Mayor Muriel Bowser proclaims Nov. 15 as “Spike Lee Day” in the nation’s capital, honoring the film aficionado for the work he did to broaden the go-go genre’s audience and reach outside of the D.C. area. Shown here, Bowser, with Lee (center) and the museum’s founder, Ronald Moten.
(Photos courtesy of Darrell Stoney)

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

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

Ronald L. Moten and Natalie Hopkinson, Ph.D.,  are co-founders of “Don’t Mute D.C.,” an organization created in 2019 with a goal of spearheading protective clauses that prevent gentrification from eradicating the staple sound of the city. Now, the two have partnered to break ground on a distinctive museum that chronicles the influence and impact of go-go music.

“Fifteen years ago, in front of 4,000 people at the 2009 Go-go Awards, I announced plans to build a Go-go Museum in Washington, D.C. because we needed to get respect for our music and also make sure we preserve our culture,” said Moten, a fifth-generation Washingtonian. “We started raising funds in 2019 through a fundraiser we did with WPGC and people came out to donate. That day we raised $18,000.” 

Since then, Moten and his team have been working with government officials in the District to finance their efforts to “decriminalize” and “destigmatize” the culture surrounding go-go in D.C. The go-go museum will feature exhibits with music, archives and a space for performances in addition to a recording studio that will be open to the community. Moten has also vyed to create a mobile museum which can hold up to 28 passengers, has a pop out DJ booth and a hydraulic performance stage on its rooftop. It will also tote a hologram to honor Anwan “Big G” Glover who founded the Backyard Band. 

The Go-go Mobile Museum features tributes to music legends Sugar Bear and Chuck Brown, in addition to others who laid the groundwork for go-go to become a D.C. staple.
(Photos courtesy of Darrell Stoney)

“The Mobile Go-go Museum stemmed from the go-go float we have sponsored in Ward 8’s MLK Jr. parade for the last 10 years to help attract larger crowds.  During winter months, it is freezing outside, particularly in January, during the MLK Jr. parade, which makes it hard for District residents to participate,” said Moten. “With our new Go-go Mobile Museum, we will now be able to  bring our music, culture and history into our schools, festivals, and communities across all 8 Wards all year round.”

“Altogether the approximate cost for the project is $2 million. We are using grants and donations to support our efforts to benefit Wards 7 and 8 through our culinary arts and creative economy programs,” said Moten. 

The team hosted a ceremony for the project’s groundbreaking on Nov. 15 with performances from the Backyard Band and a special appearance from Spike Lee, Mayor Muriel Bowser in addition to council members Trayon White (D-Ward 8), Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Large) and Robert White Jr. (D-At-Large) onsite at the brick and mortar location of 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE.

Ward 8 residents gathered alongside council members and the mayor to celebrate the history of go-go in the District. (Photos courtesy of Darrell Stoney)

“Go-go is the history of D.C. and the history of D.C. is culture dealing with go-go. It goes back to our ancestors. Music has always been a healing thing for us,” said Robin McKinney who serves as the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for the area. “Go-go is a major part of history that at one point they were trying to stop. People fought to keep Go-go because it was a part of our culture. You can’t say D.C. without saying ‘Go-go’ and ‘mumbo sauce.’”

McKinney said the museum is important not only because it allows patrons to reflect on the past but serves as an avenue to teach the younger generation about those who came before them. 

“A lot of people don’t know about go-go, my daughter is 16 and she’s never been to a go-go concert,” said McKinney. “As soon as it opens, my daughter will be down there. One day when she goes off to college she may have to come back and report on go-go’s impact on the urban community here in D.C. Chuck Brown started off singing blues and that’s how he was able to connect with James Brown, that’s how we connect through rap with Salt ‘n’ Pepa.”

Moten’s goal has been to make the history of go-go accessible to the youth for years to come. The museum is set to open in 2024 and looks forward to welcoming go-go fans and educating music lovers across the world.

“We thank everyone who contributed and the best is yet to come,” said Moten.

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