Motown coming to the Arcada

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By KELLEY CASINO

kcasino@kcchronicle.com

ST. CHARLES -- Stop! In the name of love ... before you miss Mary Wilson at the Arcada Theatre.

Wilson, an original member of The Supremes, will headline the first show of the Arcada's new season Sept. 16.

She will perform well-known Motown hits of the 1960s and 70s alongside the band Reflection next month as a tribute to the Four Tops -- and to kick off the Arcada's entertainment season.

The show is brought to the Arcada by Onesti Entertainment, which in May took over management of the theater.

"She is a big deal and is probably one of the best Motown shows you'll ever see," said Ron Onesti. "And she looks and sounds as good as she ever has."

Onesti said he is excited to bring live performances, top musical acts, plays and special events to the historic theater, and said community members should look forward to programming with creative twists.

For example, the Arcada will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Raging Bull -- with the Raging Bull, former boxer Jake LaMotta, in attendance.

"That's nothing," Onesti said. "Wait until you see what we've got planned."

The variety of programming scheduled for the next four months includes movies, Motown, AWA Slam Wrestling and more.

"From e-mails, phone calls and our community forum, these are the types of shows that the community asked us for," Onesti said.

The Sept. 16 show starring the Supreme is one such example of the variety coming to the Fox Valley.

Wilson, of Detroit, formed The Supremes with Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Barbara Martin in the early 1960s.

The group touted 12 No. 1 hits between 1964 and 1969 and is the only group in American history to have five consecutive No. 1 hits between 1964 and 1965, followed by four consecutive hits between 1966 and 1967.

Some of the popular songs from their reign of Motown are "Where Did Our Love Go?," "Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name of Love," and "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

Wilson was the only Supreme to stay with the group from beginning to end. In 1977, she officially left the group to pursue a career as a solo artist.

A schedule and tickets are available at www.o-shows.com or by calling (312) 733-7469.

& gt;Go & amp; Do Information: For tickets, go to www.o-shows.com or call (312) 733-7469

Fall Schedule (dates and shows are added regularly)

Sept. 16

Motown Memories: Mary Wilson of the Supremes

Oct. 1

50th Anniversary of Rock & amp; Roll with Joey Dee & amp; The Starliters

Oct. 6

Thursday Movie Classics: 25th anniversary of Raging Bull with Jake Lamotta

Oct. 21

Motown Memories: Richard Street of the Temptations