On August 24 and 25 Niagara Falls native Rick Alviti returned home for a two night engagement in the Bear’s Den Showroom at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino for a summertime tribute to Elvis.

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One of the most popular artists to emulate, there are Elvis impersonators everywhere. Rick Alviti stands out above the crowd with his live stage performances. Not only does he look and sound like the original Elvis, he has the moves of Elvis too.

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For his summertime tribute show, every member of the audience received a lei when they entered the Bear’s Den and the band wore tropical shirts. There was even a beach ball being tossed around the room.

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The show itself included the standard hits and a number of songs from the movie “Blue Hawaii”.

Atired in white pants and shoes with a red jacket, Alviti opened the show with “Blue Suede Shoes”. He also performed “Don’t Be Cruel”, “All Shook Up”, “Trouble”, and “Rock a Hula” before leaving the stage while singing “Are You Lonesome Tonight”.

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When Alviti returned to the stage he had traded the red jacket for a blue one.

The show continued with “Moonlight Swim” “Tiny Bubbles” – complete with bubbles floating in the air, and “Jailhouse Rock” before making another jacket change; this time to a white print one.

After a performance of “Devil in Disguise”, Alviti sang the ever popular “Teddy Bear” while tossing small teddy bears into the audience.

Alviti finished out the first portion of the show with “I Love You More Today” and “Believe Me” before backup singer and Southern Belle Diane took center stage for a performance of “Crazy” by Patsy Cline”, “I’m Sorry” by Brenda Lee, and the Dolly Parton song “I Will Always Love You”.

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Donned in the famous white jumpsuit, Alviti returned to the stage for a performance of “CC Rider”, “Burning Love”, a rousing audience participation rendition of “Sweet Caroline”, and “Suspicious Minds” before singing “Blue Hawaii” as he wandered through the audience passing out scarves.

Noting that Elvis Presley was a three time Grammy Award winner – all for gospel songs – Alviti performed the Grammy Award winning song “How Great Thou Art” before inviting audience members to join him on stage to dance to the hit song “Johnnie Be Goode”.

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He sang “Just Pretend” before closing out the show with the patriotic song “American Trilogy”.

For Rick Alviti the song is much more than just one of the many pieces Elvis recorded, Alviti’s own son is an Army man currently serving in Korea.

All through the show Rick Alviti didn’t just sing to his audience, he includes them in the show whether it be having them join in on the songs, tossing souvenirs into the crowd, inviting them on stage, or walking through the crowd for handshakes and hugs.

After an incredible blast from the past, Rick Alviti met with fans to chat, sign autographs, and pose for photos.

With mom and dad looking on, Rick Alviti showed why he is the best of the best when it comes to the swiveling hips and dulcet tones of Elvis Presley.

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