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

LEARN MORE ABOUT GO-GO SIGN UP DONATE

March 13: Sweet Cherie at Center City PCS Petworth

March 13, 2023 / Mykella Palmer

Jordan Daugherty’s 4th and 5th grade dance classes had a ball with Sweet Cherie at Center City PCS Petworth. The kids welcomed her with great enthusiasm before she even dove into the lesson. During some Q & A, students asked what instruments Cherie plays, what other go-go musicians she knows, and told her she looks a little like Rihanna. She taught concepts like syncopation, and delineated why go-go developed as a genre. Towards the end of the lesson, they formed Soul Train dance lines as part of their kiddie go-go and choreographed step routines to the music Cherie played.

categories / 2023