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Big Musical Acts on the Bigfork Stage

By Beacon Staff

When the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts brought an Elvis impersonation act to the stage in 2010, they knew it would likely be a big hit with the community. Turns out they didn’t know how right they were.

Ryan Pelton and The Difference, a nationally recognized Elvis impersonation experience, are headed back to Bigfork for a Jan. 12 show, and the event was already sold out as of last week, according to Mary Jo Naive, vice president of the BCPA board of directors.

While shows at the center are typically popular and well attended, Naive said there was no doubt that Pelton would sell out the facility again, as he did in 2010.

“He’s spectacular,” Naive said. “I’m not an Elvis fan but when I saw him, I was sold.”

Due to popular demand, a last-minute matinee show will likely be added. Check www.bigforktheater.org for updates.

The sold-out concert represents another triumph for the BCPA, which in the past couple of years has been attempted to expand the types of entertainment it offers the community.

Pelton’s initial appearance in 2010 was the first concert the BCPA had held in about 15 years, Naive said. There also has been a Valentine’s Day special event each year for the past several years, since the lobby was remodeled at the center.

These shows are the only time throughout the year that the BCPA hosts its own program, Naive said, and it is a good time to bring business to the village, since January and February are typically slower months compared to the summer.

The board of directors for the BCPA would like to eventually do more with the facility, Naive said, but, like most things, that would come down to time and money.

“We have been in discussion about doing more (concerts),” Naive said. “At this point we don’t have the staff.”

But the Jan. 12 concert is a step in the direction they would like to take. Pelton will take the stage not as the Valentine’s Day special concert, but instead as a stop on his farewell tour.

Pelton, who has performed as the King for about 10 years with stops at the Legends in Concert series in Las Vegas and in Graceland, has decided to hang up the Elvis duds and focus on acting full time.

The concert opportunity came out of the blue, Naive said.

“We just couldn’t turn down that opportunity to have so much fun,” Naive said.

Naive also said this year’s Valentine’s Day act will surely not disappoint. The Ashlee Hewitt Band will perform on Feb. 9, with champagne, cookies and chocolate available for purchase at the event. Tickets are already on sale.

Hewitt is an up-and-coming country singer, and is slated to appear on the NBC reality show “The Voice” this spring. She has also appeared on the show, “Nashville Star,” and now tours with her band across the country.

Tickets for the show are available at Merry Gems in Bigfork; for more information, call 837-4885.

Other upcoming shows at the BCPA include “Airport 1904” in February and the Cowabunga Variety Show in March.