The city of Memphis continues to inspire music lovers and travellers around the world with the announcement of new virtual experiences. After an incredible response to the launch of virtual tours at Graceland last month, the former home of Elvis Presley has added new dates and new customised tours to its virtual offering, and the famed Stax Museum has announced the launch of a virtual Black History Month events available globally.
Selling out rapidly after the initial announcement, Graceland’s virtual tours proved an international hit and a welcome escape for travellers and Elvis fans alike. The first sold out tours saw participants from 22 countries around the world take part, and the feedback has consisted of nothing but rave reviews. The demand and feedback has resulted in Graceland expanding their Virtual Tour option to give even more fans around the globe the chance to take part.
The three new virtual tour options will each be two hours in length, offering a behind-the-ropes look at various parts of the Graceland campus such as the Mansion, the Lisa Marie jet, Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex, and the top-secret Archives facility, where personal items of the King that are not on display to the public are stored. Hosted by one of the world’s foremost experts on all-things Elvis Presley, Vice President of Graceland Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese, the artefacts spotlighted and stories told will vary from tour to tour making each experience unique, and viewers will have the opportunity to ask Angie questions throughout the event.
There are four different tours for participant to choose from:
- The Graceland Experience is the original virtual tour and recommended for first time guests. Angie will conduct a behind the ropes look at the Mansion, a tour of the Lisa Marie jet and a walk through Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex. During the live two-hour guided tour guests will see various artefacts, including Elvis’ cars, jumpsuits, gold records and movie memorabilia.
- The Mansion has just been added and is a deep dive into Graceland Mansion and Grounds and explores the personal side of Elvis Presley through unique highlights of the world-famous home, and one-of-a-kind stories that give guests a closer look into Elvis’ life. Beginning at Graceland’s front door and continuing to Vernon Presley’s office, the tour also peeks inside Elvis’ trophy building, and Elvis’ recently restored racquetball building where guests will see Elvis’ racquetball court and the luxurious lobby area complete with his pinball machine and piano. The tour concludes at the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest.
- Elvis’ Life and Career follows the King’s life journey and focuses on the things that Elvis loved, and the history of events that inspired him. It includes one-of-a-kind stories about artefacts currently on display from the extensive Graceland Archives, including Elvis’ favourite cars and motorcycles, wardrobe and set pieces from his iconic ’68 Special and Aloha From Hawaii concerts, his collection of gold and platinum records, his jumpsuits worn on tour, and memorabilia from his movies.
- The Archives Vault is an intimate and unique tour, which takes guests inside Graceland’s Archives Building, the top-secret facility where Elvis’ personal items are stored, and where only an extremely limited number of Graceland staff are allowed access. The tour allows guests to view first-hand some of the thousands of artefacts that can only be seen through this virtual experience. During this unscripted tour Angie will provide stories and insights that cannot be heard or seen anywhere else.
Music lovers will also be thrilled by Stax Museum of American Soul Music ‘s launch of virtual Black History Month events available worldwide. With registration now open and free for educators and students, regardless of location, the world-renowned Museum is offering virtual Stax Museum “field trips” and a Stax Music Academy Black History Month concert (with companion study guides) titled R&R: Rhythm and Revolution: Expressions of Struggle, Collaboration, and Peace.
Blending elements of a traditional museum tour, interviews, and live musical performances, the virtual museum experience will share the history of Stax Records and Memphis music through those who lived it and continue to be impacted by its legacy. Featured tour guides include former Stax Records employees, Stax Music Academy students, staff, and alumni, and a number of popular Memphis musicians, and through a mix of jazz, spoken word, and original music from SMA’s talented students, viewers will experience music of the Civil Rights Movement and more recent anthems in this upbeat production designed especially for students who are currently lacking access to the arts during the COVID pandemic. In addition the Stax Music Academy has taken their traditional two-hour, live performance celebration of Black History online which will be made available free to students, schools, and youth organisations anywhere in the world.
Tickets for Graceland’s virtual tours are from USD $98.50 per person and are on sale now at Graceland.com.
Explore more of Memphis here: https://www.memphistravel.com/
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