'Twin Peaks' convention set for Elvis Presley's Graceland; here's what to expect

John Beifuss | Memphis Commercial Appeal

Two American originals, Elvis Presley and David Lynch, will converge when Graceland hosts a fan convention celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Twin Peaks."

Arguably the most unusual yet somehow apt event ever to be held at Graceland, the gathering — officially, known as "Twin Peaks 30: Official Fan Celebration" — is set for April 3-5, with most events at the Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex across the street from the mansion.

According to Graceland, the convention will be highlighted by "'Twin Peaks'-themed parties; exhibits of props and costumes; screenings of fan-favorite episodes; and autograph and meet-and-greet sessions "accompanied by cherry pie and 'damn good coffee,'" according to a press release citing the culinary preferences of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, the series hero played by Kyle MacLachlan.

Celebrity guests who are slated to attend include such series regulars as Sherilyn Fenn, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Chrysta Bell, Michael Horse, James Marshall, Kimmy Robertson and Sheryl Lee, who played Laura Palmer, the homecoming queen whose murder motivated the program's original two-season run on ABC; its 1992 spinoff feature film, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me"; and its 18-episode 2017 revival as "Twin Peaks: The Return" on the Showtime cable network.

Also set to attend the convention will be Sabrina Sutherland, series executive producer.

So far, Lynch, the celebrated director who created the cult series with writer Mark Frost, is not scheduled to attend. (In fact, Lynch has not shown up for any "Twin Peaks" conventions through the years.) However, the director certainly has an affinity for Elvis, as demonstrated in his 1991 feature "Wild at Heart," in which Nicolas Cage plays a semi-Elvis impersonator.

A critical and cultural phenomenon during its 1990 first season, "Twin Peaks" takes place in a fictional logging town in the Pacific Northwest where horrific mystery lurks behind a square surface. Because of Lynch's exalted status as an "auteur," the 2017 revival has been embraced as essentially an 18-hour feature film by many critics, with "Twin Peaks: The Return" recently being named the best film of the past decade in a poll conducted by the storied French film journal, Cahiers du Cinéma.

Locally, the influence of "Twin Peaks" can be seen on Cooper Street, near Crosstown: The video store/performance space Black Lodge takes its name from an other-dimensional space in Lynch's series.

Organized by ViacomCBS International Media Networks and Showtime in conjunction with Graceland, the "Twin Peaks 30: Official Fan Celebration" is not affiliated with the annual "Twin Peaks Festival" that has been held since 1992 in towns in Washington. Graceland public relations specialist Christian Ross said Showtime approached Graceland in the first place about the event, and Graceland officials decided it was a natural for the complex, especially since Elvis Presley's Memphis has had success with conventions dedicated to other cultish if less acclaimed television phenomena, including the Hallmark Channel and the soap opera "General Hospital."

Ticket packages for the "Twin Peaks 30: Official Fan Celebration" go on sale at 2 p.m. Thursday at www.graceland.com/TwinPeaks. Tickets initially will be offered in expensive "packages," ranging from $399 to $999; one-day tickets and other types of admission are expected to be made available later.