What your ticket purchase means to us
As the non-profit community & cultural heartbeat of North County San Diego, we depend on the generosity of arts-lovers like you to keep our organization vibrant and thriving. The Center knows that art & artists have the tools, talents, and gifts to heal our hearts and revive our community, even in the most difficult of times. As one of our ticket buyers, you will join us in ensuring the cultural and artistic longevity of our beloved home community.
Best of Motown LIVE in Concert
The ultimate celebration of Motown is coming to the Drive-In at the Westfield North County!
Join us under the stars from the comfort of your automobile as you enjoy this spectacular outdoor concert featuring songs by all the Motown greats including Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes and more!
This extraordinary live show combines first class music together with outstanding performers and an amazing 8-piece band. Turn up your car radio and tune into the best live Motown experience you’ll ever have! 2 nights only!
Best of Motown is featuring:
DUANE BENJAMIN (Music Director/Conductor) – is an accomplished Musician, Orchestrator and Arranger. For over 30 years he has made a successful living playing trombone, electric bass, and arranging “clean, easy to read charts” for industry legends and everyday musicians alike. His orchestrations were featured regularly on FOX Television’s American Idol and various musical theater plays in the LA area! He has also arranged and orchestrated for NBC’s The Singing Bee as well as The Voice. On BETS Gospel Celebration he has orchestrated for artists like Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Alexander Hamilton, and legendary soul singer Al Green. He has performed and recorded with jazz greats like the Count Basie Orchestra, Stanley Clark, The Gerald Wilson Orchestra and The Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, not to mention contemporary legends like BTS, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamiroquai, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, rock guitarist Steve Vai, Kirk Franklin and many more.
MEL COLLINS – is a chanteuse, a songstress, a star in the mold of yesteryear’s greats. Based in Los Angeles, Mel Collins has performed all over the world, bringing the joy of her unique song stylings to thousands upon thousands of people. Whether it’s crooning a jazz standard or belting a pop hit, Mel consistently brings audiences to their feet. She’s warm and funny. Her joy is contagious. Let Mel Collins take you away, be it with her versatile ensemble, Standard Mel or the swinging’ big sounds of the D. Ben-jamin Big Band – wherever she’s going, you’ll want to go too.
DERRICK J. HARRIS – better known as “D. Harris” on stage; is a world class entertainer, singer, songwriter, emcee, recording artist and Marine Veteran. With over 26 years of music experience, he’s shared stages with musical legends such as Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn and Sting just to name a few. As a graduate of the Musicians Institute, CA–Derrick specializes in vocal technique, harmony & arrangements, performance, emcee/master of ceremonies, songwriting, choreography, gospel & concert chorus, as well as theatre. Derrick has always had a deep passion for music and from a young age began studying various genres ranging from R&B, gospel, blues, pop, hip-hop, to various international samplings. As a music educator, Derrick dedicates his time supporting his students’ success to pursue their passions in music & entertainment. A true entrepreneur at heart, Derrick is also a Sr. Associate at WFG-World Financial Group—specializing in estate/financial planning for B2C & B2B.
KENNA RAMSEY – is thrilled to be a part of this uber talented ensemble for this Drive-In Motown experience! She was last seen at the Center in The Best of Motown this last February. Although Motown is among her most favorite musical genres, she has had the pleasure to perform in an array of musical styles and forums. Her credits include animation, session singing, and gaming, but mostly she enjoys sharing the stage with musical greats like David Foster, Natalie Cole, Lionel Richie, Reba McEntire, and many others. Kenna would like to thank Jordan Beck and Duane Benjamin for their direction and the opportunity to be a part of this timeless music and incredible sound!
LOREN SMITH – Bay area native Loren Smith sang his first solo at the age of 3 and never stopped. Smith’s latest single “Can’t Wait”, produced by Colin Boyd (IDK, Mac Miller and Frank Ocean) boasts over 650,000 YouTube views, and his first single “Break Free” was featured on NBC’s Today Show. Smith’s solo vocals have been featured in the motion pictures “GET OUT”, “Lincoln”, and the CW’s “All American”. He’s lent his voice to the recording projects of Nick Carter and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shared the stage as a supporting vocalist for Arcade Fire, Erich Bergen, Heather Headley and Andy Grammer and is currently tenor and vocal captain of Michael Buble’s Background Vocalists.
MELANIE TAYLOR – Born in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, Melanie Taylor was one of Bette Midler’s legendary Harlettes for nearly a decade, and performed on Midler’s Emmy Award winning Diva Las Vegas, with Barry Manilow on his Emmy Award winning special, Manilow: Music and Passion, the Grammys, and the 92nd Academy Awards. Melanie has been an in-demand featured vocalist on major world tours, film, television, and recordings, with artists such as Steven Tyler, David Foster, John Mayer, Joe Walsh, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Ashford and Simpson, Billy Preston, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald, Tears for Fears, Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Ronnie Spector, Jeffrey Osborne, Brian Wilson, Paula Abdul, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Dave Koz, Deepak Chopra, and is the first female vocalist to sing with the legendary rock band Aerosmith on their Music From Another Dimension album and tour in 2012.
Get your tickets today, because this show will sell out!
Don’t forget to add a snack pack to your ticket purchase!
You can’t go to the drive-in without your favorite munchies! Snack Packs available for purchase before the show for $20 filled with your classic movie theater morsels: Pretzels, White Cheddar Popcorn, Peanut M&Ms, Trail Mix, Red Vines, Whoppers, Hazelnut Nutella Spread, and Ritz Crackers!
And of course, your snack pack comes with 2 bottles of Dasani water to wet your whistle after you chow down!
Snack Packs are available for online purchase only and will not be available for purchase at the Drive-In.
Thanks To Our Generous Sponsors
Buy Tickets For Event Information and Frequently Asked Questions Click Here.
A percentage of the proceeds will be benefiting the following organizations:
The Escondido Community Foundation
The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
For Event Sponsorship information, please contact Russell Palmer, Digital Marketing Specialist at RPalmer@ArtCenter.org or please review our Sponsorship Package.
Buy tickets online, or at the Center ticket office, or by calling 800.988.4253. The ticket office is open Tue. – Sat. 12–6 PM, and Sun. 12–5 PM.
BUY TICKETS FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 AT 8PM
