Go-go still present at CIAA after Brown's death

NC-native and D.C. go-go legend Chuck Brown's annual concerts at Amos' Southend had become a  staple of CIAA week until last year when Brown fell ill and was hospitalized two days before his March 2nd show. The show was cancelled and sadly Brown never really recovered. The Gaston, NC-native died a few months later at John Hopkins Hospital at the age of 75.

His absence doesn't mean that the musical style he pioneered won't have a presence at CIAA this year. D.C.'s Familiar Faces (pictured), which includes a few former Brown band members, represents the D.C. go-go scene along with a few other acts.

Familiar Faces consists of a collection of DC-based players, several from the D.C. band Rare Essence. It plays the 7th Annual Takeover Party Friday at Amos' Southend with fellow Capitol dwellers Black Alley who mix go-go's ever-present Latin rhythms and R&B vocals with hip-hop and rock on its album "Soul Swagger Rock Sneakers."

Familiar Faces then heads uptown to Picasso's for a performance Saturday with Sugar Bear+EU, the D.C. group responsible for what's probably go-go's best known mainstream hit outside of Brown's "Bustin' Loose" - the 1988 number one R&B and Top 5 Dance single "Da Butt." Joining Sugar Bear+EU is Suttle Thoughts, Da Mix Band, and DJ Daveed.

Tickets for both the Amos' and Picasso's shows are $40 each and are available here (Amos' tickets are also available at www.etix.com). You can purchase a pass to both events for $65. Friday's event starts at 10 p.m., Saturday's runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If you still can't get enough go-go, Saturday's Go-Go Allstar & All Night Party features players from Suttle Thoughts, Da Mix Band, the Backyard Band, and the Chuck Brown Band. It takes place at El Tucan Billiards (6701 N. Tryon St.) at 10 p.m. General admission is $25. VIP is $40. Find tickets to that event here.

(Photo courtesy of www.familiarfaces.org)