Washington, D.C. is preparing to be home to a museum dedicated to Go-Go music, which will be the first of its kind in the city.
The museum is located in Ward 8, in the historic Anacostia neighborhood, and includes a café, an event space, an outdoor garden and a performance space.
The move is the result of a joint effort by Check It Enterprises Culture Center and the Go-Go movement, as well as community advocate Ronald Moten.
Check It is a non-profit that works towards the goal of creating a safe space and opportunities for young LGBTQ people.
The Go-Go museum in the District will be dedicated to “the preservation of the cultural artifacts and legacy of the entire Go-Go music scene.”
Over the past few years, a total of $70,000 has been raised for the project that has been going on since 2008. People are donating to the cause through a gofundme page in order to complete the remaining $25,000 to make the place ready to open by spring 2020.
Now with the help of a recent grant from DMPED, the Go-Go Café is complete and awaiting inspection.
“The Go-Go Café will not only serve as an outlet for the Go-Go music industry, but it will also serve as a place where artists can come to showcase their talents while also helping to preserve D.C.’s music, history, and culture by teaching the next generation of Go-Go artists, Washingtonians, and tourists. This endeavor will also show an entire generation that being a small business owner is not out of their grasp,” a press release from the group said.
Among the Go-Go bands that have performed at this space are the Junkyard, TOB, Sirius & Company.
In the meantime, the D.C. Council now voted unanimously earlier this week to make the genre the official music of the city. The bill needs a second vote from the lawmakers and the mayor’s signature.