DC's Spoken Word to Go-Go Competition Crowns a Champion | WETA Arts

Host Felicia Curry visits the 31st Annual Barbecue Festival in downtown D.C. to take in a spoken word competition called "Spoken Word to Go Go." Then competition, which was created by Kristina Noell of the Anacostia Business Improvement District, is part of a movement to create an arts district in Anacostia. Three poets compete in the finals, expressing their personal stories and emotions through spoken word poetry set to the backdrop of Go-Go music, a genre known for its percussion and bass-driven, which was pioneered by Chuck Brown in Washington DC. In the competition, which is emceed by WPGC radio personality Poet Taylor, artists Freedomwriter Johnson, Joezy Joe, and Sir Harvey Fitz layer words on top of Go-Go music, performed live by Experience Band and Show. The winner receives a cash prize of $1,000 and the opportunity to produce a professionally recorded album. The event is aimed at inspiring young artists to use their creative talents to cope with life's challenges instead of resorting to violence. The competition's success is attributed to the fusion of Go Go music and spoken word poetry, providing a unique platform for self-expression and storytelling. ABOUT THE SHOW This video is part of "WETA Arts," a monthly magazine-style program from WETA that celebrates the visual and performing arts in the Washington, DC area. Host Felicia Curry explores the DC arts scene and presents a variety of stories, profiles, and discussions, introducing emerging and established artists alike. Watch more short segments of "WETA Arts":    • Celebrate the Arts in the Washington Area ...   Stream full episodes of "WETA Arts": https://weta.org/watch/shows/weta-arts Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest releases and recommendations! https://weta.org/about/publications/n... Follow WETA on social: Twitter:   / wetatvfm   Facebook:   / wetatvfm   Instagram:   / wetatvfm