The performers will be accompanied by Elvis’s original drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer DJ Fontana, and the extravaganza will be a unique experience for the Elvis fan, said DiNapoli, a Bronx native and Country Club resident.
“It’ll be the first and last time a show like this is done,” he said.
Nazpoli has performed with each of the other tribute artists and says he knows they’ll bring to life each part of Elvis’s career.
DiNapoli has been an Elvis fan since he was 6 years old. His own singing career began at 14 when one day he got up with the band at his uncle’s restaurant to sing “Blue Suede Shoes.”
“They couldn’t tell me ‘no’ because it was my uncle’s place,” he said.
He began to sing at nursing homes and community events, said DiNapoli, finding that he had a love of performing for all audiences.
“I love being on stage for hundreds or in a diner with my friends,” he said.
Aside from impersonating Elvis, DiNapoli also performs other types of music, including the Blues Brothers, and he’s even recording original songs that he plans to release in the fall.
“I’ll never give up being Elvis or the Blues Brothers,” he said. “But I want to be known as Gene DiNapoli.”
Yet being an Elvis tribute artist will always be special to him.
“When I get to put on the outfit and do the show, it makes me come alive,” said DiNapoli.
His number one Elvis song to perform is “Burning Love,” he said because it was released when Elvis was considered past his prime.
“He showed at 37 he could still rock and roll,” said DiNapoli, “So it’s my favorite.”
DiNapoli himself has been performing around the area and the country since he was a teen, and he has no intentions of stopping.
“It’s been a wonderful 34-year run so far,” he said.
Gene DiNapoli’ Elvis Extravaganza will take place at 8 p.m. on Sat. July 5 at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.
Regular tickets are $40, and VIP tickets (including a meet and greet) are $75. Tickets can be bought by calling 914-328-1600, visiting wppac.com, or at the door.
Visit GeneDiNapoli.com for more information.
