{"id":1403332,"date":"2026-02-04T06:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/?p=1403332"},"modified":"2026-02-03T12:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T17:22:22","slug":"m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/","title":{"rendered":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge"},"content":{"rendered":"

When audiences gather at River Rouge High School this February for M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, they won\u2019t just be attending a school performance. They will be stepping into a living history lesson. It is an event that blends music, storytelling, and student-driven creativity to honor one of Detroit\u2019s most powerful cultural legacies.<\/p>\n

The production will take place on Friday, Feb. 13, at 12:30 p.m. at River Rouge High School, 1460 W. Coolidge Highway, with free registration available through Day Vision Entertainment\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Presented as part of the River Rouge School District\u2019s annual African American Legacy Event, M25 centers on the historic 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. It was the night when legends reunited, careers were celebrated, and Michael Jackson introduced the moonwalk to the world.<\/p>\n

But for Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, the goal was never to simply recreate famous performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project really grew out of tradition and purpose,\u201d Day said. \u201cMotown isn\u2019t just history, it\u2019s home. It was born in Detroit. It shaped the sound of our city, our families, and generations of artists who came after.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each year, the district honors Black history and achievement through a signature legacy event. This year, Day felt that Motown\u2019s story aligned perfectly with the district\u2019s theme of \u201cLegacy of Excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMotown embodied that long before the phrase existed,\u201d he said. \u201cThey showed what it looks like when excellence is intentional, cultivated, and passed from one generation to the next.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many younger audience members, the original Motown 25 broadcast is something they have only seen in short clips or on social media. M25 aims to restore its deeper meaning and historical context.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotown 25 was the night the past, present, and future of Black music stood on the same stage,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt was proof that a Black-owned record label from Detroit could build a global empire rooted in artistry, discipline, and pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rather than staging a traditional tribute concert, M25 takes viewers behind the scenes of that legendary night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to do a tribute show, I wanted to tell the story behind the curtain,\u201d Day said. \u201cThe nerves. The chaos. The egos. The brilliance. The last-minute decisions that shaped history.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production explores the emotional and professional pressures facing artists, producers, and executives as they prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime broadcast. By focusing on the human side of the legends, the show invites audiences to connect with them not just as icons but as creatives working under immense pressure.<\/p>\n

The idea began with a simple question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we told the story of Motown 25 like a movie on stage?\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n

From there, the project evolved into months of research, scriptwriting, music selection, and story mapping. Day and his team studied the original broadcast, historical accounts, and industry context, building scenes around real moments and structuring the narrative with dramatic tension.<\/p>\n

\u201cI treated it like a Broadway workshop,\u201d he said. \u201cBuilding scenes around real moments and using the music as narrative, not decoration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students played a central role in shaping the final production. As Director of Performing Arts, Day wanted the show to be built with students, not simply performed by them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur students became storytellers, researchers, performers, and cultural ambassadors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Participants studied Motown\u2019s business model, artist development process, and cultural influence. Many encountered this history in depth for the first time through rehearsals and research.<\/p>\n

Beyond the stage, every school in the district contributed to the event. Each building developed interactive learning spaces featuring displays, mini-exhibits, and hands-on activities focused on Motown\u2019s artists, entrepreneurship, and Detroit roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese spaces walk guests through Motown\u2019s history in its totality,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt\u2019s a district-wide experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project faced its share of challenges, including multiple snow days that disrupted rehearsal schedules. Still, students and staff remained committed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLosing rehearsal time could have derailed the process,\u201d Day said. \u201cBut our students and staff stayed focused. We adjusted, doubled down, and kept pushing forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another major challenge was balancing nostalgia with originality.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want caricatures or imitation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe wanted depth, dignity, and truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production also had to serve both artistic and educational goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis show isn\u2019t just about entertainment,\u201d Day added. \u201cIt\u2019s about learning, representation, and creating meaningful opportunities for students.\u201d<\/p>\n

One moment, in particular, captures the spirit of Motown\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the finale, we see the entire Motown family together \u2013 artists, writers, producers, executives, and Berry Gordy \u2013 joining for one final song,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt represents unity, resilience, and shared purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

That scene has become a powerful emotional anchor for the cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time we reach that moment in rehearsal, you can feel the weight of the legacy in the room,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For younger audiences, the production offers more than entertainment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want them to understand that greatness has roots,\u201d Day said. \u201cThat excellence is built on discipline, community, sacrifice, and vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also hopes the show inspires confidence and ambition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want young artists to see that they belong in these stories,\u201d he said. \u201cThat they are not just consumers of culture, but the next architects of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

