MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUM PRESENTS “MOTOWN FOREVER: MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUM’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA AND TRIBUTE TO ESTHER GORDY EDWARDS,” SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005

Detroit, MI - History lives as Smokey Robinson, and other Motown artists reunite to illuminate Detroit for one nostalgic evening of magical memories and music, celebrating “Motown Forever: Motown Historical Museum’s 20th Anniversary Gala and Tribute to Esther Gordy Edwards.” With Berry Gordy as the Honorary Tribute Chair, this exciting, historical event will take place at the Detroit Marriott-Renaissance Center on Saturday, November 12, 2005.

Events begin at 6 p.m. with a V.I.P. reception and a general champagne reception, followed by dinner and a heart-felt tribute to Mrs. Edwards. The incomparable Smokey Robinson will conclude this amazing night of Motown memories with a live concert performance.

“Motown Forever” will serve as this years’ annual benefit gala for Motown Historical Museum. We are extremely excited about the opportunity to celebrate this great milestone with Motown alumni and fans from around the world,” said Robin Terry, Executive Director of Motown Historical Museum. “We are even more delighted to honor the visionary, Esther Gordy Edwards, whose passion, ambition, and devotion have driven this institution for 20 years.”

As always, the gala is open to the public and this one is not to be missed! Many of Motown’s celebrities and other luminaries are attending to honor their leading lady and founder of the Motown Historical Museum, Esther Gordy Edwards.

Berry Gordy, legendary founder of Motown said, “I am thrilled to be coming home to honor my sister Esther who has done a remarkable job with the Motown Historical Museum over the past 20 years. I am happy to be apart of this special tribute to her.”

In 1985, Mrs. Edwards founded the museum to educate and inspire people, particularly youth with Motown’s lessons about the power of vision, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Mrs. Edwards, a former Senior Vice-President at Motown Records, was responsible for managing the careers of many world-famous Motown artists. She was very influential in their careers and their lives, serving as a mentor and sometimes as guardian.

Mrs. Edwards herself is a legend and a woman who accomplished many firsts for women and African-Americans including, the first woman elected as a board member of the Detroit Bank of Commonwealth in the mid-1970’s and the first woman elected to the board of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce in 1973.

Major sponsors of “Motown Forever” include Berry Gordy, The Detroit Marriott-Renaissance Center, and General Motors Corporation.

The Motown Historical Museum located at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, Mich. is a designated historic site and non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This museum is one of the city’s most popular destinations for worldwide visitors.

Tickets, for the benefit dinner are $350 per person. V.I.P. tickets are available for $500 per person and include admission to a private pre-gala reception with Motown’s Smokey Robinson, Mrs. Edwards, and Mr. Berry Gordy.

To purchase tickets, call Motown Historical Museum at 313-875-2264. For more information about the event or the museum visit www.motownmuseum.org.