The Detroit sound is returning to the Firehall Arts Centre this summer. Vancouver singer-songwriter and stage performer Krystle Dos Santos created A History of Motown, a high-energy show that combines storytelling, audiovisual elements, and a whole lot of live concert music. Following a series of sold-out shows in April, the Firehall Arts Centre is bringing it back from August 6 to 17.
“I like to call it educational, enlightening, and entertaining, because I think that people learn best when they’re having fun and where there’s music involved,” Dos Santos told Pancouver earlier this year. “The first half will be, basically, what I present in schools—a history of Motown—which is a lot more fun than it sounds like.
“It is really a concert and then I sprinkle in pictures and facts and stories with all of that,” she continued. “Then, the second half is going to be some of my favourite Motown songs—like a party fun time. It’s in a theatre setting, but I hope people get on their feet, dance, and sing along.”
She performs hits by everyone from Smokey Robinson to Marvin Gaye to the Supremes with a stellar band. It’s comprised of Jon Holisko on drums, Cole Tinney on piano, Gavin Youngash on guitar, Phil Bell on bass, and Dominic Conway on saxophone. They had audience members grooving in the aisles in April—and theatregoers can expect more of the same this summer.
“I actually include Aretha [in the show], even though she’s the only artist that wasn’t on the Motown record label,” Dos Santos revealed. “I like to talk about her because of the massive role she played in that era.”
Dos Santos grew up listening to Motown music. Even as a five-year-old girl, she was bopping around the house to Stevie Wonder’s “Part-Time Lover”.
One reviewer, Mary Sheridan of MaryinVancity.com, wrote that Dos Santos blew her away in A History of Motown.
“From the moment she hit the stage, it was like stepping into a time machine,” Sheridan declared. “Her voice? Absolute powerhouse.”
The Firehall Arts Centre will present A History of Motown from August 6 to 17. Tickets are $40 and are available through the website. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia and Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social. Pancouver is also on Instagram @PancouverMedia. In addition, follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social.
