Go-go Museum set to open in historic Anacostia neighborhood next year

By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com

Self-proclaimed “guardians of go-go” are working to enshrine the legends and life-style of a musical style birthed in Southeast D.C.

Ronald L. Moten and Natalie Hopkinson, Ph.D.,  are co-founders of “Don’t Mute D.C.,” a corporation created in 2019 with a objective of spearheading protecting clauses that forestall gentrification from eradicating the staple sound of the town. Now, the 2 have partnered to interrupt floor on a particular museum that chronicles the affect and affect of go-go music.

“Fifteen years in the past, in entrance of 4,000 individuals on the 2009 Go-go Awards, I introduced plans to construct a Go-go Museum in Washington, D.C. as a result of we would have liked to get respect for our music and likewise be certain that we protect our tradition,” stated Moten, a fifth-generation Washingtonian. “We began elevating funds in 2019 by means of a fundraiser we did with WPGC and other people got here out to donate. That day we raised $18,000.” 

Since then, Moten and his staff have been working with authorities officers within the District to finance their efforts to “decriminalize” and “destigmatize” the tradition surrounding go-go in D.C. The go-go museum will characteristic displays with music, archives and an area for performances along with a recording studio that will likely be open to the neighborhood. Moten has additionally vyed to create a cell museum which might maintain as much as 28 passengers, has a come out DJ sales space and a hydraulic efficiency stage on its rooftop. It is going to additionally tote a hologram to honor Anwan “Huge G” Glover who based the Yard Band. 

“The Cellular Go-go Museum stemmed from the go-go float now we have sponsored in Ward 8’s MLK Jr. parade for the final 10 years to assist entice bigger crowds.  Throughout winter months, it’s freezing exterior, significantly in January, throughout the MLK Jr. parade, which makes it laborious for District residents to take part,” stated Moten. “With our new Go-go Cellular Museum, we are going to now be capable of  convey our music, tradition and historical past into our colleges, festivals, and communities throughout all 8 Wards all 12 months spherical.”

“Altogether the approximate value for the mission is $2 million. We’re utilizing grants and donations to help our efforts to learn Wards 7 and eight by means of our culinary arts and inventive financial system applications,” stated Moten. 

The staff hosted a ceremony for the mission’s groundbreaking on Nov. 15 with performances from the Yard Band and a particular look from Spike Lee, Mayor Muriel Bowser along with council members Trayon White (D-Ward 8), Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Massive) and Robert White Jr. (D-At-Massive) onsite on the brick and mortar location of 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE.

“Go-go is the historical past of D.C. and the historical past of D.C. is tradition coping with go-go. It goes again to our ancestors. Music has all the time been a therapeutic factor for us,” stated Robin McKinney who serves because the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for the world. “Go-go is a significant a part of historical past that at one level they have been attempting to cease. Folks fought to maintain Go-go as a result of it was part of our tradition. You possibly can’t say D.C. with out saying ‘Go-go’ and ‘mumbo sauce.’”

McKinney stated the museum is essential not solely as a result of it permits patrons to replicate on the previous however serves as an avenue to show the youthful technology about those that got here earlier than them. 

“Lots of people don’t learn about go-go, my daughter is 16 and she or he’s by no means been to a go-go live performance,” stated McKinney. “As quickly because it opens, my daughter will likely be down there. At some point when she goes off to varsity she could have to return again and report on go-go’s affect on the city neighborhood right here in D.C. Chuck Brown began off singing blues and that’s how he was in a position to join with James Brown, that’s how we join by means of rap with Salt ‘n’ Pepa.”

Moten’s objective has been to make the historical past of go-go accessible to the youth for years to return. The museum is about to open in 2024 and appears ahead to welcoming go-go followers and educating music lovers internationally.

“We thank everybody who contributed and the very best is but to return,” stated Moten.