Documentary One-Pager

DIRECTOR: AYANNA LONG TITLE: CURRENTLY UNTITLED PRODUCTION TEAM: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ALLIE MARTIN, PhD Candidate, Ethnomusicology DIRECTOR (S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY: BRITTNEY BARBOUR, AYANNA LONG PRODUCER: TA’LOR FLOYD DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: During my teenage years, the start of a good night entailed walking into The DC Star, or any other go-go for that matter, with a fresh crimp in my hair alongside my girls. But the marker of a great night, was leaving the club with a $10 picture in my hand to commemorate the night and sweat dripping from the roots of my hair, causing my gently laid crimp to turn into a full blown afro. Thanks to bands like TCB, CCB, TOB, Reaction and New Impressionz, go-go music served as the soundtrack to my youth growing up in Washington, DC. And yet, as memorable as these moments might’ve been to me and other kids my age at the time, there’s an earlier generation of musicians and their loyal fans alike, that might say what we knew to be go-go music wasn’t authentic. There’re law enforcement officials and government entities that blamed our music for the rings of violence that ignited throughout DC and its surrounding areas.

There’re residents and business owners who think that go-go no longer deserves a space in DC with fear that it taints the city’s transformation. I’m however interested in sharing a story to not only reproach those suggestions, but to share the beauty that lies within go-go and most importantly, its marginalized subgenre; The Bounce Beat. I’m hoping my experience growing up in DC allows me to bring a fresh and candid perspective that only expands how we discuss our art and its relationship to this ever-evolving city.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This documentary will follow bands and other go-go contributors that have come out of different eras of the scene to show the evolution of the music and bridge the generational gap between the swing era of the 70’s, the breakdown bands that emerged in the 90’s, and the early 00’s bounce beat community. By weaving together these stories, viewers who may be unfamiliar with the sound will get a glimpse of go-go traditions, the artist’s role in influencing DC’s political arena, and the rise and fall of go-go venues throughout the city among many other topics.

Through candid interviews and historical imagery, the story will strive to capture the humor, spirit, and sheer talent that go-go artists have brought to the stage since its inception and peel apart its cultural role in D.C.’s changing landscape. Each character will bring the viewer closer to understanding the life and rhythm of a place formerly known as Chocolate City.

CONTACT: Ayanna Long E: ayannak.long@gmail.com P: 202.560.0865 www.ayannalong.com