M25 reflects Day\u2019s broader mission through Day Vision Entertainment and the district\u2019s performing arts program: expanding access, nurturing talent, and proving that world-class artistry can emerge from public schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything I do is about access and elevation,\u201d he said. \u201cIn River Rouge, we\u2019re proving that the talent is right here at home. It just needs opportunity and belief.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"River
River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When audiences gather at River Rouge High School this February for M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, they won\u2019t just be attending a school performance. They will be stepping into a living history lesson. It is an event that blends music, storytelling, and student-driven creativity to honor one of Detroit\u2019s most powerful cultural legacies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":1403343,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[20,33],"tags":[46],"feature":[],"location":[85,205,198],"type-of-work":[],"coauthors":[7613],"class_list":["post-1403332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-headlines","category-things-to-do","tag-downriver-life","location-michigan","location-river-rouge","location-wayne-county"],"post_status":"","edit_last":0,"edit_lock":0,"highlights":"","original_byline":"","original_canonical":"","original_category":"","original_email":"","original_id":0,"original_pubdate":"","original_source":"","primary_section":"33","primary_tag":46,"print_workflow_body":{"deck_headline":"On the stage","print_title":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","print_subheadline":"Show coming to stage Feb. 13","print_planned_ready":"","print_pub_date":"","print_slug":"NHS-L-Motown0208","print_content":"

When audiences gather at River Rouge High School this February for M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, they won\u2019t just be attending a school performance. They will be stepping into a living history lesson. It is an event that blends music, storytelling, and student-driven creativity to honor one of Detroit\u2019s most powerful cultural legacies.<\/p>\n

The production will take place on Friday, Feb. 13, at 12:30 p.m. at River Rouge High School, 1460 W. Coolidge Highway, with free registration available through Day Vision Entertainment\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Presented as part of the River Rouge School District\u2019s annual African American Legacy Event, M25 centers on the historic 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. It was the night when legends reunited, careers were celebrated, and Michael Jackson introduced the moonwalk to the world.<\/p>\n

But for Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, the goal was never to simply recreate famous performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project really grew out of tradition and purpose,\u201d Day said. \u201cMotown isn\u2019t just history, it\u2019s home. It was born in Detroit. It shaped the sound of our city, our families, and generations of artists who came after.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each year, the district honors Black history and achievement through a signature legacy event. This year, Day felt that Motown\u2019s story aligned perfectly with the district\u2019s theme of \u201cLegacy of Excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMotown embodied that long before the phrase existed,\u201d he said. \u201cThey showed what it looks like when excellence is intentional, cultivated, and passed from one generation to the next.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many younger audience members, the original Motown 25 broadcast is something they have only seen in short clips or on social media. M25 aims to restore its deeper meaning and historical context.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotown 25 was the night the past, present, and future of Black music stood on the same stage,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt was proof that a Black-owned record label from Detroit could build a global empire rooted in artistry, discipline, and pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rather than staging a traditional tribute concert, M25 takes viewers behind the scenes of that legendary night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to do a tribute show, I wanted to tell the story behind the curtain,\u201d Day said. \u201cThe nerves. The chaos. The egos. The brilliance. The last-minute decisions that shaped history.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production explores the emotional and professional pressures facing artists, producers, and executives as they prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime broadcast. By focusing on the human side of the legends, the show invites audiences to connect with them not just as icons but as creatives working under immense pressure.<\/p>\n

The idea began with a simple question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we told the story of Motown 25 like a movie on stage?\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n

From there, the project evolved into months of research, scriptwriting, music selection, and story mapping. Day and his team studied the original broadcast, historical accounts, and industry context, building scenes around real moments and structuring the narrative with dramatic tension.<\/p>\n

\u201cI treated it like a Broadway workshop,\u201d he said. \u201cBuilding scenes around real moments and using the music as narrative, not decoration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students played a central role in shaping the final production. As Director of Performing Arts, Day wanted the show to be built with students, not simply performed by them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur students became storytellers, researchers, performers, and cultural ambassadors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Participants studied Motown\u2019s business model, artist development process, and cultural influence. Many encountered this history in depth for the first time through rehearsals and research.<\/p>\n

Beyond the stage, every school in the district contributed to the event. Each building developed interactive learning spaces featuring displays, mini-exhibits, and hands-on activities focused on Motown\u2019s artists, entrepreneurship, and Detroit roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese spaces walk guests through Motown\u2019s history in its totality,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt\u2019s a district-wide experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project faced its share of challenges, including multiple snow days that disrupted rehearsal schedules. Still, students and staff remained committed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLosing rehearsal time could have derailed the process,\u201d Day said. \u201cBut our students and staff stayed focused. We adjusted, doubled down, and kept pushing forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another major challenge was balancing nostalgia with originality.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want caricatures or imitation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe wanted depth, dignity, and truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production also had to serve both artistic and educational goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis show isn\u2019t just about entertainment,\u201d Day added. \u201cIt\u2019s about learning, representation, and creating meaningful opportunities for students.\u201d<\/p>\n

