Teach the Beat!

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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Feb 15: Capital City Go-Go Education Day Game

February 15, 2023  /  Mykella Palmer

On Wednesday, February, 15, 2023, thousands of young people and teachers across the D.C. metro area filled the Entertainment & Sports Arena at St. Elizabeth’s East, home of the Washington Mystics and the Capital City Go-Go. On this day, these thousands of attendees were present for the Go-Go’s Education Day Game so that D.C. area students could learn and engage with the rich history and the various stylistic elements related to the go-go music genre. 

Teach the Beat teaching artist, Devin Walker, of The Uncle Devin Show, showcased go-go music along with his team, which included Matt “Swamp Guinee” Miller, teaching artist and former program specialist for Teach the Beat! Throughout the 90-minute experience, The Uncle Devin Show performed on an elevated platform, participated in a halftime experience, and signed autographs for students and teachers. 

 

Teach the Beat hosted our Go-Go Gallery Walk to engage students in exploring go-go history using text and instruments. Our D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice (DCAESJ) team was also present, amplifying Black Lives Matter at School and connecting with educators to participate in activities hosted by the network throughout the school year. 

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Capital City Go-Go Education Day Game_ February 15, 2023
 
categories / 2023
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