Left to right: The Ellington Apartments on U Street, NW; Howard Theater (Photo: Kevin Rutherford); "The Godfather of Go-Go" Chuck Brown, 2011 (Photo: Mark Taylor); The Stoneman Family band, courtesy of Roni
Save when you purchase all 3 sessions of this Music City, DC series!
Washington, D.C., has given much to the musical world beyond its best-known exports Duke Ellington and the punk and go-go scenes. Join musician, broadcaster, and historian Ken Avis as he explores the area’s lesser-known, remarkable, and fascinating musical avenues and why they could only have developed here. Film and recordings bring legendary musicians to life as Avis examines how social change, technological development, and business innovation shaped the sounds that emerged from D.C.—a political town with a serious music habit.
Avis is a regular presenter at Strathmore Music Center and the DC Music Salon and performs with the acoustic world-jazz band Veronneau.
Session Information
Rocking the Capital
After WWII, music, society, mass media, and technology heralded the emergence of teen power. Once again, Washington reflected and created music for the time. Rhythm and blues, rock and roll, the British invasion, and the "album years" of the singer-songwriters all had their area stars. Avis looks at the development of the Anacostia Delta sound, how punk and go-go made their marks, the big acts of the era, and the top venues where it all happened. From Georgetown to Bladensburg, D.C. was rocking!
Additional Sessions
If you are interested in additional Music City, DC programs, view the upcoming schedule:
Patron Information
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