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Media Credit: Cody Ward

Media Credit: Cody Ward

Media Credit: Cody Ward

Basketball, philanthropy and Aretha Franklin. If you think they have nothing to do with one another, think again.

Downtown Kansas City, Mo. was the place to be on March 18. Midland Theatre held the first Pride of Kansas City Basketball Tipoff with proceeds that benefitted the Kansas City Medicine Cabinet. The main attraction from Universal Studios-Orlando proved worthy to everyone in the audience.

Motown Madness is a live performing group portraying world-famous singers such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Little Richard and the Blues Brothers.

The tipoff began with the live band featuring six musicians playing a trombone, a trumpet, a saxophone, an electric guitar, drums and a bass guitar. The band performed several dance-worthy hits before singing impersonators took over the stage. Audience members left their seats to dance along to the music on a hardwood floor in front of the stage.

Performing first was the Aretha Franklin look-alike. The "Queen of Soul" came out and immediately gained the crowd's attention with her almost identical appearance and voice to match. Belting out hits like "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and "Think" encouraged the audience to get up and dance.

She then pulled an audience member up to serenade him with her rendition of "Natural Woman."

Next came an electrifying Tina Turner performance. With her signature hair, she lit up the stage with performances like "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Proud Mary." She also sings with "Legends in Concert," the number one impersonating show in the United States.

The next performer had the entire crowd rolling with laughter as he took the stage. Little Richard entertained with his songs "Tutti Frutti," "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Lucille." His flashy costume and vibrant personality instantly made him a crowd favorite.

Last but not least, out came the Blues Brothers. These men are the only impersonating act endorsed by the original artists themselves, Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. They came on stage with their typical handcuffed briefcase and amused the crowd with "Soul Man" and "Everybody Needs Somebody."

Promoting basketball, donating to a good cause, and entertaining the crowd. There will be many more Pride of Kansas City Basketball Tipoff's to come.

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