One moment, in particular, captures the spirit of Motown\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the finale, we see the entire Motown family together \u2013 artists, writers, producers, executives, and Berry Gordy \u2013 joining for one final song,\u201d Day said. \u201cIt represents unity, resilience, and shared purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

That scene has become a powerful emotional anchor for the cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time we reach that moment in rehearsal, you can feel the weight of the legacy in the room,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For younger audiences, the production offers more than entertainment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want them to understand that greatness has roots,\u201d Day said. \u201cThat excellence is built on discipline, community, sacrifice, and vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also hopes the show inspires confidence and ambition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want young artists to see that they belong in these stories,\u201d he said. \u201cThat they are not just consumers of culture, but the next architects of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

M25 reflects Day\u2019s broader mission through Day Vision Entertainment and the district\u2019s performing arts program: expanding access, nurturing talent, and proving that world-class artistry can emerge from public schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything I do is about access and elevation,\u201d he said. \u201cIn River Rouge, we\u2019re proving that the talent is right here at home. It just needs opportunity and belief.\u201d<\/p>\n","print_budget_line":"","print_excerpt":"When audiences gather at River Rouge High School this February for M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, they won\u2019t just be attending a school performance. They will be stepping into a living history lesson. It is an event that blends music, storytelling, and student-driven creativity to honor one of Detroit\u2019s most powerful cultural legacies.","print_notes":"","photo_limits":"Photo limits are: 1 featured image, 5 featured gallery images, 5 embedded gallery images and 5 in-article embedded images. Articles that exceed these limits will not export. Please adjust images to reflect these limits.","print_featured_gallery_richtext":"","print_inline_galleries_richtext":"","print_inline_images_richtext":"

