Go-Go Museum hosts youth band showcase competition

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com

Go-Go Consciousness Week kicked off Nov. 17 with a press convention held on the Go-Go Museum & Café in Southeast Washington, D.C. 

And whereas legends, together with Uncommon Essence, E.U., Hassle Funk and “the godfather of go-go,” Chuck Brown, have been important within the evolution of the regional music type right into a worldwide phenomenon, the emphasis has now shifted to creating youthful musicians – the following technology of artists. 

Ronald Moten, the museum’s founder and CEO, joined by metropolis officers, longtime supporters of the distinctive musical style, and artists who proceed to advertise the distinctive sound and tradition of the music, introduced a number of new initiatives that may quickly happen as Washingtonians put together to have a good time the fiftieth anniversary of go-go in 2026. 

Moten was significantly enthusiastic about how youth might be showcased throughout a two-day competitors that may function 4 bands composed of school-aged kids who will take to the stage on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. 

“We’re inspired by the efforts of Mayor Bowser and councilmembers like Kenyon McDuffie, who’re making it attainable for us to convey music training and courses again into the D.C. public faculty system,” Moten stated. “At the moment, we now have 5 bands in native colleges – one thing which didn’t even exist 15 years in the past. These kids are studying easy methods to play devices and carry out which can ultimately result in sources of revenue for them in the event that they selected to take it additional. However musical instruction additionally helps enhance their math expertise, requires self-discipline and forces them to concentrate on sustaining good grades.” 

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As a part of the museum’s new initiatives for younger individuals, the “Make Go-Go 4EVA Youth Go-Go Band Showcase” will interact youth in shaping the style’s future and permit them to observe within the footsteps of those that created the go-go sound and have since turn into cultural icons. 

Younger musicians will take the stage to carry out and compete this weekend with legendary figures from the go-go neighborhood judging and mentoring the bands. Winners might be afforded the chance to carry out alongside the Chuck Brown Band at Go-Go Santa on Dec. 6 at Sycamore and Oak. 

The Sounds of the Youth Band and The Soul of SEED Band carry out on Nov. 21, from 8:30-10 p.m. On Nov. 22, Pock3t and The Panther Funk Go-Go Band will carry out from 6-8 p.m. 

Darrin “X” Frazier, an achieved musician and technician, finest identified for being a keyboardist for the band Uncommon Essence within the Nineteen Nineties and supervisor of the band TCB, stated in some ways, go-go saved his life. 

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“I’m a local Washingtonian and after I was an adolescent, we began our personal go-go band – it was a optimistic method of being artistic and it saved me from touring down unfavourable roads,” stated Frazier, who now works as a broadcast technician for Monumental Sports activities, helps e-book bands for the Wizards’ post-game go-go live performance, and is concerned with the Go-Go Museum and different initiatives geared toward preserving go-go historical past. 

“If we may do it, so can youth at the moment. That’s why we have to get extra children acclimated into go-go and get music again into the faculties. They want one thing optimistic that may encourage them as they proceed their training,” he added.

Moten stated investing in youth at the moment will present actual advantages sooner or later. 

“We regularly complain about our younger individuals and criticize them for stepping into hassle,” he stated. “But when we don’t assist extra optimistic actions, then we’ll proceed to see them act out like we did not too long ago at Navy Yard. I used to be speaking with a trainer not too long ago who talked about the problem he faces to get extra devices into his faculty. I don’t perceive that. 

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“After I was rising up we had music at school and commerce instruction so children may study to be musicians or carpenters or plumbers or auto mechanics,” he added. “That’s what we have to present once more all through the D.C. public faculty system.”  

Eduardo Perdomo, director of the Mayor’s Workplace on Latino Affairs, stated it’s essential to appreciate how music, together with go-go, connects individuals of colour whose ancestors hint their roots to varied areas all through the African Diaspora. 

“Since 2022, underneath the mayor’s steering, our workplace has labored with Ron (Moten) and the Go-Go Museum to host an Afro Latino Pageant,” he stated. “Now, we’re engaged on an album – a collaboration with musicians from D.C. and the diaspora, representing a number of continents and a number of cultures. 

“For a few years, we now have been purposely torn aside. However we’re actually nearer than we might imagine we’re.” 

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For extra data, go to https://www.gogomuseumcafe.com/. Observe Go-Go Museum & Café on Fb, Instagram and YouTube.