The Earl Smith Strand Theatre is bringing Motown hits this Fourth of July weekend. At this marvelous Marietta, Ga., theatre y’all will be treated to hits by Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, and a host of Motown greats.
“Our focus for Independence Day weekend this year is to celebrate music born in America, music still alive today,” said Earl Reece, Strand director and show producer. We’ve been enjoying Motown music for over 50 years, and still, young people today know the words to songs like ‘My Girl’ and ‘Stop in the Name of Love.’ Motown is truly America’s music.”
The Strand’s Salute to Motown musical revue will be a non-stop salute to some of the best music in the history of America. The show will tell the story of the origins of Motown, starting when Berry Gordy opened Motown Records in 1959 and posted a sign that proclaimed “Hitsville, U.S.A.” There wasn’t much of a reason to brag – yet. But soon his prediction came true. Emerging at the peak of the civil rights movement, Motown gave Americans everything they could want in music: anguish, romance, joy, and a reason to dance.
Fabulous performances in Salute to Motown include a cast of soulful singers who are all local professional talent with choreography by Cindy Mora.
“Some work as professional backup singers, have been on national tours, or are attending some of the top performing arts colleges in the nation,” said Director of Business Development & Marketing, Cassi Costoulas. “Motown may have started in Detroit, but its universal appeal helped unite Americans of all races across the country and especially in the South.”
Smokey Robinson said “I would come to the South in the early days of Motown and the audiences would be segregated. Then they started to get the Motown music and we would go back and the audiences were integrated and the kids were dancing together and holding hands.”
Salute to Motown promises to be a show filled with fun and exciting memories of extraordinary Motown sounds. Patrons can move, dance, laugh, and romance to the vibes of Motown, Friday and Saturday, July 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday and Monday, July 3 & 4 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of show.
For more information, tickets, or to join The Strand’s email list, visit www.EarlSmithStrand.org or call the Box Office at 770-293-0080. The Box Office is located at 117 North Park Square, Marietta, and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and two hours before the show.
~ Contributed by Cassi Costoulas