(Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, January 6 at 6 pm, Mayor Muriel Bowser will celebrate five decades of Go-Go at the 2026 Go-Go Awards. The Mayor and other honorees will be recognized for their commitment to preserving and elevating Go-Go, the official music of Washington, DC.
The 2026 Go-Go Awards, themed “Returning to Our Roots & Embracing the Diaspora,” will celebrate the lasting cultural, economic, and community impact of Go-Go music. Presented by the Go-Go Museum & Café, the first institution in the world dedicated to preserving and celebrating Go-Go, the awards will honor the genre’s history, legacy, and future through live performances, tributes, and recognitions of the artists and leaders who have shaped Go-Go for five decades.
The program will be co-hosted by DC natives and comedians Joe Clair and Jay Cole and will feature live performances by the Chuck Brown Band, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, the Go-Go Allstars, A Team (house band), and a collaborative set by DJ Kool and DJ Wiz—highlighting the historic connection between Go-Go and hip-hop.
Mayor Bowser has long championed the arts as a vital part of Washington, DC’s culture, economy, and community life. In 2020, Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia made Go-Go the official music of Washington, DC through the Go-Go Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act.
When:
Tuesday, January 6 at 6 pm
Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairwoman, Urban One
Ronald Moten, Founder and CEO, Go-Go Museum & Café
Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, Chief Curator, Go-Go Museum & Café
Joe Clair, Co-Host
Where:
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street NW
*Closest Metro Station: U Street/Cardozo Metro Station*
*Closest Bikeshare Station: 13th & U Street NW*
*This event is open to pre-credentialed press.* Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X.
Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Bluesky: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos
Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser