While it has been the sound of the city for decades, the District is celebrating the fourth anniversary of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declaring go-go the official music of the nation’s capital.
“Go-go is the soundtrack of D.C. – we celebrate that all year, but especially during Keep the Beat Week,” said Bowser, who on Feb. 19, 2019, signed the Go-Go Official Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act.
Keep the Beat Week officially kicked off Sunday, Feb. 18 and will continue through Feb. 23. With programming presented by Bowser and the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME),”Keep the Beat Week” is more than a time to celebrate go-go, but work to preserve its culture and legacy as a key aspect of District life.
“As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re reminded of the power of Go-Go music as a unifying force in our community,” said LaToya Foster, director of OCTFME. “Keep the Beat Week is not just about looking back at the history of go-go, but pushing forward its legacy through education, wellness, and celebration.”
Events have already included Sunday’s 2024 Go-Go Museum Honors and the sold-out “Pulse of the Capital Concert,” at the Howard Theatre on Monday, Feb. 19, which featured performances from E.U., Backyard Band, Junkyard Band and R.S. Band. Wednesday, Feb. 21 includes a “Women of Go-Go Panel,” at 5 p.m. and “Love and Go-Go Cafe Spoken Word” at 7 p.m. both at The Alumni at Baby Wale, 1124 9th Street NW. On Friday, Feb. 23, there will be two “Go-Go FItness and Mindfulness” sessions (9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) at Stead Park Recreation Center in Northwest, D.C.
“We are grateful for the champions of the culture who are bringing these events to life, and we look forward to seeing the community celebrating D.C., celebrating Go-Go, and keeping the beat alive.”
“Keep the Beat Week,” is part of the District’s and OCTFME’s larger celebrations for Black History Month, particularly as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the founders of Black History Month, acknowledge “African Americans and the Arts,” as its 2024 theme.
During Black History Month, District Cable Network and District Knowledge Network will be airing special programming including: “Black History Through Song,” OCTFME’s Telly-award winning series “Road to Representation,” and “Straight Crankin.”