In Olympia, the King's birthday has become synonymous with one man: Robert Washington - one of the world's top Elvis impersonators (see the film Almost Elvis) ... and a guy who just happens to be black. To some this is controversial. To Washington, it's simply his calling. "I don't really think about it. I'm not going to let my color prevent me from being the best," Washington told the Weekly Volcano in 2004. Friday, Washington will be back in Oly for the Elvis Birthday Bash at the Capitol Theater.

[Capitol Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.754.6670]