What happens when a love-crazed Miami club promoter spends a few days in Las Vegas, hits a small jackpot in a roulette table, and then ties the knot at a kitschy wedding chapel complete with an Elvis-impersonator minister? For Oski Gonzalez, Tobacco Roads resident DJ and head promoter, that wild weekend inspired Elvis Wedding, an annual music festival/mass marriage ceremony that takes place this Saturday at the citys oldest saloon. A $5 cover charge will get you ten bands, cheap drinks, and the opportunity to marry your partner during a mass ceremony presided by young Elvis, not fat, old Elvis, Gonzalez explains. Were going to try and recreate what [my wife and I] did in Vegas, he adds. Its really cheesy, but its really cool.
So cool, in fact, that Gonzalez has already heard from at least 15 couples ready to take this quirky plunge into marriage. He hopes many more will come forward. The first year we married 32 couples, and the year after that, 25 couples, he says, adding that its certain to be a memorable night. But whats the best thing about Elvis Wedding? Its not legally binding, so youll be able to keep 100 percent of your shit when you realize it was a terrible mistake.
Sat., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., 2011