Washington, D.C., is now the home of the Go-Go Museum and Café, an institution dedicated to the city’s signature sound and cultural lifeblood.
Located in the historic Anacostia neighborhood, the museum opens its doors officially to the public on February 19, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of Go-Go music—a genre deeply rooted in D.C.'s identity.
Ronald Moten, founder and CEO of the museum, spent years envisioning a space that encapsulates the spirit of Go-Go.
"Go-Go music was created by Chuck Brown, the godfather of Go-Go, in 1976. It's an infusion of African and Latino percussion with funk, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B," Ronald explained. "What makes it unique is its call-and-response nature—it doesn’t stop after three minutes like your average song. Go-Go can go on for an hour straight."
This uninterrupted groove is what gives Go-Go its heartbeat, bridging communities through rhythm and storytelling.
“In 2020, Go-Go became the official music of D.C., ending decades of criminalization. Now, we’re moving towards 50 years of Go-Go and seeing it embraced by the government, businesses, and the community. It feels good. There's nothing like it," Ronald explained.
The historical tapestry of Go-Go
Go-Go’s influence extends far beyond music—it’s a cultural force that has revitalized communities, supported small businesses, and created opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“After the riots in the 1960s, many D.C. neighborhoods were left impoverished,” Ronald said. “Go-Go kept iconic Anacostia small businesses alive—places like Ben’s Chili Bowl and Florida Avenue Grill—by drawing people to areas where no one else wanted to be.”
More than just entertainment, Go-Go inspired industries like streetwear, a style of casual urban clothing, which Ronald proudly credits as originating in D.C.
“Karl Kani visited the Madness Shop here in D.C., where streetwear really took off. It wasn’t New York—it started here,” he said. "The ripple effect extended to security companies, clothing designers, and even Globe Posters, which became renowned for their vibrant advertisements of Go-Go shows."
This rich history is central to the museum’s mission and its exhibits.
“Our timeline captures over 250 years of D.C. history and 50 years of Go-Go. We want future generations to embrace it, learn from it, and pass it on,” he emphasized.
A living, breathing museum
Unlike many traditional museums, the Go-Go Museum and Café offers an interactive experience designed to engage visitors of all ages.
“We have over 16 exhibits, many of them interactive, including AI-powered holograms,” Ronald said. “Visitors can ask questions, explore archives, and even create their own street art to take home.”
Ronald said he couldn't have made this dream a reality without the help of Museum Chief Curator Natali Hopkinson. Among the highlights of the exhibits she curated is a hologram of Big G, lead singer of Backyard Band and star of HBO’s The Wire.
“Big G greets you at the entrance and answers questions about Go-Go. We also have an exhibit featuring Sugar Bear, whose hit song ‘Da Butt’ put Go-Go on the global map,” Ronald explained. “These exhibits showcase the pioneers who shaped the genre and ensure their contributions are remembered.”
Beyond exhibits, the museum includes a recording studio and performance space.
“Youth can come here to learn sound engineering, live streaming, and culinary arts. Our 5,000-square-foot outdoor stage will host performances starting this spring,” Ronald said. “It’s not just a museum—it’s a living, breathing space for culture and creativity.”
Community at the Heart
For Ronald, the Go-Go Museum is more than a dream realized; it’s a legacy project.
“Anything you can do to preserve the culture and history of your city is everything to me,” he said. “This museum brings jobs, education, and joy to the community. When I see kids interacting with the exhibits, it feels incredible.”
Ronald values working with TD because of the bank's dedication to serving the community. With financial and tangible support from TD, Ronald was able to make his dreams a reality.
When TD opened its East of the River community store adjacent to Anacostia, Ronald brought the Go-Go Mobile Museum to the TD grand opening, said Jay Laraque, Store Manager in Washington, D.C.
"The mobile museum was a huge hit with the community as they were able to learn about the history of the music at our new store," Jay said.
The museum's mobile truck is equipped with a roof that the band performed on, while the interior has interactive screens that offer educational fun facts about Go-Go Music legends, songs, artists, and history.
Ronald said that TD grand opening was "one of the first times a band performed on our mobile museum. TD also gave us some support financially through a donation for doing that, which was crucial as we were just starting off."
Jay added that the museum will be a very special addition to the community.
"This museum pays homage to Go-Go music legends of the past while providing a space for the community to collaborate, eat, and watch artists of the future," Jay said. "The Go-Go Museum and Café will also be a destination for visitors and tourists to experience Anacostia, which will be a major boost to the small businesses in and around Southeast D.C."
Ronald and TD continue to collaborate on ways to bring the community into the new space, including local schools that are interested in touring the museum. He added that more than 30 schools from the area have already signed up for a tour.
The museum’s creation was a collective effort, Ronald noted. He credits local government, artists, and supporters for bringing the vision to life.
“This was a labor of love, and we’re grateful for everyone who helped us get here,” he said.
Despite limited resources, the museum has pushed boundaries, incorporating cutting-edge technology.
“We’re one of the only museums with AI-powered holograms, alongside institutions like the Holocaust Museum,” Ronald noted. “It’s amazing to be on the cutting edge without the massive funding that other museums have.”
Looking ahead
As the museum opens during Black History Month, the timing is deeply symbolic. “This is a celebration of Black culture and resilience,” Ronald said. “Go-Go is D.C.’s music, and it’s important that we continue to uplift it.”
The museum’s impact is already evident. “Spike Lee even came to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our mobile museum,” he said. “This new, larger space is going to be a hub for collaboration between national artists and local Go-Go musicians.”
But there’s still work to be done.
“We welcome donations and volunteers to help us finish building the outdoor stage and support our operations,” Ronald added. “Muhammad Ali said it best: 'Charity is our rent while we’re here on earth.'"
The journey has been deeply personal for this cultural innovator.
“If you grew up in D.C., Go-Go is in your soul. My mother listened to it, I listened to it. I’ve been an activist for this music since the 1990s, fighting to keep it in schools and providing spaces for bands to play when it was criminalized,” he shared. “In 2009, I stood on stage and said we need a Go-Go Museum. Sixteen years later, here we are.”