If you’re looking for a show that’ll get you dancing in your seat and maybe even shedding a tear or two, A History of Motown at the Firehall Arts Centre is it.
I went not really knowing what to expect—just that it was about Motown, and that’s all the excuse I needed. But wow, Krystle Dos Santos blew me away. From the moment she hit the stage, it was like stepping into a time machine. Her voice? Absolute powerhouse. She tackled hits from The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye—and didn’t just sing them, she felt them. And so did we.
But this wasn’t just a concert. Between songs, Krystle shared the stories behind the music—how Motown came to be, how Berry Gordy built something bigger than just a record label, and how these songs helped break down racial barriers during the civil rights movement. I loved that it wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was educational, powerful, and surprisingly emotional.
The band was tight, the vibe was electric, and the venue—small, intimate, cozy—made it feel like you were in on something special. At one point, she performed an original track inspired by her travels to New Orleans called Feed My Soul, and honestly, it fit in so seamlessly with the classics I had to double-check it wasn’t an old-school Motown deep cut.
By the end of the show, the whole audience was grooving. Some people were even up on their feet (and honestly, I wanted to join them). It’s a love letter to a legendary era of music, and Krystle Dos Santos delivers it with style, soul, and serious heart.
If you get a chance to catch it before it wraps—do it. You’ll leave feeling lighter, happier, and with Motown hooks stuck in your head for days.
Tickets for “A History of Motown” are available through the Firehall Arts Centre’s official website.
Firehall Arts Centre is located at 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1L3.
Ticket prices are as follows:
• Centre seats: $39
• Side seats: $32
• Students/Seniors: $30
• Wednesday matinees: Pay What You Can (PWYC)
• Throwback Thursday (7:30 PM): $20
For further assistance, you can contact the Box Office at (604) 689-0926 or via email at boxoffice@firehallarts-centre.ca.
Mary in Vancity 
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