February 7: Ju Ju and Geronimo at Anacostia High School

William "Ju Ju" House (EU) and Geronimo (Trouble Funk) did a go go workshop at Anacostia High School (DCPS) for a music class on Thursday, February 7.  The students were so excited that now they want to create a go-go band and incorporate go-go into their drum line. Even the principal joined in.

Day 4 of #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool Week of Action featured Go-Go band EU teaching our music classes the beat that originated in DC! Our students enjoyed learning more about the genre's past, what makes Go-Go unique, and trying out the drums. Check out student Jordan! #WhyAna #BHM https://t.co/Poa02T0RbD

— Anacostia High (@AnacostiaHigh) February 7, 2019

This was part of a week-long series of activities at Anacostia High School for DC Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. On Wednesday, for example, they hosted KanKouran West African Dance Co.  

On day 3 of #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool Week of Action, our student body traveled to West Africa with @KanKouranDance to learn traditional drumming and dance. Their joy and pride was on level 💯 during this combined brotherhood/sisterhood assembly! #WhyAna #BHM pic.twitter.com/rDqeycoCDi

— Anacostia High (@AnacostiaHigh) February 6, 2019

The Teach the Beat visit to Anacostia High School was made possible by a donation to Teaching for Change from the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation.

February 5: JuJu at Noyes Elementary School

Students at Noyes Elementary School (DCPS) learned about go go during Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action with a Teach the Beat lesson from international go-go artist, William “Ju Ju” House on Tuesday, February 5.

February 4: Ju Ju at Langdon Elementary School

Langdon Elementary School (DCPS) kicked off Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action in DC with a Teach the Beat lesson from international go-go artist, William “Ju Ju” House on February 4, 2019. Thirty fifth graders took turns jamming on Ju Ju's rototom drum set, a hands-on experience that taught them all about the pocket, Chuck Brown, and go-go's wider influence. Ju Ju explained:

This is your home music. New York made hip hop, Atlanta has down-south trap. D.C. has go-go. Go-go is important because it was created here by the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, and it is something that you own no matter where in the world you go! 

Students drummed out the classic go-go bounce beat with their hands and feet, and cued in their classmates who were playing the drums with a loud, "One! Two! Gimme that pocket!"

After everyone took turns in groups of three of four, Ju Ju took their questions. The adults in the room were surprised to see how little students knew about go-go. In response, JuJu issued a challenge: if they could sing five go-go songs on his return visit, he'd buy them pizza.

Principal Kemi Husbands, who is a D.C. native, said:

I'm so proud. There are so many myths aligned with go-go — that it's just for the younger generation, or only 'certain kinds' of people listen to go-go said When I tell people I used to stay at the go-go, they say, 'What! You?' I hope my students get more appreciation of go-go as a true art form.

Iche Buchanan, fifth grade math teacher, said:

[Teach the Beat] sparked their interest. Now when they hear go-go on the radio they will make the connection. Go-go was made by Black people, and it shows our importance in this world. Without us there would be no go-go music! 

See more photos and video clips from the visit to Langdon Elementary School and from more Teach the Beat classroom visits in D.C. schools.

The Teach the Beat visit to Langdon was made possible by a donation to Teaching for Change from the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation.