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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Oct 12: Sweet Cherie Mitchell at Center City PCS Shaw

October 12, 2021 / Mykella Palmer

Chuck Brown’s influence on D.C. area history and culture cannot be overstated, and it was something that was celebrated during this class visit! Sweet Cherie Mitchell, donning a t-shirt defining what go-go is, led Ms. Grandison’s 1st graders in their learning about the basics of go-go music. In an organic learning moment, art teacher Mr. Jones backed up Mitchell with his own celebration of Chuck Brown with a freehand drawing on the white board while Mitchell played Brown’s iconic song “Bustin’ Loose.”

Ms. Grandison reflected:

[This class visit] was a rich, memorable experience. Mrs. Mitchell is a gem 💎!

categories / 2021