Itinerary: Paying Homage to Elvis

Elvis Presley’s hip-grinding rockabilly image lingers as one of America’s quintessential pop culture symbols. Los Angeles has become something of a breeding ground for Elvis hybrids and boasts a few appropriate places to pay homage to the King, so die-hard fans needn’t make a pilgrimage to Las Vegas or Graceland.

Thursday

Seat yourself at happy hour in the cozy Elvis-statuette-decorated booth at Formosa Cafe (7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, [323] 850-9050), one of Elvis’ better-known haunts in L.A. An eclectic pan-Asian dinner menu has replaced the ham sandwiches Elvis ordered. The Formosa has served drinks to stars from Hollywood’s heyday to the present, and this red railway car-style watering hole is still a popular gathering place for club-goers and Hollywood spirits alike. Check out the ghostlike “double-image” Elvis portrait in the hallway. Open Mondays through Fridays, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday

Kavee “Kevin” Thongpricha has been entertaining L.A. for more than 20 years, ever since he won an Elvis singing contest in 1978. He holds court as the reigning “Thai Elvis” at the Palms Thai Restaurant (5273 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 462-5073). Situated on the strip of Hollywood Boulevard known as Thai Town, the Palms is where glam rock and Thai cuisine collude and collide in a fusion of excellent nosh and entertainment, serving a loyal foodie and indie-rock following. “Thai Elvis” and other Elvis crooners take the Palms stage Tuesdays through Sundays, with performances at 7:30 until midnight and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Saturday

Best-known for hits “You Ain’t Nothing but a Chihuahua,” “En El Barrio” and albums “Pure Aztec Gold” and “Graciasland,” El Vez will perform his brand of swing-punk-Aztec and gospel-inspired songs from his latest release, “Boxing With God,” Saturday at the Troubadour (9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, [310] 276-6168). Coming off an Australian and Canadian tour, El Vez will be accompanied by the Elvettes-Lisa Maria, Priscillita and Que Linda Thompson-as he celebrates a 14-year career “translating Elvis’ legacy, now a Mexican American legacy,” he says. The show starts at 10:30 and tickets are $10, $12 at the door.

Sunday

Witness Elvis’ shoot-’em-up road rage at the Petersen Automotive Museum (6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., [323] 930-CARS). On display as part of the “Cars and Guitars of Rock and Roll” exhibit is Elvis’ 1971 yellow De Tomasco Pantera sports car, a gift to then-girlfriend Linda Thompson. Three bullet holes, two in the steering wheel and one in the floorboard, remain as proof that Elvis, like many other L.A. residents, wasn’t the only one driven crazy by a car that wouldn’t start.

Other star cars, including Coolio’s sleek 1996 Dodge Viper, Frank Zappa’s 1973 Rolls Royce limo, Janis Joplin’s psychedelic 1965 Porsche and the original 1966 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile created for the TV series, show that cars and rock ‘n’ roll go hand in hand. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $7, adults; $5, seniors and students; $3, ages 5 to 12; children under 5 are free.

View the bronze Elvis plaque at the Rockwalk at Guitar Center (7425 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, [323] 874-1060). Busloads of tourists pay homage to Elvis and rock stars’ handprints and memorabilia at this world-famous guitar shop’s Rockwalk, a museum celebrating the most influential musicians, including Little Richard, Joey Ramone and James Brown.

Rockwalk is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.