FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2005

Contact: Jeremy Handel

(702) 794-3114

Jhandel@imperialpalace.com



Famous Faces Headed To
Imperial Palace
Celebrity Impersonators Convention Scheduled May 29 – June 1


LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Break out the red carpet and fire up the
spotlights, the celebrities are coming back to the Imperial Palace – OK, the celebrity impersonators are coming back.

The Fifth Annual Celebrity Impersonator Convention – Las Vegas will take place at the center-Strip property May 29 – June 1, 2005. Dozens of tribute artists from around the country will gather to share tips and information on their trade.

“We are so excited to get back to the Imperial Palace and share all we have learned over the past year,” said Elyse Del Francia-Goodwin, founder and director of the Celebrity Impersonators Convention. “It’s such a wonderful opportunity for tribute artists to gather and learn the best strategies for being successful with their character.”

The convention is considered the premier gathering for celebrity impersonators and features meetings with various industry professionals including talent agents, entertainment directors, make-up professionals and more.

The event culminates with a grand performance in front of talent buyers and agents in the Imperial Theater on Tuesday, May 31 beginning at Noon. The event is open to the public and tickets are $11 at the door. For more information visit www.celebrityimpersonatorconventions.com.


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DEAD RINGERS BRING LIFE TO THE 5TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR CONVENTION
By Judy Thorburn

If you happen to be in Las Vegas during May 29 through May 31 and thought you saw an extraordinary amount of famous faces pass you by as you were walking through a casino, most likely you were right. My guess is you weren’t the only one who did a “double” take. And yes, those words couldn’t be more fitting since odds are you didn’t see the real thing. I’d bet those famous faces belonged to some of the celebrity doubles, or rather impersonators who were in town for Elyse Del Francia-Goodwin’s 5th Annual Celebrity Impersonator Convention, which like last year, was held at the Imperial Palace.

Hundreds of look-alikes from all over the United States and even some from as far away as the U.K. came to mingle with each other, go to lectures, and show off their “stuff” to managers, agents, talent buyers and the media, hoping that these potential contacts would further a career built around looking and acting like a famous personality.

One of the main events was the Afternoon Showcase of Talent (and brunch) that took place on Tuesday, May 31 inside the Legend’s Showroom at the Imperial Place. Over fifty performers with recognizable faces of well known personalities from stage, screen, TV and even politics were given their moment on stage to make an impression and be considered for future bookings.

Lyndall Grant as Arnold Schwartzenegger gave an introductory speech not only looking, but sounding, just like the former Mr. Universe body builder, turned action film superstar, now California governor. Peter Grant and Richard Halpern, two Austin Powers portrayers shared the hosting duties and supplied the vocal, off stage intros of impersonating acts such as Conan O’Brien, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Howard Stern, David Letterman, Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne, Judy Garland, Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, Shania Twain, Jay Leno, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers just to name a few. In fact there was not only one, but also numerous President Bushes – I believe four, who looked so much like George dubya it was if uou were seeing a set of quadruplets. Other famous faces with more than one clone represented were the likes of Willie Nelson, Rodney Dangerfield, Tina Turner, and Elvis (who even had a female, not exactly a clone, version).

From my point of view, the highlight was Tuesday’s closing evening’s barbeque and karaoke event at “Legends in Concert” creator John Stuart’s beautiful sprawling ranch estate, where I got to mingle with some of the celebrity imposters when they weren’t munching on some burgers, chatting with fellow attendees, or having some fun showing off on the stage. The outdoor party, which happened to take place on a beautiful, balmy Las Vegas night that wasn’t too hot, thank goodness, also allowed me the chance to get some great photo opportunities with some of the attendees who showed up at the ranch. Below is just a sample of the Celebrity Impersonators in attendance, with a few words about the look-alikes with whom I shared some conversation.

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