Celebrity Impersonator's Convention (Photo/courtesy)
There are all kinds of conventions worldwide. Certain conventions, however, are sometimes overlooked. It is that kind of convention that is featured here. It is a convention for celebrity impersonators (lookalikes and tribute artists).
If one ponders on how long most impersonators have even existed, including Elvis' and Marilyn Monroes, it has not been very long, professionally speaking that is. If, even for a few decades, that is only a drop in the bucket of entertainment industry time!
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The Celebrity Impersonators Convention (CIC) is a convention, as its name indicates, that began in the beginning of the 21st century (2001). That period of time is considered short by some, but if you are one of the convention's creators, it is a long time, due to the blood, sweat and tears that go into such an event.
Thanks to such creative people, (those who produce conventions and the talent itself), celebrity impersonators have become more established as a profession, not to be overlooked, and rightfully so.
One of those talented people who is credited at helping impersonators to NOT be overlooked, is CIC Founder and Director, Elyse Del Francia. Elyse is the reason for the CIC's origin - it's coming into existance!
What the CIC has meant to Elyse:
It's a true story of my love and dedication to this Industry and my ability to bring people and news together...as you might remember, Oprah [Winfrey] and Gayle [King], came to my last CIC in 2006, which was a great way to end my time as the Founder and Director.
The CIC could not have been done by one person. I had much support. Two of those people were Bea Fogelman and John Stuart."
Bea Fogelman
John Stuart
Elyse is still quite active in the entertainment industry. She owns and operates Celebrity Impersonators by Elyse. Another project that Elyse is a part of, has to do with tributes of iconic celebrities by multiple impersonators. They will be "arriving" summer of 2010 - Summer of SuperStars!
What best describes Elyse's hard efforts is the talent, her own included, that she represents. A few of these many talent can be seen in photos, websites and links - Enjoy!
For those who continue to attend celebrity impersonator conventions or are interested in doing so you can learn more at the current CIC link. Sincere thanks goes to Elyse and Janna Joos for this convention to remain active, as Elyse "turned over" the reigns to and "prepped" Ms Joos on all things CIC.
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Janna Joos currently produces the CIC, as well as her original "baby," The Reel Awards, an event, most recently held, in 2010, with showcasing on the Theater of the Stars, at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thank you, Elyse, for your diligence and hard efforts in founding the Celebrity Impersonators Convention. Now, thanks to your original plan and purpose, impersonators can come together in Las Vegas for the CIC. Available too, is another impersonator convention, that of Sunburst, produced by Greg and Jackie Thompson, in Orlando, Florida. The CIC and The Reel Awards is usually held in the spring, the week before the Academy Awards and Sunburst in the early fall of each year.
Edward Moss as MJ King of Pop
For those still skeptical or maybe curious as to what a convention really is, the following descriptions and definitions might help. Again, for further information on the above mentioned conventions, please refer to photos and links.
NOTE: The following description is made available for those, who like many, have no idea what a convention is, let alone one for celebrity impersonators?!
Brigitte as Celine Dion
This extra notation might shed some light ~ assembly is the only word that Webster's New World Dictionary came up with, in the context that was needed here, for describing another word ~ convention.
After questioning many who have attended conferences (a formal meeting for discussion) and conventions, the following definition is what was unaminously agreed upon: A convention is when people or delegates assemble together who have common goals or interests.
Matt Lewis as The King
With that said, there must be a 'zillion' of such assemblies out there - worldwide! It goes without saying that there are many kinds of conventions. Off the top of one's head, one might think of:
household products (Amway, Avon, Tupperware...), educational, medical (human and animal), churches, writers, gamers, sci-fiers, jewelers, artists, yo yo enthusiasts, comic book fans, makeup, hair, ball card collectors, vending and gaming machines, chefs, illustrators, CELEBRITY IMPERSONATORS...in other words, anything and everything one can think of is most likely represented by a convention somewhere in the world...
hope this was helpful.
Natalie Reid as Paris Hilton
For a true heartfelt "definition" make sure you read the testimonies at some of the above links. THOSE will explain from the heart, something Webster can never do. From personal experience, a convention is more then people assembling together with common goals or interests.
A convention can, in the case(s) of the CIC and Sunburst, become an extended family! - Elyse, and other producers, thanks for making that possible.
A few of the many celebrity impersonators available worldwide: Michael Jackson (MJ links to video footage), Roseanne Barr, Rodney Dangerfield, Tiger Woods, Tupac, Elizabeth Taylor, Barack Obama, Anna Nicole Smith, Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie, Oprah...
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