The Motor City comes alive at The Firehall Arts Centre with A History of Motown.
Until Sunday, April 13th, the supreme, soulful vocals of Krystle Dos Santos fill the historic theatre with the sounds of the era. Part cabaret, part review, part history lesson and all party, A History of Motown literally has the audience dancing in the aisle.
Expanding on her school program, Krystle Dos Santos starts at the very beginning, introducing the audience to Berry Gordy and Hitsville USA, which evolved into Motown Records churning out the hits we’ve known and loved for generations. Backed by a dapper and talented quintet of Jon Holisko on drums, Cole Tinney on piano, Gavin Youngash on guitar & vocals, Phil Bell on Bass and Dominic Conway belting the sax, Ms Dos Santos appears right out of the sixties in her sequins and feather boa. Along with the casual, cool cabaret vibe of the set, the audience feels welcomed into their salon as the songstress shares history and anecdotes about the Motown era while performing a medley of fan favourites. Encouraged to participate, the audience breaks from their staid theatre decorum to let loose, clapping, singing and dancing throughout the two-hour presentation.
While the first set stays close to the Motown era, its history and artists, the second set breaks free from the brief as Ms Dos Santos shares more of her favourites as those artists moved through the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, as well as more of her own original music.
Even though she admitted to suffering from a cold, like a true diva she knows the show must go and Ms Dos Santos delivers the powerful, engaging and charismatic performance that anyone who’s had the privilege to hear her expects. From the early hits of The Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations, and The Jackson 5 to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Otis Reading and more, the hugely entertaining performance moves in double time and is over too soon.
Seeing A History of Motown once is a treat, but, upon learning that the setlist is not locked in for the second act audiences are encouraged to return again, and again for more of Krystle Dos Santos and her band’s brilliant performances.
Don’t miss, A History of Motown by Krystle Dos Santos, running until April 13, 2025 at Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street. Visit firehallartscentre.ca for tickets and more information