The Sound of DC: A Visual History is a four-part exhibition series focused on the rich history of the music scene in the DMV area.

The newest chapter of this series focuses on Go-Go, a style of funk that originated in D.C. in the 1970s; leading into a look at how fashion factored into these unique DC music scenes; and concluding with photography from behind-the-scenes at prominent local music venues. Each section will collaborate with local stakeholders and exhibit artifacts such as posters, flyers, zines, photographs, and audio recordings.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with two of Go-Go’s finest, Backyard Band and Black Alley, with For the Love of Go-Go. Come with your significant other, your friends, or solo and bask in the glow of love as you sing and dance to your favorite songs and celebrate the power of Go-Go music.

Presented in partnership with the Go-Go Museum

The JoGo Project is a WAMMIE Award-winning jazz and go-go band from Washington, D.C., founded in 2014 by Elijah Jamal Balbed, who performed with Chuck Brown, “the Godfather of Go-Go,” during the last year of Brown’s life. A few years later, Balbed decided to start a band to continue Brown’s legacy and bring the jazz and go-go worlds together, and the Jogo Project was born. Ten years on, JoGo remains dedicated to keeping go-go music alive while also exploring new sounds and repertoire.

With Black Alley

Rare Essence is a Washington, D.C.-based go-go band formed in 1976. Rare Essence has been amongst the most prominent musicians of the D.C. music scene, producing numerous hit songs in the local D.C. market and several hits nationwide, including the charting hit "Work the Walls".

The ambassadors of Go-Go music—the legendary Big Tony and Trouble Funk—star in The Go-Go Explosion featuring some of DC's best, including all-female band Bela Dona and "Hood Rock" collective Black Alley. If there was an official soundtrack for DC, essentials like "Let's Get Small," "Drop The Bomb," and "Pump Me Up" would be at the top of the list. Come celebrate this "proudly regional music born in the nation's capital" (Rolling Stone).

Backyard also known as BYB is the most successful and widely known Go-Go band in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area as well as nationwide. BYB consists of Anwan ‘Big G’ Glover (lead talker) whom is nationally known for his role on HBO’s the Wire as Slim Charles. Leroy ‘Weensey’ Brandon (vocals), Earl Vincent (vocals), Tiffany ‘Sweetthang’ White (vocals), and Carlos ‘Los’ Chavels (rapper) who all make up the frontline. Keith ‘Sauce’ Robinson (percussion), Paul ‘Buggy’ Edwards (percussion), Bobby ‘Bob’ Terry (lead guitar), Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Field (Bass Guitar), Eric ‘EB’ Britt (keyboard), Michael ‘Mike’ Dunklin (keyboard), and Marcus Johnson (keyboard).

Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band for more than four decades, is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid -70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.

Live! @Montpelier

In 2011, when Jazz saxophonist, Elijah Jamal Balbed was a Sophomore at Howard University, he received a life-changing call to perform with the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. Elijah performed with Chuck from May of 2011 until the Godfather's death the following year on May 16th, 2012. The year Elijah spent with Chuck, instilled a new-found love for Go-Go music, which would forever influence his sound and approach to music. When it was time for Elijah to start a band of his own, he knew it had to be something that brought his Jazz and Go-Go worlds together … The JoGo Project was born! Today, The JoGo Project is a WAMMIE Award winning band from Washington, DC that fuses many styles of music, but with Jazz harmonies and a driving Go-Go beat at its core. Montpelier Arts Center is extremely pleased to bring The JoGo project to you and want you to join the party and get moving!

$25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members and seniors

Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band for more than four decades, is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid -70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.

The JoGo Project is a band from Washington, DC that fuses many styles of music, but with Jazz harmonies and a driving Go-Go beat at its core. JoGo was founded by DC Native and Jazz Saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed during a residency at Strathmore in 2014. Eight years later, The JoGo Project has become a mainstay in the DC music community and is dedicated as ever to keeping DC's Go-Go music alive while also exploring new sounds and repertoire.

Pay-What-You-Wish starting at $10.

Experience Unlimited (E.U.) is a Washington, D.C. based Go-Go/funk band fronted by Gregory "Sugar Bear” Elliott, a globally known recording artist, frontman, lead vocalist, and bass player with 3 billboard hits including the “Da Butt” which peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles in 1988. He’s also credited with a performance in Spike Lee’s film “School Daze”.

Featuring Sirius Co. & DCVybe: A Return to Grown & Sexy

Featuring Bounce Beat Kingz + TOB & New Impressionz & Special Guests

Moechella is the intersection of culture and politics in Washington DC. For the last three years it has represented the voice of the city. Moechella celebrates its three year anniversary bringing Go-Go back to The Howard Theatre. #LongLiveGoGo
Join the Movement.

Dates: Aug 19 & Aug 20 @5:30pm; Aug 21 @10am

Go-Go is music amplifying the voices of marginalized and displaced Washingtonians, and Don't Mute D.C. is a collective of activists fighting for the music, culture, and people.

Register here.

Dates: Aug 19 & Aug 20 @5:30pm; Aug 21 @10am

Go-Go is music amplifying the voices of marginalized and displaced Washingtonians, and Don't Mute D.C. is a collective of activists fighting for the music, culture, and people.

Register here.

Dates: Aug 19 & Aug 20 @5:30pm; Aug 21 @10am

Go-Go is music amplifying the voices of marginalized and displaced Washingtonians, and Don't Mute D.C. is a collective of activists fighting for the music, culture, and people.

Register here.

Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go‑Go band for more than four decades is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid-’70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.

Vybe was formed in 2002 after the expiration of a group called Virtuous. Vybe started as an R&B cover band, which performed weekly at J's Sport Cafe in Laurel, Md. Eventually, Vybe layered their R&B sound over D.C.'s GO-GO pocket. The streets of D.C. define this style as Pocket Jazz or Grown & Sexy, but we just call it music. Vybe's sound is heavily influenced by Chuck Brown, The Godfather of GO-GO.

Vybe covers all genres of music specializing in funk, R&B, GO-GO, and jazz. The band is comprised of a drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, trumpeter, trombonist, saxophonist, male and female vocalists.

Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band for more than four decades, is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid -70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.

From its 1960s origin to the current style we know today, Go-go has influenced a massive part of what it means to be a Washingtonian. Through performances and educational discussions with natives leading the culture, the 101 series will help you understand its importance to our city.

Washington DC’s Premier “Old-School” Go-Go Band was formed in 1982. Led by DC’s living Go-Go legend, James “JAs” Funk, Proper Utensils produces a version of Go-Go reminiscent of the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. The band has produced a few hit records including “Georgie Porgy” & “Go-Go Rumpshaker”.
PU is a funky, jazzy, bluesy, creative dance band with seasoned veterans including two members of the original Soul Searchers, Lloyd Pinchback on saxophone and cowbell, and John Buchanan on Flugabone and keyboards. Tony Brown plays trumpet and flugelhorn and Wayne Davis plays bass guitar to round out our brass and rhythm sections.