A History of Motown brings the party back to the Firehall Arts Centre, August 6 to 17
Krystle Dos Santos and crew revive hits by Aretha Franklin, the Supremes, and more, while interweaving the stories behind the music
(From left) A History of Motown’s Cole Tinney, Krystle Dos Santos, Jon Holisko, and Gavin Youngash. Photo by Ben Parker
The Firehall Arts Centre presents A History of Motown from August 6 to 17
MOST THEATRE EXPERIENCES keep you planted comfortably in your seat. But A History of Motown is not that kind of show: when it makes a summertime return to the Firehall Arts Centre, expect people to be standing, singing, and shakin’ it for all they’ve got.
At least, that was the reaction when powerhouse Vancouver singer Krystle Dos Santos and her band staged the sold-out ode to Motown earlier this year, putting their own spin on classics like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”, performing emotional ballads like “Let’s Stay Together”, and creating rousing sing-along moments like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Everyone from Stevie Wonder to Aretha Franklin to the Supremes gets a nod, and stories are interwoven throughout. Speaking directly to the audience, Dos Santos provides a wealth of interesting context about the music.
With vocalists Sabrielle McCurdy-Foreman and Tiffany Rivera providing backup, Dos Santos gets to express her lifelong love of soul—and illuminate its socio-political power as well: Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, strove to elevate the artists on his all-Black label onto pop-radio airplay, a space which at that point had been reserved for white artists.
The bonus is that this little trip back through time happens in such an intimate atmosphere, the stage a bit like a living room with lamps and side tables. In other words, the show has Motown glam energy, and plenty of warm party atmosphere too. 
(From left) Tiffany Rivera, Krystle Dos Santos, and Sabrielle McCurdy-Foreman. Photo by Ben Parker
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