Music for all people: Motown & Mo' to bring classic hits to The Fitzgerald in Palm Coast

Motown and Mo's production of 'Rocking Around the Clock' will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. The performance is almost sold out, with only balcony seating available.

  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Neighbors
  • Share

When it comes to putting on a show, City Lites Inc. has almost three decades of experience. 

Its annual Motown & Mo' production is now in its 27th year, having been founded in 1998 by the late Carlos Ann Butler, a retired teacher, who aimed to give students an opportunity to engage with music and perform onstage. Palm Coast resident Irving Robinson attended that first show and he knew then it was something he wanted to be a part of. 

It worked out because Butler was looking for male performers. He's been on board ever since.

"A lot of males in town are kind of stage shy," Robinson said with a laugh. "We've always had a problem, but the ladies? We have ladies by the bucketful."

Robinson is this year's director for the show, titled "Rocking Around the Clock." The cast totals about 53 people, including those working behind the scenes. Motown & Mo' is a fundraiser for City Lites, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to college-bound students majoring in the arts, or those who show an interest in arts and culture. 

This year's show will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100 in Palm Coast.

Motown & Mo's performances initially were held in school cafeterias. Then, they began to travel to other communities, performing in venues like the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center and the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.

In 2009, City Lites was founded with the purpose of concentrating on the scholarship effort.  Then in 2012, they began performing at the Flagler Auditorium, now the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.

Motown & Mo' is providing four scholarships to recent grads this year.

Margaret Ibenez, the show's assistant director, has been part of the Motown & Mo' since 2017. It's a lot of fun, she said, and it's for a good cause.

"I think you get a great value for your money," Ibenez said. "Because a lot of other shows are way more expensive and this one is helping giving children scholarships for their future."

What motivates Robinson? It's seeing the progression of where Motown & Mo' started and where it is today.

"We progressed from really a small community organization that had social contacts as a driving force, to really becoming a little bit more business minded and professional about what we do," Robinson said. "Everybody who's involved, especially those who are on stage, have an alter ego."

The performers have either been involved in the arts in their past or simply have a "hidden character," Robinson said, that gets a chance to come out once a year — during Motown & Mo'.

Robinson was familiar with Motown long before he ever moved to Palm Coast. Long before he worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist, even.

When he was in high school, he was part of a singing group that eventually became duet Tiny & Tim. They got a record deal in the late 1950s with OKeh Records, and in 1959 were featured on the Dick Clark show. 

"We thought we were going to be professional singers, but life has a way of redirecting you sometimes," he said. 

Motown is the music of his era, Robinson said.

"It was the era of innocence, progressing to first loves and puppy love," he said. "It was the music that really helped us grow up, so we think it's important to keep providing that memory, because there are a lot of people in the community who remember that time in their lives too."

Motown & Mo' is almost sold out, with only balcony seating available. 

That's a good sign, Robinson said. 

"It's a testament to how the community supports us," he said. "Everybody wants to have standing room only when they perform. We've never hit that yet. We're close to it this year."

Tickets cost $30 per person. Call 386-437-7547.

 

Latest News

  • November 17, 2025
'It's about protecting our city': Flagler Beach Commission votes 4-1 to begin annexation of Summertown
  • November 16, 2025
Students engage with businesses, colleges and government agencies at Flagler Schools' College and Career Fair
  • November 16, 2025
Country Acres home in Ormond Beach tops the sales list
  • November 15, 2025
Celebrants remember Melique Joseph's contagious smile and generous heart
×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.