[caption id=\"attachment_1403345\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1432\"]\"River River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment[\/caption]<\/p>\n"},"print_workflow_exported_ts":"1770138921","print_workflow_exported_username":"Joe Gray","print_workflow_shapes":"","print_workflow_side":{"print_section":7153,"print_status":7150,"print_endpoint":"mn3","add_export_buttons":""},"really_short_title":"Motown celebration","short_title":"","syndication_source":"","market_neutral_title":"","social_title":"","dfm_hub_post_id":0,"paywall_level":"","featured_media_content":{"content_type":"image","content":{"id":1403343,"title":"Motown25","filename":"Motown25.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/motown25\/","alt":"","author":"64","description":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","name":"motown25","status":"inherit","uploadedTo":1403332,"date":1770138546000,"modified":1770138597000,"menuOrder":0,"mime":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.svg","dateFormatted":"February 3, 2026","nonces":{"update":false,"delete":false,"edit":false},"editLink":false,"meta":false,"authorName":"Joe Gray","authorLink":"","uploadedToTitle":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","uploadedToLink":null,"filesizeInBytes":919423,"filesizeHumanReadable":"898 KB","context":"","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":"150","width":"150","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":200,"width":300,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=300","orientation":"landscape"},"large":{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=1024","orientation":"landscape"},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape"}},"custom_caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"},"data":[{"id":1403343,"title":"Motown25","filename":"Motown25.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/motown25\/","alt":"","author":"64","description":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","name":"motown25","status":"inherit","uploadedTo":1403332,"date":1770138546000,"modified":1770138597000,"menuOrder":0,"mime":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.svg","dateFormatted":"February 3, 2026","nonces":{"update":false,"delete":false,"edit":false},"editLink":false,"meta":false,"authorName":"Joe Gray","authorLink":"","uploadedToTitle":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","uploadedToLink":null,"filesizeInBytes":919423,"filesizeHumanReadable":"898 KB","context":"","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":"150","width":"150","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":200,"width":300,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=300","orientation":"landscape"},"large":{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=1024","orientation":"landscape"},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape"}},"custom_caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"}],"rendered_content":"\"\""},"attachments":[{"ID":1403343,"post_author":64,"post_name":"motown25","post_type":"attachment","post_title":"Motown25","post_date":"2026-02-03 12:09:06","post_date_gmt":"2026-02-03 17:09:06","post_excerpt":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","post_status":"inherit","post_parent":1403332,"post_modified":"2026-02-03 12:09:57","post_modified_gmt":"2026-02-03 17:09:57","guid":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","post_mime_type":"image\/jpeg","credit":"","prepared_image":{"id":1403343,"title":"Motown25","filename":"Motown25.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/motown25\/","alt":"","author":"64","description":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","name":"motown25","status":"inherit","uploadedTo":1403332,"date":1770138546000,"modified":1770138597000,"menuOrder":0,"mime":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.svg","dateFormatted":"February 3, 2026","nonces":{"update":false,"delete":false,"edit":false},"editLink":false,"meta":false,"authorName":"Joe Gray","authorLink":"","uploadedToTitle":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","uploadedToLink":null,"filesizeInBytes":919423,"filesizeHumanReadable":"898 KB","context":"","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":"150","width":"150","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":200,"width":300,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=300","orientation":"landscape"},"large":{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=1024","orientation":"landscape"},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape"}},"custom_captions":{"1403332":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"}},"custom_captions":{"1403332":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"}},{"ID":1403345,"post_author":64,"post_name":"motown252","post_type":"attachment","post_title":"Motown252","post_date":"2026-02-03 12:10:34","post_date_gmt":"2026-02-03 17:10:34","post_excerpt":"River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","post_status":"inherit","post_parent":1403332,"post_modified":"2026-02-03 12:10:50","post_modified_gmt":"2026-02-03 17:10:50","guid":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg","post_mime_type":"image\/jpeg","credit":"","prepared_image":{"id":1403345,"title":"Motown252","filename":"Motown252.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/motown252\/","alt":"","author":"64","description":"","caption":"River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","name":"motown252","status":"inherit","uploadedTo":1403332,"date":1770138634000,"modified":1770138650000,"menuOrder":0,"mime":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.svg","dateFormatted":"February 3, 2026","nonces":{"update":false,"delete":false,"edit":false},"editLink":false,"meta":false,"authorName":"Joe Gray","authorLink":"","uploadedToTitle":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","uploadedToLink":null,"filesizeInBytes":1047341,"filesizeHumanReadable":"1,023 KB","context":"","height":1791,"width":1432,"orientation":"portrait","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":"150","width":"150","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":300,"width":240,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg?w=240","orientation":"portrait"},"large":{"height":1024,"width":819,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg?w=819","orientation":"portrait"},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown252.jpg","height":1791,"width":1432,"orientation":"portrait"}},"custom_captions":{"1403332":"River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"}},"custom_captions":{"1403332":"River Rouge students take on roles as performers, researchers, and storytellers in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, helping to build the production from the ground up while learning the history, business, and cultural impact of Motown through hands-on collaboration. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"}}],"authors":[{"ID":342400,"display_name":"Susan Thwing","description":"","first_name":"Susan","last_name":"Thwing","user_nicename":"susan-thwing","user_login":"Susan Thwing","user_email":"For MediaNews Group","type":"guest-author","linked_account":0,"website":"","twitter":"","facebook":"","google_plus":""}],"taxonomies":{"category":[{"term_id":20,"name":"Latest Headlines","slug":"latest-headlines","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":20,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":7492,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":33,"name":"Things To Do","slug":"things-to-do","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":33,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":22095,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[{"term_id":46,"name":"Downriver Life","slug":"downriver-life","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":46,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2584,"filter":"raw"}],"location":[{"term_id":85,"name":"Michigan","slug":"michigan","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":85,"taxonomy":"location","description":"","parent":0,"count":12030,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":205,"name":"River Rouge","slug":"river-rouge","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":205,"taxonomy":"location","description":"","parent":198,"count":717,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":198,"name":"Wayne County","slug":"wayne-county","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":198,"taxonomy":"location","description":"","parent":85,"count":10865,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_array":{"id":1403343,"title":"Motown25","filename":"Motown25.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/motown25\/","alt":"","author":"64","description":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment","name":"motown25","status":"inherit","uploadedTo":1403332,"date":1770138546000,"modified":1770138597000,"menuOrder":0,"mime":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.svg","dateFormatted":"February 3, 2026","nonces":{"update":false,"delete":false,"edit":false},"editLink":false,"meta":false,"authorName":"Joe Gray","authorLink":"","uploadedToTitle":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","uploadedToLink":null,"filesizeInBytes":919423,"filesizeHumanReadable":"898 KB","context":"","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":"150","width":"150","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":200,"width":300,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=300","orientation":"landscape"},"large":{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=1024","orientation":"landscape"},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg","height":1575,"width":2361,"orientation":"landscape"}},"custom_caption":"Under the direction of Keith Day, Jr., founder of Day Vision Entertainment and Director of Performing Arts for the River Rouge School District, students bring Motown history to life in M25: The Story Behind Motown\u2019s Biggest Night, blending performance, storytelling, and cultural education. Photo courtesy of Day Vision Entertainment"},"syndication_canonical":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/","parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"M25: Bringing Motown\u2019s Most Iconic Night to Life in River Rouge","url":"http:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/04\/m25-bringing-motowns-most-iconic-night-to-life-in-river-rouge\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg?w=150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Motown25.jpg"},"articleSection":"Other","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Susan Thwing"}],"creator":["Susan Thwing"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The News Herald","logo":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/newsheraldfallback.jpg?w=600"},"keywords":["downriver life"],"dateCreated":"2026-02-04T11:00:53Z","datePublished":"2026-02-04T11:00:53Z","dateModified":"2026-02-04T11:00:53Z"},"rendered":"