Elvis XPT set for Parkes
Every year, on the birthday of the King – Elvis Presley – hundreds of hip-swinging rockers converge on Central Station in Sydney to board the Elvis Express train to head out to the Parkes Elvis Festival.
The dedicated XPT is known for its rollicking atmosphere on the seven hour journey through the Blue Mountains and Central West, and for third-straight year one of Newcastle’s entertainers will be waltzing through the carriages.
Aaron W. Mansfield, 36, from Mayfield, will join the revellers for the long trip out West and this year he will be taking two sets of costumes.
“It's my third year on the Elvis Express train heading down to Australia's biggest Elvis Extravaganza,” Mr Mansfield said.
“Once a year I dress up as Elvis for the festival, but generally speaking I'm actually known as Australia's No. 1 Roy Orbison tribute artist.
“I'll do a guest performance on the train [as Elvis], but then I'm one of the feature artists at the festival performing as Roy.”
A life-long entertainer, Mr Mansfield started performing as a tribute artist around six years ago. He just finished his 2nd nation-wide tour performing as Roy Orbison and has, at times, made a living from singing on cruise ships throughout the Pacific.
The train departs at 9.20am on Thursday from Platform 1 and will roll into Parkes for four days of Elvis-themed entertainment.
“Parkes is sort of Mecca," Mr Mansfield explained.
"It's a pilgrimage for Elvis fans to come together from all over the Australia - and indeed the world - to enjoy and celebrate the life of Elvis and rock 'n' roll in general.”
Will you be on the train? Let us know.
Jets strike back
Remember the billboard the Central Coast Mariners put up on the M1 shortly before the season-opening A-League game against the Jets?
It caused a minor fiasco along with a banner at the first game that depicted a cartoon-like Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna holding Roy O’Donovan’s head on a snake’s body.
Well, it appears the Jets have finally been able to return serve. After Tuesday’s 2-0 win over their arch-rivals, the Jets played Daryl Braithwaite’s rendition of The Horses around the stadium.
Why?
In round six, the Mariners were still yet to notch a victory after five games of the new season and had a win over reigning premiers Sydney FC.
It led to some exuberant post-game celebrations from the Coasties which included coach Paul Okon belting out The Horses in the dressing sheds.
A cheeky, but crafty rubbing-of-the-salt into the Mariners’ wounds, we at Topics reckon two wins from two derbies this season is better than any audacious jab at an opponent.
But we’d love to see McKinna give a rendition himself...
