Bringing the distinctive D.C. sound of go-go into the classroom.

Teaching for Change is honored to work with D.C. area schools and the authors of The Beat! Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C. to develop lessons and share teaching ideas for infusing the history and music of go-go in middle and high school social studies, language arts, math, music, and/or D.C. history classes, and to bring renowned go-go performers into D.C. classrooms.

"Go-go has stayed true to time-honored cultural scripts such as live call-and-response, live instrumentation, as well as its locally rooted fashions, slang, dance, distribution and economic systems. Simply put: Go-Go never sold out. There is a grit and texture to the music that gives voice to the communities where it was created." –Natalie Hopkinson

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June 1: Sugar Bear at Ballou High School

June 01, 2016 / Mykella Palmer

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Sugar Bear, a graduate of Ballou, visited the new Ballou High School building for the first time to the delight of the music students in Mr. Watson’s class. When entering the building, staff members shouted “Sugar Bear”! When he entered the classroom, he was greeted with a round of applause from students. After sharing some history of go-go, Sugar Bear said, “Lets jam.” Students jumped up and got their instruments. Over the next hour, Sugar Bar played various tunes with the class. When a new tune was introduced, Mr. Watson and Sugar Bear coached students on how to play it. The visit was funded by Office of the Chief of Schools of DCPS.

categories / 2016